From: jimd@psg.com (Jim Dorman)
Subject: 1993 IJA Vegas MiniFest:  The Review
Organization: Pacific Systems Group, Portland Oregon US
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 01:56:53 GMT


Ah, back to the frozen wastes of Oregon after a pleasant but slightly wet
week in Las Vegas at the IJA MiniFest.  There's a lot to talk about, so I'll
get right to it.


EDITORIAL NOTE:  Bill Giduz and/or Ben Decker, feel free to take part or all
of this and reprint it, just please give credit.  Thanks.


Where to begin?  At the beginning is a good enough place, I suppose.  The
Showboat was, to say the least, marvelous.  The rooms were large, the service
was superior, and the price was right (Ginny tells me that we got the hotel
rooms at the hotel's cost--can't beat that).  While the juggling space was
less than perfect, with a low ceiling and several large chandeliers to avoid,
everyone seemed to adjust pretty well.  We even got through the week breaking
only one of over 100 light globes in the room.  Not bad for a bunch of
jugglers, eh?

The food at the Showboat was great, at least I thought so.  The coffee shop
had a few weak items on the menu, but the buffet was always delicious and
reasonably priced, especially for an all-you-can-eat meal.  And while you're
having flashbacks from starving in Montreal, I also discovered that McGill
University simply didn't understand the way we Americans do buffet.  In fact,
they have invited us back and said that they will be happy to feed us all we
can eat.  Count my vote for a return to Montreal.  McGill is also building a
new gym complex, due to be completed in 1996.  Something to think about.

As with any vacation in a new place, tourists should always partake in the
local customs.  There were many good gambling stories about, the best one
from Larry the Clown who finished the week about $850.00 ahead, all by
playing slot machines.  This intrepid reporter stuck to the blackjack and
roulette tables, and even managed to finish close to even--good enough for
me.  The funny part is, a lot of people thought that we poor jugglers
wouldn't gamble--silly them.

But, let's face it.  What we went for was to see other jugglers, which we did
in great quantity.  Our week of entertainment started on Monday with a trip
to see Gregor Popovich at Circus Circus.  It was a good show, with the
trademark 5 club backcrosses on an unsupported ladder, and some nice 3 ball
tricks.  All in all, the show was too short to allow Gregor to really show
his stuff, but we enjoyed it, all the same.

Tuesday found us at the Flamingo Hilton to see an older show called "City
Lights", featuring the juggling of Nino Frediani.  Nino's show was excellent. 
While not extremely technical, it was very entertaining.  Nino played mostly
to the more than 50 jugglers sitting right up front, and we could see that we
were making him nervous.  In fact, after the show he commented that he has
done two command performances for the Queen of England, but he had never been
as nervous as he was performing in front of us!  After the show, we all (yes,
ALL of us) trekked up to Nino's dressing room, where we met his wife and saw
part of his extensive collection of memorabilia.  A trip out onto the stage
for group photos followed.  Then, Nino invited everyone who wanted down to
the bar for drinks.  While most of the crowd left, a few of us thrill-seekers
hung around to hear stories from Nino's extensive juggling career (and the
free drinks weren't bad, either, thanks Nino!).  During the conversation,
Nino suggested that we have a convention in Italy, more specifically, at
Rastelli's birthplace.  He commented that, "...this is one convention Francis
Brunn would come to."  My bags are waiting to be packed for Italy.  But more
realistically, people are kicking the idea around.  What do you folks think?

Wednesday was the day of the now-infamous beer blast at the hotel, with Nino,
Gregor, and Anthony (Gatto) in attendance.  I wound up working the IJA table
for most of the event, but all reports are that everyone had a good time, and
a few people now have autographed convention t-shirts (there are still some
t-shirts left from this MiniFest, email me for more info., or pick them up in
Fargo.  Sorry, only size L left).

Wednesday night had its ups and downs.  The great part was heading to the
Lady Luck (a bit of a dive, but not bad) to see Anthony in a show featuring
Melinda, "First Lady of Magic."  Without being unkind, Melinda's show sucked
the big one.  However, in between her poorly-done scenes (although she
wiggles very well), we saw Anthony, being technically excellent, of course. 
While the technical juggling was superb, it's my opinion that Anthony has a
lot to learn about being an entertainer.  But, such things come with ex-
perience.  Also on the bill was an excellent unicycle troupe, with beautiful
precision work and some interesting "show-off" stuff.  At least we made THEM
nervous.....

Thursday night found the large majority of attendees at Cirque du Solei, at
The Mirage.  From all reports, the show was outstanding, except that the
ending was too abrupt.  I spent the evening at the Lance Burton magic show,
which was also excellent except for the juggling of Michael Godeau, who
didn't juggle well and whose comedy was lame, at best.   Hey, if you wanted
the sugar-coated version, you should've asked.

Friday found most of the convention-goers departing for home, and the rest of
us just hanging out and relaxing after a good but tiring week of partying. 
Plans for next year are being worked on, including research into a different
hotel with a better juggling space.  So far, nothing conclusive has been
determined.

In the spirit of good journalism, I took the time to compile a list of sound
bites from the festival.  The list, along with explanations, appears below:


"I need to run out and get more red tape."  --Richard Dingman, the new IJA
Secretary.  Need we say more?


"Well, Larry and I came back."  --Ben Decker, when asked about how a rock
climbing expedition of about 10 people went,

"You can't be on the wagon, you couldn't find it in the bloody car park!"
     --Vincent to Ginny.  On Monday night, the seven people who were going to
ride in Ginny Rose's car spent 20 minutes trying to find it in the parking
lot.  Congrats to Nearly Normal Norman for finding it.  During the rest of
the week, any time Ginny was near a car, she either couldn't remember where
it was, or she got lost while in it.

"If I wasn't in the bathroom I know I would've counted better."  --Ginny Rose
I just thought this one was funny.  It was getting late in the week.

"Have you ever looked at your paw?  I mean, *really* looked at your paw?"
     --Melinda's lion.  In her act, Melinda did an illusion in which a lion
appeared in a box.  I have never seen a creature look more stoned in my life,
so I thought, what would the lion be thinking?  The rest is history.


I think that about covers the week in general.  If there's anything I missed,
I'm sure someone will correct me.  In the meantime, there is some brief news
about the Fargo convention.  Why am I posting this?  Why not?

The Fargo convention is in NEED of volunteers in all areas.  We also really
need a security chief.  If you are interested or know someone who might be,
please contact your friendly neighborhood IJA person and let him/her know
about it.  I have been handed the job of Operations Manager, and I am looking
for folks to spend some time helping me out (you don't have to give up your
whole convention), as are all the other department heads.  A couple hours out
of a week isn't that much, gang, so please consider volunteering.


I think that does it for this installment of "As the Clubs Twirl".  Tune in
again next week when you'll hear Melinda's lion say:

     "Wow, man, like I have this mane thing, ya know?"


Jim the Juggler, a.k.a.:  jimd@m2xenix.psg.com

Newsgroups: rec.juggling