By David Cain Author’s Note: In 2015, I introduced the juggling world to Ollie Young, an important and innovative juggler who had been almost completely forgotten. In 2025, I was contacted by an attorney who lived in Columbus, Ohio, Ollie Young’s hometown. He told me that his great uncle had been a very close friend to Ollie’s widow and that …
Juggling at the 2026 Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival
By: Esteban Vélez. The Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival is considered the most important in the circus world. It was created in 1974 by Prince Rainier III of Monaco to showcase and promote the circus. Advertisement for the Monte Carlo International Circus Festival. It takes place in early January each year and features around 25 shows, overseen by Princess Stephanie of …
Ollie Young and Brother / Brothers
By David Cain Author’s Note: In 2015, I introduced the juggling world to Ollie Young, an important and innovative juggler who had been almost completely forgotten. In 2025, I was contacted by an attorney who lived in Columbus, Ohio, Ollie Young’s hometown. He told me that his great uncle had been a very close friend to Ollie’s widow and that …
Old Man Lanling – the Juggling Swordsman
By: Esteban Vélez. Drawing of the old man Lanling juggling swords. The earliest records of Chinese juggling can be found in Chinese literature, where writers, poets, and historians recount the feats and skills of, among others, some Chinese warriors, mainly soldiers, who juggled for emperors, prefects, or authorities of the time. Although such feats are not confirmed, they are deeply …
Ollie Young – The Early Years
By David Cain Author’s Note: In 2015, I introduced the juggling world to Ollie Young, an important and innovative juggler who had been almost completely forgotten. In 2025, I was contacted by an attorney who lived in Columbus, Ohio, Ollie Young’s hometown. He told me that his great uncle had been a very close friend to Ollie’s widow and that …
The Old School Spinning Card Prop
By David Cain In July of 2025, the Museum of Juggling History was given a box of props and memorabilia that belonged to The Great Knetzger, a juggler who was active from the 1890s until at least the 192os. You can click here to learn more about Knetzger. Among the items in the box were six old playing card props …
Best of 2025 in Regional Juggling Festivals (and Unicycling or Diabolo Events)
By JoAnn Ireland In the spirit of recounting juggling events as we all collectively get ready to ring in the New Year, here are my highlights from the regional juggling festivals (and unicycling or diabolo championships) that I had the opportunity to attend this year. A running theme for all of these juggling festivals is that all skill levels are …
The Picture Frame Trick
By David Cain Salerno was one of the “Big Three” jugglers at the end of the 1800s and beginning of the 20th century, along with Paul Cinquevalli and Kara. All three specialized in using common household objects rather than prop made specifically for jugging. One of the most famous of Salerno’s tricks is also one that he is rarely given …
Christmas Tales – The Clown of God
By: Esteban Vélez. One of the most famous Christmas tales featuring jugglers is “Le Jongleur de Notre Dame,” or, in its translation, “The Juggler of Our Lady,” created by the French writer Anatoli France in the 1890s and included in an 1892 collection of stories by the same author. The story is based on the life of Bernabé, a humble …