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Davenport Evaluation Summary

Data collected by Sandy Brown

152 people completed the Davenport Evaluation. There were two types of questions on the evaluation: questions requiring a rating (closed-ended questions) and narrative questions (open-ended questions). Due to the number and length of the narrative responses, and to insure confidentiality of the responders, the responses have been summarized.

Many people answered with short answers of 1-3 words. Some answered with lengthy paragraphs.

A number in parentheses following a response indicates the number of people who answered with the same, or like response. If there is no number following a response this means that only 1 person answered with that response.

  1. Festival registration

    1. How did you register?

On the web (111 people answered with this response, or 73%)

By mail (23) 15%

By fax (1) 0.65 %

On-site (15) 9.8%

Other (2) 1.3 %

    1. Why did you choose this method?

On the web:

        • convenient, speedy, easy, or simplest method (105)

        • easy and I get mileage credit

        • random choice

By mail:

By fax:

On-site:

        • last minute decision to go (5)

        • doesn’t like using credit cards on the internet

        • flexibility of schedule

        • easy to do (2)

        • waited too late (2)

        • because I’m a new member

        • strapped for cash until the festival

Other:

    1. How could registration be improved next year?

      • Fix bugs in the photo ID system before fest begins/faster onsite registration (29)

      • We need an envelope with t-shirt, program, etc

      • Be prepared on first day (9)

      • Avoid lines (2)

      • Automated emails to confirm registration (not the Paypal one) (2)

      • Have a back-up computer system ready/more equipment (3)

      • Confirmation emails should give check-in instructions

      • Separate entry for DVD. I ordered two by mistake

      • Nice not to have hospital bracelets

      • Don’t like Paypal (3)

      • Pre-printed photo IDs/submit photo ahead of time (9)

      • I had no problems (31)

      • No ID badges (3)

      • Streamline the registration web page/more user friendly (5)

      • Loved the badges

      • Need informed staff/more staff (5)

      • Make it less expensive (2)

      • Keep the cost as low as it was this year

      • Consent form online (2)

      • Better signage

      • I missed out on a ladies t-shirt because of waiting in line

      • Liked the email reminders of the deadlines

      • Keep fax and snail-mail options

      • We need a phone number to call for questions

    1. What overall rating would you give the registration process for the Davenport Festival? (1 to 10, with 1 meaning terrible and 10 meaning wonderful)

7.7

  1. The Davenport RiverCenter

    1. What did you like about the Davenport RiverCenter?

      • Carpet

      • Lighting

      • Good space

      • Cheap parking

      • Concessions

      • Good floor

      • Good ceilings

      • Close proximity to hotel, restaurants, etc

      • Cool temperature

      • Tables and chairs available

      • Ice water available

      • Free Wi-Fi

      • Clean

(note: All those who responded made multiple comments on the ‘likes’ above, particularly on the carpeting.)

    1. What didn’t you like about the Davenport RiverCenter?

There were no ‘dislikes’ listed in the evaluation

    1. How would you rate the Davenport RiverCenter? (1 to 10, with 1 meaning terrible and 10 meaning wonderful)

8.3

  1. Workshops (including special Yuri Podzniakov workshop)

    1. What were your favorite workshops?

      • Kendama (5)

      • Tennis Ball and can (2)

      • Intermediate ball tricks

      • Diabolo

      • 2 diabolo (3)

      • Bouncing (3)

      • Excalibur (2)

      • “When it Rains It Pours”

      • Kruk’s Workshops

      • Dice stacking

      • Club passing (7)

      • Takeouts (9)

      • Balance

      • 3-club tricks (7)

      • Fire safety

      • Diabolo Jam

      • 3 club jam

      • Martin’s club passing (3)

      • 4 & 5 ball tricks (6)

      • Kick-ups

      • Philosophy of Artistic Juggling (7)

      • Cigar boxes (6)

      • Comedy writing (7)

      • 3 ball switch tricks (4)

      • Yuri Podzniakov’s workshop (3)

      • Yuri’s impromptu workshop on Saturday (4)

      • 4 clubs (4)

      • Site swap

      • Claymotion (6)

      • Nunchaku

      • Attack juggling (2)

      • Switch tricks (2)

      • Baton

      • Matt Hall workshops (8)

      • Rope spinning (2)

      • Staff (2)

