Grandpa's Trunk show

My "Grandpa's Juggling Trunk" show is an exploration of the props and memories found in "Grandpa's" old trunk, the relic of his world-spanning career as a juggler.

From my beat-up trunk come an assortment of juggling props, each with a story that relates to Grandpa's travels around the world as a juggler.

I start the show by teaching the audience how to be an Amazing Aaron audience...when to count me off, when to applaud, and especially how to shout "That's Amazing" if I should drop something. I mean, you wouldn't want me to get embarrased.

This is silly and works like a charm. I now find that people I hardly know holler "That's Amazing" to me when I run into them on the street.

The prop routines neatly divide the show into chunks, so I can adjust the length of the show by adding or omitting routines. I start with a three-ball routine, and then perform the devil stick, followed by spinning plates and then clubs. Then I may do my Dice Box routine, a four-object juggling set using large rubber dice. Then I do cigar boxes (hey, I've got video of that), some audience participation tricks, and finish with a balance board act...juggling clubs while spinning a plate on a stick in my mouth, all while balancing on a board on a roller.

Each routine is two to three minutes long (the audience particpation takes longer), and the whole is about 30 minutes long.

I'm not currently using any sound amplification or lighting, so I can show up to a site, open the box, and get started right away. Before I get started, I lay out a rope line to let the audience know where they can sit and where they can't.

If you're interested in booking a show, go here.

Booking a show from the Amazing Aaron

So, you want a juggling show? Here's what you need to do:

View the available shows page to get an idea of what is available, then send e-mail to aaron AT damommio DOT com.

Let me know:

• The date of the show.
• The age range of the audience.
• Any special requests (fire? unicycle?) or things to avoid (fire? knives?)
• Your contact information (e-mail and phone, including a day-of-the-show phone number for emergencies).

And consider what I'll need:

• Performance space: Usually a 10' diameter semicircle, unless I'm doing a wandering juggler act.
• Light: Juggling takes light....lots more than a music act needs.
  
• Sound: I don't require sound amplification. But are there other activities going on that will drown out my mostly verbal act? I'll need to know about them; we should discuss the situation. Are there noisy machines? Air conditioners? Musical acts? Yes, I have a painful anecdote for each of these. :)  Hey, I can do a silent act if I need to, but I'd like to know that before I get there. 
  

When I get your message, I'll get back to you to let you know whether I'm available, quote you a price, and talk about any remaining details.

Available shows

Grandpa's Trunk

• A half-hour to 45-minute show
• Includes an assortment of juggling tricks involving reluctant clubs, dancing balls, flashy boxes, and flying sticks. For a detailed description, click here.
• Requires a 10'-wide semicircle performance area with a hard floor or berber carpet, indoor or outdoor
• For outdoor shows, please have a backup indoor area available in case of rain or strong winds.
• Most enjoyed by ages 5 and up

Festival Show

• Unicycling and juggling
• Festival Wandering

Table Tricks

• Great for group parties
• Cigar boxes featured
• Most enjoyed by ages 10 to adult

Renaissance Repoirtoire

• I have a renaissance-style costume ready so that I can provide your Madrigal Dinner, Renaissance feast, party, or festival with period-style juggling.
• More than ten years of experience performing in the University of Texas Madrigal Dinner. I've produced 'em, written 'em, and performed in 'em. 

Balance and Motion

• 
  
  A 30-minute show tailored for 2nd grade science curriculums using the Balance and Motion Foss kit.
• 
  
  Requires a 10' wide semicircle performance area with a hard floor or berber carpet.
• See also this post.
• Adam Turner and Kelly Matlock, 2nd grade teachers at Townsell Elementary, Irving ISD, say:
  
  The Amazing Aaron's "Balance and Motion Juggling Show" created a balanced learning environment, where our kids were able to concretely relate the balance/motion TEKS and vocabulary concepts with an exciting visual dimension. The presentation, itself, was clear and concise yet thorough and valuable. Aaron's positive and genuine attitude connected with the students and made them become almost hypnotized by his performance. I hope that we can get Aaron to come to our school again next year!