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Messages - donald grant
1
« on: November 20, 2014, 07:33:29 PM »
I performed at the Lausanne circus festival with Double Face in 1999, and yes, there was a big difference between the promo image and the actual act. I mentioned them as they were the first "Western" act that I could think of who were performing four high.
As for four high solo, without being "fed", then yes, Alex (Xelo) was probably the first. Sad that he is no longer with us...
2
« on: November 17, 2014, 05:48:51 PM »
Hey all! Nice to see a thread that brings all the lurking dinosaurs out of the undergrowth  Four high has been traditionally performed by artists from China. Duo Double face from Italy were performing it on stage back in 1998. Vertical play is also traditional for one-wheelers and saucepan lid players from China. It was dabbled with back in the early nineties, mostly on open string rather than looped. "Crazy Cradles" book has the gyro/ ufo grind in it, and that was 1993. Two diabolo vertax, Roman was the first I recall doing this (but that's not to say he was actually the first...) Will have a trawl through the archives and see if anything else jogs my memory...
3
« on: August 30, 2014, 10:49:14 AM »
Oops, only got back from Finland on Monday, and took a couple more days to recover!! Better late than never, here's my...... HIGH Catching up with old friends, meeting new ones! Even with a relatively small turnout this year, the level of skills was crazy high and unbelievably solid. LOW Probably the first morning, after three hours sleep in the weights room, getting woken up by exercising women and shouty-angry man. Shouty-angry man did not make many friends that morning..... GOAL Learn some new stuff. Check! Run some kendama workshop/ exams. Check! (Congratulations to Alexandr, Samuli, Aaro, Marko, Jarle)! CRUSH William has an awesome array of tricks, it's always fun to play with someone with too many tricks! And Marko's Sega Naomi cabinet; yes, I am jealous BANE People having to leave too early on Sunday. SURPRISE The show was rock solid; not just mad skills but pretty damn clean too. Shame I didn't get to watch it all live ('cos I was getting ready/ in it ) Watching it again on video was a hoot! This was my third FDC and the show was certainly the best. Many thanks for having me over again: it's number 10 next year; stick it in your diary, it'll be a blast!
4
« on: February 10, 2013, 02:10:07 PM »
Great stuff! Hope to get a chance to see it live sometime this year....
5
« on: November 21, 2012, 11:20:13 AM »
Hey dimensions, Here's a link to the wonderful Yukki, sadly no longer with us. Hope it inspires you to stick with the (much-neglected) loop! Cheers, Donald Yukki- Yoyo Diabolo Show by C&C EVENTS
6
« on: March 13, 2012, 07:56:51 PM »
Hi Folks Just a little share of a new promo edit of my number (in case there's anyone out there who still haven't seen the thing yet ) Donald Grant - Diabolo ArtisteEnjoy, and I'll be seeing you in Southend soon! Donald
7
« on: March 12, 2012, 08:45:20 PM »
Wholeheartedly agree with Arjan: really enjoyed that! Lots of great stuff, done oh-so-casually too!
Thanks for sharing, D
8
« on: February 03, 2012, 03:55:01 PM »
Yay, that's the spirit boys! Come and experience the Langerz his natural habitat! Thrill at the sight of the elusive Heathcote! Beer at prices slightly cheaper than at home! It's the holiday of a lifetime!!!
9
« on: February 03, 2012, 09:30:20 AM »
Marko, what's to think about, you KNOW you want to be there!
@ Ceri-Anne, good news, you'll have a blast!
Yes, I'll be there as well (I'm co-organising the show, but there's always time for play!)
Only 10 weeks to go, why wouldn't you???
Donald
10
« on: March 09, 2011, 12:33:41 PM »
Just noticed this thread, so thought I'd better throw in a few facts on top of all the speculation. First of all, no he ain't French, his real name is Phil Behrens, and he is German. He's based in Kassel, and works in many of the German variete theatres. If you're reading this, you're on the internet, so why not pop along to www.phil-os.com and you can learn a bit more... I jammed a bit with Phil this winter as we were both working for Variete Etcetera (him in Kiel, me in Bochum) and he's really rather good, and a nice chap too. Which brings me to folks criticising a video of a live performance, which they've never seen, using the same criteria as they use for a diabolo-centric freestyle video: 1) it's live, for real people (even convention shows aren't really real shows, folks!) 2) Of the hundreds of pro jugglers I know, I cannot think of any who do their most difficult stuff on stage. 3) Give me a camcorder and an afternoon, and I can convince you that I'm potentially a pro golfer Much love, go see Phil if you get the chance, go see anything for real if you get the chance, All the best Donald
11
« on: February 06, 2011, 02:33:24 PM »
For fun stuff, I'm using: the new Henrys carbons (lighter, with plastic, not alu, tips)
white
short
On stage, I'm using: Mr Babache wood
the blue handled ones (but decorated, of couse)
"short" (the 430mm ones!)
