That picture is not of Brunn, it’s his nephew: Michael Chirrick, is Lotte Brunn’s son, he was taught by Brunn.

On his site you’ll find 5 videos, 4 of Chirrick (the 5th is the Lotte and Brunn Documentary already posted) if you’re only watching 1, then go for the Highlights video.

Now here’s a game to play, with the 2 Francis Brunn routines posted over the last 2 days, and all these, Michael Chirrick performances. You have fundamentally the same routine performed over at least 5 decades. Check out the changes, in performance and style. I’m particularly fond of the 1979 clip, its like Brunn with white Lycra, Moustache and Nunchuku.

Michael Chirrick is an incredibly talented dude. Based on the video’s posted here alone, It seems that Chirrick can easilly perform all of Brunns most impressive material, but I’d say “Francis Brunn - greatest Juggler the world has ever known.” Has that certain style, that certain presentation, which elevates his performances to a another level.
But, Bravo to Chirrick, I’m glad to see someone is continuing, keeping alive (a derivation of) Brunn’s Act. Fantastic. One day I hope to see him perform this on stage, not just on this little screen.
Smiles,
Drew.

Today’s first link is Francis Brunn pictures and obituary thanks to Dick Franco (another juggling legend).
Dick Franco writes: “Francis was a warm man with a great sense of humor. We spent many hours together in Italy, practicing, talking and, of course, drinking beer.”
(note: Dick Franco’s site has very good words and pictures and is worth a look, but the coding is a bit shakey, I get overset text in both Firefox and IE, if you want to read it without any text overlaying go to view>page style>no style).

Today’s second link was a very pleasent surprise, an incredible collection of photographs of Brunn from Olivier Blaise on picturetank, including the 2 in this post.
He’s a photojournalist. Although. I can’t believe he took all the photos, some of them are a bit too old. Merde, I say, I wish I’d paid more attention to French lessons in School, then I’d be able to understand.
There’s a photo of Francis Brunn with Muhammed Ali, “I am the greatest”, a famous quote of Ali could have applied just as well to Brunn.
While you are there its worth a look at the rest of Olivier Blaise’s photos inclucing Tom Noddy (Bubble), Kris Kremo, Kosen Kagami Japanese Juggler, general Juggling and the MicroDrones are fun too.
Anyone got any other photos or videos of Brunn.
More to come in Brunn week.
Smiles
Drew

Big respect and thanks to Little Paul for capturing and rehosting the first Brunn video as a downloadable wmv. (30Mb)
Francis & Lotte Brunn @ Cabaret Kaivohuone, Helsinki, Finland 1947 now downloadable

This is a gem! I just couldn’t believe that I’d never seen this clip before, I was so happy to stumble upon this old footage from
the Lotte Francis Brunn Documentary. and shows that Lotte was also an INCREDIBLE juggler too, although over-shadowed by her brother Francis.

And just for anyone who might have missed it, here is the the most famous video clip of Francis in Action on the Jack Benny Show.mpg 74Mb.
Same video as a 30Mb avi
Same video on youtube - lower res The assistant is Lotte, not showcasing in this clip.

Brunn, a Master of this art.
A hero of the MoM crew, and of the whole Juggling and manipulation world. More videos to come this week in Brunn week on MoM.
Enjoy, Drew.

Ignore the first 2 acts, the second half of this clip is Francis & Lotte Brunn @ Cabaret Kaivohuone, Helsinki, Finland 1947

A young Francis Brunn, with very ladylike shoes doing very impossible manipulation and juggling, with high speed energy.
Wow, Brunn was incredible!
Footage I’d never seen before, Thanks to another great manipulator - Antti of The Amazing Rubber Heart Duo for this link.
Smiles
Drew

EDIT: NEW LINK Big respect and thanks to Little Paul for capturing and rehosting the first Brunn video as a downloadable wmv. (30Mb)
Francis & Lotte Brunn @ Cabaret Kaivohuone, Helsinki, Finland 1947 now downloadable

