JugglingSubculture.com

This is one of those “don’t try this juggling trick at home” situations.

When I was going to school in Boston I had the opportunity to meet a ton of talented Boston street performers including Peter Panic, Stitch, Lucky, and Etienne. I think the king of them all was Jim from the Jim show.

Jim has created one of the most professional street performing careers I’ve ever seen. In addition to being an awesome entertainer, he has found a way to bring class and dignity to a sometimes misunderstood occupation.

Some of the things he does so well: He has a great Web site. He doesn’t resort to fire or knives to get people’s attention but uses some simple but hilarious ball and club routines. He let’s people see him try and fail. He builds his own set pieces.

Jim’s got a great, dry humor (one article described it as Koffmanesque) and he delivers a quality show with impeccable professionalism. Don’t miss his show the next time you find yourself in Boston.

This video’s really entertaining. Also entertaining: the discussion on YouTube about whether it’s real or fake.

The juggling subculture has invaded the land of television. On this season of Beauty and the Geek (Tuesday nights on the CW), John, an MIT student and analog circuit designer, plans on winning the competition using his brain and his juggling skills.

Hopefully this is just the beginning of a trend of jugglers invading reality TV. Next we’ll find a juggler on America’s Next Top Model, or becoming The Next Food Network Star!

Until then, from one juggling geek to another, I say: Go John Go!

(See an interview with John and his “beauty” partner Natalie by clicking here.)