The ages of mankind have been named for the material out of which they made their tools. The Stone Age, Iron Age and Bronze Age are examples of epochs when people created things to make their lives better. It has been said that we live at the very beginning of the Silicone Age. A time in which some people take silicone and create laptop computers, cellular phones, the information superhighway. Others have created smart bombs, layers of bureaucracy and voice messaging. I bounce it. Well, you get the drift.

 

In the three years of Vegas fest, there has only been one Club Renegade, but it was a classic. Both Jeff Daymont and Charlie Brown were there. Daymont performed very early in the show. As is Jeffs way, he did incredible box tricks, all the while just smiling in the affable way that audiences love. But, as is typical Daymont, the routine had rough edges and lots of drops. The audience always forgives Jeff because of his manner and the way-out level of his tricks.

 

After the applause died for Daymont, a chant arose in the room. "Charlie... Charlie... Charlie!" I chanted too, "Charlie!" The next acts went on. Occasionally the chant would come again, "Charlie!" Finally, at the end of the show, Charlie Brown is introduced to great applause.

 

After waiting for it to still, he tells the crowd, that he doesn't know what the big deal is, that there is no contest. And then goes on to prove it! He smoked 'em. He was fluid, he was smooth, he was solid, he was flawless.

 

"Charlie... Charlie... Charlie!"

 

On the juggling floor itself, Winter Festival mornings are very light, a few ball bouncers, one or two small groups. Everything happens in the afternoons. The only combat I saw this year was five ball bounce combat. An esoteric sport, limited to the maniacal few.

 

For me the main thing is club passing. And some of the best are here. You will see some cutting edge stuff. Everyone seems to be open, and impromptu workshops happen often. Martin Frost teaching the difference between the "East coast" and "West coast" versions of Hovey's Nightmare, neither of which is the version Hovey does himself, of course. Martin is like an interactive software program, just click the mouse on the Martin icon and ask your question. He is a tireless teacher and seems to always know the proper thing to tell the pupil to correct the problem or expand the experience. Martin has taught me how to think about passing. I suppose the challenge is a "Nebraska" version of the nightmare.

 

These are the things that make the Vegasfest so special - a sharing, a together, a friendship, a party. See ya next year at the 'Boat. I bet she'll be lookin' pretty!

 

Bowling For Jugglers

With more than 100 jugglers gathered in Las Vegas for the '95 Winterfest, the biggest draw was not Franco, Gatto, or any of the other major shows. The most popular event, based on attendance, was the nightly (1 a.m.) Bowling Extravaganza organized by Eliot Goldstein and Darrell Toomey. Many an evening, more than 50% of the Winterfest jugglers could be found enjoying the Showboat bowling lanes.

 

Bowlers of all ages and abilities were eligible for the many prizes, none of which was awarded based on bowling ability. The high­light of the final night was the awarding of the Showboat satin jacket, complete with casino chips in each pocket. Norman Schneiderman not only was victorious in winning a game of bowling, but also took the jacket back to Nova Scotia. The chips were immediately taken over to the Casino where this lucky winner converted them into one of the hotel's largest slot machine payouts. Social events at all future conven­tions will be judged against Schneiderman's victory celebration!

 

If enough people are interested in a July Bowl-a-thon, Goldstein and Toomey have offered their expertise. Notify them of your interest by U.S. mail to Juggling Arts, Phoenix, AZ.