A beautiful and unique marionette performance made by the Korean Expression crew. Dancing to the Amelie soundtrack
Great to see B-boy’s doing this kinda stuff.
from the Hennem-ator
Smiles Drew

imperfectcirquel.avi [High Quality 150Mb!]
imperfectcirquelmq.avi [Medium Quality]
Suddenly the future of Juggling and manipulation web videos looks a lot brighter! Just by watching the intro’s you’ll know this is DVD quality in the filming and editing, and very high res file too :). (not low res You-tube clips). And the quality of the skills equally brilliant, Enjoy:

Shay Wapniaz: contact juggling
Lorenzo “SID” Crivellari: balls and clubs
Stefano “DIABLISTA” Mestroni: balls and diablo
Pietro “BUSK” Selva Bonino: diablo
Federico “EXART” Fiordigiglio: unicycle
Alessio “EVVIVA” Dantignana: staff
Daniele “KASETTA” Caselli: balls
Silvia “STREGAI” Pavone: hula hoops
Emanuele “MOON” Marchione: bouncing balls

Looking forward to seeing more of these folk, and more high quality videos like this in future.
Smiles
Drew

This little offering of internet video definitely deserves a spot on the MoM blog. It’s an inspirational story. Bill Shannon shows the world that physical limitations are quite often only where you place them.

I like this video for many reasons. For me it has that “real”, urban true story vibe. And this guy can still get down and funky on top of life throwing him a curve ball.

If you have the time check out whatiswhat.com for more.

Enjoy.
Thanks Dawn for the link

Colin
[Ministry]

Here’s a lovely video of some very good friends of ours at the ministry.

Paul ‘Durbs’ Durbin is the reason I got into Contact 2 years ago, and pretty much all types of manipulation in the first place. (It’s his fault, blame him!!!) Paul organises a Guildford based performance group called Burnt Toast.
Clare Palmer set up the highly respected Irish Fire Performance group ‘FirePoise’ and has been really busy teaching people how to spin poi properly as well as performing hard.
Paul has just recently returned to the UK after a trip around the world, and as such, has been cut off from much of the manipulation world. This video is the perfect way to say: Hey, I’m back!!

The video includes many different skills, including modern contact, Staff manipulation, and poi spinning. Enjoy!! (15 minutes long, lots more staff and poi, just to warn you hardcore contact types…;) )
Video Hosted on www.burnttoast.co.uk

ED aka “LTC”
[Ministry]

A circus promo which begins with an� amazing series of trampoline tricks. Many thanks to Milk and Cookies for the link.

Adam is currently a member of the National Team for Double Mini Trampoline. He has been training in trampoline, double-mini, and power tumbling since 1998 and is quickly rising internationally. .Adam trains at Flip City Gymnastics in Langley, British Columbia under the guidance of Former 2 time National Champion, Rusty Pierce.

Ryan

A convention video from EJC Ptuj last year: Ptuj “Special Contact” Thanks to Bafien56 for producing and sharing this.
It’s difficult for me to make out all the players in this video, but as with every EJC theres clearly a huge amount of talent:

Opening shot, I don’t know for sure, but the style looks like a brit I met at bristol. The Guy Trayspinning at 2:00 is Matt from London. Legend of multiball and body rolling, the awesome Mr Om, doing an 8 ball torpedo at 2:50 then 1 ball at 3:30.

Who’s the performer playing contact to a BIG street crowd at 5:00, looks a lot like one ball Paul to me. and as a finalie, 3 of europes contact finest: Dafne (6:00), Bruno (6:10) and Kelvin (the machine - You know he can still do that move with 2 balls swapping from his elbows whilst drunk at 3am, he’s incredible).

Via Jongle.net.
Enjoy, Drew

Welcome
to the The Hangar,

a circus training studio in East London.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER

Browse the site for more info on our class schedules, one to one circus workshops, rehearsal space hire, performers and more. Our ‘Artists in Residence‘ page will link you to the homepages of other Hangar residents, including Aircraft Performance, Ockams Razor and Ryan Mellors from the Ministry of Manipulation.

Artists - The Hangar offers residence to a small group of full-time circus artists. Space is available to these individuals whenever the Hangar is not booked, and weekly classes are set up to subsidize the cost of living.

Because of the Olympic Developments in East London, The Hangar is set to be closed� and relocated by July 2007.