1971 IJA CONVENTION REPORT by Roger Dollarhide

Several of the old timers in attendance said this was the best convention in many years. Jugglers came from all over the United States to share in the good fellowship and to compete in the Third Annual World Juggling Championships. Many top rate jugglers whom we did not expect to see showed up. Tommy Curtain, who stole the show at the Championships, drove up from Tennessee, and thrilled everyone with his outstanding 3, 4 and 5 club juggling. Tommy is a first rate young American professional juggler who has been touring with Holiday on Ice for several years. He is a very talented and friendly fellow and his presence was a major asset to the convention.

 

Another very welcomed and unexpected friend was Ken Bengr,  professional juggler and magician, who interrupted a tour o -the United States and flew to Hartford for 2 days. Ken is a first rate club juggler and passer, and although he was too tired to compete in the championships, did good in showing the Eastern jugglers how they fly clubs in California.

 

Of course, nobody has to show Stu Raynolds or Hovey and Judy Burgess or Bill Dietrich how to fly clubs. They were doing some pretty fancy  juggling themselves. Stu can keep 5 of his beautiful fiberglass clubs going practically forever without batting an eye, and has got to be one of the most dead pan jugglers you've ever seen.

 

The Burgesses are non stop Indian club passers who amazed everyone with their intricate passing formations. some of which they learned on a recent trip to Russia's State Circus School.  They had many interesting~ stories to tell of the juggers they saw.  Hovey and Judy pass 7 and 8 clubs and Hovey and Tommy Curtain were trying 9 using a Russian method which utilizes  a third person (Judy) as starter.

 

We could hardly believe our eyes watching Bill Dietrich cascade 5 clubs with triple turns and keeping them going with ease. He says that's the only way he can do it. Bill is also an accomplished ball juggler and handles 6 and 7 balls very well. With Bill was his wife Arlene and son Eric.

 

And speaking of triple turns, Billy Tirko backcrosses 3 clubs with triples and he claims he quit practicing 15 years ago!   Billy is certainly not the bragging type but it is obvious from his photographs and what he says, that a few years back he did some amazing things with clubs and balls; including 7 balls.  

 

Barry Cole, a Californian  who happened to be in the area on a United States bicycle tour showed off his fancy footwork with balls ala "Brunn style".  

Shower Sandor has increased his shower from 4 to 5 balls since last year. And Mitch Schnaer, who practices 5 hours a day, could be one of the greatest ball bouncers in the country at this time. He does many intricate maneuvers such as passing his legs through the pattern while bouncing as many as 7 balls. He says he has already started practice on bouncing 8 and 9 balls.  

 

We were unable to put on a public show this year, but a small but successful children's hospital .show was arranged. Mr. & Mrs.

 

cont. on p. 5