Juggling Club's end of year spectacular wows audience with skill

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.

It's difficult to imagine just how much concentration is required for any form of juggling. Techniques shared by members range from Brian Robb working himself "into a demonic frenzy," to Brittany Herold counting to establish a rhythm. Hu, who juggled during a recent job interview, tries to stick to a routine, but makes sure to have a backup plan.

Another particularly appealing act of the evening was the ring toss, not due to complexity, but to the visuals and commentary. Charles Cartier and Craig Swallow juggled different colored rings back and forth casually on stage while engaging in conversation and even addressing the audience.

As rings of neon green and orange soared across the stage, Cartier and Swallow found time to comment on ring juggling and the different techniques involved, as well as to sneak a few jokes in. This act was intimate in the sense that the audience felt like they were hanging out with a couple of friends who happened to be elaborately juggling rings back and forth.

Even though the spectacular was a rehearsed show, the audience was able to connect with the performers and get a feel for their personalities based on performance style. Such a setting certainly added to the group's appeal. Even when a prop was dropped, the performer just picked it up and continued the show. According to the Case Juggling Club, one should never focus solely on not dropping anything; creativity and risk-taking are far more important.

The club didn't limit its creativity to the spectacular itself. You may have noticed someone riding freeline skates, holding up a considerably tall banner, regarding the spectacular. The skater was Kogler himself, carrying out the club's advertising gimmick, attracting all sorts of attention.

The Case Juggling Club proves to be a fun and extremely friendly campus organization, warmly welcoming any newcomers at meetings held in Veale on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. They also welcome spectators and anyone seeking to be entertained to their meetings. For the Case Juggling Club, seeing others entertained to any degree is the ultimate reward.