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RustyJuggling - 2025-02-20 18:54:49 UTC #

Juggling Equations

I've been looking at juggling through a more mathematical lens than I usually do, and I've found some interesting relationships. The variables I'm going to use are as follows:
S- siteswap value
P- Period
X- start location in the pattern (ex. x in any period 3 pattern is 123)
D- End location in the pattern (ex. D in 531 is 321)
L- the number of times something 'loops' through the pattern (ex. the 4s in 441 loop once, the 1 doesn't loop). The mathish way to say this would be S mod P, but it makes more sense here to just say L. (Note: L can also be based on a value that isn't S)
W- the number of times a throw crosses the right 'edge' of a pattern, including after it 'loops'. This number can be similar to L but is NOT the same.
O- the number of objects in a pattern.
I- (If the font doesn't distinguish, this is an i, loop is an l) The total 'distance' a throw travels in the pattern. (ex. in 441, I is 111.)

That's a pretty good heap of variables. Using these and some logic, we can define some relationships. I'm going to use # as a summation sign, meaning the sum of all of that value in a given pattern. For example, #S of 531 is 9. I hope that doesn't mess with the hashtag system... On paper, I use a capital sigma like in math.

First of all, the one everyone knows:

O= (#S)/P

Which gives you the number of objects in a pattern.
We can also say that

I= S-LP

because -LP essentially takes the loops out of a siteswap value, leaving only the smallest possible value, which is what I is.
A helpful way to check validity is to see that there are as many of each D value as there are of each X value. Translation: each throw has exactly one start and one end. Because of this rule, we know that

#D = #X

But the most important relationship I've found is that

WP+D = S+X

which I got to via experimentation and logic. I don't really remember all of it, but trust me. (I think if you try to find a way to get from S to D mathematically, this is probably what you'll come to.)
Anyway, now that we have these relationships, we can substitute some of them together. For instance:

WP+D=S+X --> WP-S = X-D
--> #W P - #S = #x - #D
--> #W P - #S = 0 (not object number, value zero)
--> #W P = #S

P behaves a little bit strangely, but best I can tell, summing it does nothing because it's one value throughout the whole pattern. Questionable logic, I'm aware.
But we can then take that equation and see that

#W P = #S --> #W = (#S)/P
and therefore:
#W = O (Object number, not value zero)

and that's the basics. In summary,
O=(#S)/P
#D=#X
WP+D=S+X
#W=O

The following gets crazy and probably hard to follow:
And now, for a stranger and more theoretical equation. It can be used to convert siteswap values into state values, and it is pretty janky.
Here is some notation I will use and other details:
- Each value in a pattern can be treated as a set of values. For 441, S= [441], X=[123], W=[111], L=[110], and so on.
- A subscripted number can be used to indicate what item of a set is to be used. for example S₃ of 441 is 1. When a variable is subscripted, each value of that variable is used to create a set with one more 'dimension'. Single value--> list --> matrix --> so on.
- There's a mystical magical set that I usually call psi, but on the computer I will use %. %=[123456...]
- A range of values can be indicated in a subscript like so, S_1~4, meaning that values 1 through 4 of the set are to be used.
- A different base value for L can be indicated using //, example L/X+3/. (For any period 3 siteswap that would be [120] because X+3=[456])
- S_t is a state value. State is notated by giving the position of each object. For example xxox would be 124.

With that out of the way:

S+X-P(L/S+X/ - %_1~L/S+X/)= S_t

Which took entirely too much time to find. But we can also rewrite that as

S+X-PL/S+X/+P%_1~L=S_t
and
I+X-P%_1-L/I+x/=S_t

I use 'music rules' for this, meaning you only define L the first time you use it, unless it changes. Also good to note that for some reason, the P% in one is positive and in the other is negative. I think that has to do with L being based in different numbers, but I honestly don't know. I'm a bit too tired to find out at the moment.
Anyways, if you read through that, really really well done. I struggle to understand some of this sometimes, and it's far far cleaner on paper. These are the most refined siteswap to state conversions I have found so far (there are others but I don't like them as much). If you find an error in the math part of it, that would not surprise me, but they work as far as I can tell. Further testing required I suppose.
Anyways. There's that.

("cleaned" versions of the equations:)
S + X - P (L_/S+X/ - %_1~L) = S_t

S + X - P L_/S+X/ + P %_1~L =S_t

I + X - P %_1-L/I+x/=S_t

Mïark - 2025-02-18 18:07:44 UTC #

Update on British Juggling Convention 2025:

There will be a Facebook roundtable meeting - a chance for jugglers to ask the organisers questions on Wednesday (19th Feb) evening see www.facebook.com/britishjugglingconvention/posts/pfbid0tqCGyTRJEuYfzE2DSwULnXZRSP5BPtXRACs7MexH21J27UrjzHRRSCNvNZdH7mUDl

you can submit questions prior to the Wednesday meeting at https://forms.gle/K8iKGaKU36ukWzrt8

The organising team have also posted the following message on Facebook today:

Announcement - A letter to the community.

