Juggling Club's end of year spectacular wows audience with skill
Reem Azem
Issue date: 4/24/09 Section: Focus
If you've never been to the circus or a carnival, it may be difficult envisioning what a juggling show entails, let alone a juggling spectacular. This past weekend, the Case Juggling Club held its very own hour-long juggling spectacular in Thwing Ballroom. Before the event even began, the dimmed lights and various balloon animals scattered about the room provided a playful and slightly carnival-esque vibe.
The show began with over 10 performers on stage juggling a choreographed piece accompanied by music. The performers demonstrated all sorts of juggling techniques, even performing skilled tricks behind their backs and through their legs. After the opening routine, club president Jim Kogler welcomed all attendees and introduced the first of many acts throughout the night. Kogler hosted the event with a sense of quirkiness and charm in addition to performing in several of the acts. For his solo act, Kogler prepared a ball-juggling routine.
"I was focusing on the music and trying to really commit my energy towards the performance," Kogler said. Though his nerves were tense, once Kogler found himself onstage, skill and practice took over and confidence was restored.
Along with traditional juggling acts such as ball, ring, and club juggling, more obscure forms were featured, such as diabolo. For those who may be wondering what "diabolo" is, be aware that you would probably recognize it if you saw it. Known to some as "the devil on two sticks," the art of diabolo involves juggling a spool on a string that is attached to sticks. Robin Hu and Oliver Ritter performed the diabolo act, certainly demonstrating how to manipulate the "devil." Using tricks involving various body parts and tossing the spool, the performers kept the audiences' eyes following the traveling spool at all times.
Of all the performances, the knife-juggling act strayed farthest from the realm of the expected. Apparently, the technique is similar to that of club juggling, and the knives are dull enough to not cause any serious damage should an error occur. Still, all of the club members' practice must have really paid off for an emergency-free spectacle.
The show began with over 10 performers on stage juggling a choreographed piece accompanied by music. The performers demonstrated all sorts of juggling techniques, even performing skilled tricks behind their backs and through their legs. After the opening routine, club president Jim Kogler welcomed all attendees and introduced the first of many acts throughout the night. Kogler hosted the event with a sense of quirkiness and charm in addition to performing in several of the acts. For his solo act, Kogler prepared a ball-juggling routine.
"I was focusing on the music and trying to really commit my energy towards the performance," Kogler said. Though his nerves were tense, once Kogler found himself onstage, skill and practice took over and confidence was restored.
Along with traditional juggling acts such as ball, ring, and club juggling, more obscure forms were featured, such as diabolo. For those who may be wondering what "diabolo" is, be aware that you would probably recognize it if you saw it. Known to some as "the devil on two sticks," the art of diabolo involves juggling a spool on a string that is attached to sticks. Robin Hu and Oliver Ritter performed the diabolo act, certainly demonstrating how to manipulate the "devil." Using tricks involving various body parts and tossing the spool, the performers kept the audiences' eyes following the traveling spool at all times.
Of all the performances, the knife-juggling act strayed farthest from the realm of the expected. Apparently, the technique is similar to that of club juggling, and the knives are dull enough to not cause any serious damage should an error occur. Still, all of the club members' practice must have really paid off for an emergency-free spectacle.
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