A brief list of tricks (in small type) half fills the back of the video box. There are tricks with eggs, spoons, plates, feathers, dollar bills, cups, pillows, trays, raw meat, basketballs, paddle balls, ropes, pencils, quarters, knives, apples and forks, and so on and so on. You'll definitely want to watch this video a number of times.

 

Don't expect to actually learn every stunt that is demonstrated, though. Most stunts are only done once, and only a small proportion are explained in anything like slow-motion or teaching detail. There is a juggling montage that is fun, but the camera work and speed of the performances won't allow a beginner to actually learn the basics of the art.

 

My favorite part of the video is when Barry and Dan try to out-show-off each other. With Dan doing his memorable golf stunts and a hat/ ball/cane routine and Barry mouth juggling three ping pong balls, performing a five ball routine and a terrific egg/cup/stick balance, you'll just sit back and enjoy two of the best.

 

This is also a wonderful video for up-and­coming partner jugglers as a demonstration of how the give-and-take of patter and presentation really works between two seasoned veterans. Physical focus, timing, and interactive patter are well demonstrated. The sets and musical accompaniment are just right.

 

I think the best thing you can get from this video is the sense of fun and craziness of Dan and Barry. Just watching them should get your creative inventiveness flowing to where you'll start setting your own show-off standards.

 

The International Jugglers' Association Annual Convention-Rapid City, South Dakota, July 16-20, 1996. Alan Plotkin Productions. Est. Running Time: approx. 2 hours. Price: $35 from the IJA.

 

It's that time of year again when those of us who didn't get to attend the annual festival get a copy of the video and wish we had been there. And for those lucky ones who were there, this is a wonderful opportunity not only to recall particular events, but also to see things they may have missed. This year's video is the best yet in quality, style and organization, and is well worth the price.

 

The tape opens with bits and pieces of South Dakota sights (the Big Four on Rushmore and native American dancing) that segues into performance, workshop and practice sequences. There is a truly strange moment with Mark Faje and his glue gun (must have been late-night!). Then the Jon Held Dancers perform a graceful, stage-filling act.

 

The next sequence has excerpts from the Juniors competition: Rick Friscia (third), Mike Price (second), and the fine and inspirational Casey Boehmer as the champion with some dazzling numbers. Bob Bramson is presented the IJA Historical Achievement Award, delivering a funny "thank you" speech, followed by excerpts from his workshop and his evening performance. What he does with his hoops, especially the loop-into-the-fence bit is truly astounding.

 

Albert Lucas follows with pieces from his workshop demonstrations and a touching voiceover of his acceptance of the Award of Excellence. A series of outtakes from his evening performance include torches and dazzling numbers proficiency, all with grace and energy. The next section includes bits of the numbers competition, joggling and competitive tricks. There are some good bits with Masahiro Mizuno's kendama and Iman's glow juggling.

 

The team competition has generous sequences of both the first place Dew Drop Jugglers and second place Tripp and Fall. Following this is Vince Bruce's tremendous rope twirling act - Will Rogers would be astounded. Bill Giduz presents the People's Choice award to Gil Pontius, followed by sections from Gil's unusual act of "orbitals," balls on rope. Hearty and large-hearted Founders Award winner Bob Nickerson is next with a bit from his vaudeville-styled act.

 

The individual championship top three (Greg Kennedy - first with a unique and mystic balls in a bowl, Jay Gilligan - second in an unusual cane piece, and Brian Patz - third with some mean cigar box juggling) are given good time to show their stuff, followed by late night acts, some yoyo routines, parts of Dick and Noelle Franco's high energy Vegas-style act, extracts from Peter Davison's juggling/spoken word/movement piece, Dan Bennett's bowling ball head balance, Dave Deeble, and final bits and pieces with title listings for many of the convention's organizers.

 

Alan Plotkin and Steve Salberg are to be congratulated for what I think is their best effort yet. Timing and sequence framing for all routines is excellent. Sound pickup is amazingly good for the variety of venues they tape. They have truly captured the essence of the acts and sessions in sequences that seem just the right length. The music backgrounds are energetic and the whole product has a nice classy look to it.

 

I also want to thank them for incorporating names titles for each act/person featured (they are also listed at the end). This was missing in the past, and viewers will appreciate this detail. It gives the tape a professional feel and will help jog some fading memories. In addition, Plotkin and Salberg often find ways to have a voiceover say the name as well ­ clever and very engaging. I highly recommend this tape to anyone wanting not only a record of the event, but also to those of us who didn't find our way to the festival and anyone seeking taped records of the many and varied types of juggling.