FLUSHING — A world-renowned juggler with a background in engineering is bringing his innovative, science-infused show to Flushing Town Hall.
Greg Kennedy has traveled around the world, toured with Cirque du Soleil and is a two-time gold medalist at the International Jugglers Association Championships — and on Saturday, he'll bring his show "Spherus" to the historic arts venue for a one-time performance.
Kennedy, 43, worked as an engineer after college, but said he spent all his free time juggling.
After winning the gold medal at the International Jugglers competition, he took a three-month leave from his job at a firm in New Jersey to tour in Japan.
He never looked back, and has been performing ever since —but he hasn't ditched his engineering skills entirely.
The self-described "math geek" applies formulas and science to his acts, spending years building and refining his own props, like a massive cone he stands on while juggling.
The audience experience goes beyond just him throwing objects in the air, and he "expands upon traditional juggling," he said.
"It's more than just me saying, 'Hey, look at me, I can juggle five balls and you can't,'" Kennedy said.
His show "Spherus" features two aerialists, light and video installations and even metal bowls he picked up while shopping at Ikea, he said.
Kennedy opens his show with traditional juggling — the balls, clubs and rings act he honed while working cruise ships and corporate events — but then transitions into the mathematical and physics component of juggling.
He juggles around pendulums that swing over the audience, and uses trapezes and spinning hoops.
"It's much more of an entertaining, visual display," he said, noting his act's modern feel.
"We believe art should be fun."
"Spherus" begins at 2:15 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24 at Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Blvd. For ticket information, visit their site.
