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I have had some difficulty street performing this summer. Along with other factors,  suddenly everyone started ignoring contact juggling and all I could hear were whispers of this f-word. Then some got loud, “I saw that on TV!” an American tourist would exclaim in the middle of my show. “Fuh-Fuh….” they say

“nope, this is contact juggling” and I explain to them that they’ve been duped into thinking a ball can magically float as hand them a ball to try themselves. “This is a skill that I have taken 9 years to learn, it is not as easy as they make it out to be”.

I call it the F.ball with good reason.  The first offense was the misleading advertising, as it single handedly convinces the entire American public that contact juggling can be learned in an instant with one false advertisement. The second is the less-than-perfect manufacturing process can be proven with a few easy tests. The latest blow includes using a mock website with the registered trademark of Sphereplay  for their own commercial gain (which they have since taken down upon request). Ouch, that’s Low ZoomTV, you should be ashamed of yourselves.

I have begun an information campaign, simply trying to inform people about the problems with this product and this company, in a re-educational campaign about what contact juggling is really about.

Check out the videos, they are very revealing!

The photo below was taken at the JCI Fashion show. If you click the image it will bring you to the full portfolio of images, I encourage you to check out the great local photographer Budianto Nasrun gallery for a treat!

Here is a link to the Fashion show itself. The experienc  of being with all these beautiful people was really neat! I am usually a bit more rough and clownish, so it was great to get cleaned up and pretty with the models,  I think I might just suit that look .

I am always greatful to those who put videos out of my performances. It allows me an outsider perspective of my work and it gives me ideas on how to work on everything to make it a better presentation. This Greek Day event gives a good example of my work on the streets, and how it adds to an atmosphere of  a festival.

OMG ~ I am working so hard, with the rest of our committee,  to put together this awesome juggling festival for the Vancouver Peeps! It’s going to be an amazing weekend, I can’t wait!

Here’s the details

The MadSkillz Collective features some of Vancouver’s finest jugglers, hoopers, flow artists and ground-level circus misfits, who have banded together to develop and showcase their mad skillz! The first of its kind in Vancouver, The MadSkillz Juggling Festival (madskillzvancouver.com) has been developed to provide a forum for collaboration and cross-pollination, creating a new style of circus and performance art… not to mention juggling, spinning, flowing FUN!

What?
3 days of workshops (see below for a partial list… even more to come!), 2 Cabaret performances, a late night juggling party, games, prizes and some of the most eclectic skillz you have ever seen.

Why?
Didn’t your mother ever tell you to go out and play? It’s good for your brain, body, and being!

When?
June 11-13, 2010

Where?
VANCOUVER!
Friday– Juggling Jam, Workshops, and RENEGADE Show at the Wise Hall from 2pm-1:30am
Saturday – Workshops at UBC from 10-6; GALA showcase at the Rio Theatre at 7:30pm; Juggling PARTY till 3am at a surprise location.
Sunday – Workshops at UBC 10-2, then Games (with PRIZES!) until 5pm… then RAFFLE prizes will be drawn!

How?
Get yourself out there to improve your skillz, and mingle with the other circus freaks! Connect through the facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=184748874952
Or pre-register on the official website:
http://madskillzvancouver.com/

Cost?
Preregister for the WHOLE weekend (including ALL workshops, shows, jams and party times!) for $40 (at the door, $50).
$20 Day Passes and $25 Kids’ Passes (with adult admission) will also be available at the door.

