Modern juggling culture
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Since the late 1980s a large juggling sub-culture has developed, almost completely unknown and unrecognised by the general public. The scene revolves around local clubs and organisations, special events, shows, magazines, websites, Internet forums, and, possibly most importantly, juggling conventions. In recent years there has also been a growing focus on juggling competitions.
Populating the scene are many "juggling celebrities". These people are notable (or notorious) for being good or creative jugglers, entertaining performers, convention organisers, experts in their field, having a strong presence online or just for having a curiously interesting personality, character or style. Of course, outside of the juggling world they are often completely unknown.
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[edit] Local juggling clubs
Most cities and large towns have juggling clubs where anyone is welcome to learn and share skills. Many universities and colleges have juggling or circus skills societies. There are also many community circus groups that usually aim to teach young people and put on shows. The Internet Juggling Database maintains a searchable database of most juggling clubs.
[edit] Organizations
The first organization that promotes juggling and helps jugglers was the International Jugglers' Association (IJA), based almost entirely in North America. The European Juggling Association facilitates the annual European Juggling Convention and promotes juggling in Europe. Various countries have national associations, including Italy, Spain and Switzerland. There is also the Christian Jugglers Association.
[edit] Magazines
Kaskade is the European juggling magazine, published in both English and German. Juggle is the official publication of the IJA and focuses on the North American scene. Juggling Magazine is published in Italy. Newton Las Pelotas is published in Argentina and Spain for the latin American readership.
[edit] Music
The natural rhythms which arise in juggling patterns are complimented by a vast array of music. Attendees of a Juggling convention are likely to enjoy background music as diverse as the juggling itself.
[edit] Events
World Juggling Day is the second or third Saturday in June. There are events organized worldwide to teach people how to juggle, to promote juggling, or for jugglers to get together and celebrate.
[edit] Conventions and festivals
Many countries, cities, or juggling clubs hold their own annual juggling convention. These are the backbone of the juggling scene, the events that regularly bring jugglers from a wide area together to socialize. The attendance of a convention can be anything from a few dozen to a few thousand people.
The principal focus of most juggling conventions is the main hall, where anybody can share tricks, juggle to their heart's content, and try out multi-person passing patterns. There will often be more formal "workshops", too, in which expert jugglers will work with small groups on specific skills and techniques. Most juggling conventions will also include a big show (open to the general public), competitions, and juggling games. Many juggling conventions host some kind of "renegade show", an open stage where anyone can, at short notice, get up and perform just about anything.
The Internet Juggling Database maintains a searchable database of past and upcoming conventions.