      • Club swinging

      • Hat jam

      • Three balls (6)

      • Beginner clubs

      • Tops (4)

      • Ball spinning (2)

      • Juggling Games (3)

      • 5 balls the easy way (3)

      • Contact juggling

      • Christian Juggler

      • 5 balls advanced (2)

      • Teaching juggling

      • Performance technique

      • Balloon animals (2)

      • Pick ups

      • Flamingo club

      • Glowology

      • Theater tech



    1. Who were your favorite instructors?

      • Matt Hall (30)

      • Bill Gilliland

      • Louis Krug

      • Dave Davis (4)

      • Todd Strong

      • Jason Kollum

      • Don Lewis (4)

      • Scotty Meltzer (5)

      • Phil Depalo

      • Martin Frost (2)

      • Jay Gilligan (6)

      • Luke Wilson (2)

      • Dan Kirk

      • Nicholas Flair (5)

      • Will Penman (5)

      • Yuri Poszniakov (6)

      • Jackie Erickson (5)

      • Michael Karas (4)

      • Cindy Hamilton (2)

      • The guy who taught passing for 3 to 5 people

      • David Groth (3)

      • Dave Walbridge (2)

      • Cindy Marvell (3)

      • Sky King (5)

      • Mark Hayward (3)

      • Greg Phillips (3)

      • Deena Froomen

      • Dave Finnegan (5)

      • Steve Rahn (2)

      • The Sullivans

      • Dan Kirk

      • Bill the two diabolo instructor

      • Jim Dorman

      • Jim Ellison

      • John Kilgust



    1. What in particular did you like about the workshops this year?

      • Lots of sharing

      • Bill and Katje willing to add workshops on the fly/they were flexible (2)

      • The instructors

      • Variety (18)

      • Matt Hall (4)

      • Good spaces (3)

      • Inside

      • Covered both technique and artistic aspects

      • Useful for my performances (2)

      • Workshop descriptions are back (2)

      • Close to gym (5)

      • Professional instructors (3)

      • Great learning (4)

      • Listening to ideas

      • Instructors enjoyed themselves (2)

      • Personal attention

      • All interesting

      • Good prop diversity (2)

      • Good scheduling (3)

      • Open forum format in many workshops

      • Encouraging instructors

      • Liked the gift given to workshop instructors

      • Liked walking away with new tricks and several that can be worked on (2)

      • Plenty to choose from (2)

      • There were ‘idea’ workshops

      • Well planned

      • Levels were clear

      • Liked leaving an hour free for lunch

      • Tricks were broken down

      • Nothing stood out

    1. How could the workshops be improved next year?

      • More intermediate workshops

      • Some needed higher ceilings (6)

      • Workshops which focus on one skill

      • I need to go to more

      • Sean Blue to teach ball spinning

      • I like new, odd stuff: coin manipulation, shaker cups

      • More announcements, better signs (4)

      • Evaluation sheets at the festival

      • People said they enjoyed them

      • More advanced workshops (4)

      • Larger rooms (6)

      • Several clocks in the building so they start on time

      • Entry level workshops mostly on Tues and Wed. (2)

      • More basic workshops (3)

      • Bigger variety (3)

      • Schedule prepared more in advance (3)

      • They shouldn’t conflict with the Games

      • Beginning diabolo

      • Bring back paper money folding

      • Popular workshops need a bigger room (3)

      • Offer them during lunch

      • Vova is not an interpreter

      • A break between workshops

      • More handouts

      • A list of workshops on the web

      • More workshops (2)

      • Intermediate one diabolo workshop

      • More siteswap workshops

      • Schedule not readable

      • Leave unscheduled time in the room after workshops—the best stuff happens then (2)

      • More workshops which improve performance: voice, diction, movement (2)

      • A magic 101 workshop

      • More contact juggling and 3-ball tricks

      • Bounce workshop should not be carpeted (2)

      • Some workshops should be held multiple times (2)

      • Not all workshops were posted

      • A post on the forum seeing what people want

      • Hire someone to handle workshop scheduling and announcements

      • Easier directions to the rooms

      • Clearer definitions/detailed schedule in program (3)

