> -----Original Message-----
> From: John Kennett [mailto:yahoogroups@...]
> Sent: 01 April 2002 17:53
> To: mini
> Subject: Re[2]: [uk_jugglers] Incompetent BJC shambles
<snip>

> There wasn't much discussed really. Food and toilets got a mention,
> and someone (sorry, didn't get his name) gave an impassioned plea for
> concessions for the unwaged. This got expanded into how we might
> make next year more "family friendly" as children are the next lot of
> jugglers . . .
>
> We'll have a look at pricing for next year, but are not promising
> anything at the moment.
>
> John

There was at least one person from Cambridge, a juggling busker, who
couldn't afford the price. I suggested he got in contact and suggested
work-for-a-reduced-ticket, dunno if he did.

Before everyone else weighs in with BJC 2002 comments I'll post my own:

Turned up on the Thursday, things were a bit untogether - no hot food on
site, no bitter to drink as the delivery had been late and it hadn't
settled. I found out talking to Stumpy later that they had only expected 100
or so on the Thursday night and 250 turned up - probably due to force of
habit from previous years....However, had a top night saying hello to
everyone and crashed out late.

Woke up to a sunny day and lots more new arrivals. Had a bit of a sore head
(I blame Malte and his vodka). Wandered down for breakfast but it seemed it
was open from 8-10 am only - checked the flyer and the cafe was meant to be
open from 8am-6pm. Had a small whinge at the organisers who sympathised as
they wanted food too! I imagine my whinge contributed to the pressure to get
the burger van on site that night, and also the curry people on the last
night...

Food is always a thorny issue at conventions. If you hire a venue the owners
will often only let you use their catering staff; and generally those who
haven't catered a convention before don't realise that you'll probably be
expected to provide cheap, vege-option nosh to hundreds of people at random
times through the day, or indeed quite how much someone who's juggling all
day can actually put away (I overheard one of the catering people at
Whitstable moan to his mate 'But they just keep coming....' :o). Perhaps for
future events we could compile some statistics to show caterers or
something?

Lots of juggling and sitting about in the sun, and I even quite enjoyed the
first night of Renegade. You can't beat Peewee as a compere, I'm always
amazed by his energy at 2.30 in the morning....Unfortunately can't remember
a thing about the acts. Also caught a band or two, one of which had a friend
from Cambridge playing sax...I asked Roger to go and pogo about on his uni
in front of the band as I had explained to my friend that this sort of thing
tended to happen. Suitable worried looks from the band!

Saturday was much the same, with the weather holding nicely. Took the first
bus into Canterbury before the show and had a nice pizza. After the usual
chaos before the curtain rose (including a massed rocket balloon salute,
very pretty) the show begun....I won't go through every act, but suffice it
to say that the show could have lost 3 or 4 acts and been a lot tighter. The
young Russians were superb though - of course they can play piano, both of
them, while juggling with their spare hands. Also a very nice corde lisse
act, technically perfect and beautifully and humorously played.

A word about one of the acts. This was a contemporary dance piece which in
another setting I would have probably enjoyed (although it was a little
slow). Unfortunately though this act was in front of *completely* the wrong
audience, half of which were bored, and the other half were annoyed because
they could have done much more with the equipment (but only in a 'circus
tricks' way). There was a great deal of strategic coughing and slightly
cynical applause which left me squirming and very relieved when it ended. It
wasn't hard to work out which of this year's acts would make it (albeit in
modified form) to the Renegade...Howard and Barnz duly obliged.

More Renegade, beer, juggling and wandering about aimlessly...I liked the
fact that there were two 24 hour gyms, one with bright lights and no music
for the technical (or sleepy) and the other with UV, decks and sculptures.

Sunday wasn't quite as nice weather wise as the rest of the weekend. It was
spotting with rain which didn't bode well for the parade, but a large
proportion of convention goers duly gathered. We then had an excellent
parade, far more personal than previous years, mainly because we were a
large event in a small town rather than the other way around. Lots of people
waving from their windows, and we ended with games surrounded by a crowd
which was at least 50% general public. Walking back I could see the
organisers had distributed lots of posters advertising the convention,
parade and games, and generally engaged far more with the local people. Well
done for that guys!

Filled up with fish and chips we returned and carried on throwing things
about: headspins with clubs suddenly started working. Which was nice. Stayed
up far too late watching the Renegade, high points included a funny poem
from an elderly lady (sample lines went something like 'Peewee has taught me
lots of new words', '"F*ck off" is one of the things I have heard') and the
entire public show in about 3 minutes a la Reduced Shakespeare Co. Went to
bed late after realising I was talking rubbish at a louder volume than
usual...

Monday. Last days are always a bit odd. Lots of people you wanted to say
goodbye to have already gone, and everyone looks tired. Shot off a little
early to try and avoid the bank holiday traffic. Impressed that the
organisers were already litter picking at 11 a.m. I suspect the site will be
given back pretty well spotless.

So. In general a top weekend, but some lessons to be learned for next year I
think. There's one thing to remember though; BJCs are pretty amazing events,
for what really is very little money, and I've always been impressed that
they happen at all without descending into total chaos. So before you moan
too much about anything put yourself into the shoes of the organisers, who I
hope are still asleep....well done all.


Cheers

Charlie