3 days with Jay Gilligan and Wes Peden

By: Tess Cartwright

At the European Juggling Convention 2010 Finland, I saw one of the most mesmerizing and engaging performances. Jay Gilligan, Wes Peden, Luke Wilson, Patrik Elmnert and Erik Aberg brought their props to life in remarkable ways. I had never seen anything like it, I was on the edge of my uncomfortable stadium bleacher the entire time. I said to myself, I would love to bring them to Sheffield. A few months later I got an email from Jay Gilligan asking if Greentop would be interested in hosting a masterclass and show by Wes Peden and himself. This past week my dream became reality as I shared an incredible three days with two of the best manipulators in the world along side a diverse and inspiring group of star-struck jugglers.

I was slightly nervous about taking the workshop since my skill level is fairly basic. (I can juggle 4 balls, 4 rings, 3 clubs and I can pass fairly well) I never once felt out of place, I pushed myself in ways I never thought I would. I tried everything "If it's broken you can fix it, if you don't try, there is nothing to fix" - Jay Gilligan. Every day we challenged ourselves with new mind-boggling concepts. We could not help but smile and laugh with joy learning from Jay and Wes who are such positive and effervescent creatures. I walked away with a whole new perspective on my juggling, performance and life.

Wednesday night their show had the entire audience at Greentop blown away by their virtuosic skill, creativity and playful complicité. They created a poetic playground with their mountain of props and we were delighted to share in their joy. They bounced about the space surprising each other and keeping us guessing. The duo has the ability of serving their props and bringing them to life like no juggler I have ever seen.

The most valuable and thought provoking concept I took from my three days with Jay and Wes was philosophical. They both emanate happiness and positivity. They love what they do and put their heart and soul into it. They are so positive and focused and really connect and care about the people around them and one another. When they walked into the hall the space felt lighter. I don't aspire to be able to do all the tricks that they can but rather live life the way they seem to, believing anything is possible.

Social Circus

By: Tess Cartwright

http://www.tessential.com

Living in the UK for the last year and a half, I have come to discover the glaring differences between North American culture and Britain in regards to social circus. I say North America because I grew up in Canada, went to school in the US and worked for a social circus project based in Chicago, CircEsteem for two years. North America is inherently multi-cultural. Immigrants founded the continent and American and Canadian culture has been bred from a hodge-podge of all different nationalities. Though the U.S. has many racism issues, there still remains the acceptance that different nationalities have and always will live in the same space. Canadians in general have fewer issues surrounding racism, we are polite and since we are a much younger country and have a smaller population, immigration has always been a fact of life. However, it is common for immigrant families to be among the poorest in North America and have fewer opportunities whilst remaining in their isolated neighbourhood.

Social circus is the use of circus arts within under-privileged communities as a means towards social justice and social good. As a social circus practitioner, I regularly visited these neighbourhoods to teach circus to youth who have next to nothing and see circus as a welcomed distraction as well as something they can excel at. Often, depraved youth are incredibly tactile and pick up circus skills quite quickly. Circus is a metaphor for the rest of their lives, believing they can’t do something and then they realize that they can achieve anything if they put their mind and body to it.

There is a large divide between social classes in North America but, in my experience, the upper class didn’t have a large problem with subsidizing the lower class in the circus communities. Rather, they understood the power and potential of circus and it’s investment into the future. The more you invest in projects that help the poor, the less violence and crime will inevitably occur.

In the UK the general attitude towards social circus is different. There is less outright racism but British people tend to be less ‘outright’ in every respect. This doesn’t mean that racism doesn’t exist. Rather, it is bottled up and stewing in the pit of society’s bowels. The UK is technically a part of Europe but only since living here do I see that they don’t actually consider themselves a part of Europe. For many, there is resentment towards Europeans, especially Eastern Europeans that have moved to the UK. They often live in segregated communities where they speak their own language and find it difficult to get jobs. They are ostracized from society, punished for seeking a better life for their families.

At the moment I feel circus is a rich kid’s game. It is fashionable to go to a fancy circus school, graduate with a poncy act and then see how much you can charge. Gigging and teaching are really well paid compared to North America. So why would they go into communities and work for free? The incentive isn’t there. Furthermore, the middle to upper class parents who pay for these fancy circus workshops would cower at the prospect that any money be used to work with “gypsy kids”. British people won’t accept all facts of globalization; it doesn’t just mean American MTV shows and Kraft taking over their chocolate. People want a better life, so they seek refuge in wealthier countries and try to make it. Helping them will help everyone and create a happier society. Ignoring these cultures that have moved to the UK and pushing them away will perpetuate crime and violence. I truly believe circus, a non-verbal skill that teaches one personal strength, can save the youth that are failing school and being bullied by their peers.

Britain is behind in the social circus movement. Sure, projects that preach what I am venting about exist, and individuals who I have met who understand where I am coming from. There is just a vast number of circus people I have met who don’t even know what social circus means. Circus artists who are too concerned about obtaining a grant to realize some gratuitous vision that hardly anyone understands. The world does not need more circus masturbation! Or they are interested in the “noble” cause that is travelling to Asia to an exotic climate to do social circus in the winter when they have no work on. They could really make a difference by staying at home and directly help their community in their own backyard! I do not want to undervalue the greatness of helping the disadvanted overseas. It is clear that Western world has a hand in why 3rd world countries are so poor, and there is a responsibility to bring great initiatives to those in need. I just want people to see that there are groups of people left behind and in need in the UK.

As circus practitioners it is our duty to use the power of circus to help people. Trust me, you will feel far better teaching a group of under-served youth to spin plates than you will showing up at a posh house in the countryside to teach a group of drooling four year olds how to juggle for an hour dressed as a clown.

EDIT - January 23rd 2012

Now that this blog has gotten so much attention, I feel it is my responsibility to mention two great organizations that do exceptional social circus that I have come across in the UK.

Albert and Friends, www.albertandfriendsinstantcircus.co.uk, work with urban youth in London and have not only put together an incredibly impressive performance troupe, they travel all over the world. Giving young people opportunities to experience diverse cultures and unique audiences for their entertaining performances.

Let's Circus, www.letscircus.com, work with a diverse group of youth from all over the Newcastle and Tyneside area. Their outreach has 5 locations and they are dedicated to teacher trainings that perpetuate the social circus power and encourage everyone to be a part of their amazing mission.

My intention by writing this blog was to promote discussion and encourage social circus. I have been informed by my observations and I wrote the above passionately.

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.