Juggling can seem near impossible to the average Joe.
But Newcastle’s Circus Avalon director John Campbell says, with a little perseverance, anyone can do it.
“There wouldn’t be a single person in Australia who couldn’t learn to juggle,” he tells Newcastle Weekly.
“I even taught a vision-impaired person to juggle once. It took a while, but we got there. Because juggling is about throwing, not catching.”
If you’ve always wanted to try your hand at juggling, here’s your chance: Circus Avalon is hosting the Newcastle Juggling Convention at Callaghan College Waratah from Friday 25 to Monday 28 January.
There will be workshops each day from 10am, catered to beginner, intermediate and advanced skill levels.
Around 100 of the greatest jugglers from across the country (12 of them ‘Avaloonies’) will be on hand to share their knowledge.
“Jugglers are a bit evangelical – they love to teach people,” Campbell adds.
If you’d prefer to sit back and watch, performers will put on a public show inside the Circus Avalon big top on Saturday 26 January (Australia Day) from 7.30pm.
The audience is in for a treat, with jugglers attempting newly-attained skills, meaning you can expect much more from it than a regular, polished circus act.
A Morning Tea with the Elders also offers the chance to glean insider tips from some of the oldest, most experienced jugglers in Australia.
“They generally aren’t juggling anymore, but their idea of ‘not juggling’ is still amazing,” Campbell says.
This year’s four-day event, which was founded in 2014 after the Sydney convention drew to a close, will feature guests Joe and Byron from JuggLife.
Four-day passes are available for $90 each, while a single day pass costs $25.
Go to newcastlejuggling.com.au for more information.
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