Dear British Juggling Community,

It's with a heavy heart that I must share that we are likely going to have to cancel the British Juggling Convention (BJC) 2025. Since our initial announcement, a vocal minority has been extremely active online, and I feel it's important to address the community directly. We'll also be hosting an online Q&A tomorrow where you can speak with me and the team. I truly wish there was a path forward, but this is a community event, and it relies on community support, which is sadly lacking at this time.

It's been particularly disappointing to see this negativity given the current climate for juggling and circus events. With the BJC facing cancellation and other events like Play festival no longer running, it seems there's a lack of understanding for the immense effort and resources required to make events like this happen. We had hoped for a more collaborative spirit in facing these challenges and ensuring the future of juggling conventions.

For context, I'm Luke Hallgarten, Artistic Director of Revel Puck Circus. My connection to this community is deeply personal. I've been a juggler since I was nine, volunteered at Oddballs from ten, and even worked there at thirteen. Juggling led me to circus school in London and then Le Lido in Toulouse. Now, I lead The Revel Puck Circus, a not-for-profit circus with a mission to redefine the art form.

The BJC 2025 story began with a phone call late last October. We learned that effectively the event wouldn't happen unless we took it on. My team and I immediately considered the challenges: the financial risks, the significant workload, and the incredibly tight timeline. A concern we held, echoed by many in the juggling community, was the need to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.

We'd heard feedback about past conventions regarding experiences like "cuddle puddles," nudity in unsupervised spaces, and a demographic imbalance. We also heard from a youth circus facilitator who took their youth group once, and didn’t feel comfortable taking them again. It was clear we needed to proactively address these issues; they didn’t need to define the community or the convention, but they needed to be addressed seriously.

The question became: could we take on this substantial financial risk, the massive workload, and organise an event in such a short timeframe, especially given its past reputation? My answer was yes, but things had to change.

Why yes? Because juggling conventions matter. They bring together people from all walks of life who share this wonderfully unique passion. My own convention experience at age 13 was transformative. It fostered confidence and ultimately inspired my career in the arts. Juggling conventions matter, personally and deeply.

So, we got to work. We rearranged our tour schedule, secured local authority support, carefully considered the finances, and, most importantly, we focused on how to do things differently and better.
I'm incredibly proud of what we'd put together. Our vision: a convention that truly celebrates juggling, that's inclusive and safe for everyone, fun, and inspiring. It was also essential to me that the event remained true to the original proposal I submitted: Click here to view.

Inevitably, some things were going to be different. This is the first time a professional events organisation has run the BJC. We operate under rules and regulations with serious consequences for non-compliance. We’re not a volunteer organisation. Our overheads are significant, and our cash flow is tight, particularly at the start of the season. With current ticket prices, we need to reach 80% capacity just to break even—that’s double the standard risk for an events company.

We’d created a fantastic program: two circus tents, a bar and chill-out space, camping with showers and charging points, campervan spaces, a town parade, a juggling hall open 12 hours a day, plus squash courts for workshops and other activities. We knew we had to create warm, dry, and enjoyable spaces. A 24-hour juggling hall, however, wasn't feasible given the necessary capacity limits for a safe and comfortable environment. From 9pm onwards, there would be a variety of social and juggling activities on the circus site.

The most prominent concerns seem to revolve around ticket prices and the limited juggling hall hours. To be transparent: VAT accounts for 20% of every ticket. We also must pay everyone who works on this event. This isn’t a volunteer-led endeavour.

It's been incredibly disheartening to see the community's reaction to a not-for-profit circus trying to do something positive. Especially considering that no one else was able to run a BJC this year, and other events like Play festival have been discontinued. The financial risk and responsibility of putting on an event like the BJC are simply not what they once were. Furthermore, the two female producers leading this project have had their phone numbers circulated, and they’ve been bombarded with calls, messages, and Facebook requests day and night, seven days a week. This is simply wrong.

I’m deeply saddened by this response. To the new generation of jugglers, I want you to know: these voices complaining about "how it used to be" do not represent the entire circus community. We envisioned an event for everyone.

We are currently exploring three options:
- Continue with the event as is: This means proceeding with a community that doesn't seem to fully support it and risking a significant financial loss for Revel Puck.
- Reduce the ambition of the event: If we eliminate camping, we could offer a day ticket for around £40. This would significantly change the event's feel and scope.
- Cancel the event completely: This would be a deeply disappointing outcome for us but is the most likely.
We want to be transparent and give the community some agency in this decision. We will continue to explore how we can support future community-run events where everyone feels welcome and safe. In the meantime, I want to say a massive thank you to Start Thurrock, Thurrock Council, the Pucks producing team and all the support we have received from positive members of the juggling community.

