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Festival Report by Charles Shapiro
Several jugglers from a bunch of states as well as France, Canada and
South Africa came to juggle at the thirty-second Annual Groundhog Day
Jugglers Festival held Feb. 5-7 at the Yaarab Shrine Temple on Ponce de
Leon Avenue in downtown Atlanta. Our Master of Ceremonies Rodger French
traveled the farthest to get to Atlanta, flying 8,424 miles for the
privilege of chaperoning us at the public show. The weather was cool and
wet for much of the festival, but things hopped inside the building as
objects flew and old friends renewed acquaintance.
Among the amazing tricks on the juggling floor were some nice, big passing
patterns, several jugglers working with more than 7 objects, and a
good-sized group of unicyclists from a college in Alabama, where they had
succeeded in getting student activity fee money to pay not only for the
trip, but even for some unicycles. Other activities on the floor included
breakdancing, waltzes, bullwhips, diabolos, and at least one pair of "Freeline
Skates", basically a pair of foot-sized platforms with skate wheels on the
bottom which you could ride with careful management. A broken collarbone
kept me from participating in much of the festival.
An audience of about 500 witnessed the Saturday competitions. The
Seed
and Feed Marching Abominable Band started things off broomed by our own
Bruce Plott. After they played a selection of six tunes, Rodger French
took the stage and introduced the three naive judges, "John", "Jennifer",
and "Rose". They apparently weren't willing to publish their last names.
Jerry "Free Hugs" was the traditional timekeeper.
Jacob Clark from Richmond VA started off the show with an act which
included some 3 ball tricks, a 3-up pirouette with 5, some 3-club work,
and a very short run of 7 balls. Next the very tall Andrew Ruiz of Miami
Florida performed a technically difficult show including a 5-up pirouette
with balls, some technical tricks with 3 clubs, a polished 4- and 5-club
routine, and a strong flash of 6 clubs. With 2 drops, this performance
won him the "Most Dumbfounding" prize.
Jimmy Abruzzi next did a gangster-themed act which included a diabolo and
some 3-ball work. The Madison Street Jugglers (Eric Prichard, Blake
Johnson, and Brandon Almeida) performed some entertaining 3-ball routines,
made more impressive by their young ages and matching costumes. Lee
Andrews, a clown from Macon GA, performed a polished act which included 3
balls, 4 balls, a short run of 5 balls, and a chin balance, distinguished
by having no drops at all. Ben Dragstrop of Charlotte NC did a mostly
ball act which nonetheless included a tall unicycle and a 3-club idle.
Ashley Ellis of Mount Airy, Maryland secured the
"Most Astonishing" trophy with an American Indian themed act, which
included some nice 4-club work and was heavily influenced by her history
in baton twirling. David Ferman of Jacksonville FL was next, with a
strong technical act featuring 3- 4-, and 5-club tricks and a 6-club
flash. Ted Joblin of Nashville TN secured the "Most
Flabbergasting" award with a diabolo act which included up to 3
diabolos on one string and some fine Excalibur-style tricks. Len Ferman
of Jacksonville FL rounded out the show with an act which included
juggling 3 basketballs and a 5-ball juggle on top of a stool.
Mike Garner and the Deluxe Vaudeville Orchestra hosted the Midnight
Cabaret at the Avondale Academy Theater, which was packed with 129 people
(officially). He opened with a fine Lieder entitled "I'd Like to be a
Good Juggler". Nadine Beeny next rode in to perform some experimental
stand-up. Rick Purtee, late of Atlanta and now on the Left Coast,
performed some tricky diabolo work to "Polka Chinoise". Rick Steenblick
next performed a couple of tunes on the Hang, returning to the stage from
his performance in 2008. Casey Brandt of Asheville NC did some
interesting Rhythmic Gymnastic-influenced moves with a single ball.
Next Mike Garner's brother and sister performed a couple of folk
renditions of rap tunes in Mike's signature style. 2008 "Most
Astonishing" winner Kenny Toombs did some marvelous street-style contact
juggling, complete with polished patter. Toni Shifalo presented the
"Mouse" award to Alan Tidwell for sterling service to the AJA. 2009 "Most
Phenomenal" winner David Ferman and Andrew Ruiz next took the stage for a
partner act. Ted Joblin closed the show with some fine diabolo moves.
Sunday wound the festival to a close with plenty of club passing, riding
of various dangerous and amusing contraptions, and impressive open
juggling. About 25 of us gathered for a post-Groundhog dinner at Panahar
Restaurant on Buford Highway, where we drank many toasts and ate a lot of
food. |
