Amazing Stick Balancing Act

Carefully balanced sticks, tiny nearly invisible pins (on the bottom), cheesy music, lots of practice, and basic physics.

I think the guys eye shadow and pajama bottoms are optional.

Each stick is weighted such that the weight on one end equals the weight of the previously stacked sticks

Ah yes! I'm not sure if this is the source for this exact video, but there's a TV program in Paris that shows amazing performers like this for the New Year. I think they do it every Saturday too - I'm not sure, but it would last for hours and I'd be sucked into it like a trance with my eyes glued to the screen when I lived in Paris.

Oh and just to be clear, this man performed in that show when I last watched it. So if you can find that TV channel you might find more information for the video.

The TV channel is France 2, and the program is called "Le plus grand cabaret du monde".

They invite performers from all around the world, and there's often something quite amazing to see (although I have to say this particular one isn't one of my favourites).

However it's difficult to find any information on the performers, they usually just give their stage name and country of origin, but not much else.. (this guy is called Medir)

No tiny pins. A long run of agreeing with Von Skippy has come to an end. There is nothing here beyond skill, practice and palm fronds.

His name is Mädir Eugster, from Switzerland -

http://www.theater.ch/maedireugster

even if there are no pins, the contact points are wrapped for extra friction so they can't slide off. They can't roll off because of the curve. It's just like a Calder mobile. Not really so hard I think, but very cool.

Quite a shtick.

Quite a shtick. I thought Alexander Calder was dead.

absolute correct brand and ernest, hence the removal of the smallest stick at the end of the performance causes the entire structure to collapse. Illusion? yes. Reproducable? Yes, would take longer to make the fronds then to perform it. Memorable? Yes, if you don't understand basic physics or have not seen a tight rope walker.

Physics:
The sticks are curved, meaning that the center of gravity of every stick is below the point of contact with the other stick, giving it stability.
It's like carrying your groceries in a bag. It cannot turn upside down on it's own.
The difference here is that the point of contact is very small and low friction (slipping) had to be resolved.

Awesome. It doesn't hurt that Yulunga (Dead Can Dance) is one of my favorite songs.

Why everybody is so hard? I found the show quite original.