See those of you tomorrow for the Q&A if you’re able to join.

Sincerely,
Luke Hallgarten
Artistic Director of The Revel Puck Circus (and 2008 British Young Juggler Of The Year silver medalist 🥈)

from: www.facebook.com/britishjugglingconvention/posts/pfbid0yb4RwPt1JavWCsTeq4jRbCetErSyQEqmgtPmz4bAWxJRLBRWP4uM58ukasx3Q7PGl

#bjc2025

York Jugglers - 2025-02-13 14:01:28 UTC #

This Saturday is Chocfest 28, the first juggling convention in the UK juggling 2025 calendar, and we would love to invite you all. This year we are at a new venue at the University of York, which means we can have lots of aerial and acro workshops as well as a full day packed with all the usual activities; juggling, workshops, games, tea/coffee, etc and the Chocfest Chocolate Cake Contest (enter a cake a get £5 discount on admission).

a few more details on website www.chocfest.com

See our programme of workshops https://circustimetable.com/chocfest2025#timetable (thanks to Callie)

Hopefully see you all there 🙂

#chocfest2025

Mïark - 2025-02-13 13:33:04 UTC #

Tickets for British Juggling Convention BJC 2025 are now on sale:

www.bjc2025.com/tickets

#bjc2025

The Void - 2025-02-13 13:23:23 UTC #

Jay Gilligan - The Future of Juggling - G4G15 February 2024
https://youtu.be/phZXLYkRhro
(Posted as a bookmark - I've not watched it yet.)

Marvin - 2025-02-01 00:02:27 UTC #

Here are all the links posted during January 2025:

• EJC 2025
• ThreeBallJuggling.apk - Google Drive
• https://ilcircoverde.com/acdc/
• Juggling Data Set
• VR Juggling Simulator - YouTube

The following hashtags were used:

• #31KarlsruherJonglierfestival
• #ACDCJugglingConvention
• #EJC2025
• #SPJC

#GreenEggsReport

Tibor42 - 2025-01-25 10:03:28 UTC #

Hello :-)

I am Tibor from Karlsruhe in the south of germany, juggeling for a long time but only as a hobby (never had the endurance... ).
So i am still working on five balls, but prefer to train on easier / achivable 3 /4 ball things :-)

Currently i am a small part of a small team organizing the next Karlsruher Juggle Convention in Karlsruhe from the 11. to the 14. September in 2025

Best regards to everyone and keep on juggling :-)
Tibor

Simone Romanò - 2025-01-15 16:07:19 UTC #

Hello Everyone,
it's a very great pleasure for me to be here and to announce to you our forthcoming little convention in Italy. It is called ACDC - A Convention De Celleno, where Celleno is the place it will take place.
It will be from the 30th of April till the 4th of May 2025. Pre registration will be open from beginning of Feb.
Also you can check our Social Network searching for @ilcircoverde, we will start posting stuff very soon!

Thank you all and happy juggling!
Simone

Jeff - 2025-01-11 07:46:21 UTC #

#SPJC (2025) We regret to inform you that our indoor meeting place, the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, burned down in the Eaton fire on Jan. 8, 2025. We may move outside to the South Pasadena Public Library, Gwinn Park , Victory Park in Pasadena, or somewhere else. Please call or email before coming to check where and when we will be juggling. Unis welcome! No fire or sharp objects. We have some glow clubs and balls and may juggle with them after dark. Ask Bryan about getting on our mailing list if you will be coming regularly.

Stephen Meschke - 2025-01-04 20:08:28 UTC #

VR Juggling Simulator

Link to video of Juggling Simulator

Link to download .apk file for VR Juggling Simulator

Built on Tracking Data

The VR Juggling Simulator is powered by tracking data from my juggling dataset. Each juggling pattern in the simulator is based on .csv files that contain the positions of the balls in video clips. The simulation animates the balls by moving them to the positions specified in these .csv files, creating a realistic visualization of juggling patterns.

Trying It Out

You can try the VR Juggling Simulator by downloading the APK file. I installed the app on my Quest 3s headset from my Linux computer using a tool called ADB.

Copy and Paste

This project involves a significant amount of repetitive data handling. The simulation includes approximately 100 juggling balls, all of which are continuously animated. Due to the complexity and resource demands of the app, the Quest 3 tends to get noticeably warm after running it for a while.

Features of the Program

In this app, users can explore juggling patterns in an immersive VR environment. You can walk around and observe the patterns from different angles or use the thumbstick to move through the space. However, there is currently no interaction with the environment—it's purely a visual experience.