5 May, 2012
by Jake
0 comments

Excellent comment on my art

“At a small gathering of friends and children that I hosted in January 2012, Jake delivered a wonderfully spectacular show including dancing, contact juggling, and music making – all with fabulous enthusiasm. My guests commented that it was the most creative and exciting event that their children had experienced. I would argue same for all the adults in the house!”

David McCallum

Thank you so much for the wonderful comment Dave – it really means a lot and is very much appreciated.

3 May, 2012
by Jake
0 comments

Re-release of the bar scene from Blues Circus

I have changed up the clown piece on my “about” page and I wanted to post the video that was there for posterity.  I have got a lot of upcoming gigs and I look forward to mixing all the footage I have from the past with summer gigs to make some incredible promo material in Sept.

In the mean time, enjoy the blues circus bar scene:

 

28 Apr, 2012
by Jake
6 Comments

Performed for Bowser Elementary Fundraiser

It was an absolute pleasure contributing to the Qualicum School District by providing my circus services to Bowser Elementary.  It was their biggest fundraiser of the year and I am always available to help the kids and make our schools a better place.  Check out a little 45 sec trailer of the event:


While it is always great to get the high paying corporate gigs in fancy ballrooms, making kids laugh and shout with excitement is priceless.  I am dedicated to giving back.

25 Apr, 2012
by Jake
1 Comment

Still have to give facebook a miss

Well, yesterday, I thought I had succumbed to the facebook deathstar.  I opened a page and sent the email out.  But you know, as I look at the ‘build an audience’ button, I realize that facebook is not the route for me.  Sometimes I think I am crazy, I mean who isn’t on facebook?  Please, do not get me wrong, I totally get it, I find it utterly fascinating, but I must build my audience through different means.  I am enthralled with twitter – you can find me there: @jakewestcircus.  I am also active on linkedin.  As a teacher, I will be very active on edmodo, TED and in the blogosphere.

We must all build our own audience now.  But I think there needs to be more focus.  There is so much noise out there.  How will you Continue Reading →

23 Apr, 2012
by Jake
0 comments

Transforming Education for the 21st Century

I have just stumbled across Tony Wagner’s work on changing education and his 7 survival skills that will be needed by all students to compete in the 21st century.  It totally sums up everything I do in the classroom:

1.  Critical thinking and problem solving

2.  Collaboration across networks and leading by influence

3.  Agility and adaptability

4.  Initiative and entrepreneurship

5.  Effective oral and written communication

6.  Accessing and analyzing information

7.  Curiosity and imagination

Continue Reading →

20 Apr, 2012
by Jake
2 Comments

Entrepreneurship severely lacking in school

I have been actively asking around if anyone can tell me if there is an entrepreneur program that is currently supporting other successful programs in a district and I have yet to find one. If you know of one, please let me know, I have many questions for them.

Entrepreneur programs are the next logical step in moving our education system, particularly high schools, into the 21st century. It fits in perfectly with the initial steps to bring project based and personal learning to the old model of education. I would like to give you an example to illustrate my point.

Continue Reading →

16 Apr, 2012
by Jake
0 comments

This is where I performed Sat Night (Apr.14)

Man, I absolutely love working ballrooms!  So much fun!  I did a clown piece for Rotary Oceanside’s annual James Bond gala.  It totally got the laughs, so right on!

Incredible, generous people – I was very impressed.

Thank you to Malvern at http://www.englishentertainment.ca/ for this one.  Much appreciated.

I did not get a chance to video the act, but I might be able to get my hands on some footage.

2 Apr, 2012
by Jake
1 Comment

A Super Successful Collaboration – Sake Event

What an incredibly successful event yesterday, April 1, in Nanaimo.  Everyone involved was top notch professional and a pleasure to work with.  Thank you to The Seven Potatoes Japanese Society in Nanaimo for their very hard work in making this event come to life.  Thank you to Jesse at Lucky Liquor Store who has the vision and knowledge to make Nanaimo that much cooler.  Thank you to Masa for coming over from Granville Island to share his expertise and very delicious sake.  Thank you to Yoko’ Plate for providing sensational traditional Japanese appetizers that everyone thoroughly enjoyed.

When working with such a professional team, how can we go wrong?  I would work with anyone of these people again in a moments notice.