The Acrobuffos in New Zealand

The Acrobuffos

Seth and Christina Gelsone were recently featured in an article while appearing at The World Buskerfest in Christchurch New Zealand. I have had the pleasure of working with The Acrobuffos on my two trips to perform in China. They are not only one of my favorite street acts, but they also happen to be very nice people. Great press guys!

Click here to read the online version

World Buskerfest Update...

The World Buskerfest in New Zealand

...got off to a rainy start, but the weather has let up now and the shows are rolling along. I just chatted with Dan Holzman this morning and got his personal report/update on how things are going. Dan reports that now that the weather is cooperating, they are having huge crowds, fun shows and he is having a great time hanging out with all of the other performers. The festival runs through January 31st.

Jack Kalvan on The Ellen Show tomorrow

Jack Kalvan

Word is out that Jack will be juggling on The Ellen Show tomorrow 1/27. I do not know details.

Luke Burrage

Luke Burrage

Luke has been staying busy performing on cruise ships while sailing on the high seas. He has put together a very fun and adventurous video of him juggling at some of the many places that he has visited around the world in the past year. If you'd like to keep up with Luke and see where he will be performing...

Just click this link to go to his online schedule

Luke, and his video was also recently featured in a story in The Northern Echo titled, "Juggler Luke is Lord of the Flings"

Click here to read the online version of this story

Click here to view Luke's newest video, International Juggler 2009 - Luke Burrage

Juggling in an Opera

Steve Langley aka The Great Fettucini

Hey, what's the sense in having a blog if you cannot indulge in a little shameless self-promotion from time to time?

Tonight is opening night in The Belk Theater of The Blumenthal Performing Arts Center of Charlotte, NC, where I will be juggling with Opera Carolina and The Charlotte Symphony in their production of Pucccini's "La Boheme" (which, by the way, in English is "The Boheme")

This will be my 3rd time performing as a supernumerary (a non singing role) in an opera. I have a number of other juggling friends who have also had this opportunity, as well. If you ever get the chance to do this, I highly recommend that you take advantage of it. There is nothing quite on the scale of Opera and to be a part of something so large is quite exciting and stimulating as a performing artist. Being on such a large stage and juggling amongst a huge cast of beautiful voices with a full symphony orchestra playing in the pit is something that I have only experienced with Opera in my over 20 years performing.

If you happen to live near or close to a professional full time Opera company, make sure that you drop them a call or an email and let their production coordinator know what your skills are and that you are interested in any supernumerary roles that might fit your skill set. You will have a very fun time and an experience that looks pretty good on your resume.

Gavin Schmidt, Secret Life of Scientists, On PBS

Gavin Schmidt

Thanks to Ben Schoenburg for posting this on Facebook. A mini profile on Nova of NY juggler, unicyclist and NASA Climatologist, Gavin Schmidt

Click here to see the online story and video

Street Performers Take Note...

This just in from My friend Zeemo...

Forwarded from Susan Dunbar
Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

After 3 minutes: a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later: The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw the money in the hat without stopping and continued to walk.

6 minutes: A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes: A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly..

45 minutes: The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money, but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.

1 hour: He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.


Findings; No one knew this, but:

· The violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world,

· He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written,

· With a violin worth $3.5 million dollars.

· Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theatre in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each.

This is a true story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the Metro Station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment aboutperception, taste, and people's priorities.


The questions raised: "In a common place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty? Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?"

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made... How many other things are we missing?

Flying Karamazov Bros. in NYC for a 1 month stand

The Flying Karamazov Brothers

The FKB will be performing their new show "4PLAY" at the Minetta Lane Theater in NYC from Feb 8th - March 7th.

Click here for ticket information and details.

A typical Google News Alert for the word "Juggling"

This is a typical example of the Google News Alerts that I get for the word "juggling". The hits do not have anything to do at all with actual juggling, just the use of the word "juggling" as a metaphor or a euphemism. Sometimes I feel like the word for what we do has been hijacked, and overused. But then, maybe I am overreacting.

