Page 29 Fall 1997
The
first day cocktails were at the lounge. The next two nights were
classic Nebraska Bar parties hosted by Steve and Michelle Gerdes. A
fine time was had by standing room only crowds both nights. Nothing I
like better than cold beer with cool juggling friends on a hot summer
afternoon! Habitues included Pete Nicolaus and Wendy Harms, Eliot
Goldstein, Renegade Bill, Babes in Shades, Larry Olson, Stuart
Celarier, Jek Kelly, and many more. The conversations ran around gigs
done, and gigs seen, props caught and props dropped, who caught who
and who dropped whom.
The
Nebraska Bar is always a festival highlight for me, Lil. One night
leaving the party
a bunch of us were riding down in the elevator when founder Bernard
Joyce got in with his wife. We all thought, "How coo!!" and
thanked him. He seemed pleased.
(Here's
to Bernard Joyce...clink!)
Tuesday
nights' championships moved us
I'm
not really into the competitions, but if you sift through the mass of
sameness there are always a few diamonds in the rough. Most
It
had been decided that the Nebraska Bar would of necessity move to the
brew pubs in the theatre's vicinity. The first night was dinner at the
Valhalla Restaurant, sort of a Viking fern bar. But the lagers were
superb, the vittles were fine and the company unparalleled - Pat
Hazell, Babes in Shades, Steve and Michelle Gerdes, Cap'n Mike, Thor,
Odin, Melonhead.
(Here's
to George Barvinchak...clink! )
Wednesday
night's dinner was a major highlight. Cocktails and dinner at the
Church Works Brewery with the Babes and the Gerdeses. It was a
beautiful old church, converted into a marvelous brewery and
restaurant. The food was fine, and the company, as always, was
fantastic. Knowing it was the last night of a historic week, and not
knowing when we would all be together again, lent a warmth and
togetherness to the evening. Or was it
"Probably
the ale!" said Lil.
The
last night always features the
We
knew this was going to be a really cool show, and it was. Hazell
delivered, and the all-star cast delivered, big time. Even the
lighting guys were juggling! Airjazz was dynamite. The Jon Held
Dancers were spectacular. Tommy Curtain's fine polished act connected
Most
people returned to attend Club Renegade, say goodbyes, juggle in the
gym until dawn or just howl at the moon.
"So,
Ernie, what was your Trails End?" asked Lil.
"Glad
you asked, Lil, I figured you would." You see, a "Trails
End" is a tradition at the end of a festival wherein a group of
friends (usually over cocktails) shares their fondest moments of the
fest, their special memory.
Art
Jennings was my Trails End. You see Lil, Art Jennings, the Bum Juggler
himself, the
On
one occasion I pointed to the multitude juggling on the floor as a
virtual mob scene and I asked him, "Did you ever imagine anything
like this?" He chuckled, his eyes twinkled, and he said
"Never. Never in 50 years."
(Here's
to Art Jennings... clink!) |
![]() Jorg Muller's innovative routine with hanging chimes in the European Showcase earned him the People's Choice Award (David J. Smith photo) |
![]() Katia Ignatov, schooled by her
father, Sergei, made a big impression on festivalgoers. (Glen Korengold
photo) |