      • More passing workshops

      • Bring back Myron Wilcox

      • Videos might be useful

      • Yuri needed a microphone

      • Free workshops by the professionals

      • Workshops were weak this year

      • Fewer last minute changes

      • Keep flexible planners

      • More order within some workshops



    1. How would you rate the workshops overall?

7.7

  1. Juniors Championships

    1. What did you like about the Juniors Championships this year?

      • Short (2)

      • The Japanese (9)

      • The variety of acts (3)

      • The contestants were so good (25)

      • Rick, the emcee (15)

      • SJRI (2)

      • Good entertainment during judge deliberation (4)

      • It was international (5)

      • Ran smoothly (8)

      • Very impressive (7)

      • A good length (2)

      • Nice to have them separate from the Individuals and Teams (2)

      • Great theater (8)

      • Glad that Komei won with so few props.

      • Unique/creative (6)

      • Fun to watch (2)

      • Steve Mills was a good emcee

      • Good judging (2)

      • A bit boring

      • Some of those kids to stuff I will never be able to do!

      • Satisfactory

      • Liked the DDR kid

      • Better than the seniors (3)

      • Did not attend (10)

    2. How could they be improved next year?

      • Nothing (5)

      • More medals

      • Emcee should just announce the acts (2)

      • MC ran out of filler material

      • Judges took too long (7)

      • Did the judges give separate 60/40 scores performance and technique could be enforced?

      • Individual scores for technique and performance

      • Better light and music cues

      • Get better judges

      • The festival has too many competitions and shows

      • Competitions are a bad idea

      • Don’t put it on the same night as the Youth Showcase/ the night is too long (2)

      • The judges could actually make up their minds

      • Give the Japanese kids fourth place as well

      • More credit should be given to the performance value of the performers (5)

      • Don’t know (7)

      • Too many drops

      • Don’t judge the auxiliary props

      • Would like to see Juniors Teams

      • Rick Rubenstein was a great MC

      • MC not up to par (2)

      • Fewer contestants using Pirates of the Caribbean music (2)

      • Encourage more women (2)

      • A solid form of entertainment while the judges deliberate

      • Shoot someone out of a canon

      • The judging went faster

      • Judges should keep a score (2)

      • Judges should not lead the standing ovation (2)

      • Prize money should be increased

      • Print the judging criteria (4)

      • Missed the cookies and ice cream in Buffalo

      • MC should know when the judges are coming back

      • MC said negative things about Davenport (3)

      • Too long between acts, perhaps the band could play

      • Intermission with some comedy

      • There should be more age brackets

      • African, Latin-American, and Aussie participants



    1. How would you rate the Juniors Championships?

8.4

  1. Individuals and Teams Championships

    1. What did you like about the Individuals and Teams Championships this year?

      • Started on time, moved quickly, not too long (8)

      • Short and sweet

      • Good skill level (14)

      • Good variety (5)

      • Good competition (2)

      • Really very good/impressive (14)

      • International (5)

      • Kikyo Brothers, the headbounce guy, Mitasch solo, Randy Cabrall’s 3 paddleballs

      • The right acts won (3)

      • Single prop acts got a fair shake (2)

      • Judges didn’t take too long (4)

      • Liked the performers’ music, the enthusiastic audience, the relaxed atmosphere in the theater

      • Ryo (2)

      • Randy Cabrall (2)

      • Passing Zone

      • Everything (2)

      • Entropy (2)

      • Format is fine

      • Mixing teams with individuals (7)

      • Stanford Juggling Institute (2)

      • Good variety of technical and creative juggling

      • Glad that a unique routine like Kevin Axtell’s was allowed into finals

      • Emcee was good (7)

      • Theater was great (5)

      • Having real entertainment while waiting for the judges

      • Liked the recognition of Martin and Matt.

      • Teams were interesting, champions did not blow me away

      • Mark Kolbus (2)

      • Did not attend (5)

      • Entertaining

      • Diabolos get tiring

      • It was average (2)

      • Boring

      • Judging seemed skewed

      • Jonglissismo

      • Poor acts in a poor format

    2. How could they be improved next year?

      • Unsure, enjoyed it (3)

      • MC should just announce the contestants

      • Quality of the MC (2)

      • Did not like the alternating format (2)

      • Quality of acts lower this year (3)

      • Not impressed

      • Did the judges give separate performance and tech scores?

