Jugglers World, March 1982, p. 9
by Bill Giduz
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Groundhog
Day -- Atlanta, GA Three northern winners take home a 'Phil' as their souvenirs of Dixie!
Far
above through the Grady High School gym windows, Punxsutawney
Phil the groundhog could watch the weather pass over Atlanta and
think about his shadow. But what he saw spread across the
hardwood basketball floor in front of him were 63 registered
jugglers, furiously hibernating away a
"We
chose Groundhog Day for our festival back in 1978 because it's a
good time to work out the winter kinks," said Toni Shifalo,
president of the Atlanta Jugglers Association which sponsored
the fourth annual event.
The
new quarters for this year's festival appealed to jugglers,
unicyclists and spectators alike. Costs for rental of the
facility were covered by a $5 registration fee and mentions of
but not passing the hat during the Saturday competition and
Sunday public show.
Both
were well attended by the public. Good public relations work
with local radio, television and newspapers helped draw over 200
spectators to each event.
Following
the competitions, the three smaller than life porcelain Phil
trophies were in the hands of three talented northern jugglers -
Anthony Gatto of Ellicott City, MD, Robert Peck and Larry
Vaksman, both of Philadelphia, PA. Local nonjuggling judges
picked these three winners for the "Most Spectacular,"
"Most Incredible" and "Most Stupendous"
prizes from among a dozen competitors.
The
winners were well picked. Rapid Rhymin' Robert Peck lit up the
house with a fire devil stick routine, then danced through a
club swinging number.
Anthony
Gatto, the IJA Juniors champion, packed his four minutes with
five balls including under the leg throws, six balls, three
clubs continuous back crosses, transition from three clubs
with a fourth in a chin balance to four clubs, and finished with
a ball on a mouthstick, balance pole on the forehead, ring
spinning on one leg and four ring juggle.
The
Amazing Larry Vaksman showed new and old variations of his
simultaneous moves with unicycles, balance board, pogo sticks,
hula hoops, balance poles, basketballs, clubs and tennis balls.
He
dedicated his 12 object finish trick (seven hula hoops, three
balls, a basketball and a club) to the Good ol' U.S.A. with
hopes it could reclaim a little juggling pride for this country
from Sergei Ignatov,
There were notable acts on the Sunday matinee public show as well. Steve Dearmont from Burwell, NE, demonstrated ball patterns with up to seven non-weighted tennis balls. His multiplex patterns with six, seven and eight were especially interesting.
David
Lowe from Atlanta executed a club, boxes and ring routine at
breakneck speed, ending with ring juggling on the slack wire while
spinning three plates on a mouthstick apparatus. He also finished
a six ring juggle by pulling them allover his head.
Atlanta's
Kenny Raskin did a mime skit, "Juggling Bags," involving
four audience members in a musical parade of one ball proportions.
His solo interpretations of "Soul Bags," "Classical
Bags" and "Missed Bags" were hearty comic relief.
Also
appearing in weekend public events were Pat Cox, Andy Ford, Nick
Gatto, Bill Giduz, Jeff Kinnamon, Alexis Lee, Lindsay Morris,
Henry Slack, Louis Zeller, Shifalo and Rodger French.
The
event moved to Grady High School from the Civic Center this year
partly because of a tighter city budget now than in the past.
Formerly, the AJA obtained Civic Center space at a reduced rate,
but that could not be arranged this year.
Much
of the AJA's income over the years has been obtained from city
grants. The club has used its treasury to underwrite !he cost of
sending members to IJA annual conventions. Eight people received
$100 each last summer to go to Cleveland, according to Rodger
French, former AJA president. He said, "The primary goal of
fundraising in the AJA has become to send people to the
convention. Half the money from each job we get goes to the
individuals who perform, and half goes in the treasury for the
convention fund. "
With city funds being so scarce, club members have to look to the private sector now - neighborhood festivals and private parties. A dozen active members are performing at such events and showing up for twice-weekly meetings.
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