-
Share the Happy Joy!
Comments link to your site.
Proper Comment Policy
Aug
31
2UberOz Review
August 31, 2007 |
Pics from Ry
2UberOz unanimously declared a smashing success.
Having spent the summer gallivanting around Europe going to every twirling event that I could, last weekend’s 2UberOz was the perfect way to come home. And I’m happy to say that it’s up there with the best of them! The 6th Uberevent and second to be held in Brisbane, Australia, was the largest so far in the world with over 110 participants soaking up a workshop program including staff, poi, hoop, contact, dance, clubs and more.
The weekend was fun, full, and VERY well organized. Everyone felt very grateful to Gabe Monson for her work here. It was the first Uber to take place without the presence of uber founder Rob Thorburn (known to many as Bluecat, his Home of Poi alias), and I seem to remember him saying at some point that Gabe was about the only person in the world that he could simply hand his baby to, and know it would be sorted.
This Uber was also a bit new and different in terms of content, which in the past has been been primarily staff and or poi only as far as the workshops go. This time a wider range of props as well as associated disciplines were thrown into the mix. I’ve been lucky enough to go to three ubers, but the diversity of play in the hall at any given time was quite surprising. The expanded program was filled by some serious talent on the teacher list, including contact juggling with the master Mr Om, old style vaudeville from new circus artist Davey Sampford (Circa), and club and hoop manipulations from the walking talking object manipulation encyclopedia that is Mark Douglas.
The star import this year was Tokyo Poi Ninja, Yuta.
I’ve seen an awful lot of poi around the world, almost enough to be jaded, but he really blew me away! And it was really so wonderful to see such a talented performer and teacher who is also very interested in community building. Bring on the Global Fire Cyber Tribe…
Other workshops included dance with Asuka, our other Japenese guest, choreography with Dave and Grace of FlameOZ, and it goes on and on really.
When we weren’t teaching, Sphercular Matt and I were running around filming for the upcoming UberOz DVD. We also had a Video Booth, where people could come to share tidbits of twirling, play, manipulation and randomness. It worked really well and saw lots of use. We’ll definitely be taking the concept to more gatherings.
On Saturday night the whole event came to Gabe’s house for a party that will live on in the minds of those there for a long long time (and on the dvd of course). Would have to be the best backyard spinning the world has ever seen I reckon.
The last part of the weekend (aside from the cleanup workshop) was the show on Sunday night. Having been so recently to UberParis, I found I couldn’t help comparing the shows from the two events. Very different. Both great. If it was all a juggling convention, Paris would have been the Gala and Oz would have been the Renegade I suppose. In terms of being a production the Paris show was just amazing with top act after top act, but it was also a set program. In Oz a more open stage format was used and it gave participants a bit of a chance to show what they have learned and to have a go. Both good, with pros and cons. Both archived away on my camera.
Huge thankyous, kudos, and more to Rob for having made his vision real. It’s really hard to find twirling classes at this level. It used to be impossible. I’m already looking forwards to the next Uber -I think a couple a year will keep me pretty inspired!
Be sure to keep your eyes out here and on uberevents for DVD details. Big thanks to the many people who preordered. If you didn’t and would like to, contact newgabe AT optusnet DOT com DOT au
Comments
4 Comments so far
-
Got a feedreader?
Here here!
arrrrrrrrhhhhggggg…. i’m still craving for more uber goodness!
Wonderful review Kyle!
Cheers! Such a wonderful event. I just wish I wasn’t such a mess from jet lag etc…
But hey, no complaints!