      • Better music and light cues (2)

      • The fest has too many competitions and shows

      • The MC was good

      • The judges should wait for the MC to have his predetermined amount of time

      • Show was too long (3)

      • Better competitors

      • More competition

      • Don’t know (9)

      • Don’t let people in with laptops

      • Don’t like judging apples and oranges

      • The lower rating number 7 is only because of gold, silver, bronze which is pretty silly

      • Judges should give individual marks for technical and performance, and then add them up.

      • Faster judging

      • Perhaps change judging to more artistic competition (4)

      • Intermission while waiting for judges

      • Watch out for judges with close ties and too similar views on juggling

      • Should be on juggling, not on auxiliary talent (diabolo)

      • Let the audience pick the winner

      • Solid entertainment during judges’ deliberation (2)

      • More criteria on actually having an act.

      • Emphasis on multiple disciplines of juggling

      • Judging criteria available to audience (2)

      • Judges should keep a score then the results would be available in a matter of moments (2)

      • Prize money increased (2)

      • 40 percent is artistic, so entertain me

      • No balloons during pre-show

      • Random draw: it is clear who the prelim judges think will win goes last and the expected 2nd place goes first, like a produced show

      • Perhaps separate categories for diabolo and devil stick.

      • There should never be judges who are in acts that are competing

      • Backstage facilities were well below par for the performers

      • They should be cancelled

      • More innovation



    1. How would you rate the Individuals and Teams Championships?

8.0

  1. Youth Showcase

    1. What did you like about the Youth Showcase this year?

      • Good variety (3)

      • Nice, shorter length (8)

      • Great performers/amazing young talent (9)

      • Wide range of ages and abilities

      • Did not attend (22)

      • More focused than in the past

      • Apparently wider range of kids from more clubs

      • Good snacks for performers

      • Steve Mills was good/funny (11)

      • Best Youth Showcase ever (4)

      • Snappy pace (3)

      • A few acts were worthy of entering into the Championships

      • A feeling that the ‘sport’ will carry on

      • Enjoyed it more than the Juniors

      • Awesome/great (4)

      • Great opportunity for the kids (2)

      • Liked the simple finale; liked the mix of kids getting their first stage time and accomplished kids

      • Great theater

      • Dave Groth put together a great show (2)

      • Everything (2)

      • They do stuff I’ll never be able to do

      • That Riley kid

      • Cascade Brigade kids seemed bored

      • The opening act

      • More individual acts



    1. How could it be improved next year?

      • Maybe a theme

      • No plugs for the MC’s children allowed

      • MC should have tried to learn the intros and had correct pronunciation (2)

      • Use short acts, many of them

      • Did not attend (8)

      • Keep it the same (4)

      • The MC (4)

      • The fest has too many competitions and shows

      • Put it on a different night than Juniors (3)

      • The skills were modest

      • More Japanese kids

      • Nothing stood out as needing improvement (5)

      • Work more with youth on presentation

      • There was confusion in seating between the Youth Showcase and the Juniors

      • Less focus on the host (2)

      • More and more diverse acts from different circus groups and independent jugglers

      • n/a (8)

      • Add kids to MC roles

      • Fewer acts

      • Great improvement over previous years

      • A bit too long (3)

      • Cookies and ice cream, like in Buffalo

      • The acts are cliché

      • Keep the 7-ball kids out of the show. They make us look bad.

      • Let Lana emcee the show

      • I prefer the integrated shows to individual acts

      • Move it to another night. Tuesday night was blank



    1. How would you rate the Youth Showcase?

7.7

  1. Cascade of Stars

    1. What did you like about the Cascade of Stars this year?

      • Wide variety (17)

      • Glad the gold medalists/champs were not in it (2)

      • The theater

      • Steve Ragatz (24)

      • Dew drops

      • Jay Gilligan’s ensemble (6)

      • Jay Gilligan (12)

      • The cast

      • Passing Zone (19)

      • Patrick McGuire (4)

      • Grisha Lovigin (6)

      • Matt Hall (4)

      • Shayna

      • Dew Drops

      • The streetlamp routine

      • The guy who did the bouncing (Patrick?)

