Rudy Cardenas - IJA Historical Achievement Award

 

Born into his mother's Circus Suarez family in Mexico, Cardenas has no memory of a time when he was not juggling. At age 7 he had a single act in the circus, and at 8 he became the first circus act ever to open at the EI Patio, the largest night club in Mexico City. At 10 he was working at Rio de Janiero's La Urca, the most famous casino in the world at the time.

 

Cardenas didn't begin working with balls until age 12, but was immediately captivated by the art, practicing as much as 10 hours a day. At age 14, he was a major sensation when he premiered his new 14-minute act at EI Patio, and later at La Urca, and other hot night clubs all over South America.

 

In 1948 he burst onto the world stage with an appearance in Miami, which led to a 5-year contract with Paramount Pictures. He was voted best novelty act of the year twice and was the only act ever featured on the electric billboard at Times Square in NYC.

 

In the 1950s and 1960s press reports extolled Cardenas as the world's best juggler. Astounding crowds in notable venues such as Radio City Music Hall, the London Palladium, the Udo in Paris and the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, he also won the Rastelli Trophy in Italy, appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, toured with Bob Hope, and has performed for three presidents of Mexico, Winston Churchill, Richard Nixon, Princess Grace and Queen Elizabeth II of England. Phew! Now retired, he lives in Las Vegas.

 

CASCADE OF STARS

Show Headliners - The Qian Brothers

 

For more than three generations, the Qian family has been devoted to traditional Chinese acrobatic arts. The founder of the current troupe, Jian Ping Qian, has blended the traditional art form with modem technology of sight and sound.

 

Qian trained in bicycling, balancing, martial arts and music with the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe, Hsu­Chou Acrobatic Troupe and Nanjing Acrobatic Troupe in China from 1961 to 1989. He won first prize at the National Acrobatic Competition in Beijing in 1976, and again at Shanghai in 1980. Awarded the title of "First Class National Acrobatic Performer" in 1986 by the Chinese Ministry of Culture, that year he also won the "Prix du President de la Republic" at the Cirque de Demain festival in Paris.

 

As vice chair of the Chinese Acrobatic Association, Qian has led his troupe and performed in more than 50 nations around the world. Since 1988 they have charmed audiences in the US, at the Big Apple Circus, Disney World and Ringling Brother's Barnum & Bailey Circus. The troupe, now known as Great Wall Acrobatic, has performed its "Zaji" show at the Circus Circus resorts in Las Vegas and Reno, and is now at the Tropicana Hotel.

 

RENDEZVOUS DINNER PARTY

Awards, Rare Movies & Show

 

Don't waste a moment! Rendezvous the first night with old and new friends alike over dinner - 6:30 pm at the Matador Arena, Sunday, July 16 - for an evening of dinner, fun entertainment and merrymaking. Host Sam Kilboum will emcee as special guest Kris Kremo presents the IJA Award of Excellence to Dick Franco, and the Historical Achievement Award to Rudy Cardenas. Be enchanted by rare footage movies of our honored guests and other celebrities, and amused by a 90's juggling show highlighting European talent, directed by Todd Strong. Sponsored in part by the Toy Crafter.

 

A "GLOWING" NIGHT CLUB EXPERIENCE

The First Ever IJA UV Room!

Immediately following the Rendezvous Dinner, you are invited to a "Glowing Experience," in the UV (ultra-violet) room. Completely dark except for the illumination of glowing objects flying through the air, the UV room will delight hundreds of jugglers and onlookers. Special fluorescent black lights will enhance the illumina­tion effects, and theatrical smoke and techno music will give the room the excitement of a night club. WOW! So, brush your teeth - wear white to glow or black for no-show ­ and bring your glow-in-the-dark or day-glow juggling props!

 

At 10PM, be there or be square... Brought to you by the Affiliates of the IJA. For more information call Deena Frooman.

 

IJA REGISTRATION

PREREGISTER BY JUNE 10 AND AVOID LINES!

See the attached registration form for options and  and prices. Weekly, daily and individual event registration will take place on-site at the Hacienda's Matador Arena.

There will be no admittance to the juggling area before registering. For more information on registration call Bob Mahler.

 

JUGGLING FACILITY

The Matador Arena is in the Hacienda Hotel and Casino, which is ideally located at the top of the Strip and next door to the new, too cool, pyramid-shaped Luxor Hotel, The Hacienda is also within easy walking distance of the MGM Grand Adventures Theme Park and the Excalibur and Tropicana hotels. The Matador Arena has 20,000-square­feet of floor space-and will be open 24 hours a day for juggling, yayh, so let's boogie!

 

HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

The IJA has blocked a number of Garden Rooms around the beautifully landscaped Hacienda pool and a number of Tower Rooms in high­rise buildings near the Casino. Festival attendees are entitled to a special rate advance purchase. The Garden Rooms are $50 per night for one or two people (including room tax) and the Tower Rooms are $60 per night for one or two people (including room tax). For a third person, add $10.80 per room, per night. Children under 12 are free.

Use of tennis courts are free.

