Banjos & Juggling: A World Vaudeville Adventure
“Wonderful show! Joyful and fun and a really talented musician! ”
— Audience member, 2026 Edinburgh Fringe
“This is exactly what the Fringe is about! ”
— Audience member, 2026 Edinburgh Fringe
“The trip-around-the-world theme works really well and is great for introducing different kinds of music. The show was really good humoured and engaging. Can highly recommend! ”
— Audience member, 2026 Edinburgh Fringe
“A fun and cheerful show, with lots of quirky instruments, juggling, and different little acts. It’s great for families, couples or even if you’re going on your own. Really fun and entertaining! ”
— Audience member, 2026 Edinburgh Fringe
“A global journey of music, rhythm, and spectacle — Brian Tomaszewski redefines the one-man show.”
— Susan Sieling, Rochester Institute of Technology, 2025 ESL Rochester Fringe Festival Organizer
“He does it all!!! THIS GUY IS FREAKIN' AMAZING!!!”
— 2025 ESL Rochester Fringe Festival Audience Member
Banjos & Juggling: A World Vaudeville Adventure is a high-energy, one-person variety show blending live music, juggling, storytelling, and humor into a unique theatrical experience. Following performances at both the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Rochester Fringe Festival, the show is now touring and available for booking at festivals, theaters, performing arts centers, 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
Banjos and Juggling: A World Vaudeville Adventure is an absolute Fringe gem! !00% One Man Show From the moment the show begins, you're swept into a joyful, high-energy celebration of music, comedy, circus skills and old-school Gentlemanly Vaudeville Charm. The combination of dazzling juggling, toe-tapping banjo tunes and genuinely engaging storytelling creates an uplifting experience that leaves the audience smiling from start to finish. The performance has an incredible chemistry and musical talent, effortlessly blending skill, humor with a very warm heart. Every set has the audience filled with toe tapping and hand clapping applause, while the live music adds a unique warmth and energy that makes this show stand out from the crowd. If you're looking for a feel-good entertainment that appeals to all ages, this is a must-see at the Edinburgh Fringe. Fun, clever, surprising and wonderfully original, Banjos and Juggling: A World Vaudeville Adventure is the kind of show that reminds you why the Fringe is so special. Don't miss it. Book your ticket, bring your friends, and prepare to leave with a huge smile on your face!
— Audience member, 2026 Edinburgh Fringe
More Reviews from 2026 Ednburgh Fringe
Addtional Photos for Media and Publicity
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