      • The basketball woman (3)

      • It was great talent/wow/excellent/entertaining (15)

      • Everything (2)

      • MC was excellent (4)

      • Didn’t go (8)

      • The theater (11)

      • Liked the awards on stage during the show (2)

      • COS less brilliant this year

      • Left early during the show/first half (2)

      • Nice lineup of acts, tailored to an audience of jugglers

      • Not much (2)

      • Lots of non-jugglers in the audience

      • Saw teamwork, artistic pieces, improve, sexy legs, foreign performers, straight up sick juggling

      • People’s Choice to Matt

      • Spectrum of abilities

      • Nice to have the ASL interpreter

      • Itze lareau

      • Lazer Vaudeville

      • Lots of women in the show (2)

      • The band (2)

      • Nice not having outside paid entertainment

      • Jay Gilligan and Passing Zone volunteered their talents

      • Performers donated their time

      • Needs more improvement



    1. How could it be improved next year?

      • MC should write his own material (2)

      • Preview acts beforehand to insure quality (3)

      • Better acts/higher skill/ (18)

      • Thanking the performers at the end for not getting paid I found rather embarrassing for the organization…

      • MC (23)

      • The Wallenda Family (4)

      • Anti-Jason comments could have been left out (3)

      • Awards slowed the pace

      • Skip all/most of the awards (5)

      • The awards belong somewhere else

      • Fewer acts (shorter show with good acts) (2)

      • The Seniors/champs should be included (7)

      • Weak show this year/not COS quality/worst COS in years (18)

      • Looked like a charity/amateur (3)

      • Nothing (3)

      • No “inside” jokes (5)

      • Pat McGuire did the same routine in Lazer Vaudeville

      • The champs should be in the show, if they do something different

      • The best act should not have been first

      • Sound and lighting problems

      • More artistic juggling (2)

      • Don’t know (3)

      • Too long (4)

      • Too many ball acts

      • Where were the Japanese?

      • Acknowledge the IJA House Band

      • More stars, fewer random people

      • I liked how the Passing Zone split up their bits

      • Give flyers to local restaurants, advertise, offer trade deals

      • There’s a fine line between local flavor and redundancy

      • Jay Gilligan’s two acts were redundant

      • Would be willing to pay more to have an entertainment budget to improve the quality of the show

      • Asking the non-juggling public to pay $25 for this was a form of legalized mugging

      • Better acts, like Steve Ragatz

      • More professional acts (2)

      • Less talk, more action

      • I’d like to see Manu Laude

      • Why didn’t Yuri perform during the week if he was the Special Guest?

      • Allow more time for the headliners: Steve Ragatz and the Passing Zone

      • More of the COS on DVD

      • Confirmation when the tickets are purchased, and what to expect when we get there

      • Vova and Olga should perform (2)

      • More Pat McGuire, or someone with knives

      • Need programs (2)

      • Need a real Cirque du Soleil act

      • Need more variety (2)

      • More Jay

      • Would like to hear the other notables of the People’s Choice

      • Break up the awards to keep the flow moving

      • Bring the Passing Zone back next year

      • There was no club passing at all.

      • It depends on who is willing to give time to it

    2. How would you rate the Cascade of Stars?

7.0

  1. Guest artist

    1. This year Lazer Vaudeville, Yuriy Podzniakov & Grygoriy Lovygin our guest artists. What other guest performers would be like to see attend future festivals?

      • Luka Luka (2)

      • Luke Wilson

      • Tony Duncan (4)

      • The Mad French Posse

      • Peapot (5)

      • Scotty Cavanaugh

      • Ivan Pecel

      • Chris Chiapini

      • Jason Garfield (7)

      • Anthony Gatto (19)

      • Mark Nizer (3)

      • Kristian Wanvik (2)

      • Toby Walker (2)

      • More variety: hula hoops, frisbees

      • Vova and Olga

      • Ilka Licht

      • Mario Bersouek

      • Handsome Little Devils

      • Will Murray

      • Peter Kaseman

      • Kris Kremo

      • Valentino Bihorac

      • Gandinis (4)

      • Jay Gilligan (4)

      • Penn and Teller

      • Albert Lucas

      • Gena Shvartsman (4)

      • Victor Kee (6)

      • Johann Specht

      • Duo Boderanko

      • Manu Laude (3)

      • Maksim Komara (4)

      • Jouni Temonem

      • Passing Zone (7)

      • Jon Brady

      • Dave Nager

      • Cirque du Soleil (3)

      • Yuriy with another student

      • Team Rootberry (2)

      • Raspyni Brothers (3)