Google News Alert for: juggling

Like juggling hot potatoes? Manila Bulletin He likened the burden of presidential responsibility to that of a juggler, “juggling at least 10 hot potatoes and your feet are not on the ground as ... See all stories on this topic

O'Malley looking to boost Bay trust fund? Baltimore Sun (blog) While cutting and juggling to close a massive $2 billion budget gap, could Gov. Martin O'Malley be planning to ask the General Assembly to increase funding ... See all stories on this topic

The Canadian Press Sharks get goals from franchise record 8 players in 9-1 victory over Flames The Canadian Press "I don't think it has a lot to do with me juggling the lines," McLellan said. "I just think they got it going, and it's going their way right now. ... See all stories on this topic

SkySports Back the juggler SkySports Middle-distance runner Steph Twell is juggling the demands of study with preparations for the new season and her role as one of Team GB's 'Face of 2012'. ... See all stories on this topic

How to Play Governor NBC Washington By JIM HANDLY If you are good at juggling big numbers, a Maryland nonprofit wants you to visit their Web site. The group's mission is to raise civic ... See all stories on this topic

Teresa Sullivan is the first female president to lead University of Virginia Washington Post ... as a highly regarded scholar-administrator, capable of juggling senior administrative posts while pursuing research on the sociology of financial ruin. ... See all stories on this topic

Monica is 'Still Standin... Eurweb.com And if it could help to illuminate things for her fans, regarding juggling life in the music business, it was all worth it. On another note, because music ... See all stories on this topic

Rumor: Apple January 27 Tablet Event Could Introduce iPhone 4.0 OS Art of the iPhone (blog) Juggling three multitouch devices—the iPhone, iPod touch, and now the tablet—will surely complicate matters for Apple, but I wouldn't put it past Steve Jobs ... See all stories on this topic

HBO takes four Golden Globe awards The Sun Daily Also catch Toni Collette as a suburban mother juggling her family and career while suffering from a multiple identity disorder in United States of Tara ... See all stories on this topic

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Giant Juggling Sculpture Criticized as "Low-Brow Horror" in UK

Click here for the full TimesOnline story from the UK...

Oran Canfield

Oran Canfield releases "Freefall" his childhood memoirs. Oren finished second place in the 1986 IJA Juniors Championships, behind Robbie Weinstein and in front of Mark Bakalor... although this article places him third, the IJA records show him finishing second.

Link to an article and a review of the book online

A brief description of the book from Amazon.com...

Whether he was performing the circus as a reluctant child juggler, living in a punk rock commune or being staying with a coke-addled cop in Mexico on a school exchange program, Oran Canfield never had a normal childhood.After being abandoned as a baby by his motivational guru father (Jack Canfield, author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books) Oran spent time with a succession of friends, relatives, teachers, commune dwellers, socialist rebels and circus clowns. But Oran's life only truly entered freefall when he became addicted to heroin at the age of twenty-three. His parents are again united in their desire to make him quit, but Oran is convinced that he is beyond all help ... Freefall is Oran's remarkably honest, often hilarious and compulsively readable memoir, which shows that sometimes you have to hit rock bottom in order to start living life fully, and for yourself.

Billy Tirko

This is a link to an online version of a great story/article that Dick Franco wrote about a great old juggler, Billy Tirko. It was in the most recent edition of Juggle magazine.

Thanks Dick.

Positive response from WC Field's son...

I just received an email back from Bill Morris aka WC Field's son. He not only wants to be our guest of honor, but saw the video from last years show and is down right excited to be coming. Very Cool. I look forward to meeting him in person.

Click here to view the video montage from last years show.

WC Field's son lives nearby...

WC Fields & Son

I just read an article in a nearby local paper, The Gaston Gazette, that a son of the famous comedian, actor and juggler WC Fields lives nearby in the small town of McAdenville, NC. I have already contacted the writer of the article to let Mr. Willam Rexford Fields Morris know that we would like for him to come and see our Family Vaudeville Extravaganza this year as our honored guest. I hope that we hear back from him with a positive response.

Click here to read the article in The Gaston Gazette

Anthony Gatto opens with La Nouba

Anthony Gatto

Anthony opened today in Orlando with Curque's production of La Nouba. For those of you who do not tune into JuggleTalk, Anthony's forum, here are a few posts from the day before and also on opening day...

I start performing tomorrow at downtown Disney in Cirque du Soleil's production "La Nouba." It's a totally different style show than Kooza of course. I am working with a chicken character as my assistant as well as some minor involvement with Les Cons(4 white clowns). My entrance is spectacular, the chicken throws a yellow ball down an elevator shaft, then suddenly you see a ball going up and down, soon I arrive on the lift bouncing the ball.

I am also incorporated into the beginning parade where I'll finally get to use the 3 large balls that I have been working on. It's weird lighting there, so I won't be brave enough to do anything crazy at least for a while. In addition I will juggle a small part in the finale of the show. The show is awesome, I am not just saying that because I work there. It has a party like feel to it and it's just a lot of fun.
Come see me there... give me a week to get adjusted please;)
A.G.

