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Juggling & Manipulation

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Juggling and Manipulation

This lense is about the art a juggling and manipulating objects.  If you want . . .

learn how to juggle or manipulate objects; learn how to make your own props; or find some of the best performers ...

 this is the lense!

 

A Juggling Robot? 5 Balls!

Yes! It can!

5 Ball Machine & TeamHere is a web page with some video of a juggling robot. It manages to juggle 5 balls. It's huge and it looks like it is about to miss at any moment, which it does after a nice long run. It is even more impressive to me now to watch a person juggle 5 after seeing the machine drop.

Why juggle?

Juggling can help us with one of the most important lessons there is in life, learning how to learn. Learning anything requires us to open up to making mistakes.

The famous director, George Cukor (A Star is Born and My Fair Lady) said "You can't have any successes unless you can accept failure." No one ever became even a fair juggler without dropping dozens of props. It isn't the minor set backs along the way that are important. What is important is to take the time to figure out what happened and decide what to do to improve. Life, like juggling, is about making corrections along the way.

Albert Einstein said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. We need to learn how to change and adapt. That's where practice plays an important part in learning. Juggling is a skill that with a little consistent practice you will actually be able to see yourself improve. Seeing progress is very motivating and important to learning. It is essential.

Life, like juggling, is about making corrections along the way. Juggling has a lot to teach beyond just throwing and catching inane things!

Ted Baumhauer, Ed.D.

February 2006

Juggling links and resources

Where to connect to the juggling world

From internationally to a local club this is where to find how to get into the juggling world.
International Jugglers Association
International Jugglers' Association
World Juggling Federation
World Juggling Federation. Juggling as a competitive sport!
IJDb - Internet Juggling Database
The Internet Juggling Database (IJDb) is a resource centre for jugglers. It provides discussion forums, event and club listings, a comprehensive video ...
IJDb - Internet Juggling Database
Access to rec.juggling and the IJDb chatroom; Access to the contact ... A member profile, which links in to your juggling videos and rec.juggling posts. ...
Juggling Festival Service Information
The aim of this service is to provide up-to-date information on Juggling Conventions/Festivals going on around the world. ...
How to juggle 3 balls
Very simple animation of how to do 3 balls
How to juggle
From the Juggling Database, how to get started.

Where to find juggling props

Recommend vendors for the best juggling props!
Sport Juggling Company
The best juggling bean balls!
Higgins Brothers
Fine juggling products from Canada! They ship everywhere!
Todd Smith Juggling Equipment - We manufacture juggling equipment ...
Todd Smith Juggling Equipment - Manufacturer and supplier of juggling equipment such as juggling balls, clubs, devilsticks, and other juggling supplies.
Serious Juggling
Great props and great service!
Dubé Juggling
Started the modern juggling era with great props for everyone, everywhere.
Renegade Juggling Equipment
Love their rings!
The Juggling Arts
Juggling props, books, and collectible items. Serving entertainers and hobbyists of all levels since 1979.

How to juggle

This video will get you started if you are just beginning.
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Wes Peden, Juggler!

I've been watching Wes learn and grow as a juggler since he was 5. He is one to watch!
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Juggling to teach leadership

Using juggling as a speaker

Here are some examples of me juggling during a recent talk on leadership at Thiel College (PA).
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Slackling & Juggling

A beach, a hammock, and time on my hands

Setting up a hammock doesn't mean you take a nap. Taking a short walk and getting in some juggling before enjoying the sunrise.
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Resouces for Ball Juggling

Worthwhile resources on ball juggling available from Amazon
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Club Juggling Books

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More books on juggling and various props

Diabolos, and Plate Spinning

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Some of my favorite jugglers and links to lists of performing jugglers