      • Mud Bay Jugglers (2)

      • Ville Walo

      • Denis Palmier (3)

      • Malte Steinmetz (3)

      • Penn Jillette

      • Penn and Teller

      • Edward Jackman

      • Dick Franco

      • Larry Vee

      • Michael Moschen (2)

      • Jamie Adkins

      • Cirkus Inferno

      • Flam Chen

      • Luke Burrage (2)

      • Zany Umbrella Circus

      • Michael Gudeau

      • Tuey

      • Michael Davis

      • Flying Karamazov Brothers (3)

      • Boehmer Family

      • Lazer Vaudeville was great

      • Jen Slaw

      • Once great jugglers (Trixie, Bob Bramson

      • Paul Ponce (2)

      • John Gilkey

      • Sergei Ignatov

      • Steven Ragatz

      • Air Jazz (2)

      • David Shiner

      • Gregory Popovich (2)

      • Shirley Dean

      • Brad Weston

      • Luis Toto

      • Bouncing in Paris

      • Eden Zack

      • Segev and Ofek Shilton

      • Daniel Rosen

  2. Any comments or questions about:

    1. Monday Night Dinner and Welcome Show?

      • Dinner good (6)

      • Dinner not good (14)

      • Dinner not as good as Buffalo’s

      • Show was weak/lacking (27)

      • Show hastily put together (2)

      • Good idea (7)

      • Good price

      • Good room (2)

      • Not worth it (2)

      • Did not attend (3)

      • Waited too long for the food (2)

      • Service not good

      • Do a Welcome Party instead

      • Do a party and dance music instead

      • Stage not in a good position (2)

      • Enjoyed it (5)

      • OK (4)

      • More acts needed

      • Acts used hack material

      • More seats needed

      • Won’t go next year

      • Didn’t interest me

    2. Joggling?

      • Didn’t attend (28)

      • A blast/fun (3)

      • Andy is great (2)

      • Bill Giduz did a great job

      • I was the only spectator

      • Too early

      • Water or Gatorade next year

      • Competition on the low-cometitive level

      • Missed it—no location to meet for transportation to the facility

      • What a hoot

      • It was more on an event this year

      • Have it later in the week

      • When there’s a numbers joggling category, I’ll enter

      • I like it and so do my students

      • Ran smoothly

      • Don’t like it

      • This is the reason I come to the festival. Bill does a fine job.

    3. The Individual Prop Competition?

      • Lots of fun/great idea/cool/fun (29)

      • Keep it simple

      • Keep it in the gym (3)

      • Should have been announced in the gym

      • Devil sticks was great

      • Needed a better sound system (3)

      • Get Vova to perform instead of practicing up there

      • Good competitors

      • Scotty Meltzer rocked as an emcee (5)

      • Did not see it

      • Vova should have won

      • Please post rules in advance

      • Results are not explained and they are not reproducible

      • Many competitors presented 2 minutes out of their stage championships routines

      • Needed a stage and seating (3)

      • This event could spart interest in television coverage

      • Emcee shouldn’t make rude remarks

      • No derogatory comments about one prop over another

      • Did not attend (10)

      • Getting too long )2)

      • Where does the prize money come from?

      • Ball-bouncing should be added, and 4 balls

      • More props

      • Keep this competition

      • Promote this money that it being awarded in order to attract the best

      • There should be a first drop doesn’t count rule

      • Needs rings category (3)

      • Needs ball spinning category

      • Another competition that should be cancelled

      • Was it rigged? Diabolo was not won by Ryo

      • Not well organized

      • Liked the added props this year

    4. The IJA Auction?

      • Brian did a great job/was enthused (4)

      • Brian did a great job with pre-sales (4)

      • More bidders (2)

      • Did not attend/N/A (22)

      • I enjoyed it/it was fun (2)

      • Ran smoothly (4)

      • I spent too much

      • More regular props

      • Should be a running silent auction over the course of the day

      • Delighted to get what I wanted

    5. The Numbers Competition?

      • N/A or did not watch (14)

      • Good/well run/enjoyable (12)

      • This event should have prize money (2)

      • Well organized (2)

      • In teams, you should count the number of passes caught, not the number of objects caught.

      • Wish there were more competitors

      • Great to see Ben’s past efforts recognized.

