IJA eNewsletter – January 2026

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www.juggle.org		 IJA eNewsletter
January 2026Editors: Don Lewis & Martin Frost
(ijanews@juggle.org)

 

CONTENTS

  • The IJA has a mission… Does it have a vision on how to get there?
  • IJA Festival in Fort Wayne, Indiana, July 27-August 2, 2026
  • The 2026 IJA Film Festival
  • Living Legends Fund
  • Nominations open for IJA Honorary Awards
  • Flamingo Club Award nominations open
  • Sky Kng Award nominations open
  • 2026 IJA Festival scholarship applications open
  • 2028 IJA Festival Director – Call for letters of interest for the 81st annual festival
  • Save the date: Fort Wayne Walking Tour & Pub Crawl
  • YJA Badge Book
  • IJA Board meetings
  • Upcoming juggling festivals (and juggling clubs)
  • Latest from eJuggle: podcasts & articles

 

 

The IJA has a mission… Does it have a vision on how to get there?  Benjamin Domask-Ruh

Hello, again, IJA Community!

Big toss up Quebec 2015

I’m so happy to get to write to all of you as we officially find ourselves one month into 2026.  I am currently sitting at home, at my dining table, here in St. Paul, MN.  My cat is sitting on the window bench atop a radiator.  I imagine she likes the warm air rising up while she leans against the chilly glass.  The current temperature is a balmy 4º (Fahrenheit – that’s -15º C)!  The air is cold with biting frost and the roads are covered in dangerous ice.  I love the Minnesota winter, but sometimes you need to recharge.  Which is why I am glad I’ve gotten to travel a bit during this time!

During this month I was able to attend two juggling festivals (and one annual circus business meeting)!  The juggling festivals were MadFest in Madison, Wisconsin, and Game of Throws in Palo Alto, California.  It was great to see and talk to some of you readers!  I appreciate hearing when these updates resonate with things you have been thinking about.  It is encouraging, to me, to keep writing about things I have been thinking about!

We finished up last year with a deep dive into the IJA’s Mission.  Which is all fine and dandy!  We could leave it there.  The next logical question is… how?  If ‘To Render Assistance to Fellow Jugglers’ is our why, how will we achieve that?

The beauty of the IJA as an organization is our strong community.  Community is something I have thought a lot about this past month.  Especially as we continue planning our 79th annual festival this year, I think, “How did the IJA make it to almost 80 years as a community?”  What values are jugglers showing up with in the gym?  What attitudes are we taking away with us when we return home from a festival?  How do we adapt our teaching when we meet someone new to juggling to help them get over that tricky technique we all struggled with in the beginning?

I found the answers to these questions by looking around the gym at the festivals this month.  I continuously saw values of joy, assistance, and patience from community members to those leading the festivals.  I felt comradery and encouragement from acquaintances in the gym practicing near each other.  I saw people adapting to the needs of others when teaching in the beginners section or when volunteer hands were requested.

The how is pretty clear to me: we continue providing a space for jugglers to come together, where they can learn and care for one another, and where we meet and welcome each other whether they are spinning a plate, wearing a club hat, throwing drumsticks at a cymbal, or trying to run that frustrating pattern 34567.  (I’m working on it!)  But there is still more to this vision, which we will talk about in the next newsletter.  Stay tuned!

Until then, if you have a vision of things you want to bring to the IJA, you’re always welcome to reach out to me at ija.chair@juggle.org.  And remember, members are welcome to attend Board meetings.  Just email me for the Zoom link!

Staying Warm,
Benjamin Domask-Ruh
IJA Board Chair

 

 

IJA Festival in Fort Wayne, Indiana, July 27-August 2, 2026  Corey Hollinger

2026 IJA Festival in Fort Wayne, IN

Welcome to 2026 – Another New Year!  In true “fresh start” seasonal fashion, I’ll be starting a new job in the coming weeks, which (along with yet another opportunity to explain to colleagues that not only do I spend my free time juggling alone, I really do travel to do so with others) has brought about some reflections I’ll offer as we look forward to this year’s festival.

I’m excited to return to the host city where I attended my first IJA in Fort Wayne.  As a native Hoosier I’ve been blessed to experience IJA in the state where I’ve worked for over a decade to bring other circus, flow, juggling, and art events to life.  I remember the spectacle of stepping into the convention hall for the first time in 2019 and all the awestruck, inspired, and, to be truthful, intimidating thoughts and feelings that came along with that menagerie of sights and sounds.

As a relatively new juggler coming to my first event, I was fortunate to quickly find an opportunity to integrate when I heard a call asking for stage hands for the Championships show.  My inner theater kid rejoicing, I went about having a week filled with practice, play, learning, and witnessing even more mind-blowing juggling at the events, activities, and showcases.  Of all those experiences as a newcomer, the kindness, joy, and gratitude shared with me by the competitors and staff of the Championships left an impact that would far outlast the swirling memories of high-flying props.

