Overall, it's a hearty look back at the convention that will evoke forgotten memories in people who were there and regret for having missed it from those who weren't. Because it's not every day you see women joggle, someone use a rag doll almost successfully as a cigar box, or Anthony Gatto simply juggle! .:.

by Bill Giduz

"Joe Juggler Presents ­ His Instructional Video" Fearless Airborne Conjury Productions.

Of the few juggling videotapes available today, most are performance videos of professional jugglers. The few instructional tapes that exist are usually aimed solely at prospective jugglers and focus on learning the three-ball cascade, occasionally tricks and slightly advanced work.

"Joe Juggler Presents" is a fresh piece of work, offering instruction in everything from the cascade to more unique, non­juggling performance skills.

"Joe Juggler Presents" differs from the typical instructional videos in several ways. First, it presents not only basic instruction in the cascade, but also offers instruction in four and five balls, three and four clubs, and devil stick.

But where the real value of the video lies is in the instruction it offers in the circus/ vaudeville skills of

bullwhip cracking and knife throwing. From the perspective of people who already know how to juggle, the bullwhip and knife throwing lessons are the main attraction of this video.

David Van Derveer, aka Joe Juggler, does a good job throughout the video of presenting the various skills. His instruction stresses practice and repetition of foundation moves, on which more advanced tricks are built. The use of different camera positions, and even split-screen sequences, enables the viewer to see the moves from different angles and makes the mechanics of the tricks more easy to grasp. This is especially helpful for the bullwhip cracking and knife throwing, where aim and follow-through are such important parts of the technique.

Van Deveer spices up the instruction with occasional comedy gags, including a very funny one coming during a discussion of fire juggling safety. Other entertaining bits come at the beginning of the video when we see a montage of Van Deveer's performance routines. Another large part of the video deals with unicycling. The instruction offered in this section is sub­stantial, covering everything from learning to ride to mounting and maneuvering on a six-footer.

Be forewarned, "Joe Juggler Presents" will not wow anyone with its production quality. But it does not need to. The majority of the video covers juggling instruction for up to four clubs and five balls, so advanced jugglers beware. However, the bullwhip cracking and knife throwing instruction is valuable, and might make "Joe Juggler" a worthwhile investment.

by Dave Jones