      • Merry and Sandy did a great job

      • Merry did a great job (3)

      • The sound was weak

      • The announcer needed to be more well versed in the rules

      • The best did not compete

      • Competitors need more room

      • Numbers don’t interest me

      • Great to see the nerds come out and juggle

      • A count-down clock would be slick, like in swimming events

      • Only bring finalists out

    6. The Bix Beiderbecke Jazz and Juggle Competition?

      • Good idea/innovative/entertaining (35)

      • Michael Karas just killed (2)

      • Not good

      • Glad it moved indoors

      • Rules unclear

      • Hope similar events like this considered for the future (with a different theme (12)

      • Should have had a stage and seats (6)

      • Did not attend (15)

      • Great highlight of the festival (3)

      • I liked the theme-based concept

    7. The Games?

      • Did not attend (10)

      • Fun/great (25)

      • Team combat should be scheduled in

      • Start them later (2)

      • Scott did a good job

      • Split team and individual combat off into a separate time slot

      • It’s my favorite part of the convention

      • The frizbees were awesome prizes (2)

      • Run over several days, instead of 6 hours on Saturday

      • I love Simon Says Balancing

      • Try to sell/ promote the Games

      • Good variety

      • I watched, didn’t play

      • They weren’t advertised/announced well enough (3)

      • Badly organized, confusing schedule (2)

      • Wish they were a daily event

      • Simon Says guy didn’t seem to understand the game.

      • Needed more volunteers to monitor the participants

      • Need more stupid ones

      • Combat was hilarious (2)

      • Need a running order

      • Don’t sell the remaining prizes, they should be special

      • Organizer worried about the time

      • More passing

      • Maybe a junior or beginner jugglers Simon Says

      • New games (2)

      • More endurance games

      • Drop the club gathering—I think its time is past

  3. Did the Davenport festival run smoothly for you?

    1. Yes, because:

      • Well organized/organizers did a great job/ran smoothly (29)

      • Volunteers helpful and friendly (10)

      • Love to Sandy Brown for donating those sweet bags for volunteers

      • Everything within walking distance/closeby/easy access/convenient (17)

      • Gym temperature was good

      • A bad day juggling is better than a good day working

      • Interesting workshops

      • One badge for everything/badges were neat (3)

      • As a guest artist, the organizers and Dusty were easy to reach and helpful

      • Big gym (3)

      • Blackhawk hotel was cheap and decent (2)

      • Kept busy

      • I totally appreciate what went into fabricating this festival

      • Opening dinner was fun

      • As a vendor, I found the organizers to be relaxed and understanding. No problems at all.

      • Hard work due to everyone

      • Generally un-hassled

      • After 20 years, we have this procedure down to a science

      • Best festival I have ever attended. No political charge

      • Shuttles from my hotel were on time

      • It was about the juggling

      • Sense of community and sharing was high (2)

      • Volunteers who helped me with Numbers were dedicated

      • Easy parking

      • Todd Strong was supportive and responsive to my needs

      • Facility was great

      • Liked the atmosphere the most

      • Nametags—great idea (2)

      • Had a loaned car to do tourist stuff

      • Had a great time/fun (6)

      • After the registration fiasco, the time flew by (2)

      • No major problems

      • The badges made registration more fun

      • Ran smoothly, except for the photo problems at registration

      • Great theater (2)

      • Locals were extremely nice

      • I enjoyed the price

      • No bad comments

      • Security was more controlled at the RiverCenter, yet non-existent elsewhere

      • Scheduling was clear (2)

      • International

      • Wish more people would show

      • Most events and workshops were on time

      • Decent places to eat (4)

      • I wonder why security was so intrusive

      • Great lodgings with a friend close by

      • Everything well announced

      • Program was helpful

    2. No, because:

      • Moline airport was terrible (not something we can control)

      • Photo IDs. (5)

      • It ended!

      • Rooms sold out at the Blackhawk within minutes. Either there weren’t enough rooms available or they were available only to some people before they were available to the general public.

      • Not much else to do in Davenport (2)

      • Food was sparse (2)

      • Bad location

      • Hot and humid (2)

      • Workshop schedule not up until just before the festival.

      • Parking ramp headache

      • Hotel was too far away

      • Felt like an outsider. We need to embrace and involve the novice

      • Took a while to sign up.