List of jugglers from around the world
Performing Jugglers Link
Link to a list of performing jugglers from around the world.
Atypical Entertainment
Jugglers and performers working with the help of Jason Tardy and Atypical Entertainment.
Anthony Gatto The World's Greatest Juggler
Anthony Gatto holds most juggling world records and is considered to be the worlds greatest juggler.
Tom Murphy
Tom Murphy is the best physical comedian alive today!
Two: High Energy Juggling
Two: Matt and Jason Tardy!
Randy Judkins
Juggler and so much more!
The Dew Drop Jugglers
Gifted and talented juggling group from Minnesota.
Airplay Juggling with Jeff and Wes Peden
A description of Airplay, that comedy, juggling and unicycling duo of Jeff and Wes Peden, based in Rochester NY and available for performances at any ...
Matt Hall
Juggler extrodinaire
Randy Cabral
Corporate entertainer, Randy Cabral, has been providing professional entertainment services to cruise lines and businesses for over 15 years.
Michael Rosman
When You Are Planning Your Next Event And You Are Looking For A Clean Comedian, Juggler Or Corporate Entertainer, Michael Rosman Is Your Man. Michael also runs the Laughter Arts Foundation and Mini Fest (see below).
Rhys Thomas
Booking and contact information for JuggleMania, Rhys Thomas, Up For Grabs, and Science Circus.
Jay Gilligan
A very original juggler, combining dance, music and prop manipulation.
Mark Nizer
About Mark Nizers talent for entertaining, love of juggling. Inventor of juggling technolgies and changing the way you'll think of jugglers.
Tony & Jen Duncan
Unbelievable skill!
Mike Goudeau
Juggler for the Lance Burton Magic Show in Las Vegas, NV and a really funny guy!
Lazer Vaudeville
Artistic troupe consisting of Carter Brown, Cindy Marvell and Nicholas Flair.
Loopy The Clown
Richard Hughson, aka Loopy the Clown, entertains audiences of all ages with humor and physical comedy. Loopy is just a Hoot!

Juggling Props on Amazon

Balls, clubs, and other props

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Places jugglers perform and train in the US

List of places that book jugglers and/or train jugglers to be better performers.
MiniFest
Part of the Laughter Arts Foundation and run by Michael Rosman, MiniFest is a great place to go and improve your performance art!
Oddfellow Theater
Great community theater in Buckfield, Maine.
Celebration Barn!
The place where jugglers and other performers go to learn.
Boulder Circus Center
From the folks who brought you Lazer Vaudeville a circus school to hone your skills. For jugglers and other circus style performers.

Juggling Magazines

Good articles and insights from the best jugglers along with some tips on tricks and performing.
JUGGLE Magazine
JUGGLE is the official publication of the International Jugglers' Association (IJA). This quarterly periodical offers full-color features, ...
Kaskade - European Juggling Magazine
Europäische Jonglierzeitschrift - European Juggling Magazine (deutsch/English) Berichte, Workshops, Termine; Jonglage, Akrobatik, Circuskunst Reports, ...
Links to other magazines
Are there any juggling magazines?

Making a Juggling Ball

Materials: 9 - 9 inch round balloons, 3 cups of flour, rice, or bird seed, 3 sandwich baggies

Tools: Scissors
Instructions

1. Measure out desired amount of flour, rice, or bird seed into a cup
Small ball = 1/3 cup,
Medium ball = ½ cup,
Large ball = 1 cup

2. Pour the flour, rice, or birdseed into the baggie, fwist it and fold the excess plastic over

3. Squeeze all the air out of the baggie

4. Use the scissors to cut the balloon just where the neck ends and the round of the balloon begins

5. Spread the balloon and insert the baggie full of material

6. Take the second balloon and cut off the neck and use it to cover the first balloon. Now you have two layers of balloon.

7. Take the third balloon and cut off the neck and use it to cover the first and second balloons making a very tight ball

8. Repeat to make as many juggling balls as you would like.

Homemade Juggling Clubs

Materials
3 - 19 1/4 inch x 3/4 inch wooden dowels; 3 - 16 oz. or 24 oz. plastic bottles; 3 - 3/4 inch rubber furniture tips; Electrical tape; Masking tape; 6 Phillips head screws; 3 matching sized washers; 3 - 2 liter plastic bottles; 3 used tennis balls

Tools: Scissors, screw driver, knife
Instructions for assembly
1. Insert the dowel into the bottle and mark where the dowel is in the neck

2. Remove the dowel and wrap the dowel where it will be in the neck. Wrap it enough times to make it snug in the neck of the bottle

3. Tap a guide hole into one end of the dowel

4. Take one tennis ball and cut just enough to fit over the end of the bottle.

5. Take the cut tennis ball and put it over the end of the bottle and drill a guide hole through the middle of the ball and the bottom of the bottle

6. Insert the dowel into the bottle, put the cut tennis ball over the end of the bottle and then using a washer and screw, attach them all together.

7. Using the electrical tape, tape around the edge of the tennis ball and bottom of the bottle.

8. Take the 2 liter bottle and cut the top and bottom off to make as big a rectangle as you can.

9. Mark out a parallelogram from the top right hand side to the bottom left hand side about three inches wide,and then use the scissors to cut it out.

