ContactJuggling.org

A few weeks ago, I was doing some contact in the sports centre before a parkour class - they let me hang around and it's a quiet spot, so I usually get some practice time in. This member of staff comes past, sees me and freaks out, and asks me nicely if I would mind coming up front to juggle for her colleagues in reception. So I did it, and they were actually discussing how I was doing isolations, and one asked me if it would fall if I let go. I know that's not really busking, but I've never had a reaction like that before and it felt incredible.

Yeah, but it was performing, so it counts!
Good on you!

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The Aeon is a child at play with colored balls

I agree. Contact juggling in front of people (in parks for the most part) completely transformed how I thought and felt about it.

It's a big step - well done Katie!

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"Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done! There is mischief to have. There are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball will make you the winning-est winner of all."

Thanks guys

I've found this sports centre really good for getting over the terror of being seen, as people do come past. On Thursday I caught the attention of a couple of kids, too.

Well, I performed in front of about 650 people Thursday night as part of a talent show. I had a really great time doing it, even though I was a bit nervous. I wish I had video of it, since it was a much better performance than my last one. I had nice movement around the stage, only stumbled twice that I remember, and had no drops. I still was a little shaky in the hands, but not nearly as much as my last performance, and that was only in front of about 50 people, so having less shakiness in front of 650 is a big improvement. I was also much prouder of the new routine I choreographed.

There were prizes for 1st-3rd place, and I didn't place, but I really wasn't bothered by that. I did find out that I was unofficially tied for fourth which made me feel good. And personally, I thought the person I tied with should of won, so that was a big confidence boost. I also got great reaction from the crowd, and I even heard some girl yell "I want your autograph!" as I walked off stage. I also found out that there were heavy talks of "The Awesome Ball Guy" at the high school(which I don't physically attend, but am enrolled in, so I didn't hear them) while rehearsals went on, and my friends were shocked to find out that that was me since I've been a closet Cjer ever since Fushigi.

I'm performing the same routine in a week and a half for the talent show of the college that I actually do attend. I would have liked to have another routine for the sake of my friends that will see it twice, but there just isn't enough time for me to make one I'd like. This crowd will probably only be 50-100 people max, so my nerves should be nearly nonexistent. I'll get video of that one and post it in the video forum for everyone.

I was out busking yesterday and the local mayor stopped to watch for a bit on his way to get ready for the parade. He told me that what I was doing was amazing, tipped me, and told me to keep performing on Nicollet Mall. It was my best day out busking so far, making about $8.50/hr average.

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It's not true contact unless you're naked.

I haven't busked yet or even practiced outside! You do need a permit to busk here but I'm a LONG way off from that
luckily it looks like the sun is coming out again so I'll be able to go to some parks and practice in the sun

I have had performing experiences before though, playing piano (some good, some bad lol) I was playing this grand piano and it was kids day at the Lincs Drill Hall, LOADS of kids decided to gather round the piano and stare at me while I played! literally right next to me and infront of me, quite disconcerting but flattering lol
My first ever performance was at my old school and I got stopped in the street the next day by a girl saying 'how did you play like that?!??' I just had to say 'lots of practice!' lol I was pretty taken aback at being stopped and praised like that, it hadn't ever happened before!

But yeah, I hope I can get up some good practice outside this summer and maybe one day will be able to go out and busk I know I'd be pretty nervous and scared but I've learnt a LOT from performing piano in public, especially in a drunk pub!

On Monday in my usual spot in the sports centre, I heard "Hey, it's that performer woman!" before being swarmed by a small group of awesome kids, who wanted to know if I had any new moves, if I could do a chestroll and if I had my stageballs so they could have a go. It was awesome. I need smaller stageballs for them, though!

I went to the Ren Faire yesterday and I was dressed in a Traveler's Garb outfit with my Clear Acrylic. I was walking around mainly drilling my palm iso's and when ever we would stop to look at stuff, I would stand outside the booth and start performing. I kept drawing a crowd at every booth I was performing in front of. People thought I worked there and I got to take photos with people which was really fun. My favorite moment, we were watching a Gypsie show and I decided to start performing right next to them, within 2 minutes I had drawn a crowd that more than doubled there crowd and I almost completely blocked the walk way.

