Bravo Juggling presents: Stick Heroes / 2018. 11.
Nico is famous about his clown character who keeps its flowerstick on the head. He stoped his last job 7 years ago for trying to live from devilsticking. He has traveled a lot for making shows.Nico.
Name: Sanchez Nicolas
Age: 31
Nationality: French
Place of living: Grenoble, France
Job: I am professional juggler
How many years have you been juggling with devilsticks?
I have been practicing flowerstick about 16 years now.
The number of devilsticks you have:
I have 25 flowersticks and 11 fire flowersticks
Your juggling achievements (prize / performance / trick that you are most proud of / etc.): I don not have money or anything like that but I am proud to live of my love. The trick that I am very proud of is my headspin.
Other juggling equipment you play with:
I love playing with clubs and play a lot of gladiator and volleyclub!
Are you a member of any team/group/club/association:
I am a member of many associations of juggling in France but I prefer going to a lot of conventions to meet the people.
Why did you choose this juggling tool and where did you first meet with it?
Good question! I think the flowerstick found me. I remember, the first time, it was not possible to stop me and a guy offered me a flowerstick and told me : "Man, you have talent, please continue!"
Which trick did you find the most difficult to learn?
My greatest trick, the headspin, for sure. I tried to make everything in my life with my flowerstick and tried to be natural.
What are you practicing at the moments?
Today, I work with all my skill on my clown character and try to mix emotion and juggling!
Do you have tricks that you invented?
I think I have some. This leg trick. The trick I named tornado which is a chaotic mixture of the bicycle/buzzsaw, the mills mess and the helicopter. This cool balance trick. And the one I am the proudest of is a new bell spin concept which can open the way forward new multi-stick tricks. I found it out in 2013 but I have not shared it with others yet. Still have not seen it by anybody else.
What are your favorite tricks?
My favorite trick is the descent from the head to the leg. I can do this actually with 3 flowersticks!
What is the most difficult trick you can do?
My most difficult trick is 3 sticks on the foot and landed on the head!
What is the most difficult trick that you would like to learn?
I don't know what I want to learn because I think you can find inspiration so many different ways and anywhere for that I just continue to practice and meet people in conventions and the work come alone.
In what style do you play and what other styles do you like?
My style has for sure a lot of contact and I also try to play with and without handsticks and mix it with juggling! I love all kind of juggling but my preference is the contact for sure.
What do you do in a normal day, how many hours do you practice?
My daily life is pretty simple, I will juggle regularly as soon as it's sunny and I have to train at least 5 hours a day.
How and where do you practice?
My training is simple: I play everywhere (gym, street, etc.). When I find a good spot, I need to juggling there! For my fun and for trying to put smile on the face of people (I think it is important). I can also work out all my ideas of clown on the street.
Do you perform with devilsticks? How do you create your show?
I make a lot of different shows with fire (street show, fire gala). I have done the fire gala on EJC in 2013 and 2015.
Do you teach juggling?
I teach flowerstick. Every time when in conventions I propose many workshops (all levels) and share many tricks. I love to teach because when I started, i had to find out all my tricks alone and I would have loved if someone had taught me.
Why do you like devilsticks?
I love flowerstick because that is the first prop I have tried and he has given me happiness.
What are your strong/weak points regarding juggling?
My strong point is definitely mixing clowning and juggling, and finding my artistic way. My weak point is that I do not travel enough!
Tell us a funny story related to devilsticks.
Why do you like devilsticks?
I like the devilstick because it does not follow the regular pattern of juggling toys. It is not just dedicated to throwing, and it can be mixed with the movements of other toys.
How is the juggling life in France? Are devilsticks popular?
Juggling is popular in France, you can find a lot of different kind of jugglers, lots of circus schools and a lot of conventions also... I recommend for all the jugglers to come to France and meet the people here.
What is your goal related to devilsticks? What is a challenge for you?
I would like to open an artistic center to welcome all those who wish to make shows, to learn and also to have a big enough space to organize events such as conventions or cabaret.
How do you imagine yourself when you are old? Will you still juggle?
I would do flowerstick until my death definitely.
Can you imagine not juggling devilsticks anymore?
I can't imagine my life without flowerstick, no way!
Who do you recommend devilsticks for?
I recommend flowerstick for everyone because it is fun like all juggling props. I have met so many different and lovely people by that!
What do you advise to beginner/advanced devilstick players?
My only advise is: Take pleasure when you juggling! It is a beautiful language.