The Juggling and Physical Arts Club: A lot more than just Juggling!
Linda Vongkhamchanh
Issue date: 9/29/05 Section: editor's picks
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Versus Magazine Online [Image based format]
When the days are warm and sunny, and skies clear, you have probably seen these guys around, hanging out on Alumni Lawn, just having a good time, doing nothing other than juggling. Yes, we have all seen them, sharing the lawn with the usual rugby players or ultimate frisbee fanatics. Not only are these guys fans of juggling, but also they are part of the Juggling and Physical Arts Club (JPAC), a club that consists of students who enjoy juggling and different types of physical arts. They juggle various items from balls to clubs to diabolos (Chinese yo-yos), and even staff spinning. Other physical arts include all things circus-oriented, such as gymnastics, acrobatics, and break dancing.
JPAC was founded as a small group a little more than two years ago by Daniel Schuler, current president of JPAC and a senior in the School of Engineering, but now people are lining up to join this fun-filled, relaxed, and interactive club.
"We're open to ideas. It's all about physical comedy. We don't take ourselves too seriously. Just about anything goes," said Schuler.
At the meetings of this free club (It's true... no member dues!), members come and share their ideas with the other members, then practice commences.
Since the end of last year, break dancing has become a bigger component of JPAC, attracting another type of crowd. Andrew Lin, vice-president of JPAC, helped incorporate break dancing into the club. Juggling and break dancing have stark differences, but nonetheless, members can get involved in one or both of the activities.
"Sometimes there's a crossover, and sometimes it's separate, and that's fine," said Schuler. "We just want everyone who is interested to do what they like."
However, the meetings are separate for break dancing and juggling, since break dancing requires a very different environment. The break dancers will be making trips to Rocketown, a youth club and music venue, to take part in break dancing competitions with other area performers and kids.