Thom Wall is here to tell you what it is and HOW to do it!
JUGGLING – WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO DO IT! by Thom Wall
“I realized that there was no resource that taught contemporary juggling techniques,” Wall says.
“The books that were already available focused on “this old style of juggling performance or juggling training, where you just throw the throw, it does this and then it just works,” he says. “Whereas juggling pedagogy in the past 30 years has completely changed.”
During my 4 days documenting the Southern Sideshow Hootenanny in New Orleans in early March, I sat down with juggler Thom Wall (who performed at the Festival in the All-Star and Living Legends Show) and he talked about his niche publishing company Modern Vaudeville Press.
The second day of The 6th Annual Southern Sideshow Hootenanny offered workshops during the day is a varied number of topics ranging from ‘Introduction to Contortion – A Twisted World’ taught by Sam Aquatic, and another one was ‘Learn to Juggle’ taught by Thom Wall. 8 workshops in total.
The evening’s performance began with a VIP show performed by ‘Lunatic Fringe Sideshow’ duet at 8:15 pm. Then at 9 pm ‘The ALL-STAR and LIVING LEGENDS SHOW’ began. The lineup was a total of 8 acts. One so different than the next!
Lunatic Fringe Sideshow duet performing with fire.
They also performed the sideshow classic ‘blockhead’ individually.
THE ALL-STAR AND LIVING LEGENDS SHOW
The emcee for the show was a sideshow legend Reggie Bugmuncher.
Sideshow historian/publisher James Taylor informed the audience about the historical banners on the stage.
Juliette Electrique performed a seductive sword-swallowing routine.
Louie Foxx followed with a wonderful bubble-blowing act
Sansa Asylum performed her singing mind-reading act.
A very professional and charmingly magical act.
The evening had some worthy serious moments. The Rob Houston Lifetime Achievement Award and the Kathleen Kotcher Lifetime Achievement Award were announced.
Kali von Wunderkammer announced the awards.
The Monsters of Schlock duo took the evening into a whole different mood!
Using syringes and water. Don’t do this at home. They are highly trained professionals.
Thom Wall performed some classic skills (beautifully) from the juggling world.
Sam Aquatic performed contortion with her snake.
Reggie Bügmüncher was the emcee and also performed the classic sideshow ‘eyehooks’ act
Lifting a full fishbowl with goldfish using her eyes and fishing hooks with a pearl chain.
The final act of the night was knife throwing and whip cracking Jack Dagger.
There was a wonderful comic part of the act that involved an audience member.
The Sunday evening show was “TROUPE NIGHT” and those images will be posted in a few days.
James Taylor: First in Half the World (A Spiel on the Peale)
Kick off the 2020 Hoot with a brand new talk by James Taylor about the oldest museum in the country. “America’s sideshow historian,” James Taylor, talks on the Peale’s history and legacy, one that highlights institutions from the Smithsonian to Ripley’s Believe It or Not! to dime museums and carnival midway shows.
Plus our Lifetime Achievement Award Presentations at Kathleen Kotcher and Rob Huston.
VIP Pre Show by Lunatic Fringe Sideshow
VIP Seating for the VIP only pre-show at 8pm GA Doors at 8:45pm Show starts at 9:00pm
Sunday – March 8th
11:00am – 1:00pm – Networking and Awards Brunch 1:30pm – 4:00pm – Get your act videotaped! 4:30pm – Dick Zigun Special Talk
Dick Zigun, Mayor of Coney Island, joins us to talk about how Coney keeps sideshow ALIVE! and infecting the rest of the country with a love for the strange and unusual.
7:00pm (6:15 pm VIP Pre Show) Troupe Night
VIP showcase Performances by: Geoff With A G & Skabz The Clown
Main Show Performances by: Cheeky Monkey Sideshow The Brides Pixiegrit Circus Sideshow The Stolen Stitches
“Juggling – From Antiquity to the Middle Ages” – the forgotten history of throwing and catching
by Thom Wall
This is a very comprehensive book on juggling. Written with humor and great research. Here is a quote from the book!
The book sites a historical time line along with my illustrations and photographs. This is one/half of the chart published in the book. Don’t want to give away too much!
Great read for jugglers and fans of juggling alike!
Thom Wall sets the standard for future work by circademics… I predict that [this] book will become the textbook on juggling history. – Richard Kennison, CircusTalk
Juggling: From Antiquity to the Middle Ages is an incredible resource to anyone interested in the history of juggling. Thom Wall has filled in many gaps to the documented history of the art.This is the juggling history book that I’ve been waiting for. – David Cain, Curator, Museum of Juggling History
In 2014 American Circus Awards were created by Circus Now and The Big Apple Circus to spotlight particular achievements in the circus arts, while drawing attention to the creativity, diversity, and public relevance of circus to American cultural expression. Honorees are nominated by the Celebration Planning Committee and voted on by a select panel composed of various leaders in the circus arts sector.
HONOREES
Community Impact Award – Cirkus Smirkus
This award is given annually to a circus artist or organization that has succecced in harnessing and demonstrating the power of circus arts for community engagement and social good, and in bringing diverse audiences together through quality programming.
Elevating Circus Award – Dominique Jando
This award is given annually to an individual or an organization who has made a lasting contribution to increasing public awareness about the beauty, artistry, creative potential of the circus arts through their body of work, with particular attention paid to interdisciplinary collaboration or expression.
Evolving Circus Award – Bill Irwin
This award is given annually to an individual whose personal and/or professional contributions have made a significant and permanent impact on the circus field in America, with specific consideration of how the recipient’s work has influenced the perception of the circus arts by the American public and the arts and entertainment industry.
Lifetime Achievement Award – Hovey Burgess
This award is given to an individual artist, troupe, or company whose overall contributions to the field and community are substantial, undeniable and significant.
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Circus Now Managing Director Adam Woolley makes Opening Remarks about Circus in America.
Big Apple Circus Artistic Director Guillaume Dufresnoy makes Opening Remarks about Circus in America.
Thom Wall entertained the crowd as he MC’d the show.
Host 
Pio Carrada performs a beautiful aerial act with multicolored lighting.
The cast takes their online Curtain Call!