Cut to the present and that’s what keeps me coming back and continuing to invest in the connections the juggling community creates for its members.  See, to a certain degree even today, I’m not particularly of service to others by having them watch my juggling (shout out to the gawkers at the climbing gym where I practice sometimes).  But I’ve spent my life in entertainment and hospitality creating experiences, stories and memories, and falling in love with supporting missions that do so for others.

Now, after multiple years of assisting with the madness and magic of backstage at a Championships or Cascade of Stars showcase, I’ll be returning to the city that started it for me as a member of the Festival Core team for another new adventure in bringing the IJA festival to the great state of Indiana.  As I volunteer to facilitate many of those events and activities that I simply watched at my first festival, I look forward to the new connections and memories to be made with those who create and attend the workshops, X-Juggling, prop competitions, Joggling, Juggling Games, history, art, entertainment, and more.  It all happens because one (or many) of us decides they’re going to help make it.

It took just a few hours at an IJA Festival for me to be presented with an opportunity to contribute my passion to the event in 2019.  Of course, not all new beginnings are the same, and I know that not every attendee may feel so lucky as I was back then.  So as I work to create another festival, I will do my best to invoke the welcoming and celebratory spirit that I witness in so many others within our community.

As we move into this new year, may we all open our hearts to the offerings of our neighbors and fellow jugglers.  May that kindness, and all the things we juggle, all come back around in the end.

Here’s to starting new.

 

 

The 2026 IJA Film Festival  Nathan Wakefield

2026 IJA Film FestivalIt’s BACK!  For only the second time in history and the first time since 2019, the International Jugglers’ Association Festival will include a film festival event as part of our annual festival.  We want your film to be a part of it!

We are looking for juggling-themed films in the categories of comedy, action, drama, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, musical, parody, or mystery.  We’re not looking for juggling trick videos.  Instead, we want narrative films with a plot that somehow involve juggling in an important way.  The films don’t even have to include juggling but could take place in the juggling community or be about juggling.  Below are the eligibility requirements.

  • Submissions must be PG-13 or lower in terms of content.
  • Applicants must be IJA members.
  • One submission per IJA member.
  • Films must be between 3 to 20 minutes in length.
  • Films must follow a narrative structure with juggling being a focal point.
  • Applicants are highly recommended to attend the festival, but do not have to be present at the event to participate.
  • Submissions must be shot specifically for this event and may not be screened publicly prior to the IJA Film Festival.
  • Film makers retain 100% ownership of their films and may do whatever they wish with their films (enter into other film festivals, post online, etc.) after the IJA Film Festival concludes.
  • Films must be made organically with real human elements.  Submissions that are AI generated are not allowed.  Traditional animation and stop-motion are permitted.
  • There is room for a maximum of ten entries total.  In the event that the number of qualified entries exceeds that number, the organizer will select the top films that best match the above criteria to screen at the event.

To submit your film, upload the digital file (MP4, landscape, and 1080 or 4k preferred) to a file sharing site (Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.), then email and share the video with the organizer, Nathan Wakefield at: nrwakefield@gmail.com

Films need to be submitted by May 29th, 2026.  The films selected will be screened at the IJA Festival in Fort Wayne, IN, during the week of July 27‑August 2, 2026.  The winner will be chosen by audience vote at the event, and will receive a film festival trophy and a special juggling goodie bag as a prize.  It is recommended to email the organizer in advance if you have intent to participate or if you have any questions.  If you have an interesting idea for a juggling short film, don’t be shy – this is a fun event and we look forward to seeing your films!

 

 

Living Legends Fund  Biz Olbrisch

We love seeing new faces at the Annual Festival and want to encourage our members to support our scholarship fund and invite new jugglers to apply.  We’d also like to let members know about an informal way to make sure we don’t miss out on seeing some of our living legends while we still can.

Last year, longtime IJA members and organizers Miz Tilly and Mike Sullivan put together a personal fund to reach out and make offers to help a couple of long time IJA attendees – legends whose names you surely know – make it to the festival.  Would you like to lend your support to this effort?  Is there a face from the past you really miss seeing at the festival?  Contact ijallf@msms.email to find out more.

Note that donations to this generous member initiative are not tax deductible.  Donations to the IJA Scholarship Fund at juggle.org/donate are tax deductible and the scholarship application has no age limit.

 

 

Nominations open for IJA Honorary Awards  Afton BensonHonorary Awards

Nominations for the 2026 IJA Honorary Awards are open.  All the different awards and previous winners are displayed here.

Nominate someone or yourself today!  Nominations are due by 11:59pm PST on Feb 6, 2026.

 

Flamingo Club Award nominations open  Afton Benson

The IJA Flamingo Club is accepting nominations for the 2026 Flamingo Club Award.  The Flamingo Club provides the recognition, support and encouragement of female-identifying and non-binary persons, children, and families, in order to build a more inclusive juggling community.

The award is given to highlight a female-identifying or non-binary person who has shown outstanding support, inspirational skill, or exceptional promotion of juggling.

Individuals can, and are encouraged to, nominate themselves.

Nominate someone or yourself today!  Nominations are due by 11:59pm PST on Feb 6, 2026.

