ContactJuggling.org

Little scene setting:
I have been asked to take part in an open afternoon aimed at encouraging the use of the open spaces in our town. We will be taking over a large grassy area and have involved our local children's centre who will be doing some story telling.
There are other things being set up: badminton, ball games, space hopper races stuff like that.
I've been asked (by my wife) to take my props along and do a bit of a show. Now my thoughts were:
1) take climbing rope to mark out a "do not enter" zone so I can demo some staff spinning and cj with my acrylics.
2) use the rest of my props to have some "try sessions"

I have available:
3 clubs (which I can't actually juggle!)
A few bean bags/thud balls (6-9, not sure really)
70mm contact stage ball
5 sil-x implosions (78mm)
4 100mm stage balls of different types (standard, heavy, sil-x)
A few acrylics, two of which (a 75mm and an 85mm ) are scratched/damaged enough for me to hand out to kids!
A flower stick
Some juggling scarves
Adult tail poi
Kids tail poi (bean bag)

I am trying to borrow some spinning plates

Any advice/experience?

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"There's no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes."

Hello to Jason Isaacs

Oh and, no I won't be wearing a suit and tie!

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"There's no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes."

Hello to Jason Isaacs

my advice, when doing similar gigs.

Find/make more balls, something safe and easy for kids to catch. Focus on running most of the time like a workshop-play/session while you teach the children who want to learn some tricks with balls, also diabolo, flowersticks, 'safe and easy' skills. Clubs turn into baseball bats far too quickly, keep this and some of the other props hidden from view, and occasionally do demonstrations of cool new props or skills that you pull out of your bag. Tennis balls, filling and tape, you can make 50 in an evening (instead of practicing, of course)

If the kids are old enough (6+) then you can play juggling related games with them.. throwing and clapping, then catchng.. throwing a ball under your leg. catching the ball under your leg... uuuuuuuhg too many simple things that can be made fun with the right attitude. If the group is keen to learn, then you can demonstrate the 2 ball 'throw throw catch catch' example and then, if they work and get the exchange down, they are ready for 3. If they get 3 ball cascades down, pair them up and make them pass. or teach them cascade variations.

Also, tonnes of fun activities with 1 ball playing balancing related games. Where can you balance the ball on your body? Can you hold it on the back of your hand and run around? blah blah blah. Team them thumb holds (magic gravity tricks )

The shows/demonstrations provide a nice break for the often chaotic play that is happening, allowing the group to go quiet, sit down and focus on something. they will clap for your cool tricks, and then happily go back to playing afterwards. It'll be awesome, don't worry. Your wife will think you are a superstar.

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www.ryanmellors.com
www.ministryofmanipulation.com
www.piryokopi.net

Yeah, I think I'll leave the clubs at home!
Tx for the advice, I might see if someone will video me and put it up so people can have a good laugh!

_________________
"There's no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes."

Hello to Jason Isaacs

My only questions would be how many kids and who will they be supervised by? Beleve me you can't expect parents to make shore they behave.

Apart from that I really like Ryan's idea.

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

We have a few volunteers keeping an eye, I'll keep the props in a box rather than lying about too.
Don't know how many kids, it's a drop in sort of thing.

_________________
"There's no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes."

Hello to Jason Isaacs

If it's a sunny day, I'd make sure the kids don't get their hands on any acrylics. I've burned myself a few times and heck, I've got at least two years more intelligence than your average 6 year old.

Oh at LEAST that much...

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"Balance is constant motion in an effort to achieve stillness." - Michael Moschen

When and where will this be? I'll see if I can drop by, can't make any promises though.

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Curiosity saved the rat

It's a long way from Lincolnshire!

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"There's no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes."

Hello to Jason Isaacs

shame

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Curiosity saved the rat

I think the Bristol crew are closest to me!

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"There's no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes."

Hello to Jason Isaacs

Where are you exactly? I'm doing a bit of travelling around this summer looking at unis so I may end up nearby.

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Curiosity saved the rat

One week to go!
Got some more helpers to control crowds (ha ha as if!) and borrowed some more props.
I'll get someone to video/take pics and report back.

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"There's no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes."

Hello to Jason Isaacs

Today was the day and the adrenaline is starting to wear off!
The event ended up having 200 people at a random head count (kids and adults).
I was buzzing afterwards, lots of smiles from the kids, a couple of naturals with poi and one who wanted to know whether to get a stage ball or an acrylic to start cj.
I'll post something a bit longer at some point, was too busy for video unfortunately
Thanks for all the advice!

_________________
"There's no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes."

Hello to Jason Isaacs