By: Esteban Vélez. Elly was a young juggler who, at the beginning of the 20th century, was mentioned in the leading theater and entertainment newspapers of the United States, Canada, and other countries. To date, there is no information about her artistic career or personal life, except for a few reviews of her juggling and balancing act. The press announced …
Rozi-Cassan – Juggling Prodigy
By: Esteban Vélez. As is often the case in the history of juggling and the circus in general, there are many artists about whom very little is known. In many cases, the only records consist of their stage names, brief mentions in newspapers of the time, advertisements for their shows, or scattered references in local archives. There are jugglers who, …
The Calamar Game
By: Esteban Vélez. On June 24, 2026, at 6:04 p.m. (local time), Venezuela suffered a powerful earthquake measuring 7.2 on the seismic scale. The epicenter was near San Felipe, Yaracuy state. Just 39 seconds later, the country experienced a second, much stronger earthquake of magnitude 7.5. Its epicenter was in the municipality of Yumare, Yaracuy. According to reports from the …
15 Years of the IJA Regional Competitions
By: Esteban Vélez. Natalia Díaz and Diego Blandón, winners of the IRC Colombia 2025. Photo: Manizales International Theatre Festival. The 50th edition of the International Juggling Association Regional Competition (IRC) took place on June 20th at the Ensenada State Arts Center in Baja California, Mexico, as part of the Ensenada International Circus Festival. It coincided with World Juggling Day. To …
Jump Rope Training: The Juggler’s Essential Guide to Cardiovascular Fitness
By Francisco Javier Rodriguez Bernal While strength training is certainly crucial, cardiovascular fitness is a physical imperative that no professional juggler can afford to neglect. The demands of high-level stage performance require a consistent training plan focused on both improving and maintaining endurance. A juggling routine or act demands sustained physical effort while manipulating various props and performing under the …
Joe Cook and the 5 Indian Clubs
By: Esteban Vélez. “…we must love our work so much that the time we have to be away from it hurts.” Joe Cook. Joe Cook was one of the most successful vaudeville performers. His name can be placed alongside artists like W.C. Fields or Fred Allen. He could do, among other things: sing, dance, act, juggle balls and clubs, …
11 Rings, 11 Jugglers
By: Esteban Vélez. EDITOR’S NOTE: The list below is not comprehensive, but is meant to highlight a significant technical juggling achievement in various contexts (practice, performance, etc,.) “Purely technical jugglers reach their peak in their twenties. As they age, they survive by developing their personality.” Arthur Lewbel. Juggling more than 9 objects was long considered an almost impossible feat …
Ratiani – Juggler and Illusionist
By: Esteban Vélez. Ratiani. Ratiani was a Soviet juggler, magician, illusionist, and circus director. His career as an artist and director was openly recognized by the cultural authorities of the USSR. Otar Aleksandrovich Ratiani was born on June 23, 1920 (believed to have been born in Russia). In 1940, he graduated from the State University of Arts with his act …
Henri Agoust’s Dream – The Restaurant Juggler
By: Esteban Vélez. Henri Agoust was a multidisciplinary artist who mastered juggling, as well as pantomime and ballet. He was born on June 22, 1840. Between 1860 and 1870, he performed in circuses and street shows with juggling and balancing routines. He married the trapeze artist Rosita Zanfretta, who performed under the name Azella. In 1878, Agoust joined the Hanlon-Lees …