Bellingham Juggling Club (how original, right?
In what city and state?
Bellingham, WA
How old is your club?
Roughly 10 years old
Website?
http://bellinghamcircusguild.com , I guess. It is technically a website for our host Bellingham Circus Guild, but you can find the times, etc. on their calendar.
History of the club?
There was this guy named Ryan who was totally awesome. He thought, "Dang, I sure would like people to juggle with." He was in college at the time, and as everyone knows, college kids don't have anything better to do. But it turns out that it was a high schooler, Lebn, not a slack-about college kid that was the co-founder. They juggled and made merry. At the time the club was associated with Western Washington University. For many years, it continued the association with the college, in the winter meeting in their multi-purpose room and in the summer meeting at a beautiful park on the water. After all the hardcore members of the club graduated college (many many years later), the club spun off as its own deal, continuing to meet in the park during the summer, but in a warehouse of hidden glee in the off months.
Although technically a warehouse, the Cirque Lab is any jugglers dream. As a home for the Bellingham Circus guild, there's a stage, aerial rigging, and more props/toys than you can shake a stick at. Unicycles, walking globes, mats, rings, clubs, wiffle ball bats, bowling balls, and more are scattered about, just waiting for playful jugglers to send them aloft. The space has moved a couple times but always maintains it's character and verve. (Check the website to find it's current location.)
How many "regulars" do you have at your club?
None, obviously. Isn't "regular juggler" an oxymoron? As for how many people have semi-consistent attendance, it varies. In the summer, having numbers as high as 30 is not uncommon, since Bellingham is a wonderful place for itinerant circus folk to flock during the non-rainy season. In the winter, 20 attendees is a good night.
What is the age range of your Juggling Club participants?
Oh, 11 or so to 55(?). It is rude to ask about people's age, so I can tell you how old Karl is exactly. His beard is grey, I can tell you that much.
What kind of non-juggling jobs/careers do your jugglers have?
Ha! I mean, computer programmer, yoga instructor, waitress, "full-time" performer, housesitter, dog trainer, mechanic, gardener, and yarn-shop attendant, but in general, few of us are full-time 9-5ers and take what comes.
What brand of clubs do people juggle mostly?
Renegade reigned supreme for the first couple years of the club, but slowly, PX3s have infested our ranks now to the point of 80% saturation.
We are a club strongly focused on club passing. We work beginning patterns and basic tricks (not forgetting to spend due time on multi-hand passing patterns like 3 count). We also do a lot of numbers passing (8 and 9 club, 7 club ultimates), and higher technical patterns (Y-not, pass-pass-self-pass-pass-zip-self, etc.). But pretty much all passing is fair game!
Are you just jugglers or are other circus arts practiced?
Lots and lots (and lots) of circus arts are practiced. The only thing we have a deficiency of are diaboloists and poi spinners (although I secretly think there are some closet-ed poi spinners who are just too ashamed to reveal themselves).
Do you have any performers at your club?
Yep, lots. Lots and lots, in fact. Jason Quick, Jules ,Strangely, Juggling Jollies, Justin Credible, Chipps, Amiel (occasional member of Flying Karamazov Brothers), Nobody's Fools.
Does your club organize a festival?
There were about 3 or 4 Bellingham Juggling Festivals in the first years of the club. Then, in conjunction with the Lookout Arts Quarry, we helped with the Circus Campout, which was so fun, we're going to have to do it again. (You should really come. It's a blast.)
Ratio of males to females?
65% males 35% female. Ish.
Do you all hang out together outside of juggling club?
Yes. Come hang out with us!