Clara Barton Open School
4237 Colfax Ave S
Minneapolis, MN  55409
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barton@mpls.k12.mn.us

Main Office:
612-668-3580

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612-668-3588

Fax:
612-668-3590

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Barton's school day is:

- A.M. K: 7:30 to 10:30
- P.M. K:  11:00 to 2:00
- Grades 1-8: 7:30 to 2:00

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Student Perspective: Till Pohlmann Juggling Show
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 8:25 AM

On the 13th, my class had a decision: work, or go to a juggling show. I figured that the show was going to be pretty lame. I mean, juggling? Pretty much the second Till started talking I had changed my mind.

Till Pohlmann is from Germany and is an awesome juggler. First, he showed the crowd some "basic" moves. I sure wouldn't call them basic! He was throwing balls and clubs all over the place - even rolling them over his head - and catching them every time. There was a lack of space above his head when he got to four clubs, so he balanced one on his nose to keep it out of the way. When he got to five clubs, he totally ran out of room in the air to throw the clubs and two clattered to the floor. Everybody continued on clapping and whistling, and in a few cases, screaming at the top of their lungs. I thought that he was more human and less robot after that. He decided to try again, and he did it perfectly that time! I don't think I have ever seen kids (and teachers) so excited about a school performance. I figured that that was the end of the show, but no, the show hadn't started yet!

Till walked on the stage with sunglasses on and a briefcase in his hand, and on the floor was a large case and two long silver poles. The show had begun! He picked up three balls from his case and the lights dimmed. The balls glowed red! After he threw them around for a bit - trust me, it was much cooler than I am making it sound - he picked up a fourth ball. When he tossed it, all the balls turned blue! And did I mention that there was awesome techno music?! Till picked up his small case, and it was replaced by the large case at the center of the stage. What could be in it? Clubs! (Just in case you don't know, they look like bowling pins.) He juggled the blue pins with the lights off for a while, and then they too changed color! But it wasn't just one color change; they faded around the entire color wheel! Everyone oohed and ahhed while he flipped the pins in different patterns.

After he exhausted the pins, he picked up one long silver pole, and twirled it around like a baton. He picked up the other pole and rolled it down his back while he was spinning the first one. Pretty soon he was spinning both at the same time, and the lights were dimming again.

There were little lights down each pole, so when Till spun them, they looked like a target. The poles flashed blue and red over and over again. Suddenly, Till stopped with the poles crossed. The show was over! Most everyone wished it has lasted longer, including me.

After the show tons of kids lined up to ask Till questions, shake his hand, and get his autograph. I am surprised his arm didn't fall off from all the writing! (Well, I guess it didn't fall off during the whole juggling performance)

In my opinion, it was the best school performance ever!

- Ruby, Grade 6, Room 204