Not only am I an anachronism, I'm an anomaly too!
Cheers,
Donald
12
« on: September 05, 2010, 11:26:32 PM »
Yes, the ENC is a great place to find jugglers.
But also, try to get in touch with the JAQ. Lovely, lovely people!
13
« on: September 04, 2010, 12:56:47 PM »
Just giving this a bump, 'cos October seems to be coming up soon.
We've got people signed up already, but there's still space for a couple more, so if you're interested why not drop Greentop a line.
(This'll be the last spot of teaching for me this year, as I'll be heading off to Germany to do a run at Variete Et Cetera afterwards).
Yours educationally,
Donald
14
« on: May 14, 2010, 02:06:31 PM »
Bit of shameless self-promotion here, but the folks at Greentop asked me to put up a quick post on the forum.... "Get Your Act Together" performance workshop with Donald Grant at Greentop, Sheffield, 7th til the 10th of June, 2010. A four day workshop aimed at helping jugglers of all specialities (yes, diabolo players too!) to develop performances and routines. Areas of focus will include: a) breaking down the gym mentality b) routine construction c) choosing and working with music d) stage creativity. e) the business of show business and a bunch of other relevant stuff too. If any you are interested, pop over to the website at www.greentop.org for more info. Cheers, Donald
15
« on: April 14, 2010, 03:35:32 PM »
Back home and enjoying having a roof over my bed again. Never been much of a one for "out of season" camping and that first night really was as cold as a witches pap!
Anyway, great to catch up with lots of folks, even though I seemed to be doing as much kendama as I was diaboloing. Lots of new toys to play with (aah, the joy of uncle Nev's candy store). Heck, I don't even do glo-stuff but those Sundia illuminated sticks really are a work of art/ porn. I'm always in favour of something that makes old tricks (stick fans, carousel) look glourious;)
Sadly, a lack of Langerz, a shortage of Spink and a few others, but hey, you can't have everything.
Might be in charge of booking the public show acts for next year: anyone have any favourites they'd like to see?
Donald
(ironically titled kendama "speed" trick runner-up. Go Heathcote!)
16
« on: April 01, 2010, 09:21:35 PM »
Looks like I'm going to make it down there for the whole thing.
See y'all there....
Donald
(just back from Herne festival in Germany; a ten year old spotted doing medium sized three low with tricks. I've got props twice his age!!!)
17
« on: March 13, 2010, 01:04:48 AM »
This is utterly brilliant. I can't decide whether it should be... a) front paged b) honorary VOTW. c) inspiration for the games at the BJC Made my night, honest!
18
« on: January 26, 2010, 12:52:19 AM »
In Bristol already (was teaching at Circomedia). Off to Bath for a few days, but will be back on Thursday and around for the whole weekend.
Doing the show on Saturday evening, but will also be teaching a workshop on the day, including some new stuff which I came up with when I was trapped in my village by the snow. Amazing how much easier it is to be creative when the golf course is closed for three weeks:)
See you all there,
Donald
19
« on: September 09, 2009, 12:09:00 PM »
Steady on there Alex: are you trying to say that Patrick, Mitchell and me aren't cute???!? Donald (actually you may have a point....
20
« on: June 01, 2009, 08:40:24 PM »
Finally got back home to Scotland on Saturday night, so I guess it's about time to add a quick HLGCB from myself....
Highs: Great convention site, camping nearby, organised organisation!
Plenty of sunshine (contrary to popular belief, we Scots are not allergic to it!)
Finally meeting and playing with Arjan, Martijn, Ceri-Anne, Roul, and more:
all lovely people!
Midnight cheese snacks in the caravan.
Nice lazy Sunday workshop, with extra "lamp-post come-and-try" session.
Spotlight's new "soft-boiled" silicone balls, all the feel and response with about
40% rebound. I like 'em!
Martijn's over the nose trick!
Lows: KLM tried to send my bags to Phoenix, Arizona.
Missed most of the open stage due to kendamaing (my fault!)
Having my music stopped half way through the first show.
The flood that shut the gym on Saturday night, just after we got back from the
theatre.
Goal: Meet people, learn stuff, have fun. Checkity, check check.
Crush: Had to be the caravan they got for me. Pocket-sized and very, very cute!
Complete with diabolo-shaped name poster on the door!!
Bane: Nothing springs to mind. I was going to say the beer running out on Saturday night, but on reflection that was probably a good thing for me.
All in all, a great convention. Many thanks to the organisers for inviting me over; I'd happily recommend it to anyone!
Oh, and apologies to Duncan for having to watch me on stage for the third time this year.
Donald
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