The history lounge was really cool, too. Mary Wilkins had assembled her collection and loans from others to present a fascinating display of memorabilia, collectibles, and truly historic items. They were also running old videos and films, including Art Jennings' home movies. The history lounge was a definite plus to the fiftyfest! I saw Hovey Burgess in the history lounge, and Lisa Thomas - how cool can you get?! The history lounge should keep alive the dream of a permanent museum site for the IJA.

 

Almost everything happened in the tent and arena. They were our yin and yang. The tent sat 900 and had a large stage and backstage area. What a cool festival. Fifty glorious years!

 

In the middle of it all stood a Rose. Ginny Rose...kudos, Ginny...kudos. Ginny asked me one day to give founder Roger Montandon and his wife a ride to the Holiday Inn in the rental van. It was great, a chance to meet Roger, a name I had known for 25 years. There he was waiting for me... because I couldn't find the van! Then I discovered Ginny gave me the wrong key. Okay, now I have them. Oops, someone left a container of yogurt open on the seat. Yeah. Nice to meet you, too.

 

(Here's to Roger Montandon.. .clink!)

 

I was hanging out with Babes in Shades (Nancy Kelly, Sandy Brown, Anne Macklin and Renee Crosby), that performance artist/ satirical Midwestern juggling group. Hanging with the Babes is always a good time, and they had cars. On the way to and from the motel, lunch, etc., Babes in Shades and I had occasion to pick up Mark Faje, Renegade star, geek act, cool guy. Another time with Larry Olson along we picked up Katja, Serge's daughter, and gave her a ride to the Holiday Inn. She was very articulate and friendly. You meet the nicest people on the road at Goldenfest!

 

The opening night entertainment was billed as a comedy show, and was hosted by Edward Jackman. I have always been a big Jackman fan, and Edward did not disappoint. The show was in the tent, and was a perfect ice breaker. The casual bar was operating just inside the arena, and the population was jamming. People were showing up, running into old friends, and meeting new ones.

 

Edward made us laugh, and Waldo and Robert Nelson, the Butterfly Man, were highlights.  The three founders in attendance that night - Art Jennings, Roger

Montandan and Bernard Joyce - were introduced that night. They got up on stage to accept awards, and the place went nuts. It was what Art would call a showstopper, because the whole shebang ground to a halt for several minutes as the assembled mass rose and paid tribute. I had the feeling the tribute was not just for the three founders present, nor the eight founders as a whole, but for the IJA and its historic 50 years. At that moment, all present knew that we were one, and it was good. I must have gotten something in my eye just then. It was, in all truth, historical.

 

(Here's to Bill Dunham... clink!)

 

The second night was the European Showcase - a Tim Roberts production. The show was in the tent, and the tent was hopping. There was standing room only around the fringes. We were 900-plus, and rocking.

 

The show was utter dynamite. It was certainly not your typical IJA fest fare... oh no. They had exits and entrances, and there was a noticeable lack of footwear. This was nouveau radical funk, straight out of the European circus schools. Each and every act received a standing ovation. Not always from me of course, but standing O's for sure. It was all very arty, you see. .The contrast with the previous night was stark. European tradition meets American street theatre. The final act was a... how should I say... wind chime act. (You really need to see the tape on this one.) The crowd went nuts! We all knew we were at a great fest, perhaps the greatest fest. For sure it was cool!

 

Monday night was film night. Monday night at the movies with 900 of your closest friends in the coolest tent you ever saw. Give Alan Plotkin access to the film archive so he can produce the show, open the bar, and, "Voila!" Another totally cool night at Fiftyfest.

 

(Here's to Eddie Johnson...cIink!)

 

It was a great Festival, Lil, and I have seen a bunch of them. I went to my first fest in Amherst, Mass., in 1979, with one legged Dick. Then I went to Fargo in '80 with a bunch of Lincoln jugglers. Remember Lil? I called you from Fargo. It was the first time I told you I loved you.

 

"I remember Ernie," says Lil, blushing.

 

Pittsburgh made it an even dozen for me.  At the festival in Santa Barbara a most wonderful tradition was born - the Nebraska Bar. The tradition has evolved over the years based on natural selection, local liquor laws, physical geography, and the serendipity of motel room assignments. The Nebraska Bar is an ongoing attempt to provide a loosely structured cocktail party during happy hour times at the fest. In Pittsburgh, The Holiday Inn was the logical spot. Lots of jugglers were staying there, and the location was central.