My first British Juggling Convention.

By: Tess Cartwright
www.tessential.com

A year ago if someone asked me if I was a juggler I would have said: "Well, I juggle but I wouldn't call myself a juggler." Then in April 2010, my new job, Greentop Circus, told me I would be representing the organization at the BJC. I responded with "What does that stand for?" The British Juggling Convention. At the time camping, in April, surrounded by JUGGLERS did not sound ideal. I had never been to a juggling convention, and I had only camped twice in my life. One of which ended with my parents suing Girl Guide camp. I didn't own a tent or a sleeping bag, and I also didn't really know anyone who was going. I had only been in the U.K. for a couple months and was still getting used to British people. The odds were not in my favor for enjoyment.

I packed into a car with a family who were bringing two of our youth circus participants to the convention. They had nothing but positive things to say about the event but that didn't exactly make me feel any more hopeful. The whole way there they were trailing a cozy camper van complete with all the amenities that tips camping into the realm of a holiday. We got there, parked their little van and it was now time to set up my tent. I had never set up a tent on my own so I was counting on these two kids to help me. Unfortunately, the tent I borrowed was made about a decade before either of them were born and the excitement of the week quickly turned to sibling rivalry hell. They screamed, whined and threatened one another with the rusty poles of my polka dot tent (dotted from ciggarette burns) In about 45 minutes the tent was finally erect, complete with a pole inside the centre of where I was sleeping and they were giving each other the silent treatment.

By the time I unrolled the sleeping someone lent me and I came to terms with the fact that it looked less thermal than a facial tissue, more people had arrived. In no time, I was surrounded by other jugglers and their tents, all very friendly and jubilant. Their excitement started to wear off on me and my trepidation subsided. I was now ready to spend a week juggling and camping. I grabbed my clubs and headed for the 24hr juggling hall. Do people really juggle at 4am you might wonder? Yes, yes they do.

I opened the door to the hall and was smacked in the face with the smell of perspiration, focus and siteswap (juggling math). I wasn't sure how it was possible for there to be a thriving eco-system of body odor when the convention had literally started an hour before. Luckily, sensory adaptation kicked in and I didn't really smell it after 10 minutes. That, or I smelt just as bad as everyone else within that time. The 24hr juggling hall is a magical place. I was surrounded by jugglers of all levels and disciplines. You are recognized by what you juggle and though I thought I would be the worst juggler there, everyone was intent on working on their specific trick and where you are in your skill is very personal. In the end we are all in the same place, just trying to get better. I bonded with other people who juggle px3s like myself and in no time, I picked up a new trick, had a pass with someone and some people invited me over to the bar for a drink. That week my juggling vastly improved. The weather was beautiful and everyone was warm and welcoming, there was never a line for the female washroom and I had no problem recognizing my tent.

Juggling is a unique community where no matter what your level everyone is really down to earth and open to skill sharing. For example, someone came over and gave me a tip on technique even though I was just working on a 3-ball columns. Then, that night that same person was on stage in the showcase.  I feel there is a mutual respect and understanding between jugglers because we've all started the same way: how do you throw and catch three items with only two hands? From there the journey begins and for many never ends.

The Games: a series of endurance competitions.

I am really anticipating this year's BJC. Now that I have been a part of this community for over a year and have been to many more juggling conventions I know what to expect, who I want to juggle with, what tricks I want to master and most of all I am proud to call myself a juggler. Lately, Charlie Dancey's Encyclopedia of Club Juggling has been my bedtime reading! Now when I walk into a juggling hall instead of perspiration I smell determination... Well maybe perspiration combined with determination.

Art in the face of recession.

By: Tess Cartwright, www.tessential.com

Economic downturn, financial collapse, credit crunch, times like these, depression, recession... The media has had their monetary thesaurus at their side for what seems like ages. Admittedly, we need them to change their terminology so we can stomach the incessant redundancy they call reporting. We get it! Greediness has reared its ugly head and is disintegrating everything we think we know about lifestyle. Material possessions cannot satisfy our souls, it can only distract us from feeling incomplete. Now that we can't afford materials we are left to face ourselves and try desperately to not be another human being spiraling downwards towards depression and fear. So, what can the government do to help society with anathema? Well it isn't bail out more banks that is for sure! Lets look to the Great Depression of the 1930s. Theodore Roosevelt had a brilliant idea. Lets fund the arts! Why? The arts will inspire, evoke, provoke and connect people. Art in public spaces will bring people together and grant them appreciation for who they are and where they come from. If we surround ourselves with beauty and creation there is no need to search for external objects to feel happy because art guides one to realize their true spirit.

I personally feel there is a lot of resentment towards artists in society. As if, we should be punished for not getting a 9 – 5, as if being an artist is just about wearing a beret and sleeping in till noon. I want to tell those people that being an artist is about having a point of view fueled by passion! To truly be an artist you must wholeheartedly believe what you are doing is a representation of your beliefs and no amount of monetary compensation will compromise that. There are many successful artists who are fortunate to be recognized and be given the support to focus and excel. In an ideal world if an artist was paid every time someone reacted to their piece of work “Wow, look at that!” there would be even more artists able to make a living from their creations. Art is taken for granted in our society, people feel entitled to it. People know that whether they pay them or not artists will continue to create and perform no matter what. This is the paradox that artists face. Now in a time of recession it is not just the artists that are starving, it is now more important than ever to fund or it will disappear. Put more money into it and more people will start expressing themselves and society as a whole will reap the benefits.

We cannot continue to be dutiful capitalists buying and buying to promote economies. These big corporations are taking your money and giving you a soul-less something, manufactured thousands of miles away. Sure this may gratify you briefly until of course you decide on the next poorly-made possession with a stupid logo you want. Instead, buy something handmade by someone in your own country! What a concept: you need something, someone's livlihood is to make that something and have devoted their lives to it because they love it. Why can't the govenment subsidise some of the cost so that is is affordable for people to buy quality crafts by local artists? Instead of the sad reality that China's people are subsidising our lifestyle. This fact is so backwards that it may take me another 6 blogs to wrap my head around. The world will need to change and what could be a better time then now, as we hurtle towards rock-bottom at lightning speed.