“Vive Apasionadamente! – CirqueCon 2009: Monterrey”
By: Richard Russo – Orlando, Florida (USA)
“Hey, are you a member of the CirqueCon group, too?”
Even before Continental Airlines flight #2277 from Houston, Texas touched down in Monterrey, Mexico at 10:55am on September 24, 2009, the magic of CirqueCon was already at work.
“Why, yes. You as well?”
As I was speaking to fellow Passionate and friend Gena Colton from Ohio in mid-flight about the adventure ahead (which in itself was an amazing coincidence – she surprised me at the gate in Houston with an “excuse me, stranger” and ended up seated next to me in 10-C), I received a tap on the shoulder followed by the question. That tap turned out to be from Nora Shappee, another Passionate hailing fromMichigan, seated directly behind us.
Whodathunk?
CirqueCon – the Unofficial Gatherings of Cirque du Soleil Passionates – is a fan-organized assembly of like-minded individuals who share a singular passion: that of the circus arts. Our humble story began in 2004 with fans proposing a small gathering during the Vancouver, BC run of Quidam, which had just delighted audiences throughout Japan the year prior. While the tale of our genesis is somewhat more complicated than just “a coming together”, suffice it to say two individual groups did decide to band together and make the trip as one. Add in a little folly from Cirque du Soleil and viola – CirqueCon came to be. Since then we’ve made similar journeys in search of our favorite circus, which have taken us to a number of cities over the years: Montreal (2005), Las Vegas (2006), Orlando (2007), and Tokyo (2008). But like all reflections to be made before, during and after a gathering of this magnitude – once you reach your destination and the curtain falls on the event: what’s next?
During the concept phase of CirqueCon 2008: Tokyo! we thought perhaps after doing five straight events in as many years a break for rest and recuperation was in order, which would in turn give us the answer to that all important question. And although the very last page in our CirqueCon 2008: Tokyo! programme book did mention our next confirmed event would be CirqueCon 2010: Hollywood!, we never did say that we weren’t gathering in 2009 (cheeky of us…). So when CirqueCon 2010: Hollywood! became CirqueCon 2011: Hollywood! (due to a delay with the show), and we received a passionate plea from our friend and Mexican fan extraordinaire Rodolfo Elizondo about taking CirqueCon to Mexico for Dralion’s farewell, we couldn’t pass up his enthusiasm and thus CirqueCon 2009: Monterrey! was born!
Monterrey (pronounced with a heavy ‘rrrrr’) is a very modern Mexican city situated in the northeastern state of Nuevo León, approximately 150 miles south of the United States border near Texas. This state capital boasts a populace that ranks it third behind the Greater Mexico City and Greater Guadalajara metropolises and is home to many businesses, industries, universities and families. Arts in all forms are very prevalent here, as Monterrey is the unofficial art capital of Mexico; and also rich in culture. Throughout the weekend we experienced only a little of what Monterrey, and really all of Mexico, had to offer by visiting its museums, conversing with its people, and shopping on its streets. But what an amazingly fun weekend we had!
A fantastic number of 70 plus “Passionates” joined us, the first time we have taken our event south of the border. And what an amazing mix of people we had! Breaking it down numerically, 30% hailed from the United States (representing the states of California, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Tennessee, and Washington) with the remaining 70% coming from within Mexico. Of those 70%, 45% were from the host city (Monterrey), while the remaining 55% represented other parts of Mexico, such as Tijuana, Mexico City, Nuevo Laredo, Saltillo, Guadalaja, Merida, Torreon, Apodaca and San Luis Potosi. An amazing blend of peoples and cultures who truly lived the CirqueCon motto: Vive Apasionadamente – Live Passionately!
Here is our story.
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24th ///
Within moments of landing, I found Rodolfo and the three of us (Rodolfo, Gena and I) were on our way to the Holiday Inn Parque Fundidora, our headquarters hotel. We were in a bit of a rush because within the hour Rodolfo and I were due at the tables set up in the hotels’ lobby for our event’s opening registration time. We made it! Dozens of Passionates from within Mexico dropped by to pick up their programme packet (filled with brochures and maps from places all around Monterrey), the Group Meal, City Tour, Cirque Activities, Group Show and Bohemia Night tickets, their badges, and other CirqueCon branded goodies (such as the T-Shirt, post-cards, and more!) Some just dropped by to say “Hola”, including the real Patch Adams (who was also staying at the hotel), but that’s a horse of a different color.