The Flamingo Club is one of the IJA programs that are supported by donations from jugglers around the world.  Want to ensure the IJA has the means to support these and other programs?  Please donate here today!  Any questions can be directed to treasurer@juggle.org.

 

Sky King Award nominations open  Paris

The Sky King Award committee is accepting nominations for the 2026 Sky King Award.  The award is given in recognition of outstanding dedication to furthering diversity and equity in the juggling community by a BIPOC member of that community.

Individuals can, and are encouraged to, nominate themselves.

Nominate someone or yourself today!  Nominations are due by 11:59pm PST on Feb 6, 2026.

 

 

2026 IJA Festival scholarship applications open  Afton Benson, IJA Treasurer

The IJA J. Todd Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund is now accepting applications for 2026 IJA Festival Scholarships.  If you have wanted to attend an IJA Festival but have not had a chance and some support would help, apply!  Priority will be given to individuals who have not attended an IJA Festival before.  You can find the scholarship application here.  Please share info about this scholarship far and wide – it is open to jugglers around the world.

Applications close at 11:59pm PDT on March 15, 2026.  Scholarships will start being awarded (and recipients notified) before the application deadline.  The last awardees will be informed by May at the latest.

This fund is named in honor of Todd Smith, one of the world’s top manufacturers of juggling equipment.  Todd was known for giving away props to aspiring jugglers and had the nickname of “the juggler’s friend”.  This scholarship fund will support new jugglers who have not had the chance to attend an IJA Festival.

Big thanks go to the fund’s donors for their generosity: Arthur Lewbel, Mike and Marilyn Sullivan, Unna Med, and a number of other jugglers.  Since 2022, the Scholarship Fund has provided support to 92 jugglers from around the world to attend the annual IJA Festival.

Interested in supporting the J. Todd Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund?  Fantastic!  You can donate here today.  Any questions can be directed to treasurer@juggle.org.

 

 

2028 IJA Festival Director – Call for letters of interest for the 81st annual festival  Ross Berenson

The IJA is looking for a passionate, creative individual to be Festival Director for the 81st IJA Festival.  It’s taking place during the week of July 17‑23, 2028, in South Bend, IN.  This is an exciting opportunity to produce a week-long juggling festival!  Help bring together artists, volunteers, partners, and the board to create inspiring shows, games, workshops, and other new ideas.  We’re starting the process early to give you extra time to collaborate and learn from past directors.  This role is your chance to contribute to the juggling community in big ways!  If you want to help create something unforgettable, we’d love to hear from you.

Learn more.

 

 

Save the date: Fort Wayne Walking Tour & Pub Crawl
Mike Sullivan, Advisory Future Festival Site Coordinator

Veteran IJA festival-goers are unanimous: Fort Wayne is among the very best destinations ever for an IJA festival.  The reasons are so easy to see when you’re there: beautiful, modern facilities, all so incredibly close and connected, and a huge selection of downtown restaurants and bars to enjoy all week long.  So many, in fact, that you’ll want a guided tour of all the best ones to kick off the week!

So make plans to be in town in time to join our annual Walking Tour & Pub Crawl, kicking off in the early afternoon of Monday, July 27, 2026.

Even if you were in Fort Wayne in 2019 for IJA 72, there have been so many great updates and additions to the downtown scene: Promenade Park, The Landing, Birdie’s, Burger Bar, Conner’s Rooftop, The Fairfield, and more.  There’s no way you can find them all on your own, but we’ve ‘been there, seen all that,’ and have the best ones picked out for our fun, casual afternoon.

We all had a total blast on last year’s Crawl in Evansville, so be sure to join us for an even more awesome afternoon in Fort Wayne!

Watch for full details on tickets and more coming this spring.

 

 

YJA Badge BookThe Juggler's Badge Book

Did you know that the IJA’s Youth Juggling Academy has a book?  It does!

The Juggler's Badge Book

The Juggler’s Badge Book is the ultimate companion for aspiring jugglers of any age!  Track your progress, unlock achievements, and earn badges as you learn the art of juggling.  With its engaging format and rewarding sticker system, The Juggler’s Badge Book makes learning to juggle an exciting and fulfilling adventure.  Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned juggler, let The Juggler’s Badge Book be your guide to skillful juggling and a collection of well-earned accomplishments.  Start achieving your juggling journey today!

The Juggler’s Badge Book is $25 and makes a great gift!  Purchase yours today!  Proceeds go to supporting further YJA initiatives and advancing the IJA’s mission to render assistance to fellow jugglers.

Published by the International Jugglers’ Association in collaboration with Modern Vaudeville Press.

 

 

IJA Board meetingsIJA Board meetings

IJA Board meetings are open to all IJA members and are hosted on Zoom.  To find out the times of this month’s vision and business meetings, or to attend, please email ija.chair@juggle.org and say which meeting you’re interested in.

 

 

Upcoming juggling festivals (and juggling clubs)

For a list of upcoming juggling festivals, please visit our friends over at The Juggling Edge.

While you’re there, visit their list of juggling clubs.

 

 

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