Page 16 Spring 1992
The 1992 International Jugglers Association festival July 16 - 21 McGill University Montreal, Que., Canada
This
year it's more than juggling in the gym. Montreal is offering the
IJA a red carpet invitation to become
a star celebrant of this historic city's summerlong 350th
anniversary party.
Montreal
wants the IJA to see Montreal and to be seen by the multitudes of
tourists planning their summer vacations around its birthday. So the
city has arranged performance venues for jugglers throughout the
vibrant entertainment district that surrounds McGill University.
Dorchester
Park is reserved for outdoor juggling all week, and the city invites
performers to lay their hats on the ground to invite donations for
their shows. In nearby Berri Square, two stages complete with sound,
lights and technical crew will also be sites for shows throughout
the week by jugglers who audition for those prime spots.
But
it won't take an audition to join the parade! On Thursday, July 23,
everyone is invited to join the juggler's parade through more than a
mile of city streets from McGill University to Berri Square. Bring
your stilts, unicycles, costumes, props and musical instruments to
make as big a show of it as possible! The traditional Big Toss Up
will take place upon arrival in the square, and 350 jugglers will be
invited to juggle simultaneously to mark the city's birthday.
The
championships and Cascade of Stars Pubic Show will take place in the
regal St. Denis Theatre, a showplace whose beauty has been
exquisitely preserved.
Whew!
Sounds like quite a thing, doesn't it? It's a chance to enjoy the
show by being part of the show, and we know there aren't many
jugglers who can resist that! Come join us!
SPONSORSHIP:
The IJA's 45th Annual Festival is hosted by the International
Jugglers Association in cooperation with McGill University, the City
of Montreal, Serge Trempe and Les Jongleurs Associes du Quebec. The
festival coordinator is Ginny Rose. For general festival
information call Tom Bennett. SPECIAL
GUESTS: The renowned and richly talented jugglers Lotte Brunn and
Michael Moschen will attend the Montreal festival as special guests
of the IJA. Brunn will conduct a workshop and receive the
organization's Historic Achievement Award, while Moschen will
conduct a workshop, appear in the Cascade of Stars show and receive
the IJA's Award of Excellence.
HOUSING:
Because there will be a lot of other visitors in town for
anniversary festivities, festival coordinator Ginny Rose urges
jugglers to register for the Montreal festival early. Housing at
McGill is limited, and can only be guaranteed if your registration
is received by May 20. On-site registration during the festival will
be at McGill University's Curry Gym. Registration questions should
be directed to Debbie Bennett; Akron OH.
STREET
PERFORMING OPPORTUNITIES: There will be a series of public
performances on the Berri Square stages throughout the festival,
culminating with a fire juggling show on Saturday night following
the Cascade of Stars show. Jugglers wishing to perform on the Berri
Square stages should send videos to: Serge Trempe; Quebec.
Jugglers may perform at any time during the week in Dorchester Park,
and may lay a hat on the ground for donations. However, city laws
prevent "passing the hat" or any active solicitation of
donations.
You
may also contact Trempe about street performing opportunities during
the Montreal International Jazz Festival (the week before the IJA
festival) and the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival (the week
following the IJA bash).
CANADIAN
CUSTOMS: To cross the border, citizens of US may need to show
customs officials an identity certificate such as a passport, voter
registration card, birth certificate or baptismal record. They may
not ask you for it, but bring one of the above along just in case. TRANSPORTATION:
Eager Travel Corporation is proud to be the IJA's official travel
agency, and has negotiated
discounted airfares for festival attendees with American AirIines.
However, regardless of airline used, Eager guarantees the lowest
available rate. By using Eager, you will also help directly benefit
the IJA. Call Eager toll free in the continental US and Canada.
RIDE
THE RAILS: FIorida Juggler Larry Jordan is arranging for jugglers to
take over an Amtrak train going to and returning from the festival,
extending their festival experience by two days each way.
The
Silver Star leaves Miami bound for Montreal on July 18 at 3 p.m.,
arriving in Washington, D.C., at 2:25 p.m. on July 19. Change trains
there for the Montrealer, which leaves Washington at 4:10 p.m,
arriving in Montreal on the 20th at 10:45 a.m. Jugglers will set up
a command post in the last car of the train. The return trip leaves
Montreal at 5:10 p.m. on July 26, arriving in Miami at 1:15 p.m. on
the 28th. Round-trip from Miami to Montreal is only $189 if you book
early.
To
make sure you book the right train, call About Town Travel in
Kissimmee, Fla., for all the details and reservations. For more
information, call Larry Jordan or Dena Frooman. PARKING:
Parking at McGill University is $25 for your week's stay. Buy your
permit through the registration form or at the door.
HOUSING:
Only single rooms are available at McGill University and they are
small, but more than one person will be allowed in a room if
families want to stay together. No artificial air conditioning
is necessary since all facilities
are located on a mountain slope
with good natural air
circulation.
The IJA is booking 400 rooms at McGill, and they will be the cheapest rooms in town. Sorry, but there will be no guarantee that jugglers showing up at the festival without prior room reservations will be able to get a room on campus because McGill will be renting out its facilities to other tourists. If you'd like a hotel list, call Debbie Bennett.
The
official beginning of the festival is Tuesday, July 21, but people
wanting to arrive on Monday can get a room for that night if they
indicate it on the registration form. FOOD:
Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served in the Bishop Mountain
Hall Cafeteria near the residence halls.
Vegetarian
entrees will be available at all meals. You don't have to get a meal
plan, but if you choose one you must preregister for it. The three
meal plan is optional, and other
restaurants are available in the
nearby area.
CHAMPIONSHIPS:
The rules for 1992 are essentially the same as those used in St.
Louis. The Senior and Teams championships will be judged by the Kappel
System, while Juniors will be evaluated with the Modified Ordinal
System. For specific event rules, times and entry fees, contact Tom
Bennett; Akron OH. PUBLIC
SHOW: The Cascade of Stars Public Show will be directed by Dan Holzman
and will be presented Saturday night, July 25, at the prestigious St.
Denis Theatre in the heart of Montreal. The show will feature a
all-star cast. For further information call Holzman, especially if you
are willing to play a synthesizer or drums during the show. Anyone
interested in performing in the IJA festival house band should contact
Bruce Plott; Jacksonville FL.
THE
GAMES OF THE IJA: IJA will hold its Games Day at Montreal on Saturday,
July 25. Anyone interested in helping with the Games (as well as clubs
or individuals with ideas for creative new team games) should contact
Kevin Delagrange; Uniontown OH. THE
IJA AUCTION: Going once! Going twice! This year's auction promises to
whip you into a veritable shopping
frenzy! Start saving now the bidding will be contagious! For
information on the auction contact Chris Majka. VENDORS:
Floor space for vendors around the perimeter of Curry Gymnasium is
available on a per-day basis, or for the entire week. Contact Tom
Bennett to reserve space or to ask about customs procedures, which are
being coordinated by the IJA.
Milgram
& Company, Ltd. has been appointed official Customs Broker for the
IJA. Your contact at this firm will be Daniel Courey, Montreal,
Quebec. Exhibitors who follow the instructions of Milgram & Co.,
Ltd. will experience no difficulty in exhibiting in Canada. VOLUNTEERS: The organizers need your support in lending a hand with registration, security, staging and other duties. If you can volunteer a little time at the convention please call Serge Trempe. |
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