Saturday, January 29, 2011

Emceeing the Victoria Juggling Festival


We will be emceeing the Victoria Juggling Festival Gala Show on Sat. Feb.19.  There will be a phenomenal line-up of professional jugglers assembled at the Metro theatre.  Instead of the normal cabaret style show, Chris and I will be weaving a story to tie together all of the fabulous performers. 

Contact us immediately to get tickets.  The Metro is almost sold out already!  Whew, it is going to be a full house.

The entire festival runs from Feb.18-20.  We would love to see you there. 

Friday, January 28, 2011

Thanks Diane!

You may have noticed that there were many beautiful pictures from the Haunted House and my show with Shpongle, taken by Diane Smithers.

Here's yet another one she recently posted.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Jammin' With Giovanni Hidalgo!

I had an incredible stroke of luck this afternoon to have the great conga player Giovanni Hidalgo, one of the best drummers in the history of the universe, put on a workshop 5 blocks from my house.  I got to play with him on stage, man, having Giovanni watching me play was very thrilling.  I have been studying his techiniques for years and to be sitting there in front of this legend listening to me play was so exciting!  He told me that I am a doing really good and can see all of the practice I have been doing.  I can't tell you how good that made me feel.  From the legend's own mouth!  Extraordinary!

If you do not know who Giovanni Hidalgo is, please take 4 minutes and watch this master at work.  Every hand drummer must pay homage to this man as he revolutionized its playing.


Tuesday, January 11, 2011

A Very Peculiar Machine

Along with Ari Lazer and Martin Reisle, I've been working on a kids show called "a Very Peculiar Machine." The show is being prepared for Artstarts, an organization that books educational entertainment into schools around British Colombia.

Our show features Dr. Terwilliger, a scientist who has created a machine that can gather stories right out of the air! The doctor and his engineer plan to create a magnificent museum of stories for people to come and see, but only for a healthy sum. Unfortunately, the machine is having trouble pumping out stories, so they go to the kids for advice (or, maybe just to steal their creativity...)

The show touches on the importance of stories, the power of imagination and the value of collaboration and sharing.

Chris

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Winter Training with Peter and Ninon

It is always a pleasure to train with Peter and Ninon.  They have decades of circus wisdom to impart.  I have great respect for them.  You will be hard pressed to find more professional training on the West Coast of Canada.  If you are thinking about joining the circus big leagues, these are the people you need to talk to.

Check them out:
http://www.undergroundcircus.ca/

JAKE