New newsletter for clubs

Keith Watson, the IJA's new affiliate coordinator, will shortly issue the first edition of a newsletter for affiliates and other juggling groups. Intended to stimulate local juggling activity. the newsletter will include information on activities of clubs worldwide, arranging festivals, recruiting new members, getting publicity and other helpful hints. If you'd like for your club to get on the mailing list, contact Keith Watson, Largo, FL.

 

Light the candles for the IJA's 40th!

1987 will represent the 40th anniversary of the founding of the IJA. To recognize this occasion, several ideas are currently being considered by members of the board. We would like your input as well. Ideas put forth so far include: Coordinate affiliates and clubs to stage a nationwide juggling festival in as many cities as possible on Saturday, June 20 (the official IJA founding was June 17, 1947); 40th anniversary issue of "Juggler's World;" special recognition of surviving founders at the 1987 convention; involve as many international jugglers as possible; group joggle from Jamestown. NY (site of the first IJA convention) to the Akron convention; kick-off fundraising campaign for IJA Hall of Fame; special emphasis on signing up lifetime members.

 

What can you add to this list? What can you do to help make these dreams come true? If you're interested in the project, contact Bill Giduz, IJA president, at Davidson, NC.

 

New Hampshire regional rounds out spring schedule

The addition of the Durham, New Hampshire, site on May 10 completes the IJA's plans for coast-to-coast regional championships this spring.

 

The IJA's Eastern Regionals will be held in conjunction with the Third Almost Annual Live Free of Juggle Convention on the campus of the University of New Hampshire in Durham on May 10. The Western Regionals were to be held during the Isla Vista, Calif., festival April 4-6 and the Midwestern Regionals will be in Akron, Ohio, on Sunday, May 25.

 

Registration for the Midwestern and Eastern Regionals are still open. Winners of the three events will receive trophies and gain automatic qualification for the IJA's U.S. Nationals finals at the convention in San Jose this summer.

 

IJA Championships Director Holly Greeley said the regionals are an attempt by the organization to involve local juggling groups in IJA activities, and to provide a broader showcase for juggling talent than can be provided at the annual convention. Regionals judging will be done on the same basis as the U.S. Nationals at the summer convention.

 

To register for the Eastern Regional, contact either Holly Greeley,  W. Newton, MA or festival coordinator Andrew Schwartz, Portsmouth, NH.  To register for the Midwestern Regional, contact Greeley or festival coordinator Kevin Delagrange, Akron, OH.

 

New wrinkles, more money for IJA championships

People considering entering IJA championships at the convention this summer should be aware of one major rule change. The numbers challenge is being revised to give competitors two minutes in which to make attempts at each level rather than the previous finite number of attempts allowed.

 

There are three numbers challenge categories: five or more clubs. seven or more balls and seven or more rings. During each competitor's two minute "window," he or she may make as many attempts as desired, and may have an addi­tional minute to complete any attempt that begins before the clock runs out. In order to qualify for subsequent number levels, a competitor must make 2X catches, where X is the number of objects required at that level. More details will be available in the Spring issue of "Juggler's World."

 

There are no other major rule changes in championships. except that a 5- kilometer joggling event will be held. Competitors for all events must be IJA members and pay the designated entry fee. Only registrations postmarked between May 1 and June 15 will be accepted, unless an event has not reached its maximum registration by June 15. In that case, competitors may sign up until the day before the event with payment of a $3 late fee.

 

Gold, silver and bronze medals will be awarded to first, second and third place finishers in all stage events. Gold medals will be awarded to first place finishers in all numbers and joggling events, with certificates for second and third places. For the U.S. Nationals, $1000 will be awarded to the first place finisher, $300 to second place and $100 to third. For the first time there will be monetary prizes for Teams as well - $500 for first, $150 for second and $50 for third.

 

For more information contact Holly Greeley, championships director.