Jason Garfield
Encyclopedia
Jason Garfield is a juggler and entertainer from Norfolk, Connecticut
. He is the founder and president of the World Juggling Federation
(WJF).
. He disagrees strongly with the belief that juggling is something only performed by clowns and other circus
acts. Garfield's stage performances can often be seen as a mixture of stand-up comedy
and demanding juggling routines. He has said "I hate most jugglers."http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ndq2uAC7FiQ, and is openly critical of jugglers he sees as relying on unchallenging routines to entertain, occasionally performing parodies of specific acts, the most famous of which has come to be known as the Chris Bliss Diss, a parody of a performance by Chris Bliss
. Jason is regarded as one of the most controversial members of the juggling community, and something of a "goon."
where he was depicted as a psychotic egomaniac who talked to the props he used while performing and proceeded to blame them for mistakes made during the act, all the while being heckled by the audience, who continually referred to him as a "slaphead." The episode focused on whether certain activities were sports or hobbies, and included juggling and ultimate frisbee.
During 2004, Garfield coached Vova and Olga Galchenko
, widely considered to be the best juggling passing duo ever.
Norfolk, Connecticut
Norfolk is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 1,660 at the 2000 census.Norfolk is perhaps best known as the site of the Yale Summer School of Music – Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, which hosts an annual chamber music concert series in "the Music Shed," a...
. He is the founder and president of the World Juggling Federation
World Juggling Federation
The World Juggling Federation is the world's only organization devoted to the promotion and advancement of the sport of juggling.-History:...
(WJF).
Sport Juggling
Garfield espouses the concept of "artistic juggling," promoting the idea that juggling should also be regarded as a form of sportSport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
. He disagrees strongly with the belief that juggling is something only performed by clowns and other circus
Circus
A circus is commonly a travelling company of performers that may include clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, hoopers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, unicyclists and other stunt-oriented artists...
acts. Garfield's stage performances can often be seen as a mixture of stand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy is a comedic art form. Usually, a comedian performs in front of a live audience, speaking directly to them. Their performances are sometimes filmed for later release via DVD, the internet, and television...
and demanding juggling routines. He has said "I hate most jugglers."http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=ndq2uAC7FiQ, and is openly critical of jugglers he sees as relying on unchallenging routines to entertain, occasionally performing parodies of specific acts, the most famous of which has come to be known as the Chris Bliss Diss, a parody of a performance by Chris Bliss
Chris Bliss
Chris Bliss is an American stand up comedian and juggler. He majored in comparative literature at Northwestern University and the University of Oregon before dropping out to pursue a career in juggling....
. Jason is regarded as one of the most controversial members of the juggling community, and something of a "goon."
Appearance on Cheap Seats
Garfield was ridiculed on ESPN Classic's show Cheap SeatsCheap Seats
Cheap Seats without Ron Parker, commonly shortened to Cheap Seats, is a television program broadcast on ESPN Classic hosted by brothers Randy and Jason Sklar...
where he was depicted as a psychotic egomaniac who talked to the props he used while performing and proceeded to blame them for mistakes made during the act, all the while being heckled by the audience, who continually referred to him as a "slaphead." The episode focused on whether certain activities were sports or hobbies, and included juggling and ultimate frisbee.
During 2004, Garfield coached Vova and Olga Galchenko
Vova and Olga Galchenko
Vladimir , known as Vova, and Olga Galchenko are a brother and sister juggling team originally from Russia...
, widely considered to be the best juggling passing duo ever.
Awards
Jason has received the following juggling awards:- Juniors Championship Winner at the International Jugglers' AssociationInternational Jugglers' AssociationThe International Jugglers' Association or IJA is the oldest and largest organization of jugglers. It is open to members worldwide.-Benefits of Membership:* Special from major prop vendors worldwide.* Member prices in the IJA’s ....
(IJA) Summer Festival in 1988. - Numbers Championship Winner (Individual Balls and Rings) at the IJA Summer Festival in 1990.
- Individuals Winner at the IJA Summer Festival in 1998.
- Numbers Competition Winner (Solo Balls, Clubs and Rings) at the IJA Summer Festival in 2000.
- Numbers Competition Winner (Solo Rings) at the IJA Summer Festival in 2001.
- Individuals Winner at the IJA Summer Festival in 2002.
External links
- JasonGarfield.com - Jason Garfield's personal page
- The WJF - The World Juggling Federation site
- Videos - Numerous videos of Jason juggling
- Interview - An interview with Jason Garfield
- The World Juggling Federation Forum - WJF Discussion Board including Members-Only Instructional Forums.