The Second Annual Damento Juggling Festival

Bill Gilliland and Katje Sabin, directors

2816 Loyola Drive

Davis, CA 95616-1633

(530)758-6459

lots of photo and film ops at the event! drop in or call for more info...

for your convenience, this press release can be downloaded at www.bullwhip.org/damento, or email klsabin@dcn.davis.ca.us to have it emailed as a Word document or text.

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How do you learn to ride a unicycle? What’s the difference between Mill’s Mess and the Over Grover? What is the latest thing in juggling technology? How do you play Fieldball? Where can you see some of the most creative object manipulators alive? You’ll find all the answers – for free – at the second annual Damento Juggling Festival, Feb. 2-4, at the Rec Hall on the UC Davis campus.

Over 300 jugglers and spectators visited the first Damento festival last year. This year, even more are expected to join in the action. Two of the Rec Hall’s upper gyms will be open throughout the festival for juggling practice, impromptu lessons, games and socializing.

Dozens of workshops will be scheduled focusing upon many different subjects and skill levels. Workshops include diabolos, tennis ball/can manipulation, juggling for the blind, unicycles, writing comedy, creativity, dance movement, tumbling, advanced passing patterns; and, of course, basic ball, club and ring juggling instruction.

A showcase of children’s talents – juggling and more – will take the stage Sunday morning (young local hams are encouraged to come and show their stuff – sign up at the fest on Saturday).

The Damento Jugglers are especially pleased to bring two special performers from overseas this year: Sean Gandini and Kati Yla-Hokkala will give several demonstrations and workshops throughout the weekend, in addition to being featured performers at the Saturday night Vaudeville Variety Show.

These two skilled and graceful artists are the founders of the Gandini Juggling Project, an innovative mix of modern dance and fantastic juggling patterns. They have traveled throughout the world with their troupe; the latest series of performances was a year-long engagement at London’s Millennium Dome. They were the People’s Choice award winners at the 1999 International Jugglers Association festival. This will be one of only two exclusive U.S. appearances.

The Vaudeville Variety Show will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, in Freeborn Hall. In addition to the Gandinis, many other talented performers will entertain and amaze the audience. Show tickets are $10 each, $5 for students (available at BASS outlets). The show is being produced by Scott Meltzer, entertainment director for the Pier 39 stage in San Francisco. Proceeds of the show will benefit the Yolo County SPCA.

The festival is free of charge and open to the public. All ages are welcome, although children should be accompanied by a parent. A free program of events will be available at the entrance.

The gym will be open from 6 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday night, 9 a.m.-1 a.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call (530)758-6459 or visit the festival’s Web site, www.bullwhip.org/damento.