Late in the afternoon we kicked off our celebration at Dralion’s white Grand Chapiteau with a unique chance to see artists training on an act added since the last time the show was in the country – the Trampo Wall. While we waited at the gates, Ana Cuellar, La Nouba silk artist, met us there for an impromptu chat. As a native resident of Monterrey,
she spoke to us about Monterrey’s art scene, her travels within Mexico and about her life here before Cirque. Ana also shared with us her trials and tribulations performing night after night after night – including the development of her own silk act – at La Nouba, Cirque du Soleil at Downtown Disney’s West Side.
Before long we took our seats inside the Grand Chapiteau to watch an amazing training session featuring Double Trapeze and Trampoline. One of Ana’s friends (and Cirque alum) was there training for the TrampoWall routine; picking up his role rather quickly I might add. And why not, he’s a trampoline artist from La Nouba! After receiving numerous rounds of applaus from us for sticking a trampo-jump hand stand he left the stage. The boys and girls of the Double Trapeze routine took to the rafters off and on throughout our time, warming up for their performance later tonight, no doubt, doing equally as well. After training concluded Bruce Mather, Artistic Director for Dralion, and a couple of trampoline artists (Dustin Hill, Alejandro Cuenca, Oskana Pochynok, and Ulf Hampus Jansson) joined us for a question and answer session. And although shy at first – our Passionate fans’ eyes were just round with admiration for them – they began asking question upon question. What is it like to tour with Cirque? What is your favorite show? What about Dralion do you like? How do you like Mexico fans? What will you do after Dralion closes?
“Uhhh…” What? Shh, they didn’t know!
How could they not know? Although artists generally have a good beat on what is happening on tour, they are not always the first to know about business decisions regarding the show or tour they are on. And considering how fast a decision could be changed or overturned, it wasn’t surprising the artists we spoke to didn’t seem to be in the know. Or, they knew but didn’t want to say much in front of their boss. Thankfully, though, the question didn’t anger anyone.
In all we spent a good solid two hours with our friends at Cirque du Soleil, but our time with Dralion that afternoon was drawing to a close. Before they let us out of the Grand Chapiteau for the day, however, Bruce had one final announcement for us – we were to join them again Saturday evening between shows for a back-stage group photograph with a few of the artists in costume! WOW!
With the sun now setting beautifully in the sky, it was time to make our way back across the park for our evening stroll around Parque Fundidora’s famous Blast Furnace (Horno 3) area and our cruise down the Paseo Santa Lucía to the Macroplaza, our cultural answer to CirqueCon’s traditional Meet & Greet activity.
One of the most interesting and best modes of transportation in Monterrey is the boat on the Paseo Santa Lucia, an artificial water canal that connects Parque Fundidora 2.5-kilometers to the east with Museo de Historia/Plaza 400 (Museum of Mexican History) at the Macroplaza. On the way you pass beyond the park, through beautiful fountains and other waterworks displays, around a whirlpool maker and finally into the water-filled Plaza 400 at the Macroplaza, entertained not only by the city lights around you (how about those floats?) but by the tour guide driving the boat.
Fantastico!
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25th ///
The morning got off to quite an early start. I was due at the open registration tables bright and early – 8:00am – before we embarked on our twelve-hour tour of Monterrey city and its environs, a unique and customized tour created by Rodolfo exclusively for the members of CirqueCon 2009, visiting museums, shopping plazas, natural places and more! Although there were a few last-minute bumps in our plan (the weather did not cooperate – it started to rain – and our bus was a few minutes late), we took it all in stride and had a smashing day out and about. Highlights include…
Puente de la Unidad — A cable-style bridge that crosses the mostly dry Santa Catarina River. It is one of Monterrey’s highest and most artistically designed bridges.
