Viva, Las Vegas!

The IJA's 48th Annual Festival is hosted by the International Jugglers Association in cooperation with the Hacienda Hotel and Casino.  Festival Coordinator is Ginny Rose.  For general festival information call Richard Dingman, IJA Secretary / Treasurer.

 

Las Vegas is the unmatched entertainment capital of the world, offering modern-day as well as historical attractions. It is a sea of neon lights, spinning roulette wheels, spectscular shows featuring top world performers and endless nightlife. AND, even more!

 

Las Vegas' best-kept secret is its fabulous offering of scenic destinations and close proximity to magnificent natural attractions and recreational opportunities in the surrounding mountains and desert. Enjoy wonderful family-oriented entertainment, such as the 26-acre Wet 'n Wild water park, or, windsurfing, swimming, sailing, fishing, scuba diving and water skiing at Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. For nature at its best, tour the eighth wonder of the world, the Grand Canyon, or visit world-famous Death Valley. Search for petroglyphs at the Valley of Fire State Park. Or, far real hands-on fun sign up to climb rocks Thursday with rock climber Richard Dingman - IJA's own secretary / treasurer - in Red Rock Canyon!

 

All these scenic delights are easily accessible by bus, car, helicopter or plane. Whether you have a few hours to spare or a few days, you can make your IJA festival trip to Las Vegas even more memorable by taking a fun-filled excursion.

 

Remember, though, daytime summer temperatures in Las Vegas may often reach over 100 degrees, so plan appropriately and, please, leave pets at home!

 

Aside from all around town, bottom line is, it's juggling you really want, it's juggling you'll really get!

 

Beside all IJA jugglers at the festival, many top performers are currently appearing on Las Vegas stages, including Wally Eastwood, Dick Franco, Anthony Gatto, Michael Godeau, Atsuka Koga, Anatoli Miagkostoupov, Gregory Popovich and the Qian Brothers. Also not to be missed is the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil showing at Treasure Island, which among its all-star cast - features jugglers Jason Besnard, Pat McGuire and Steve Ragatz.

 

SPECIAL GUESTS

Dick Franco -  IJA Award of Excellence

Dick Franco's success story gives hope to all late-blooming jugglers. This former IJA president was 20 years old before he learned to cascade three balls, but practiced diligently while holding down a job, attending school and raising a family. In 1975 he made a leap of faith and took his wife, Carlene, and young daughter, now also a juggler, on the road to look for work as jugglers. At first he worked for small circuses, and even passed the hat on the street. But in 1977 he was hired by the Harlem Globe Trotters as the halftime juggler, and the rest is juggling history.

 

In 1979 he left the Globe Trotters tour in Europe and went on to win a gold medal and the "World Champion" title in a juggling competition against two established European stars. An overnight success at some of the finest night clubs in Europe, in 1980 he become one of three jugglers, ever, to win the Silver Clown at the Monte Carlo Circus Festival.

 

Since 1981 he has been a regular star, performing in Las Vegas, Reno and Atlantic City. Recently, he and Carlene developed a unique way to entertain their audiences, molding their juggling skills into a country­western theme for "Wild Bill's Dinner Theatre" in California. Dick has continued his work in character development and created the role of Chef Rico in his current "Congo' show at the Rio Suites Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

 

A vaudeville history buff as well, Franco has been the subject of two cable TV features, written two juggling instruction books, painted canvases of several famous vaudeville jugglers, and co-produced a documentary on Bobby May. His daughter, Noelle, has also benefited from his coaching which has led her to a successful juggling career.