OR, for only $15, just come see the amazing Gala Show on Saturday June 12th! Incredible performers in all sorts of circus disiplines are coming together for one night only! Featuring top notch performances from:
Bekka Rose (Vancouver, Canada) will feature Vancouver’s best club juggling talent with an artistic twist!
Giulio Lanzafame (Italy) will be honouring us with his brilliant balls/toss juggling routine.
Ryan Mellors and Dawn Monette (Vancouver, Canada) are excited to present the North West Coast’s best contact juggling duet piece!
Aaron Gregg (Victoria, Canada) is a hilarious Comedy Juggler who will make you laugh your face off!
MCP (Scotland) is one of the best Contact Staff Manipulators in the world!
Alley’Oop (Newfoundland, Canada) is a well traveled hoop performer who was a feature of the 2010 Cultural Olympiad.
Micheal Bean (Vancouver, Canada) will tie the whole show together as the M.C. for the evening.
PLUS MORE! This will be the most grandiose Juggling Show this town has EVER SEEN! Doors open at 7:30pm; get there early to get a good seat! After the show will be a SUPER FUN TIMES YEAH JUGGLING DANCE PARTY until 3am! Featuring SURPRISE DJs at a special surprise location, come and shake out your sillies and get your late-night juggle on!  All are welcome, but note that this a DRY event, please and thank you!

Speaking of grandiose shows, the Renegade Cabaret at the Wise Hall on Friday night is sure to be out of hand itself!  A Renegade show is an open mic-style stage for any and all jugglers who wish to participate. This show is 19+ (cash bar, yeah!) and will be a hilarious, ridiculous riot! Heckling is enthusiastically encouraged! Don’t miss out on the weirdest of the weird… come down and become part of the show!

And of course, 30+ WORKSHOPS all weekend long, from beginner level basics to ground-breaking next level skillz! Here are just some of the incredible workshops that will be presented by facilitators from across North America:
Beginner Horizontal/on body Hoop
Beginner Vertical/off body Hoop
Intermediate Poi-style Hoop
Intermediate Self tosses and Partner passing Vertical Hoop
3 ball Mills Mess Devil Sticks
“Getting Over The Hump” – Intermediate into Advance Contact Juggling Transition
Advanced Contact Juggling incorporating foot, leg, and body
Beginner Three Ball Juggling
Intro to Siteswap
Advanced Siteswap
Table Juggling
Building Blocks of Poi – steps to hybrid moves
Contact Staff Dance
Flow-wand
Beginning Double Staff
Beginning Partner Poi
Poi/ Double Staff Hybrids (Advanced Doubles)
Foot Juggling
Beginner Hoop
Advanced Hoop
Beginner Unicycle
Explorations in Fan Tech
Fan Spinning & Tossing
Partner Fans
Intermediate 3 Club Tricks
Beginner Contact Juggling
And MANY MORE to be announced!

So come on down, step right up, and join the circus!!

Check out the website or facebook for more details!
http://madskillzvancouver.com/
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=184748874952

Here is a short from a stage show I did with my friend James Hamilton and his group Eastern Star over the February Celebrations. I really enjoy working with James, who is a seasoned performer in the music industry all over the world. I would love more opportunities to work with a band. It really gives a full atmosphere for a performance when a group comes together like this. Feel free to check out his website at www.sitarmusic.ca

New Costume Photos in the Promo Gallery

With the Olympics coming to Vancouver in just under 6 days, I have been busy preparing for gigs with costumes and rehearsals. The city has changed, the tourists have begun descending upon this small city, ZIP lines, Jumbotrons, pretty lights and art installations have appeared in every corner! This city is about to POP! In preparation I have created a costume archive, check it out! Watch for me during the Torch Relay on February 12 as I will be doing a fire performance with my troop! I will be performing on all the streets I can. I am totally excited to be a part of these celebrations. LET THE GAMES BEGIN!

This summer, my favorite place to street perform was at the night market in Chinatown. There was no competition, the vibe was amazing, the people were generous and kind and the food was cheap and delicious!

I am lucky this year to have many supporters, including this person who uploaded a video of me to youtube! This is the end of my show & I think this does a good job of representing what I have been doing all summer.

Take a look…

Image by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea2sky/

Image by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sea2sky/

Canada Day was really fun! Ryan and I went to the celebrations downtown and had a successful day blowing the minds of the general public.  Here are a few pictures taken during the event!