A trio of jugglers from both Columbus Ohio and Buffalo New York are juggling nine wiffleball bats between them, in a coordinated rhythmic activity.
After a good 20 seconds, some bats clatter to the floor. Evan Smith from Columbus said Jim Cannon is leading the activity, using a "two count."
"He does pass-self, pass-self to both of us. And Alexx (Kazz) and I are just doing 'four count,' which is every fourth beat we pass."
This is the daily Open Gym activity at the Old National Events Plaza. The Exhibit Hall is full of jugglers and their colorful props filling the air in single, duo and team practice.
International Jugglers' Association (IJA) treasurer Afton Benson said juggling is a universal practice.
"It's taken place in a lot of places," she said. "Cultures throughout history, and it has a global presence. And throughout the years, juggling has come up with a unified language called Siteswap. So even if you don't speak the same language, you can do the same tricks."
She said juggling came into her life amid a chaotic time of change. "It gives you a break from all of that," Benson said. "You can focus on the trick you're working on, and you kind of zone out and really focus on that trick. And it's really rewarding really quickly."
It's also been shown to improve connections in the brain in a 2009 Oxford University study. The festival has a packed schedule with educational sessions.
A session Thursday afternoon was about "kick-ups" — it's a way to save your back while looking cool at the same time — kicking a dropped juggling club up to your own hand, or a partner's.
Emory Kimbraugh of Tuscaloosa Alabama is helping Anton Farbman of Akron Ohio with his technique. Kimbraugh enjoys the social aspect of the hobby.
"You also meet people from all different walks of life, too," Kimbraugh said. "There are a lot of people, a lot of people in math, engineering, computer science, are attracted to this. But you also have street performers and professional entertainers as well."
Such as 'America's Got Talent' performers.
Leading the workshop on juggling four balls is Mike Draney, an biology professor from Green Bay Wisconsin.
Nora Phillips of Madison, Wisconsin is working on juggling, mixing "column" and "cross" style-juggling.
"I use juggling every day. I teach kids to juggle at a circus camp in Mazomanie, Wisconsin. I also just love it. I hope to one day do circus full time, and this is just a step in getting there."
She said it's not instant gratification. "But it's like the time and energy you put into it, and you really get to see it. It shows in a physical way, and it's really satisfying."
Jack Denger of Indianapolis performed in a judged competition Wednesday night at the Victory Theater. An inspirational speech by Steve Jobs is set to music as he juggled under blue lights.
"My performance combines a lot of movement about the stage set over the narration, choreographed," Danger said. "What I wanted to do for this performance was sort of wipe all of my assumptions to the side about what a juggling performance could be or should be, start over, and then build up, hopefully a new product that would be more engaging for the audience."
Denger works in finance in Carmel, Indiana. He started juggling at age 7.
"It's easier than you think to learn. It's incredibly fun. The community is great," he said. "And, next year the convention is in Fort Wayne … if you come along board and get excited about juggling, this is a great place to be."
Denger ended up winning the silver medal in his individual competition.
Benson said these festivals are often held in the Midwest, thanks to the welcoming atmosphere and affordable, appropriately-sized venues.
Ukrainian twin brothers Stepan and Vasyl Kuts moved to the US three years ago to pursue juggling as a career. The pair won bronze in the same Wednesday night competition under their name The Reflection.
Stepan said in the US, competitive jugglers seem to be more focused on the activity of juggling as a sport, versus an artistic performance.
"You have to perform," he said. "You have to be an artist. First of all, acting, whatever you choose to do.
Compared to their current home of Los Angeles California, they said Evansville — their first visit to the Midwest — is quiet.
Still, they've enjoyed their time in the third largest city in Indiana, and wish to come back.
Learn more about the IJA here.
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