Your news: Comedic juggling duo amazes crowds at Live at the Lake

Catch This! The Juggling Olympics performed on Wednesday, July 21, at the Lake Park Memorial Pavilion as part of the Des Plaines Park District's free summer entertainment series: Live at the Lake.

The comedic juggling duo, Scott Sivright and Nate Beasley, demonstrated their extreme ability to defy gravity in front of a crowd of over 200, the largest of the series to date.

From the traditional clubs, rings, and wooden boxes to machete sharp knives and flaming torches, Catch This! captivated the audience with their skill and witty banter. The more dangerous the stunt, the louder the audience applauded.

One of the most popular tricks of the evening involved the systematic passing of six clubs, while Beasley kicked a seventh club into the fray, without any interruption in the speed of the juggling. In their final act, Beasley juggled three flaming torches while balancing on a roller board. Sivright leapt over Beasley, catching the torches mid air, and continuing the juggle.

The evening's events also included Art in the Park, a free event that invites children of all ages to make a craft project, and an ice cream social with all the profits earmarked for the Des Plaines Park District Scholarship Fund. The Des Plaines Park District Scholarship Fund helps families defray the costs of classes and programs throughout the year.

The next Live at the Lake performance will be 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4. The Barefoot Hawaiians will perform authentic Polynesian-style music, dancing, and drumming in vibrant, exotic costumes. Come early, picnic in the park, make a free craft project under the blue tent from 6-7 p.m., and then stake out a spot for an exciting musical journey to the islands.

Upcoming events at the Lake Park Memorial Pavilion include the Aug. 1, Des Plaines Park District Community Concert Band performance, "Band Members Favorites" at 3 p.m. and a free showing of The Wizard of Oz on Aug. 6, at 7 p.m., sponsored by the Des Plaines Optimist Club.

For more information about Live at the Lake or Des Plaines Park District programs call 847-391-5700 or visit desplainesparks.org.