 

TO RECEIVE THIS SPECIAL RATE RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE THROUGH THE IJA WITH 100% ROOM PAYMENT BY JUNE10.  IMPORTANT NOTICE! Festival Room Rates only apply July 16 - 20. 

 

June 10 is the reservation cut-off date. After that our block is released and rooms may not be available.  Cancellations must be received in writing. There is a $25 charge for cancellation between June 10 and July 10, and a $50 charge for cancellations after July 10.

 

There is ample free parking at the hotel, and RV parking is available at $14.95 per day.

 

DINING IN

Restauraunts in the Hacienda. Hotel are ­

Charcoal Room - Gourmet dining

Cactus Room - 24-hr Coffee shop;

New York Pasta Co. - Italian Cuisine

EI Grande Buffet - All meals, buffet

2 quick-service delis

Room service

 

TRANSPORTATION

Getting There

 

Call Eager Travel Corporation in the continental US and Canada and avoid that annoying musak on those hold on forever, double speak calls to the airlines. Eager is the IJA's official travel agency, and your best bet for discounted airfares. They know how much we all want to get there for pennies, and will guarantee you the lowest available route, no hustles, no hassles, no charge. And, it gets even better. ..by using Eager you'll even be helping to directly benefit the IJA!

 

Time Saving Tip: We suggest faxing your reservation request to Eager. You will be called back the same day as the request, most likely in the evening.

I

Cheap TIPS: When calling Eager, or anyone, for airline reservations and info., please keep the following tips in mind:

I Airfare prices, availability and re­

strictions are constantly changing, so, if you don't purchase within 24 hours of your call, don't assume your quote will still be available at the time you decide to confirm your reservations.

 

 

SMOTHERS BROTHERS

The Smothers Brothers will be performing at the Debbie Reynolds Hotel. Join yo-yo enthusiasts on Tuesday evening to see the Yo-Yo Man himself! Contact Stuart Crump for details.

 

THE GAMES

New, crazy and as exciting as ever, this year's Games are full of plenty of surprises! Psyche-up for fun and a high energy day in the Matador Arena, Wednesday. Sponsored by the Rubber City Jugglers. For information, call Games director Scott Slesnick; Canton OH.

 

CHAMPIONSHIPS

IJA championships judging will be based on the ordinal system of awarding a gold, silver and bronze medal to the top 3 jugglers in each event. Winner of the Seniors event will also be presented with the IJA Championship Trophy. Dan Holzman, championships director, will be assisted by Barry Bakalor in the Numbers events, and by Lqrry Kluger and Mike Hout in Joggling. For more information, contact Dan. Questions or suggestions regarding rules should be directed to Arthur Lewbel, assistant championships director.

 

AUCTION

Going once... going twice...we're back with a super array of juggling related posters, cards, props, celebrity memorabilia and one-of-a­kind artwork at the new IJA Auction! Everything will be sold at auction to the highest bidder, with proceeds going to preserve our juggling history.

 

We invite you to take a look into that prop bag, root around that studio or rec room, dig into that dark comer, look at all the old or unused juggling­related items and props that are gathering dust, and give them a new life, a new home and lots of love and attention by donating them for the Auction. Please send donations for auction to coordinator Braidy Brown; Binghamton NY.

 

IJA AFFILIATES

The IJA encourages its affiliates and all other juggling groups to hang their banners in the Matador Arena. During the festival there will be an Affiliate meeting to discuss mutual concerns. Affiliates are also invited to present special awards to deserving individuals. For Affiliate information contact IJA director Deena Frooman; Charleston SC.

 

VIDEO POLICY

Only videotaping for non-commercial use is permitted in the Matador Arena with permission of the person being taped. No videotaping of any staged championships event or show (except joggling) is permitted. The IJA will tape all events and will make the festival tape available later in the year. Videotaping of workshops is left to the discretion of each workshop leader. Call iJA director Dr. Steven Salberg; Denville NJ.

 

VOLUNTEERS

The organizers need your smiles and support in lending a hand with registration, security, staging and other duties. If you can volunteer a little time at the festival please call Ginny Rose, festival coordinator.

 

VENDORS

Floor space for vendors around the perimeter of the Matador Arena is available on a per-day basis, or for the entire week. Call Barry Korengold; San Francisco CA.

 

Never Before!

FIRST-EVER AFFILIATE POST-FESTIVAL CAMPOUT

Plan on extending your stay to attend the First-Ever Affiliate Post­Festival Campout. Friday to Sunday, July 21-23, in nearby Toiyabe National Forest (45 miles from the Hacienda). The campsite is 8,500 feet up in the mountains where cool breezes whistle through the bristle­cone pines. We'll finish off the week of fun with hiking, mountain biking, horseshoes, singing (or juggling) around the campfire.

 

Transportation, food, drinks, cook stoves and the like will be furnished. Bringing your own tent and sleeping bag will make life easier, but if you let us know we can make those arrangements as well.

 

The cost for these 3 days is only $20 per person! Make your reservations early because space is limited to the first 140 people. For more information and updates check rec.juggling on the Internet or call Steve Gerdes of the Orange Jugglers.