Stupid Human Tricks

Speed-stacking cups is pretty much exactly what it sounds like: You stack the most cups in the least amount of time possible. “It’s pointless and stupid, but of course I’ve spent hundreds of hours doing it myself,” admits Christopher “Aji” Slater.
Pointless, stupid talents are kind of Slater’s M.O., and he’s amassed an impressive array of them – juggling, card tricks, pen-spinning ― in his tenure as a clown with the Ringling Bros. Circus and as a geek in general. Today he brings those talents to Bad Day to Be a Juggler, his one-man show.

“It’s a sort of choose-your-own-adventure,” Slater says of the performance, which is basically his meta-take on what it means to be the sort of geek who learns to do dumb stuff like juggling. Audience members can take their pick of Slater’s skills, and he’ll show them off and tell the story behind them.

“I’ve just always been what I like to call a twiddler,” Slater explains. “It’s like my fingers have ADHD, and I think the comedy is just my way to share my experience of it with people who could really care less. If I can inspire one person to take up pen-spinning, then I’ve done my job.”

Slater’s show is part of the Boulder Fringe Festival, which runs August 18 through 28; performances are tonight at 9 p.m., tomorrow at 7:30 p.m., and Wednesday through Saturday next week at Wesley Chapel, 1290 Folsom Street in Boulder. Get tickets, $10 to $13, and information at www.boulderfringe.com.

Thu., Aug. 18, 9 p.m.; Fri., Aug. 19, 7:30 p.m.; Wed., Aug. 24, 5:30 p.m.; Thu., Aug. 25, 7 p.m.; Fri., Aug. 26, 6 p.m.; Sat., Aug. 27, 9 p.m., 2011