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Milton Keynes Juggling Convention 7
The Milton Keynes Juggling Convention 2016 (UK) - Review
Saturday the 12th November saw the return of The Milton Keynes Juggling Convention (MKJC) which is held at the Elizabeth Woodville School, Deanshanger (just off the A5, west of Milton Keynes).
The drive down the M1 was pretty miserable as it was lashing down with rain and my phone had a hissy fit which took the GPS out of action. We managed to get ourselves pretty close to Deanshanger and were glad to see the ‘MKJC – this way’ signs as we approached the convention.
We hit reception not long after 10:00, got our passes (colour coded wrist bands) and raffle tickets and headed deeper into the school. We passed the show hall which is large and high ceilinged with a high level stage at one end. There was a freestanding aerial rig and mats set up for a number of workshops running in this room throughout the day. In the evening this becomes the show venue.
We took part in the traditional ‘getting lost in the warren of changing rooms and toilets before finding the hall game’ which I always thoroughly enjoy. We headed to our usual spot in the hall and set up our gear. Fever was already in session, the Cambridge collective were already well stuck in to their practice and Butterfingers and Gale were busy setting up shop.
The big change in the hall this year was the relocation of the reception desk which meant that the doors of the hall (leading to the car parks) remained shut for the majority of the day. I noticed the difference immediately! There was the initial ‘cool, not many bodies in the hall’ transition through the ‘comfortable, not even thinking about it stage’ and finally the ‘musty juggler scent and warmth’ of the later afternoon (normal convention climate changes). A massive improvement which was commented on very often during the day, very comfortable, thank you MKJC Team.
I started off with club juggling and had a very pleasant warm up (much briefer than previous years, see above) so before lunch I was already working on 5 club tricks and trying my 6 with happy hands. 5 club 5 up pirouettes are feeling very good at the moment, so close to becoming routine. My set up is great, the turn is good and my hand is reaching the 1st club, I think the pattern is just slightly under spun which makes continuing the pattern difficult. Didn’t hit the trick but came very close. I always seem to have a very good club juggling session at MKJC so I leapt on that. I had my best 6 club half shower run (don’t know how many catches, I don’t count, but would guess 25 odd) to which Mark pointed out I shouldn’t forget to practice my ‘fountain’. My first attempt was very convincing and we were all surprised, future attempts brought us all back to reality.
Lunch time. Jenni, Mark and I headed onto the High Street and were sad to see the Chinese / Chip shop was closed until later this month (Greg pointed out it had 3x 1* reviews on google, I’ve eaten there every year and I thought it was OK, not spectacular but OK) so we went to the Pizza place next door, interpreted their many contradictory and confusing special offers and selected their 3x 9inch Pizzas for £15 deal. £5 for a Pizza was pretty fair we felt. We ate at the small seating area outside the show venue and taunted Jack with our Pizza feast. There was a lot of interest from an awful lot of passers-by about where we had acquired the Pizzas… seriously, where has everyone else been eating for the last 6 MKJCs? Turn right out of the venue and then right at the T-junction, keep walking up the high street, the one with the co-op on it that looks like a pub, follow the road round all the bends and speed bumps and you hit the high street, it is on your right hand side.
Pizza review:
Mark and I had some difficulty identifying which Pizza was whose. A Meat Feast vs a BBQ chicken. I ordered the BBQ chicken, which was absent of the advertised peppers and red onions and contained various other meats… I suspect that the ‘Mexican BBQ’ Pizza was provided rather than the requested BBQ Chicken. We had all elected for thin crust and extra grease apparently. But, they were pretty good Pizzas overall. Jenni had selected the Hawaiian Pizza in order to disgust the anti-pineapple Pizza fraternity and to support with The Leeds Juggling Convention (next weekend, Saturday 19th November, Amazing Show Line Up, Workshops, Free Tea and Coffee and Doughnuts, Raffle (has a pineapple in it!), See you There!)
