Trevor Gear’s steps into the circus world were solitary.
The Gabriola juggler and clown started more than a decade ago with a book and a trio of balls.
“I stood on the lawn and juggled three balls until I could do it,” he said.
Living in Qualicum Beach at the time, he hooked up with a few people from up Island and formed a juggling troupe and performed at his first juggling festival in Seattle about 12 years ago.
An old-time street performer liked his style and gave Gear a set of balls, clubs, rings and torches to use in his act.
“This is kind of a cool community, these juggling folk,” Gear said.
Now he wants to give some of that support and goodwill back to his community by organizing the inaugural Winterfest Circus and Juggling Arts Festival on Gabriola Feb. 10-12 at Gabriola community hall.
“It’s part of building interest in circus, building interest in juggling on Gabriola,” he said.
“I’m really interested in nurturing that.”
Gear juggles just about everything, but specializes in top hats and clubs.
He and Cosmo the Clown – who will also lead workshops at the festival – had a street show in which they tossed items back and forth.
“Our finale was knives and fire,” he said.
Despite the potential for injury, Gear said his were all minor, ranging from singeing the hair off the back of his hands to falling off his unicycle.
Circus arts are activities that anyone can learn and can practise on their own or in groups, offering an alternative to competitive sports, he said.
“It’s pretty accessible and easy,” Gear said. “It feels pretty good to learn something new.”
Gear leads workshops in hat and ball juggling, while Cosmo the Clown offers clown lessons. Pachiel Smith, band leader of the Bolting Brassicas and mastermind behind Lasquirkus teaches beginners club juggling.
Missy Nobles leads stilt walking, Vancouver’s David Yates teaches poi spinning and the Mud Bay Jugglers will slow it all down with their unique juggling skills.
An informal meet-and-greet begins at 6 p.m. on Friday at the community hall.
The workshops take place Saturday and Sunday, beginning at 10 a.m., with the showcase of circus skills from the visiting performers is set for Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
A weekend pass is $35, with drop-in daily for $10. The evening showcase is $10.
For more information, please visit www.wintercircusfest.wordpress.com.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com