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Contact Juggling at work, starting to annoy my co-workers every time I drop it ^^;

http://www.youtube.com/user/shadowbuster
rabitjuggling.com

Sure hope you checked in with the other performers before you set up on them...

...and keep your crowd tight, or you'll irritate festival organizers by impeding traffic.

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http://www.gravitydefiance.net

Ya I didn't realize how offensive this was till my friend yelled at me when I told them about it. I already felt bad for that happening, but I feel worse now. I didn't "steal" there crowd of people who were already watching them, just people passing bye. They were just finishing up there show as well.

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Contact Juggling at work, starting to annoy my co-workers every time I drop it ^^;

http://www.youtube.com/user/shadowbuster
rabitjuggling.com

It is fun having your picture taken with people.
BUT....
Believe me a hell of a lot of work goes into organising an event and making shore it runs smoothly, so next time speak to the organiser’s.
You never know they might pay you to entertain the crowd and the last thing you need is an annoyed security guard asking you to leave.
The very last thing you want is to annoy a performer. It can be very stressful at events and you get very little sleep.
Nerves are normally frayed but you still put on the persona for the punters. I’m shore you can imagine how it feels.

Don’t mean to have a go at you its just I am a performer at historical events, and have had very little sleep.

Oh and while ren fairs don’t take it as seriously as we do those traveller’s garb shirts are completely wrong.



TTFN

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"Like I told your Captain, that orphange attacked me. It was self-defense."

Sorry man. I will send you any info I can.

TTFN

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"Like I told your Captain, that orphange attacked me. It was self-defense."

Ok, so this isn't a CJ performing experience, but it's a performing experience nonetheless.

I went with my music teacher to do an African drum circle for some children at a preschool. There were a few special ed kids among the kids (ages 4-6 years), but I think they all had a great time. Most of the time working there was sitting in a classroom and giving the kids some hands on time with some drums to get them introduced to playing music. And a small amount of time was spent in the gym doing performances in front of all the kids at once.

So for the morning performance it all goes normal and then we get a lunch break. During my lunch break I remembered that I had brought along my Flowpoi. So I start spinning a bit during my break, and one of the people organizing the event sees me and has me talk to my music teacher to work that into the afternoon performance. So I demo for my teacher for a bit and then we get to talking about how to do this.

Later just before the afternoon performance we finalize the details, do one drum circle number and halfway through, the lights begin to dim so my Flowlights can be seen clear as day. Then I start my poi routine and the lights come back up slowly after a little while. Then another number on drums and then we're done.

Before the first song, I turn on my lights, very good thing. About halfway through the first song, the gym lights completely cut out. We performers are confused by this. My we continue with our drum song, and after a little bit, the kids are starting to get restless. I decide to step up and pull out my lights and begin spinning my poi and all the kids come out with "Oohs" and "Ahhs" while my teacher just extends the drumming song and I spin in front. The lights come back on after a few minutes and I use that as my cue to end. The crowd of children and volunteer parents erupt in to applause. It felt amazing.

At the end of the performance I was approached by I don't know how many parents, children, and teachers asking about poi and everything. It was a great day.

I haven't really been posting on here much recently. It has been almost a year since i last performed. I have been avoiding it mostly due to discouragement as a result of you-know-who. I was tired of hearing it from people on the street. But i have depleted the money i have been living off of and need to earn rent before the summer ends. So i was forced to make a return to the streets a few days ago to start earning a living once again as a busker. I wasn't looking forward to it, but i had brainstormed a bunch of new ideas to keep my audience educated and entertained. Although i have taken a lot of time off of performing, i have not taken time off from learning the streets. I have many busking friends that i watch regularly and learn from.

I am very happy to say that after only 2 days back on the streets, I find myself rejuvenated and genuinely enjoying myself. I have made some drastic improvements to how i handle my show and talk to my audiences and how i deliver my hat line, and it has resulted in a lot of very positive feedback and encouragement, as well as larger hats at the end of my shows. Last night I broke my record for total earnings in one night. And got a hug from a little girl which was a first. what seemed like an unfortunate circumstance of running out of money, has made me a happier and prouder person, revitalizing my love for performing and contact juggling. It feels good to be recognized again when i walk around town. I have spent much time in the last months feeling robbed and depressed when it comes to thinking about contact juggling as a performance art. but after coming back out to perform for people, It has really been had a positive impact on me.

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