Pizzas consumed, we went back to the main hall which had filled considerably (comfortable stage) and I started practising some headbouncing. Brook and I had already agreed to have a club passing session, each time I looked over he was involved in a multi-person feed which I didn’t want to interrupt so we missed out this convention, we will definitely do some at Leeds (that’s next weekend you know…) Not a ground breaking solo session but not terrible either, I got bit warm so went off to change into shorts. On the way I bumped into Mark (P) and Dave having a bounce juggle session in the corridor, I stayed to have a chat which turned into 3 person 15 ball bounce passing moving onto 18 ball passing. It was really good fun, my problem was my selves ending up in the tramlines of the incoming passes, I need to spend some more time bounce passing. We got it working fairly well in the end.
Games time. Standard convention games took place which were well executed by the games master. I fluffed juggling limbo although it got difficult pretty quickly. Won 5 ball endurance and 5 club endurance, great prize of past issues of Kascade Magazines. Combat happened at the end of the games and it was utter bedlam! Fantastic fun, I always really enjoy it. These games carried on good a long while until just 4 of us remained and we called a halt (Musty Juggler stage). Only one injury for me which was a slightly bruised finger, very pleased with that result.
Time for evening food. Greg had mentioned earlier in the day an Indian restaurant which was not far away so we thought we would give that a go. Mark (P) rounded up pretty much all of Cambridge so we took my car with Katie navigating (no through road, really?) while they walked. I always drive to evening food place as you run the risk of being late for the show if the food is slow to arrive, more later…
Spice Hut was OK, they were quick to set up a long table for all 11 of us. They were good fun when taking our orders and very accommodating to everyone’s requirements. The food took ages to come, I think it arrived at about ten to 7pm (show time) so we ate rather hastily before bundling Brook into the car and rushing back to the venue. My Malayan curry (had pineapple in it, I like pineapple in my curry – discuss) was not very flavoursome although it was OK. I tried some of Mark’s vegetable one and it nearly blew my head off, bursting with flavour, perhaps just my poor choice on this occasion. The food was pretty good for the price £5.95 for a main dish.
The show was already in progress when we arrived and Concrete Circus (MK youth Circus) were halfway through their act. We were in time to see some really good walking globe tricks, some of which scared me a bit.
Mark Watson was the compere for the evening and I always enjoy his style of compering, lots of cheap gags, energy and enthusiasm always does it for me.
Arthur Hyam performed a very slick 1x diabolo routine. Arthur’s diabolo routines have always been a pleasure to watch with loads of very technical and original looking tricks and technique. It was taken up a notch in terms of performance with good smart outfit and plenty of natural applause points. Flawless despite some interference from the small curtain above the stage which hides the lights. Shame about the very final catch. Excellent bow! Great routine, look forward to seeing it again.
The microphone died at this point so I felt bad for Mark although he projects very well anyway. We could hear fine from the back of the room.
Jonathan the Jester and Adam then performed their streetshow style routine. I felt that Adam needs an equally shiny jacket to Jonathan or for them to play the ‘reluctant’ assistant and the showman routine. Regardless, it was quite amusing and I am always quite nervous when children from the audience are put on the performer’s shoulders, but of course it was fine. Too much politics at one point but to his credit Jonathan identified this and swiftly moved on to 3 wheeled giraffe unicycle and walking globe club passing.
Doreen performed a lovely club juggling routine. It was confident, it was smiley, it was stuffed with very elegant tricks and some nice club swingy tricks before hitting some nice 4 club tricks and a final 5 club finish. Very competent, dropless and a lovely bow and smiles. Excellent routine!
Interval and Raffle time. It was a slow start to the raffle with some confusion and a coffee stained trap door, but it quickly became very entertaining as only raffles can be (I like raffles, I think they are funny, Cameron shared my amusment). Sad not to win anything this year, but they were all blue tickets :-(. Nigel gave me a DVD of last year’s show as I had performed in it, Eddie had mentioned it earlier in the day so I hope he got his copy, and I was really pleased as it was an unexpected surprise for me. :-)
There were an awful lot of technical difficulties following the interval which interrupted the second half of the show. Mark performed his duties as compere as best can be expected although it was awkward at times due to bad communication. Technical problems sorted meant we could welcome Tilly Twist to the stage.
