Just Clowning Around!

Summer Circus!

lw31 — Fri, 28 May 2010 15:22:20 +0000

With summer just around the corner a lot of people are looking for things to do. You can always practice juggling or diablo or devil sticks but at some point you don’t know what to do with your mad skill. Well if you’ve got it flaunt! Gather some of your friends (even if they’re not as into the circus as you are) and set up a backyard circus. Start by giving everyone a part. Such as:

Ring Master
Clown(s)
Tight rope walker (Don’t actually walk on a tight rope, use your imagination)
acrobats (anyone who can do a cart-wheel, summer salt, or head stand)

Now start practicing! You can place a blanket down on the ground for a stage and a few more blankets or towels for the audience. Decide what acts will go out when and if you can, add music. Ask a parent or adult before you do anything and possibly have them spot you when the acrobats go on.

It’s show time! And remember, HAVE FUN!

Peace out cup scout!

Getting The Look!

lw31 — Thu, 06 May 2010 15:25:48 +0000

They are GREAT for moving around and can be lots of fun to look at!

When you go to the circus your eyes are always on the performers, right? Well when your showing of your stuff you first have to get the audiences attention. Sure you can say “I’m about to do something really cool watch!” But a true clown never has to talk. Why you ask? Because the second they walk out onto the stage to the last moment they are wearing something AMAZING!

If you saw that, wouldn't you look?

It’s really easy to catch an eye without feathered costumes and makeup. You just need to be willing to look a little different!

The number one rule is being able to move. I’m not going to ask you to prance around in a leotard but don’t try to do an act in leather pants and half a gallon of makeup (although I would look, you would lose my attention right when i saw you couldn’t move). One fun AND easy thing you can do is wear fun patterned tight/leggings, jeans shorts over them, graphic tee shirts, and last but not least a hat, my favorite being the top hat!

Back to juggling!

lw31 — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 13:51:49 +0000

It’s been a while since I’ve posted about juggling, so for everybody who read my other posts, I hope you practiced! If you perform or show off your juggling to friends or family, the simple pattern I’ve shown you can get a little repetitive. One, two, three, catch, and back to one again. One thing you can do is two balls in one hand. The pattern is the same as three in two hands. Start by placing two balls in you dominant hand. Throw the first ball slightly above your head and when it reaches it’s peak, throw the other ball up. When you first begin this patter don’t try to catch them, just focus on getting the toss perfect. When the both balls hits the ground they should be right in front of your right foot (if your a righty) or your left foot (if your a lefty). When you’ve mastered this try catching them. It should look like this: Throw throw catch throw catch etc. This will spice up your juggling and keep the crowd (big or small) all eyes!

Cirque du Soleil, The Histoy

lw31 — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 13:41:56 +0000

Cirque Du Soliel, meaning circus of the sun in English, is one of the most famous circuses in the world! They have around 4,000 workers ranging from the strangely, but amazingly, gifted, to those who just don’t care what people think about them, even if they look ridiculous! They started with next to nothing in 1980 as a small performing group. They made it out of they’re hardships with a government grant in 1983. Today they travel the world performing, each show with a story or theme.

Box Juggling!

lw31 — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:14:58 +0000

Box juggling is an amazing circus activity that involves hand eye coordination, the ability to go faster than gravity, and a lot of time to practice. In order to be faster thank gravity you need a lot of speed. This is an acquired skill and I promise you the first time you try it, your going to look like an idiot that just dropped a bunch of boxes. After a few tries, your still going to look like an idiot. Until you think that if you touched another box you would die, you will look like an idiot. But don’t worry, you may be one of those people who can pick these things up as easily as picking a feather up. For others it just takes some practice. If you think about giving up, take a brake but then come back to it. A lot of people get frustrated when things don’t work at first .

Obviously this person has been practicing for a while but you could be doing this!

These are some good boxes for this. When your getting yours look for some that look like this

Diabolo

lw31 — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:06:52 +0000

Diabolo is another fun circus activity, it takes hand eye coordination, (as does juggling) and as long as you stay focused (not like juggling) you can do it! Start by placing on of the sicks in

each hand, and then place the diabolo (the colored spool like things) on the bottom of the sting that hangs from the two sticks. Start rolling the diabolo on the floor, left, then right. After you get the speed going, slowly raise the two sticks. With your dominate hand make fast up and down movements. Your diabolo is doing to get some speed and this is when you can do some tricks! Yet another thing I haven’t mastered but I do like messing around with it. One of the easiest tricks for me to learn isn’t even a trick really. All you do is take the hand that your jerking up and down and flick it under your other hand. (This hand should be as still as possible.)

The next thing to learn is just plain and simple, throwing the diabolo in the air. This is really easy but can look cool when you throw it up high. You do this by pulling the two sticks apart, fast! The diabolo will jump in the air and, if done right, come back down and land on the string so that you can keep it going. The faster and harder you pull the sticks apart, the higher the diabolo will go. Also if you get the diabolo going really fast it will work better. Your going to have to stay a bit more focused than you do with juggling, just don’t over think it.

Have Fun!

I of course don’t expect you to do any of these things at first, but here’s a video that might get you a little more exited about what you can do with a lot of practice!

Something New!

lw31 — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:10:03 +0000

Almost any hobby is fun when you first start, but as you continue you see it can get a little boring. With juggling it’s the same pattern, one, two, three, catch. One, two, three, catch. But don’t give up. It really pays off when you can show off at a big party, or to a friend. As I expected though your probably getting ready for something more. This is why I’m introducing juggling with clubs! Don’t feel bad if it takes you a while, it will. Here’s a video that’s helping me, yes I am still learning. Enjoy!

The same things apply when you use clubs, use distractions so that you don’t think about it too much. Clubs are pretty hard though, because you also have to master ‘the spin’, and they hurt a lot more when they land on your foot or head. (wear a helmet if you want;D)

Once You’ve Gotten Started…

lw31 — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:58:57 +0000

So you’re started juggling, and, as with anything else, it takes practice. It took me about six months of practicing before I could juggle three balls, but some people can get in down in about a week. I found that I was better if I had something to distract me, such as music or TV. If I didn’t have one of those things I would loose interest quickly. This may not be true for you, but it helps for some people. Another thing that I found is that I had to be in a good mood. If I’m not, then I get annoyed really quickly. So, before you start practicing, clear you mind and let the bean bags do the rest.

Here are some questions that are often asked.

Where should I juggle?

Anywhere you can. If you have something to juggle and a few minutes , you should at least try. It’s new to you, and the only way you’ll get good is if you practice.

Why should I juggle?

Everybody has different reasons. They want a fun hobby, they love the circus and want to join it, or they just saw the circus and were awed!

What is the secret to juggling?

Secret? There’s only one secret I know, and it’s to practice. I know that’s what I keep saying, but there’s really nothing else I can tell you.

Juggling

lw31 — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 14:28:48 +0000

Welcome! You have now entered the magical world of the circus. Where being weird, strange, and different is just part of the act. I’m not telling you that I can get you into the next traveling circus show, but I can show you a really fun hobby and do my best to teach it to you.

One thing I can teach you is how to juggle. It’s really simple, you just have to make sure you DON’T pay attention to whats happening. The second you do, you’ll start to think about it to much and you end up dropping the sacks, pins, or whatever your using. I suggest bean bags or actual juggling balls to start out with. Some people will tell you that you should use scarves, you can try this, but often you’ll start to toss them up with a stronger force because they’re lighter, and when you start with the bean bags, you’ll toss them up to far.

Here’s a video to help you out. Hope you enjoy!