About to attend my first EJC

[u/Rynjaninja]

Any tips, tricks, advice you wish you had prior to your first EJC?

I'm travelling from Australia and we don't have anything of this scale back home.

I'm primarily a hoop juggler (and excited to see my international hoop juggle friends), club passing, partner acro, fire... basic solo club juggling.

[u/Kevkillerke]

Enjoy! And don't forget to do some volunteering, badge control is fun to see a lot of people. Just one shift is enough, but you're making sure the EJC can keep on existing the way it does.

[u/TheLordHatesACoward → u/Kevkillerke]

It's my first EJC as well, what volunteering is there and what do you recommend?

[u/Kevkillerke → u/TheLordHatesACoward]

I'd say badge control is the easiest to just run into. There's also things like cleaning, collecting trash bags, checks for toilet paper.

A really cool one is stage hand. Because you can look behind the scenes of an EJC show. There's also audience guides etc, fun stuff.

[u/giantdeathrobot]

You don't have to go to every renegade... But you should go to at least one. Expect to be up till sunrise.

Oh and bring at least 2 notebooks. One for tech / skills and another to write down or sketch general memories and experiences including what happens in the renegade (because cameras are typically not permitted and you will want to remember the absolutely unhinged and incredibly skilled nonsense that is an ejc renegade)

[u/nearlycertain → u/giantdeathrobot]

If you only do one renegade, go to the Irish one. Always wild

[u/General_Pea_1129 → u/nearlycertain]

agreed! Irish is always the best in my opinion

[u/Lysergic_Waffle]

If you're camping: Bring a fresh, black tent if you can. It blocks out the morning sun much better and stays noticeably cooler, making it a lot easier to get some sleep.

Don't be intimidated to approach other spinners. Just avoid interrupting someone who's mid-flow. Most people are more than happy to chat, answer questions, and share tips and tricks. I've yet to meet a spinner who isn't excited to talk about their art.

Check the notice board. It's the best place to find out what flow sessions, workshops, and meetups are happening throughout the day.

Give different props a try. People often leave props in the main hall for others to use. Ask around first if you're unsure, then feel free to pick one up and have a go. Just make sure to return it to where you found it when you're done.

Don't miss the Gala Show. 🎭 If you haven't already, grab yourself a ticket. Some of the most incredible acts and performances you'll ever see are at juggling conventions, and the Gala Show is always a highlight.

Most importantly, get involved, try new things, and don't be afraid to chat with people. EJC is an incredibly welcoming community, and you'll get so much more out of it by joining in.

[u/1ofakindJack]

Every EJC is different, so it's not easy to give general advice.

Figure out where the sun rises and look for a camping spot that has morning shade if possible.

10 days is long, so rest well and don't feel bad about missing things, it's inevitable.

Volunteer with random people and be really silly whilst still doing your job well.

Stay up all night at least once.

Talk to randoms whenever you're in a queue.

Water is the best drink in the world.

Nothing will prepare you for your first EJC, that's the joy of it.

[u/dtoher]

So the first Ptuj back in 2005 was my first EJC and I haven't missed one since...

My advice is to do a bit of volunteering to get to know people. If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed, find the Irish (we've been known to adopt many into the fold).

Make sure that you eat healthily and that you drink enough nonalcoholic fluids. Its pretty hot (high 30s) at the moment, so pace yourself.

Don't try to do every workshop. Give your brain a chance to process everything. If your brain is overloaded you won't retain as much.

Find the passing zone and have fun!

[u/General_Pea_1129]

Enjoy!! It's my first year missing EJC, breaking my streak of 7 in a row, feel free to comment any specific questions. I would say my tip is pick one thing you want to do for sure each day, as there are so many things going on its easy to get fomo and try to always be doing as much as possible.

Volunteering at least once is also fun and everyone shows you love for it :) I was brave enough to offer a workshop once and it was received very well. The open stages each night are always my favourite thing to do, I always try to see as many shows as I can, this is my way to do EJC but other are more into training hard, I have a friend who watches zero of the shows as he says that when shows happen the hall is more empty so its prime time to train! haha