The Co-Host of the show were Book Kennison and Mike Dobson.

Book Kennison hosting the Evening’s talent line up.

Mike Dobson co-host the Mr. Aviner’s Variety Hour at Dixon Place

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Gabriel Drouin

Gabriel Drouin performing on the Cyr Wheel

Having trained in martial arts prior to his work on the Cyr wheel Gabriel Drouin has great balance.

With legs crossed and still maintaining a great sense of movement.

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Adam Kuchler

With nothing but a few hats and a shopping bag Adam Kuchler makes the audience hysterical.

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Karianne Hayes

With fine technique and beauty Karianne Hayes captivates the audience.

Currently in her second year at Ecole de Cirque de Quebec, Karianne Hayes has amazing promise for the future.

Karianne Hayes has complete control over her body and technique.

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Aaron DeWitt

Aaron DeWitt has been juggling for 10 years and has an amazing talent.

Aaron DeWitt juggles effortlessly with mystical results.

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Aerial Emery

Aerial Emery performs with her hula hoop at the beginning of her act.

Aerial Emery has plenty of talent to share with the audience.

Performing with multiple hula hoops all at once.

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Adam Kuchler

Adam Kuchler displays his cigar box juggling skills.

Adam Kuchler caught in mid air juggling his cigar boxes.

Adam Kuchler juggling many cigar boxes.

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Karianne Hayes

With precision and technique Karianne Hayes performs on the German Wheel.

Karianne Hayes performs beautifully on the German Wheel.

After finishing the act Karianne Hayes takes her bow while holding the German Wheel.

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The Piccolini Trio

(Josh Stack, John Stork, Joy Powers) The Piccolini Trio act up as the final act of the evening.

The Piccolini brothers try to catch the falling dish from the Piccolini sister.

After breaking up all the dishes the Piccolini Trio take their bow.

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Look for future productions of MR. AVINER’S VARIETY HOUR at Dixon Place in the future!

It was one of the best shows of young and fresh talent I had come across in a while.

Next month Josh Aviner is producing the 2nd edition of this show. I had a chance to sit down with Josh and the show’s MC Book Kennison with his associate Mike Dobson.

They spoke about the show in different ways and as such I have broke up the interviews in three parts.

Here is the link for the upcoming show! Get your tickets early as I am sure it will SELL OUT!

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Book Kennison talks about the upcoming “Mr. Aviner’s Variety Hour”.

Mike Dobson talk about “Mr. Aviner’s Variety Hour”

Josh Aviner talks about the upcoming “Mr. Aviner’s Variety Hour”.

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Produced by Josh Aviner

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What an amazing selection of artists in this program.

Book Kennison is the MC of the evening’s festivities. Making funny comments all night long!

Cody Schreger performs in the ’round’ with harmonica and electric guitar accompanist.

Jacob Sharpe performing the ‘diablo’. An amazing display of technique and personal charm.

Spencer Novich performs his ‘metaphyiscal’ movement piece to an amazing sound collage.

Joachim Ciocca performs on the unicycle like it is part of his own body. Amazingly beautiful work!

Book Kennison is stuck in a tennis racket and trying to get back to his MC mike.

Mike Dobson is always available for quips to counter Book Kennison’s comments. Dry and hysterical humor.

Jimmy “Tapz” from Baton Rouge taps up and amazing storm assisted by vocal electronic feedback.

Jacob Sharpe demonstrates his profound command over juggling almost anything.

Natalie Oleinik performing on the Rope in a most exquisite physical style.

Spencer Novich and Book Kennison doing what only 2 very thin acrobatic performers could do!

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A great evening of variety and technical skills by some wonderful new talent.

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS © 2011 JIM MOORE

This MOVE IT show included some amazingly talented physical/variety performers.

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Starting the show off was a delightful “Oddotorium Puppet Freak Show”. Performed by J. E. Cross.

A pupppet  ’Coney Island’ type side show with the barker and the ‘main attraction.

J.E. Cross and The Cosmic Bicycle Theatre

J. E. Cross and his COSMIC BICYCLE THEATRE presented a beautiful “Puppet Freak Show”.

A very innovative puppet theatre company garnered with much attention which it surely deserves!

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The next act to perform was juggler/dancer Jen Slaw.

Combing the best movement with the grace of a beautiful juggler she made her work look effortless and charming.

Her act was simple, stunning, lyrical and and she is very talented.

Jen Slaw with Clubs

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One of producer Mark Lonergan’s favorite performers and  collaborator on some of Parallel Exit’s best shows is a charmingly gifted funny man Joel Jeske.

His stage presence is hysterical and he played the audience well with his JOEL JESKE TRIO.

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Book Kennison is one of my favorite unique comedic juggling acts.

He is a young man wit lots of talent and abilities.

Keep your eyes out for ‘Book Kennison‘. He is a rising star in the variety scene.

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Shana Solomon’s Phastasamic Physical Theatre

Performing their interpretation of Akira Kurosawa‘s film RAN

The six member company made use of corporeal talent and  unique physical discipline to interpret the essence of the film on stage without hardly any words and no scenery.

A great actor uses these skills before adding the voice.

I was very moved with the creative work that went into this piece.

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A playful duet James and JF came on stage walking cardboard dogs.

The piece was set in the future and included plenty of verbal banter and visual gags.

The comedy duet James and JF consist of  Emily James and Ishah Janssen-Faith.

Inventive, wild, sexy and off the wall funny!

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The Final performer for the evening was one of my favorite clowns. Chris Allison performing his wacky “CONEY ISLAND CHRIS“.

This act is so curious. He proclaims to have learned how to perform  ’sideshow’ feats in an online class.

What happens to him in front of the audience as he attempts to show off his new found skills can only be described as ‘hysterical’.

He was one of the finalist on “AMERICA’S GOT TALENT” and just returned from Germany where he performed in a revue of ‘Newcomers’ with all international artists.

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The evening would not be complete without a chat with the audience by Mark Lonergan.

SUPPORT THE VARIETY ARTS!

He knows how to make it happen. It is up to you…the audience to support it!

Watch out for the next MOVE IT show. They are SOLD OUT fast!

For additional information about Mark Longergan and/or Parallel Exit contact: Parallel Exit

(This is not a complete description of the show. Many of the performers did another turn.

I covered the parts I had room for!)

ALL PHOTOGRAPHS © 2010 Jim Moore