Banjos & Juggling: A World Vaudeville Adventure

Full Reviews

Banjos & Juggling: A World Vaudeville Adventure is a high-energy, one-person variety show that has already delighted audiences at the Rochester Fringe Festival and is now available for booking at festivals, theaters, and special events.

Experience the sights, sounds, and rhythms of the world through music, juggling, and storytelling. The show blends acoustic music, classic vaudeville skills, and world travel into a fast-paced, family-friendly performance that works in black box theaters, festival stages, and community venues.

Join performer Brian Tomaszewski on a one-of-a-kind journey that blends banjo, guitar, tin whistle, percussion, ball and club juggling, and storytelling. From the rolling hills of Appalachia, where bluegrass banjo meets ball juggling, to the vibrant rhythms of East Africa, where drums speak in patterns of movement, this show brings global cultures to life through performance.

Audiences watch as clubs spin through the air while Eastern European folk melodies fill the space, then are transported to the bustling streets of Asia, where spinning yo-yos and quick beats create mesmerizing illusions. Finally, the show sails back across the Atlantic, from the misty landscapes of Ireland to the shores of the Great Lakes, where music and motion settle into a heartfelt reflection on life and love.

Brian, a professor at Rochester Institute of Technology, has spent over 15 years exploring the world, working with refugees, publishing textbooks, and even crossing the Atlantic on a freighter ship. He now weaves those experiences into a live performance that is equal parts music, movement, and adventure—a true Vaudeville experience for the modern age.

Reviews

Brian Tomaszewski delivered an exhilarating performance that defied easy categorization. Seamlessly weaving together Appalachian banjo, African drumming, Irish whistles, and his own singer-songwriter compositions, Tomaszewski created a dynamic soundscape that felt both global in reach and personal in expression. What elevated the evening beyond music was his inventive blend of movement and storytelling. Juggling clubs spun through the air with the same rhythm and precision as his guitar strings, giving the show a Vaudeville flair that kept the audience captivated. Each transition—from instrument to instrument, culture to culture—was executed with confidence and originality, making the performance as surprising as it was cohesive. Tomaszewski’s work is not simply a concert; it is an immersive journey through sound, rhythm, and imagination. His ability to draw on more than 15 years of global experiences while presenting something uniquely his own is what makes this show unforgettable.

— Susan Sieling, Government and Community Relations, Rochester Institute of Technology, 2025 ESL Rochester Fringe Festival Organizer

Ideal For

• Fringe and arts festivals looking for a flexible, self-contained show
• Small and mid-size theaters programming family-friendly variety acts
• Colleges, universities, and community events with a global / cultural focus

Show Snapshot

• Format: Solo vaudeville-style show (music, juggling, storytelling)
• Runtime: 60 - 120 minutes based on need
• Audience: All ages; especially engaging for families and festival crowds

Booking & Contact

Interested in bringing Banjos & Juggling: A World Vaudeville Adventure to your festival or venue?

For booking inquiries, please contact brianbanjo@gmail.com.

Originally presented at the Rochester Fringe Festival.

Photo Credits: Photos by Kat Kuo for the ESL Rochester Fringe Festival Kathrine Forster Kuo Design & Illustration