Laurence (Larry) Shaw, my older brother, has had tremendous success with his toy invention, Astrojax. He's in NY at the International Yoyo Open 2009...

The Future of the Yo-Yo Debuts at IYYO 2009

Astrojax(R) will be making its first official appearance at a major yo-yo event in the United States this weekend at the International Yo-Yo Open at South Street Seaport, New York City, on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009. The IYYO attracts top yo-yo talent from across the nation. Four of the continent's most creative Astrojax players will be demonstrating Astrojax from 12:40 pm to 12:55 pm on the main stage.

Astrojax consists of three centrally-weighted balls on a string and play involves creating a variety of orbits. While yo-yo play is generally limited to two dimensions because of the spinning of the disk, the possibilities produced by a three-ball geometry takes play into the third dimension. Astrojax has won a number of toy awards and was the first modern toy taken into outer space by NASA.

As the featured performers show, Astrojax play is as much about creativity as technical virtuosity. * Chris Marshall uses Astrojax as a means of musical self-expression. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxnothwtgoQ) * Jason Simard plays in a flowing, meditative, improvisational style. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uxISJtBWqU) * Will Kerzic is the world's most inventive "jaxer". ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lluV9vs9VbI) * Claudia Yvette brings fun, humor and a rock-and-roll energy to her play. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv_PRrVlzfc) The players will be introduced by Larry Shaw, the inventor of Astrojax.

For more information contact Jim Marielli/USAstrojax.com