Grutas de García (Garcia Caves) –- 60 million year-old caverns beautifully lining the inside of El Fraile, one of Monterrey’s famous mountains, awaited us some 30 kilometers outside of the city’s limits. Featuring a rocky desert with a number of impressive rock formations and chambers, the caves were a uniquely cool (pun intended) place to visit. Some of the most spectacular features of Garcia Caves are “La Octavia Maravilla” (the Eighth Miracle), a formation whereby a
stalagmite merged with a stalactite to form a column); the “El Mirador de la Mano”, a stalagmite that formed in the shape of a human hand; “El Nacimiento”, a formation known as “The Nativity”; “El Teatro”, a huge rock formation nicknamed “The Theater”; and “La Gorila”, a Gorilla shaped formation embedded in the cavern wall. To reach the cavern’s entrance we had to ascend the mountain via an aerial tramway which afforded us fantastic views of the surrounding peaks.
The Cañon de la Huasteca — One of Monterrey’s most famous natural wonders featuring beautiful 300 meter cliffs surrounded by woodlands and jagged peaks, a stunningly beautiful mountain range.
The Macroplaza — A 400,000 square meter court consisting of various museums, monuments, gardens, fountains and various other green-space accoutrements. It’s anchored by the Palacio Municipal (Municipal Palace) on the south end at Constitución Avenue and the Antiqua Palacio Federal (Antique Federal Palace) on the north end at Cinco-de-Mayo Avenue. The Macroplaza features a number of monuments and other pedestrian zones including Fuente de Neptuno (the Fountain of
Neptune), a beautiful bronze fountain that represents Neptune, the Roman god of the Sea (also formally known as Fuente de la Vida – the fountain of Life), the Capilla de los Dulces Nombres, a 19th century roman catholic chapel; and the Faro del Comercio (Lighthouse of Commerce), a 70 meter tall square lighthouse equipped with a green laser that shoots its light out over the city at night.
Monterrey’s museums are also located nearby, such as MUNE (or Museum of the North East), showcasing the history of this part of Mexico) and the Museo de Historia Mexicana (Museum of Mexican History). Although MUNE is fascinating I find the Museo de Historia Mexicana to be the diamond in the ruff. This place is a treasure trove of exploration, art and enlightenment for those interested in the history of this land. At this museum you’ll find temporary and permanent exhibits divided into five areas which represent important periods in Mexican history: The initial creation of these lands (“Earth”), the Aztec and Mayan civilizations (“Ancient Mexico”), the Spanish conquistadores and the arrival of the Europeans (“The Viceroy Period”), the Spanish/American wars (“19th Century”) and modern democratic Mexico (“Modern Mexico”).
Whew, that’s a lot of walking about isn’t it — who said Margaritas!?
By the conclusion of our tour at the MacroPlaza and the nearby museums we were all bushed, but our day was not yet over. After just a couple of hours to rest, relax and recharge, for some of us it was back on the bus for Bohemia Night, CirqueCon’s night on the town! It is said that Monterrey doesn’t come alive until after 1:00am and for the most part I can say that is definitely true. Twenty-two of us braved the early-morning call to descend upon Neuva Luna for a little food, a little fun, and a little refreshment – Mexican style.
While we rocked the night away to the band’s repertoire of rock, pop, salsa and traditional north Mexican beats, the staff of Nueva Luna kept us filled with steak and chicken fajitas, tortillas, and various accoutrements. And once the alcohol started flowing there was no stopping us! Bus transportation to and from the Holiday Inn Parque Fundidora to Nueva Luna Restaurant was included and return trips back to the hotel occurred in three increments, in case anyone wished to leave a little earlier at 1:00am, 2:00am or 3:00am.
I chose to leave a little early myself – on the second bus – but oh man did I have a blast!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26th ///
With the previous nights late return coupled with today’s early arrival, you’d think many of us would be dragging – but you’d be wrong! We were up and ready for our exploration of Horno 3 at Parque Fundidora.