Tilly performed a highly skilled hula hoop and hoop juggling routine. Solid 4 hoop box and great hoop juggling tricks, finished with a 5 hoop cascade, very tricky stuff. Good presentation and character throughout.
Jay Rawlings’ performed a comedy magic routine and filled it with loads of great and classic gags. The magic was impressive and the delivery was excellent. Well done Callum for being a great gunslinger.
Brook performed his 3 ball ‘Hall of the Mountain King’ routine which I have always enjoyed. This was the best rendition of it on stage which I have ever seen. Superb, very few drops and all the important tricks hit with a lovey clean finish to the music. Good costume choice and the bow was very good and matched the routine nicely. I was very impressed, should have headlined!
The final act was a Cyr Wheel routine performed by Nader Turiziano. He was good and it was nicely put together, I think the stage was slightly too small which may have put him off slightly as some of the tricks were a little rough round the edges.
The final bow was very well done although the exiting of the stage was not as smooth as the rehearsals had been (I am reliably informed). Overall it was a good strong show although let down by some technical difficulties in places.
We hung around after the show and then piled Mark into the car for the journey back to Leicestershire. Mark and I discussed various subjects on the journey home while Jenni slept in the back, the night closures on the M1 were not expected but ended up not being too much of a problem for us thanks to the A5.
I was pleased to hear that the convention made a profit and plans to return next year. Well done to the organisers and thank you for putting the event together, I look forward to seeing you next year!
Cheers, Jon
(I hope you enjoyed the review. If you did or didn’t then join the discussion. If you attended the event add your own review of the day too!)
#MKJC7
I will not be reviewing the Leeds Juggling Convention next weekend as I have been involved in organising the show. Please attend and write your own reviews, we would love to hear if there are any improvements to be made or just to hear if you liked the doughnuts! Thanks, Jon
Cheers for the review, Jon.
I woke earlier than I expected to, which meant by the time I'd listened to an hour's cricket, gone to pick up Abbi & Robin, driven all the way there, and got in, I was knackered already. I broke out the flask of coffee immediately, and stuck in to the breakfast donut, courtesy of Robin's employers. After enjoying sitting down for a while, and helloing those who passed in the corridor, a collective decision was made that we should head to the hall. Wandered in and deposited bags. Made a slow wander to say hi to a few folks. Strolled over to greet & chat to Jamie F, Mark & Jon. Apparently I've been a lesser-spotted creature at 1-dayers lately, but I blame this on Jon being a Northerner these days. Jamie had brought along an old case he'd unearthed, full of 8 Dubé Americans that he used to perform with with (the Real) Luke. Heavy hand-slapping noisy beasts, but with a lovely slow spin.
Oh, hang on, that means I juggled. I decided to compensate with a brief bit of kendama, but the energy levels weren't really there, so was happy to stop and chat to Jay R for a bit. Then Robin rolled back the years and did a bit of kendama too. Bird was in! Watched a bit of hoop passing, which fills up the air space really well. Juggled 3 clubs for a while, then had a crack at 5. Haven't been trying that for 4 years or so, and whaddya know, out of practise means out of luck. Pushed up to about 20 catches and called it a day. Watched Jamie doing his double Salerno ring, and spotted a minor tech error, so pointed that out to him. Hopefully it helps, not hinders.
(Pack) lunched. Mentioned the kickstarter I'm planning with Jon Udry to a few people. (Don't worry, you'll hear more about it here in time...) Played with one of Susannah's diabolos for a bit.
Watched some idiots bounce in a hallway. :-) Mooched back to the hall just before the games started. Got chatting to Dave for most of the games (realising I'd just missed the start of the money juggling, at one point - damn!) and may have accidentally persuaded him to try out Twitter. Time wandered along, and we went off for grub at The Crown, joining Mandy, Susannah, Caspar, Dee & Graham. Sweet potato fries were acceptable. The three of us were collectively a bit tired, so decided to skip the show, and headed home.
