This year it's more than juggling in the gym. Montreal is offering the IJA a red carpet invitation to become a star celebrant of this historic city's summerlong 350th anniversary party.

 

Montreal wants the IJA to see Montreal and to be seen by the multitudes of tourists planning their summer vacations around its birthday. So the city has arranged performance venues for jugglers throughout the vibrant entertainment district that surrounds McGill University.

 

Dorchester Park is reserved for outdoor juggling all week, and the city invites performers to lay their hats on the ground to invite donations for their shows. In nearby Berri Square, two stages complete with sound, lights and technical crew will also be sites for shows throughout the week by jugglers who audition for those prime spots.

 

But it won't take an audition to join the parade! On Thursday, July 23, everyone is invited to join the juggler's parade through more than a mile of city streets from McGill University to Berri Square. Bring your stilts, unicycles, costumes, props and musical instruments to make as big a show of it as possible! The traditional Big Toss Up will take place upon arrival in the square, and 350 jugglers will be invited to juggle simultaneously to mark the city's birthday.

 

The championships and Cascade of Stars Pubic Show will take place in the regal St. Denis Theatre, a showplace whose beauty has been exquisitely preserved.

 

Whew! Sounds like quite a thing, doesn't it? It's a chance to enjoy the show by being part of the show, and we know there aren't many jugglers who can resist that! Come join us!

 

SPONSORSHIP: The IJA's 45th Annual Festival is hosted by the International Jugglers Association in cooperation with McGill University, the City of Montreal, Serge Trempe and Les Jongleurs Associes du Quebec. The festival co­ordinator is Ginny Rose. For general festival information call Tom Bennett.

 

SPECIAL GUESTS: The renowned and richly talented jugglers Lotte Brunn and Michael Moschen will attend the Montreal festival as special guests of the IJA. Brunn will conduct a workshop and receive the organization's Historic Achievement Award, while Moschen will conduct a workshop, appear in the Cascade of Stars show and receive the IJA's Award of Excellence.

 

HOUSING:  Because there will be a lot of other visitors in town for anniversary festivities, festival coordinator Ginny Rose urges jugglers to register for the Montreal festival early. Housing at McGill is limited, and can only be guaranteed if your registration is received by May 20. On-site registration during the festival will be at McGill University's Curry Gym. Registration questions should be directed to Debbie Bennett; Akron OH.

 

STREET PERFORMING OPPORTUNITIES: There will be a series of public performances on the Berri Square stages throughout the festival, culminating with a fire juggling show on Saturday night following the Cascade of Stars show. Jugglers wishing to perform on the Berri Square stages should send videos to: Serge Trempe;  Quebec. Jugglers may perform at any time during the week in Dorchester Park, and may lay a hat on the ground for donations. However, city laws prevent "passing the hat" or any active solicitation of donations.

 

You may also contact Trempe about street performing opportunities during the Montreal International Jazz Festival (the week before the IJA festival) and the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival (the week following the IJA bash).

 

CANADIAN CUSTOMS: To cross the border, citizens of US may need to

show customs officials an identity certificate such as a passport, voter registration card, birth certificate or baptismal record. They may not ask you for it, but bring one of the above along just in case.

 

TRANSPORTATION: Eager Travel Corporation is proud to be the IJA's official travel agency, and has negotiated discounted airfares for festival attendees with American AirIines.  However, regardless of airline used, Eager guarantees the lowest available rate. By using Eager, you will also help directly benefit the IJA. Call Eager toll free in the continental US and Canada.

 

RIDE THE RAILS: FIorida Juggler Larry Jordan is arranging for jugglers to take over an Amtrak train going to and returning from the festival, extending their festival experience by two days each way.

 

The Silver Star leaves Miami bound for Montreal on July 18 at 3 p.m., arriving in Washington, D.C., at 2:25 p.m. on July 19. Change trains there for the Montrealer, which leaves Washington at 4:10 p.m, arriving in Montreal on the 20th at 10:45 a.m. Jugglers will set up a command post in the last car of the train. The return trip leaves Montreal at 5:10 p.m. on July 26, arriving in Miami at 1:15 p.m. on the 28th. Round-trip from Miami to Montreal is only $189 if you book early.

 

To make sure you book the right train, call About Town Travel in Kissimmee, Fla., for all the details and reservations. For more information, call Larry Jordan  or Dena Frooman.

 

PARKING: Parking at McGill University is $25 for your week's stay. Buy your permit through the registration form or at the door.

 

HOUSING: Only single rooms are available at McGill University and they are small, but more than one person will be allowed in a room if families want to stay together. No artificial air conditioning is necessary since all facilities are located on a mountain slope with good natural air circulation.

 

The IJA is booking 400 rooms at McGill, and they will be the cheapest rooms in town. Sorry, but there will be no guarantee that jugglers showing up at the festival without prior room reservations will be able to get a room on campus because McGill will be renting out its facilities to other tourists. If you'd like a hotel list, call Debbie Bennett.

 

The official beginning of the festival is Tuesday, July 21, but people wanting to arrive on Monday can get a room for that night if they indicate it on the registration form.

 

FOOD: Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served in the Bishop Mountain Hall Cafeteria near the residence halls.

 

Vegetarian entrees will be available at all meals. You don't have to get a meal plan, but if you choose one you must preregister for it. The three meal plan is optional, and other restaurants are available in the nearby area.