MONDO History

MONDO I

February, 1990

Festival conceived in January 1990 and planned for early Feb.
Advertised as “The biggest juggling festival in the upper Midwest between Groundhog’s Day and Valentine’s Day”
The title “Mondo” supplied/coined by Dave Walbridge.
Approximately 80 people for a one day festival in Peik gym.

MONDO II

February 9, 1991

First T-shirt – “Clubhenge” Art by Dave Walbridge.
“MONDO Jugglefest” logo by Dave Linton.
First organized show on Saturday p.m.
Around 100 people for a 1.5 day festival in Norris gym

MONDO III

February 8, 1992

T-shirt – “Juggle until you’re Extinct” featuring a juggling Tyranosaur, by Dave Linton.
The year of the overboard?

MONDO IV

February 13 – 14, 1993

T-Shirt – “Valentine’s Day Massacre” by Dave Linton.
Festival moves to Cooke Hall.
Show moves to St. Paul Student Center theater.
Special guest, Jeff Mason

MONDO V

February 12 – 13, 1994

Admission: $4.00 – $6.00 (including show ticket).
T-shirt – “Atlas” by Dave Linton – became infamous as ‘the naked guy shirt’

MONDO VI

February 11 – 12, 1995

Admission: Free
The MONDO without a t-shirt.
Show w/ special guest, Craig Carlson – Sold Out
“As always, this show features top-notch talent from around the region performing new material, never before seen on the MONDO stage. U. of M. alumnus Craig Carlson headlines this year’s show, which also includes the Dew Drop Jugglers, No Strings Attached, the Twin Cities Unicycle Club and AirPlay!”
$5.00 adult $3.50 Child (under 10) $4.00 U. of M. Student

MONDO VII

February 9 – 11, 1996

Festival goes to 3-day format.
Admission: $2.00
Attendance tops 300!
T-shirt – “The Mondo” by Jim Wink
Show w/ special guest, Sean Emery – Sold Out

MONDO VIII

February 7 – 9, 1997

Admission: $4.00 – $5.00
T-shirt – “Pooh” by Ochen Kalen.
Show moves to the Music Box Theater – downtown Minneapolis.
Tickets: $5.00 – $7.00 MC, Tuey Wilson

MONDO IX

February 13 – 15, 1998

T-shirt – “Paul Bunyan” by Andrew Rose.
Show moves to Minneapolis Women’s Club – special guest, Jay Gilligan

MONDO X

February 5 – 7, 1999

Admission: $5.00 – $7.00 ($2.00 – 3.00 for spectators)
T-Shirt – “X Figure” by Rita Minnichsoffer.
MONDO moves into its current home at Concordia University in St. Paul.
Addition of spectator pass pushes attendance over 500.
Show special guest: Scott Burton
Tickets: $5.00 – $7.00

MONDO XI

February 18 – 20, 2000

Admission: $5.00 – 7.00 ($2.00 – 3.00 for spectators)
T-Shirt – “Cityscape” by Rita Minnichsoffer.
The MONDO Spectacular begins its streak of selling out each year.
Tickets: $5.00 – $7.00

MONDO XII

February 23 – 25, 2001

Admission: $5.00 – 7.00 ($2.00 – 3.00 for spectators)
T-Shirt – “Silhouette” by Penny Tesarek (featuring Dave Walbridge and Jay Gilligan)
Tickets: $8.00 – $10.00

MONDO XIII

February 22 – 24, 2002

Admission: $5.00 – 7.00 ($2.00 – 3.00 for spectators)
T-shirt – “The King of Clubs” by Martin Grider and Jerry Martin (featuring the unicycle riderback)
Among other things, MONDI XIII saw the breaking of a world record for jumping rope while on a unicycle.
Tickets: $8.00 – $10.00

MONDO XIV

February 7 – 9, 2003

Admission: $5.00 – 7.00 ($2.00 – 3.00 for spectators)
T-shirt – “Club Mondo” by Rita Minnichsoffer and Tom Tesarek
MONDO Spectacular sells out again, pushing the question of a new show venue.
Tickets: $8.00 – $10.00

MONDO XV

February 6 – 8, 2004

Admission: $3.00 – 5.00 (no spectators)
T-shirt – “Snowflake” by Laura Gerald
MONDO Spectacular move to St. Paul’s Central High School.
The new venue gave us more seats and better sightlines to the stage.
Tickets: $10.00

MONDO XVI

February 18 – 20, 2005

Admission: $3.00 – 5.00
T-Shirt – “Juggling Unicycler” by Laura Gerald
MONDO Spectacular held at Central High School.
Tickets: $10 for adults, $8 for kids
Special Guest: Matt Hall

MONDO XVII

February 24 – 26, 2006

Admission: $3.00 – 5.00
T-Shirt – “Juggling Unicycle Robot” by Laura Gerald
MONDO Spectacular held at Central High School.
Tickets: $10-$12 for adults, $8-$10 for kids
Special Guests: Ryan Atkins & Matt Hall

MONDO XVIII

May 4 – 6, 2007

Admission: $5.00 – 7.00
T-Shirt – “Juggling Strongman” by BT Livermore
MONDO Spectacular held at Central High School
Tickets: $10-12 Adults, $8-10 Kids
Special Guest: Doc Popular

MONDO XIX

April 11 – 13, 2008

Admission: $5.00 – 7.00
T-Shirt – “Russian Constructivism” by Laura Gerald and Cali Mastny
MONDO Spectacular held at Central High School
Tickets: $10-12 Adults, $8-10 Kids
Special Guest: Ivan Pecel