      • Had to go through Chicago

      • Kids did not get festival ID, so we had to wait in line to buy tickets

      • At times no one staffed the registration desk. People were confused by that

      • A lot of details were not taken care of up front

      • Broke my hand beforehand, my fault

      • Had trouble finding the Capital Theater. No address in registration materials.

      • Wish more jugglers attended.

      • N/A

      • A better way needs to be used to post the time and events and to remind participants of the event near to its time. Examples: rent an advertising board, a clock would be helpful, make registration for competitions more visible and clearly marked.

      • Judging needs to be clarified

      • Photo badges were a joke. This is the IJA, not NASA.

      • Use paper tickets (2)

      • Not that good of a hotel

      • Too many nights of shows (2)

      • On-site registration was rough

      • My prop table wasn’t set up when I arrived

      • Renegade went downhill. Wish the IJA would say that you have o be with a parent or 18 years of age to attend.

      • Out dated format based on competition

      • Variety store close by would have been nice

    3. How would you rate the festival as a whole?

8.6

  1. Any additional comments or suggestions?

      • Tent was great (3)

      • Keep “Planting the Juggling Seed” (2)

      • Keep the prize money for the Props comp.

      • Overall fantastic/great job/had a blast/thank you (19)

      • Tent too close to venue (too easy access for kids)

      • Impressed with photo IDs, but do photos beforehand (3)

      • Not sure the photo IDs are worth it

      • Liked the schedule on the back of the photo

      • Needs activities for non-jugglers

      • Use paper tickets (2)

      • Starting Renegade at 11:00 is better than midnight

      • Let me quote your shirt printing next year.

      • Don’t make it in Cleveland next year

      • More Pat McGuire

      • Please have it in New York next year

      • I am a pitiful juggler, but even the professionals were encouraging

      • Special workshop should include info on who the workshop would benefit most

      • Would like to see auditions held for jugglers who would like the opportunity to sign on with a coach.

      • Put Jr and Senior winners’ names in the Daily Newsletter

      • Keep the ladies’ t-shirts

      • Lazer Vaudeville did a great job

      • Outlaw kids on scooters

      • Don’t let the kids run around

      • Cascade of Stars was weak

      • I’m spare you further poetry. I’m not entirely heartless

      • More volunteers doing a precise set of duties

      • There was a lot of downtime

      • Bring back the hats for the volunteers

      • Visiting relatives had photos taken for badges but never got them. Kids were disappointed not to get them too

      • More people need to come

      • More novice workshops

      • More effort should be made for the newbies

      • The Blackhawk was a dive (2)

      • Don’t feel the Sean McKinney Award is appropriate. The suicide fact gets glossed over (not even on his web site). And what prevents anyone from making up an award and how can we tell someone that Peggy can present an award and someone else can’t?

      • Stop selecting festivals in backwater towns

      • Travel was expensive to get to Davenport (2)

      • In next years flyer, refer to Numbers as the “Numbers Championships, not competition

      • Not enough food options (5)

      • Liked the photo IDs (2)

      • Where are the web site results of the competitions?

      • Sandy Brown’s deserves hug for buying the volunteer gifts

      • Needs stages available for performers

      • Proximity of hotels to juggling venue is crucial

      • More west coast festivals

      • IJA should send out press kits to magazines and publications that the youth are interested in.

      • Team Combat should have been organized

      • Fewer, better shows

      • Wants Portland as next years site

      • Carpet was great (2)

      • Ceiling was great

      • Lovely theater

      • It was affordable

      • Thank you Todd Strong (2) and Dusty

      • Night show was too explicit and too suggestive for young children who attended.

      • More workshops, games

      • Renegade shows were great (2)

      • I won’t come next year unless it’s in an interesting place for my non-juggling family

      • More specific schedule, like what time combat will start, or when each Numbers competition will be

      • Area for low to medium level club passers to meet

      • Keep the joggling medals events.

      • Could there be an “up and coming” award?

      • More hotels rooms at convention rate

      • Willing to pay more for registration to increase prize money. Ask for donations at the fest

      • Keep bringing festivals to the Midwest

      • Why no comments for the Renegade show, I guess the person who wrote the survey is not interested in that perspective

      • Awards should be presented during the Championships. They should be rehearsed and short

      • Major boon having the Renegade shows at the same site (with bar)

      • Needed a convenience store close by.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
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