The premier kicked ass! Two perfect shows, which is how I like to open. The second was harder than the first because as every seasoned performer knows, one tends to relax after opening having had a show under their belt. But, the second was was actually better! I felt more comfortable but was aware of the possibility of mistakes occurring. Management was extremely happy and called me "the future of La Nouba." that's pretty fantastic when dealing with a corporation as Large as Cirque du Soleil.

For some reason, my hands are cracked open all over the place. It could be because of the extensive rehearsals, and not having time to apply my special hand cream and really let it soak in. But it's quite painful I can tell you. I have two days off now and hope the hands will recover by Tuesday.

A.G.

Jason and Matt Tardy as AudioBody

AudioBody

Jason and Matt Tardy mix electronic music, juggling and drumming in a new act called AudioBody. They will be appearing at these locations in Maine...

Jan. 15th at Falmouth High School

Jan 23rd at The Boothbay Opera House

Feb 6th at The Bangor Opera House

They were featured recently in The Bangor Daily News. Click here to read the story.

Chinese Acrobatic Troupe visits Tampa

Chinese Acrobats

Wang Wen Juan balances a fan and a candle as she and other members of a Chinese acrobat team entertain Bryant Elementary School students Tuesday.

To read the full story on The Tampa Bay Online website, just click here.

Dexter and Jana on The Ellen Show this Thursday

Dexter Tripp and Jana Colgin

Dexter Tripp and his wife Jana Colgin will be appearing on The Ellen Show this Thursday.

All Jugglers currently performing in "Cirque" shows

Current Cirque Juggling Acts

For those of you who read Juggle magazine, you may have read in the last issue where Anthony Gatto starts his run in La Nouba in Orlando soon (also announced here), you may have also read that Greg Kennedy is currently in rehearsal for a yet to be named Cirque production.

I recently received via email, compliments of Alan Howard, who did all the leg work finding out this information, a list of all juggling acts that are currently or will shortly be performing in Cirque productions. Of course, all of these acts/shows are subject to change and you can go to the Cirque website if you'd like to find out more info on the individual shows and ticket info. Here is the list (Thanks Alan Howard)

Maria Choodu in Wintuk (playing New York City until January).

Tuan Lee and Vanessa Alvarez in Banana Shpeel (currently in Chicago; opening in New York in February).

Ryo Yabe in Ovo (now in San Francisco, moving not far away to San Jose in February).

The Teslenkos in Corteo (touring Japan).

Vladik in Dralion (now in Mexico City).

Chinese diabolo troupe in Quidam (touring South America).

Octavio Alegria in Varekai (presently in Moscow, opens in London in January).

Miguel Herrera in Saltimbanco (touring through the end of the year in France, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Spain).

Batons, lassos, and juggling acts in Zed (Tokyo).

Buskers - The Story of Street Performers

Buskers - The Movie

Although this has been out for a little while I wanted to mention it here for those who were not aware of it. The Movie "Buskers; For Love or Money - The Story of Street Performers" is available for purchase. In his directorial debut, Mad Chad Taylor, the renowned Venice Beach chain saw juggler, had created a one of a kind documentary that goes deep inside the hidden world of street performers. I have not personally seen this one yet, so I cannot give my own review, but from what I hear it is a decent movie and a good look at the world of Buskers.

Scot Nery - Pancake Juggler

Scot Nery

Scot will be appearing Wednesday Jan 13th at The Comedy Store along with magician Justin Kredible and aerialist/hooper/dancer Victoria Grimmy as a part of The Cheap Trix show.

For more details and ticket info click here.

Mike Chirrick

Mike Chirrick

Mike informs me that he will be making some one nighter appearances in the Miami area with a show called "A Touch of Burlesque". I do not have details on locations, but will post as soon as I know more. If you hear or read of this show coming near you do yourself a favor and go and see it just to see Mike perform. Mike is a living legend in our art and is "Juggling Royalty" in my book. He is one of the few jugglers still working today that is a bridge or a connection to an era of show business, one of class and sophistication, that unfortunately for us working jugglers, is long gone.

And, oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention the fact that Mike's act is an incredible and mind blowing juggling act that is not to be missed if you are a fan of juggling at all.

Gus and Ursala "Dazzling Dexterity"

This photo comes from Mike Chirrick's personal collection via his Facebook wall and is reposted here with his permission. One of the great Juggling acts of a bygone era...