Cheers Nigel & crew. First convention for a long time at which I juggled more than I kendamad!
Glad to hear that you were motivated towards juggling, I would have liked to see it. I also really wanted to try those clubs that Jamie brought as it has been about 20 years since I last tried. I also want to try out his Salerno rings but I'm not sure if my knees would forgive me.
I played a game in my head during the show 'what would Void want to see?' My conclusion was you would have enjoyed Brook and Doreen, found most of the rest tolerable and liked the new walking globe tricks at the end of Concrete Circus act.
Nigel
Sounds like a not unreasonable estimate. I expect Mark & Jay would have made me chuckle at some point too.
I am fairly sure that Jonathan would have made you chuckle at some point (not necessarily when you were supposed to do so). I assumed that you would have seen most if not all of the acts before, when I made my predictions. Jay, for example, did almost the same act at Bristol before it became Broxford. Mark did a great job, especially when covering for the sound problems.
Nigel
"some really good walking globe tricks, some of which scared me a bit."
If you think they scared you, try being the parent of the performer, especially in the tech rehearsal where he was much closer to the edge of the stage. That was one of the major reasons there were two of us stood either side of the stage. Still wasn't as scary as when he first came up with that trick!
Great review John, it almost makes me feel like I was there. Next year I will be. See you at Leeds.
Nigel
What was the trick?
I have not seen very much walking globe stuff, so I have no real benchmark.
Two particularly noteworthy walking globe tricks.
1) Have two walking globes, start skipping on one of them and then continue skipping as you jump to the second.
2) Stand on two walking globes at the same time, move them around and then skip on them.
Both tricks were made scarier by being performed near the front of a stage that is at least 1.2m (4ft) high. The stage was also particularly slippery (as had been demonstrated by previous tricks and would be demonstrated again by the cyr wheel).
Nigel
Yikes!
I can barely skip as it is (no idea if I can walk on a walking globe).
I can understand the concern now....
Re 2), Literally at the same time? .... that's some straddle! Can't even visualise how you'd skip like that. Maybe I should've stayed for the show after all.
Indeed, literally at the same time. The original two globe trick originated as far as I know with Albert and Friends Instant Circus. I've never seen the skipping on the two globes before.
If anyone knows of other difficult walking globe tricks I'd be happy to learn about them. We've already done most of the multiple people on one globe variations (two facing each other, two facing same way, three with two facing and one in between, two high, three in a triangle. We've tried two pairs facing but you run out of space for feet).
Also any good videos showing innovative globe work that aren't easily findable with a YouTube search would be appreciated.
Nigel
lukeburrage - - Parent #
I've often wondered if it's possible to do a four walking globe stack. Three in a triangle, and one on top. I guess they would have to be rubber or sticky in some way. But then you could walk forward and move forward.
If that's possible then the next step up is walking on the back of Charlie Dancey's bouncing beast.
Something for the next Dream Tricks challenge David?
Fully engineered solution here:Thing for https://t.co/yVXCpQve6G pic.twitter.com/cjT3gxXoxb
— The Void (@TheVoidTLMB) November 20, 2016
Probably.
Essentially the whole thing shouldn't work.
The top ball (w.l.o.g.) is moving CW, which means that the front and the 2 back balls are moving CCW. But if the front ball is moving CCW, it would drive the back balls CW or visa versa.
Unless you cheat by making sure that the 3 base balls don't touch each other, or somehow don't grip each other.
lukeburrage - - Parent #
"Unless you cheat by making sure that the 3 base balls don't touch each other, or somehow don't grip each other."
If you've ever made such a rolling stack out of normal juggling balls, the lower balls not touching is part of the desired technique, not a cheat. I presumed that didn't need to be stated in my previous post.
Greg was telling me about this at Leeds, could you ask the performer if you could post a video of the trick, as I am quite intrigued?
