The UNM Unicycling and Juggling Club hopes to drum up interest for the group tonight with a free presentation of world-renowned juggler Jason Garfield at 7:30 p.m. in Woodward Hall.
Garfield, the “bad boy” of professional juggling, will bring his act to campus in a performance sponsored by Student Special Events.
Unicycling and Juggling Club member Harrison Guillory said that it is an excellent opportunity for jugglers, or anyone interested in juggling, to learn something new and be entertained at the same time.
“The reason we’re doing this as a free show is for people who don’t know anything about juggling,” Guillory said. “Seeing him live on stage will be very good exposure for people who want to learn and it should be a great show.”
The Unicycling and Juggling Club meets every Saturday in the South Gym of Johnson Center. Guillory said the club is made up of more than 20 members, all of whom he said are “very skilled and motivated by an obsession to learn more.” He said that anyone and everyone are welcome to attend and learn more about juggling.
“Tossing stuff in the air, riding around on one wheel is a lot of fun,” Guillory said.
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Garfield has won 13 gold medals in juggling competitions including two world juggling competitions.
In a biography on his Web site, Garfield states that in addition to his juggling accomplishments, including juggling a world record 11 balls, he “is currently carrying out plans to take over the world” and “Jason Garfield is the most interesting human being alive.”
Garfield began juggling at age 11 when he saw street jugglers at the Seattle Center in Washington. Two years later, Garfield won the International Jugglers Association junior competition. He owns three Lucas cups, which acknowledges the world’s best juggler, and is the only person ever to win the three IJA senior championships. He has recently released three instructional videos and tours the nation with his act.
Guillory said that anyone who appreciates a good show would enjoy Garfield’s act.
Garfield has been described as part juggler, part stand-up comic and part rebel. He has earned his reputation with an “in your face style,” taunting fellow competitors and officials from the IJA, all to the delight of his fans.
“He is the best in the world,” Guillory said. “What’s really nice is that he’s not just all juggling, he’s the best stage performance out there. He has a very commanding presence.”