The Horno 3 blast furnace was once part of the now defunct Monterrey Steel Foundry Company and was in use from 1900 until the company’s bankruptcy in 1986. Two years later the park was born. Horno 3 is a museum these days; patrons can explore the Foundry History Gallery (a look at the events which forged the steel industry in Mexico), the Steel Gallery (a look at industrial processes), and the Blast Furnace show (a multi-sensorial show complete with stunning effects simulating the workings at No 3. Blast Furnace), you can also take a trip to the top of this monstrosity for one spectacular view of the city. It’s 130ft (40m) from ground-level and is on a slated platform – so not only can you see all around but below you too; hold on! The incline chair (that seats about eight) will take you up to the top for about 80 pesos (approx $8.00) and from there all of Monterrey opens up to you.
Here you can take in the relative peace and quiet of the skies above the park. You really get a fantastic view of your surroundings including the fantastic ‘M’-shaped Cerro de la Silla, my hotel (the Holiday Inn at Parque Fundidora) and the Grand Chapiteau itself (sitting next to Plaza Sesamo, a Sesame Street theme park.)
Then we assembled in the lobby of our headquarters hotel for yet another trip on the bus. This time we were off to Hacienda San Angel for our group meal!
Afterwards we were off to Mirador del Obispado (Bishop’s Lookout), which is located atop Cerro del Obispado, the hill of the same name for yet another fantastic view of the city. Rising about 775 meters above sea level, this viewpoint is adorned with a fabulous 18th century palace and a number of steps that make this one photogenic spot. Besides a fantastic panoramic view of the surrounding city – you can easily spot all of downtown Monterrey and its sprawling environs from here, and Monterrey’s namesake mountains: Cerro de las Mitras (Miter Hill), Cerro del Topo Chico (Small Mole Hill), Cerro de la Loma Larga (Long Slope Hill), La Huasteca, and, of course, Cerro de la Silla (or Saddle Hill), which rises above 1800 meters (or 5900 feet) – you’ll also find Mexico’s biggest monument flag nearby, but due to time constraints we had to make our way back to the Parque for Dralion.
We assembled outside the gates of the Grand Chapiteau for our amazing opportunity to take a group photograph with some of the artists backstage; see Dralion, the extraordinary voyage through a futuristic dimension – a place without time, ruled by magical laws – a fusion of ancient Chinese circus tradition with the avant-garde approach of Cirque du Soleil thrust into a plane of existence that is neither past nor future; and then re-assemble after at the cast gates out back to give the artists a grand CirqueCon send-off!
Who were those guys with the yellow bandanas?
Wait, what?
No, we weren’t a band of desperados preparing to raid the Grand Chapiteau (although I imagine that thought crossed the minds of a few of us); Rodolfo had them for everyone to wave, twirl and otherwise use to get noticed during and after the performance. And oh boy did the artists notice us! We were so loud we brought the entire compliment of spectators with us – at first they didn’t know what to do but they soon got into the spirit. So much so the artists gave us one of the best, most energetic and amazing performance of Dralion I have ever been privileged to see. They were truly amazing and re-affirmed why I enjoyed Cirque du Soleil so much.
It’s sad we may never experience Dralion in this way ever again… but at least we sent the cast and crew out in style – in the CirqueCon way!
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If you didn’t come to CirqueCon 2009: Monterrey! you really missed something special. We had lots of fun with much laughter and kinship, and by the end we all came away with a newfound appreciation for Mexico and its history and culture. Not to mention a renewed sense of wonder for Cirque du Soleil’s Dralion.
But if you missed out on CirqueCon 2009: Monterrey!, or any of our previous events, we have two very exciting adventures coming in 2010 and 2011, which will take CirqueCon Coast-to-Coast!
CIRQUECON 2010: NEW YORK CITY + MONTREAL! – THREE SHOWS. TWO CITIES. ONE EVENT /// Join us from April 27th through May 2nd as we journey north and east to The Big Apple for one of Cirque du Soleil’s latest productions (Banana Shpeel), take in OVO under the Grand Chapiteau, then travel to Montréal for Cirque’s latest touring production, TOTEM.
CIRQUECON 2011: HOLLYWOOD! – LIGHTS, CAMERA, CIRQUE! /// Then we’re back on the western frontier in 2011 as CirqueCon breaks into the movies with another of Cirque’s newest productions: Cirque Kodak in Hollywood, California!
Join us at www.CirqueCon.com today!