Thanks for that... as mentioned to quite a few people during the day, I'm trying to make a list of all events that *may* happen at #EJC2019 and thus will need some for of resources (at the very least time and space). I'd be very grateful if you could add anything to the google document in the link below:
Even if you can't think of any events that I haven't listed, it would be interesting to get other people's opinions on the constraints attached to different events.
Thanks in advance...
The only thing that MKJC does that isn't on the list (and at only just over half the conventions 4/7) is to hold an auction. I'm of the opinion that this could be quite profitable at a big enough event, even though we haven't ever taken much money when running one. (The first was for the widow of a mate who died, the only other big one was when Jackson Lane Jugglers closed)
Nigel
Some updates about Milton Keynes Juggling Convention (this Saturday)
Firstly show change:
Joe and Tilly acro act can't happen because Joe is injured. Instead Tilly Twist will be doing her Hula Hoop act.
For those who have been before, site changes:
Reception will be at the school reception rather than at the hall. This means that the main hall doors will be closed pretty much all day (apart from when trader unloads and loads), which should mean that the hall will be warmer.
There will be no catering on site (normal caterer is away). The village has several eateries most of which are about 0.5 mile away where there is a local shop, fish and chips etc. There is also a pub or two somewhat closer.
There will be knife throwing happening outside all day (weather permitting) and also whip cracking (which will take over the workshop hall for an hour if weather is rubbish).
Hope to see lots of you there,
Nigel
Been a long time since I posted about Milton Keynes Juggling Convention, mainly due to the venue not actually confirming availability until last Friday! However it is still going ahead on 12th November. The website has been updated www.mkjc.co.uk
The Edge normally gets the full line up first with a trickle feed happening on Facebook for several months beforehand. I can't give you the full line up as yet as I am still waiting for four acts to confirm whether they are free from other commitments but the acts that are currently confirmed are:
Mark Watson (Compere)
Concrete Circus
Brook Roberts
Jay Rawlings (performing his material rather than Steves)
Jonathan the Jester
Arthur Hyam
Hope to see you all in a month,
Nigel
Little Paul - - Parent #
If it's the Milton Keynes Juggling Convention time of year, then it only seems right for me to say that I was in MK Museum on Saturday, and your Mum said hi and remembered my name.
There was the traditional slight confusion over the sandwich ordering system (which truth be told, I rather enjoy!) and I remain as complimentary as ever about her cakes. This year I had a scone and a slice of victoria sponge, which were both excellent, although I'd have had the lemon drizzle cake if the person in front of me hadn't snaffled all 4 of the remaining slices!
Unfortunately, I have other commitments on the 12th, so yet again - I'm unlikely to make it to the MK Convention...
If anyone making the trip to MK is staying over in the area for the weekend, I can thoroughly recommend a trip to visit the museum on the Sunday. https://www.miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk it's a cracking day out!
Danny Colyer - - Parent #
LP wrote:
"If anyone making the trip to MK is staying over in the area for the weekend, I can thoroughly recommend a trip to visit the museum on the Sunday.https://www.miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk it's a cracking day out!"Be warned that the museum site automatically plays a video, with sound, when you navigate to it. That's unforgivable in web design, IMHO.
Can now add:
Emily and Joe - Acrobalance
Nader Tuniziano - Cyr wheel
Just need one of the two people who said they would get back to me to confirm and we will have a full line up. Until someone cancels that is (four in the last month last year)
Nigel
Some of the workshops that will be happening between 11am and 4pm:
Beginners:
Poi
Juggling
Club Juggling
Ball spinning
Unspecified Level:
Origami
Yoga (bring a thin mat)
Whip Cracking
Knife Throwing
Aerial Hoop
Juggling non-standard props
Juggling Tricks
Hula Hoop
Nigel
Danny Colyer - - Parent #
What will be happening in the Nigel workshop?
I wondered who would be the first person to make that comment and also who would make the obvious joke afterwards.
Thank you Danny and Void for not disappointing me.
Nigel
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