10. Starting at the end of the dowel away from the bottle, wind the plastic form around the dowel toward the bottle until it reaches the mouth of the bottle and then tape it to attach it there. This will pad the handle and make the juggling easier on your hands.

11. Place a furniture tip to the end of the dowel.

12. Decorate with colored tape to cover the handle and body of the body.

13. Repeat all the steps twice more to complete your set of three clubs.

Flickr Photos

Juggling Pictures

Pictues of juggling I've collected
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Never Say Never

Published in Juggle Magazine, March/April 2005

At one time or another, most jugglers have probably heard someone say, "I could never do that." We know that with a little time and practice most anyone can master the basics. Sometime after learning the basics, though, it can be easy to fall into complacency.
Whatever the reasons, and there must be a billion of them, I often get into the habit of doing the same tricks when I practice. From time to time I will come up with something different but I usually stick with the tried and true. Doing tricks is only part of the fun of juggling, at least for me.
Remember the thrill of juggling for the very first time? It is exciting to set a goal and reach it. To keep juggling fresh, find that feeling again. Go beyond what is clearly within reach and purposely set goals that are "out there."
I am reminded of that with my current favorite trick. During a cruise vacation I saw a performer named Barnaby. He balanced a volleyball on a stick on his chin then transferred the ball onto another stick that was balanced on his forehead. This is a tough trick on stable land and even more impressive on a stage moving with the waves.
I wanted to learn that trick! Months later I attended a juggling festival and asked around about the trick. I was told that it was too hard and probably not worth the practice time. This played on my basic insecurity as a juggler, so I gave up on the idea.
Several months later I found video of another performer doing the trick with props made from PVC pipe. A quick trip to Home Depot and I had my version of those props. A mere three months of practice and I had a reasonably reproducible.
It took almost two years to build an original five-minute routine around a single trick. A trick that I was almost talked out of learning -- by others and myself. At the 2004 Cornell University Big Red Juggling Festival, it won Best Trick.
Part of reaching our potential is to avoid the trap of believing "I could never do that." A lot of times, in juggling and elsewhere, we get what we settle for.
Every once in a while we need to set goals that are beyond our comfort zones. Don't let someone talk you out of trying. Go for it! Expect more.

For the complete article go to http://www.tedbaumhauer.net/NeverSay.php

Accepting Appreciation

Excerpts from an article published in Juggle Magazine, March/April 2006

What got this originally kicking around my brain was going to my very first Renegade Show at juggling festival in Iowa. At that late show on Wednesday night not only did I get on stage (see photo) Daisuke Hagiwara treated the audience to some phenomenal cigar box tricks.
What really struck me was Daisuke's reaction to the audience. It was such a pure reaction. He soaked in their appreciation of his skill and in a very honest way gave it back to them. There was nothing rushed and nothing forced; it was just a moment of acceptance.
At that same festival I began to notice that the Japanese performers were all exceedingly good at accepting appreciation. My curiosity was piqued.
A search on the Internet about accepting appreciation pointed to studies that show it is common to reject the compliment, question the accuracy of it, and/or explain why it isn't deserved. We've all seen that and I know I've done that as a juggler. If you perform though, you ask for the attention and the audience agrees to give it to you. That creates a relationship.
A second Internet search for "accepting a compliment as a performer" led to a perspective that was more interesting and useful. From a belly dancing web site (Madam Mozuna's Bargain Basement Guidelines):
Whether you personally are capable of accepting praise or not you need to realize that the audience has a valid need to express itself to you. You owe them the opportunity to tell you how they feel and what they think.
Here's what I found on a web site for the band STD (Severe Tire Damage) as written by one of their members, Russ:
If someone compliments you, say "Thank You." Don't say, "You should hear us when we're playing well" or "Are you kidding? We suck!" Right or wrong, you've got to accept a compliment. You don't need to agree to with them thank them.
It's easy to translate that advice to performing as a juggler. I've heard there are only three appropriate responses to a compliment: 1. Thank you. 2. Could you put that in writing? 3. Could you tell my boss?
If you are a performing juggler, consider how to make accepting audience appreciation part of your show. It adds something. It adds a lot. It brings the audience into the performance. Whether you perform or not you have had to practice to attain your skills. When someone compliments you for those skills, you've earned it!
If you have liked anything in this article . . . Thank you!

For the complete article visit: http://www.tedbaumhauer.net/thankyou.php

Great Stuff on eBay

Juggling Props

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tedbaumhauer

Ted delivers unforgettable and entertaining Keynote presentations. He brings to life the struggles of becoming a leader and leaves the group with... more »

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