For the last few years, LOL has presented their juggling and magic program at the AWANA club at the New Gloucester Bible Church. My 23 middle school students performed for their 20 to 30 elementary kids, parents and guests. It pleases me how much my students have consistently improved throughout this school year.
This performance was unique for several reasons. First, we have a new team member / classmate. Jacob just joined the class that same week, but we were able to incorporate him a change bag illusion and the Parable of the Sower skit. He did well, and will be ready to do more the next time we do a show.
The New Gloucester gig was also unique in that we received a donation for our trip to Connecticut we will be taking this spring to do shows in the Willimantic area. We have other fund raisers planned, but this additional gift will certainly help.
Furthermore, NGBC is one of our few venues that still allow us to juggle fire. Smoke alarms and sprinkler systems seem to be everywhere, but the fellowship hall of this church is still fire-juggler friendly. I chose Sam to close out the juggling with fire torches because he has worked very hard at mastering this skill, and also because NGBC is his home church. I wanted to spotlight the hometown boy.
Finally, it was unique in that three of our girls choreographed their own dance routine which was our closing number. It was a beautiful piece and looked absolutely elegant. It is a special moment when kids bring their own creations into the show.
Some of the LOL parents came to the show for the first time this year, and they told their kids how moved they were, especially by “I Want To Know What Love Is”. It is good for the kids to be reminded how powerful their program is, and how the Holy Spirit can touch people through it as it can become routine to them as they do it all year long. The program ran a full hour, and that was with two routines cut! We have an abundance of material this year, which should make our Connecticut trip all the more successful.