Flamingo Club Honors Dorothy Finnigan

by Madelyn Dinnerstein

 

While the IJA championships and public shows traditionally bring smiles to the faces of people in the audience, the intermissions during these events often bring smiles to the women in the audience!

 

The intermissions are one of the rare times when men's bathrooms traditionally have long lines, while women can walk in and walk out, and women get a kick out of watching men experience what they typically must endure.

 

The downside, of course, is the reason. The percentage of women attending IJA events is low, hence the lack of congestion in the ladies' room. The Flamingo Club is trying to change that.

 

The Flamingo Club was established in 1987 at the IJA Akron festival and formally founded in 1996 at the Rapid City festival "to encourage and support families in the juggling community, with a special emphasis on nurturing girls. The Flamingo Club is an IJA affiliate club open to all jugglers who share in our joys and concerns."

 

During this year's festival in Pittsburgh, the Flamingo Club provided a baby corral with toys to keep jugglers-to-be amused, and a changing table to keep them dry. It also provided a place where older children could enjoy some toys, get some candy, get their faces painted and work on art projects.

 

About 25 people, including two men, attended the Flamingo Club's annual meeting at the festival. Many are in "helping professions," such as physical therapy, music therapy or teaching, and discussed how they use or would like to use juggling in their fields.

 

Another point of discussion was the lack of attention given to contemporary female jugglers in the production shown at the festival's movie night and the 50th anniversary issue of Juggler's World. While jugglers with historical achievements, such as Trixie LaRue and Lotte Brunn were featured, more recent award-winners, such as Cindy Marvell and Francoise Rochais, got short shrift.

 

Jennifer Salberg, president of the Flamingo Club, said she raised that point with Steven Salberg, the IJA director involved with the association's videos. He agreed that having more female representation was a good idea and will be a factor in future video projects.

 

Kathy Sanberg of Edina, Minn., the mother of Elizabeth Sanberg, winner of last year's Flamingo Club Award, said that Elizabeth's juggling club, "The Wise Guys," has established a separate, girls-only club to promote girls' interest in juggling.

 

A woman was part of the team that set a new record in the Numbers Championships at this year's festival. Heather Hackett-Brinegar of Columbus, Ohio, - following Merry Spahr of Xenia, Ohio, and Francoise Rochaise of France - became the third woman to receive a medal in numbers. She and her partner from Redefining Gravity, Darin Marriott, set a new IJA record for passing 10 clubs, as well as participating in the Teams Championships.

 

This year's Flamingo Club Award, which is given annually to "a young girl who exhibits outstanding promise as a juggler" was earned by 13-year-old Dorothy Finnigan. "I was really honored to get it," Dorothy said. "I just think it's a cool idea to help inspire girls to keep practicing their juggling."

 

Jennifer Salberg said the club members who selected Dorothy chose her because of her love of juggling. "She showed a spirit of joy and enthusiasm," Salberg said. "She helped to sell props with her father and teach those who bought them how to use them. She can easily put five balls in the air and is working on five clubs. She assists her father in teaching the beginning club-passing workshop and goes on the road, as well, to schools to teach juggling throughout the country. We wanted to recognize this outstanding achievement for one so young and encourage her to continue in her craft."

 

Salberg said Dorothy's father, Dave Finnigan, former owner of the Jugglebug prop company, said: "I always [knew] how special she was, but I didn't know anyone else noticed."

 

The Flamingo Club responds: "Well, we noticed!" Dorothy started juggling three balls at age nine. She performs with her father in school shows as they travel around the country, but her primary role is teaching. "I go down to the kindergartens and first grades," Dorothy said. "I teach one and two scarves and balancing peacock feathers. I love helping my dad teach at conventions and schools."

 

Anybody interested in more information about the Flamingo Club, please feel free to contact Jennifer Salberg. And look for the annual meeting of the Flamingo Club at next year's IJA festival, usually listed under the "Workshops" heading.