Part 2 of what I've learn in 2012

Part 2 I am going to share with you guys my experience of the Child's Play Juggling Festival that we produced.

As I've mention in the previous post, 2012 was a fresh year for me.
I am starting back from "zero"and thats why I think its a great chance for me to try out new things and organising a Juggling Festival is a dream that I always wanted to do.

We (Me and my gf aka my boss) had this festival idea on Feb 2012.
Once we set our mind to do it, we decided there is no turning back.
We didn't ask for any funding for this festival as we would like to keep it as "pure" as possible. We want to make it a pure juggling festival.
That was our worst mistake. We used up all our savings for this festival. (Around $12k - $15k)

Beside spending all the time, money and effort to organise the festival,
I am personally very disappointed by the local jugglers / spinners community.
Many people knows about the festival but they are not supportive of it.

This festival also had a big problem as it clash with another festival on the same day.

I am ok with the date clash as my idea of a juggling festival is different from theirs.
But something makes me feel very sad is that they invite my artist to join their gathering without informing me....
When Okotanpe showed me the sms, my heart sank.
(I'll never forget this!)

So what have I learnt from this festival?
1) People are only nice to you when you are useful to them.
2) Don't expect people to support you even though you've been supporting them.
3) People are selfish.


Even though this may not be the best festival but we are still happy with the result.
We got great supports from people coming from Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and Japan to attend our festival. Not forgeting our kind volunteers from "Diabolo Art", my ex students from Grace Orchard school and my best friends Calvin and gf, Eugene and Nicholas for their help!

This year 2013 we are still deciding whether to continue the festival or not.
It is definately fulfilling to run a juggling festival but it is really too tiring.
And with the 12k, we can go for a tour . Not trying to oragnise a festival and hopefully can benefit the local jugglers.

I think I am starting to give up in the local juggling scene.

I have a few good friends to practise with and I am happy with it. :)