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Our
History Our history as a performing troupe can be described in
three distinct sections. The sections would be The Cincinnati Club Club,
Jugglers Ink, and Juggler Dave and Friends. Prior to any of these we each
have our own personal histories. Many of us joined The Cincinnati Club
Club having already performed in one way or another. Arn is still a legend
at Purdue. Rachel had
performed in several Madrigal dinners, Dave had performed at the Ohio
Renaissance festival, and Rochelle had received training from the great Tom
Sparrow. Our individual histories are described in greater detail within
the biography section, sufficed to say that we all met at The Cincinnati Club
Club.
The Cincinnati Club Club was founded by Rochelle McCollom
and Merry Spar in 1991. Both had received training from Tom Sparrow and
both had joined the International Juggling Association or I.J.A. The club
was founded and maintains the idea that all jugglers are welcome to, "Come Throw
Up with Us." It was at The Cincinnati Club Club that we all met, as we
became friends and grew in our juggling prowess we soon discovered that people
liked watching us juggle. This seems a bit naive in retrospect, but we
simply liked to juggle. In time people began requesting shows, which we
did because we were flattered to be asked. In more time people began
requesting repeated performances and our social calendar began to fill. It
was our Queen Rochelle (affectionately named this because of her formative roll
and her charismatic personality) who suggested to us that we could ask for
payment in return for shows. It was a simple suggestion, but with it we
were catapulted into the next phase of our juggling semi-professionals. It
was agree that we should not use the name, "The Cincinnati Club Club." It
was important to us that the club remain to encourage the art and sport of
juggling. We chose a new name to perform under, and Juggler's Ink was
born.
Juggler's Ink was ironically the suggestion of the woman
who had began The Cincinnati Club Club. Rochelle was now responsible for
the beginnings of two major juggling developments in Cincinnati. At
Rochelle's suggestion someone else was needed to run Juggler's Ink the role fell
to Dave Willacker who began organizing the group. Many suggestions came
from many members the end result was a company that wore costumes, performed
strolls and stage shows, and was willing to custom tailor shows, (hence Ink
instead of Inc.). As time went by the group performed many places and
while always great jugglers, became better and better as performers. They
developed a great deal of original material, some of which has drifted into the
general market. After several years as Juggler's Ink during which some of
the original members moved on and much growth had occurred. The title
Juggler's Ink, was beginning to be called into question. In addition to
personnel additions and subtractions two major changes had occurred Dave
Willacker had become a full time professional juggler and had become the focal
point of the groups performances, and the group needed a name that reflected the
fluidity of the group members. A new name was chosen, Juggler Dave and
Friends.
Juggler Dave and Friends is our finest hour yet to date.
We continue to improve and excel, but the new name reflects the additions of
some seasoned independent performers to the group and the accumulation of our
many skills. We now perform at very large events, in addition to still
being available for the occasional birthday party. We have continued our
tradition of performing customized shows and we're confident that we can
entertain any audience. Juggler Dave and Friends practices comedy
entertainment designed to make anyone laugh and use lots of volunteers.
Many of use are members of the International Juggling Association and the World
Clown Organization. Our most cherished membership, however, is to The
Cincinnati Club Club where we still laugh and throw things at one another.
What do we offer?
Six of our members are professional Jugglers.
Six of our members juggle fire.
Four of our members are accomplished Renaissance Actors.
Four of our members are professional Stilt walkers. Performing in
several costumes including: Uncle Sam, Festival, Mardi Gras,
Jester, Cowboy, Elf, and Tuxedo.
Three of our members Unicycle.
Two of our members bull whip.
Two of our members are fencers
Two or our members own catapults.
One of our members eats fire.
One of our members does fire poi to music.
One of our members Mimes.
One of our members has a Masters in Theology.
One of our members does trick roping.
One of our members can balance chairs on his chin.
All of our members make excellent creative Balloon Animals.
All of our members are awesome!
Where do we perform?
Birthday parties
Wedding Receptions
Libraries
Schools
Festivals
Corporations
Offices
Churches
Retreats
Christmas Parties
Colleges
Picnics
Parades
Shakespeare Festivals
Sports Events
Half Times
Who else do we know and can recommend?
Magicians
Face Painters
Clowns
Disc Jockeys
Caricaturists
Ventriloquists
Puppeteers
Masters of Ceremony
Why go with a troupe?
One of the benefits to going with a group of entertainers as opposed to
gathering them a little bit at a time or through an agency is that we know each
other. Juggler Dave and Friends is exactly that, we are a group of friends
who enjoy juggling and performing together. The benefits to the consumer
are many...
We're used
to entertaining together
We know
each others strengths and play off of each other
We set up
each others jokes
We tease
people together
Together
we juggle around people
We have
matching professional costumes.
If a
life event comes up, we don't have to cancel.
You
can just write one check.
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Dave, Santa, and Arnold Opening day for the Dayton Dragons.