CirqueClub /// “A Holiday Q&A with Pedro Aviles”

Pedro Aviles, a dancer/choreographer from Michael Jackson ONE, shares what its like to celebrate the holidays with the show crew in Las Vegas, and adds a few holiday favorites from his native Puerto Rico.

What is your role in Michael Jackson ONE?

I am a Dance Performer Artist and the choreographer of the 787 Crew * show section and the ‘Can You Feel It’ number and Dance Captain of the show.

How long have you been performing with your dance crew? What does your crew mean to you?

My dance crew is more than a product of my Dance Company in Puerto Rico. It is my family here in Las Vegas and the reason I continue to pursue my dance career.

What will your holiday celebration look like this year in Las Vegas?

How will it be different from home? Our crew is trying to plan special activities so we don’t feel so far away from our families. The Cirque du Soleil schedule is really busy during the holidays because when a normal person takes a holiday break it’s us that entertain them. It will be totally different celebrating this holidays apart from our families and homes because the traditions that we have in Puerto Rico are full of warmth and joy. It’s something that will affect us a little bit if I don’t try and recreate the activities with the family that we have here as 787 Crew.

All the 63 performers in your show are from different countries. What is it like to celebrate the holidays in such a multicultural environment?

Our cast is truly unique. The beauty of having access to all the different members of the cast is that you learn a little from their cultures. You can learn different meanings for things you do at home, find out why they have certain customs and see they different ways they celebrate. We find a way to have a great holiday environment, bringing in food to the Green Room, etc.

How do you say “Happy Holidays” in Spanish?

In Spanish you just say ‘Happy’ and add the day that you are celebrating: Feliz Navidad (Merry Christmas), Feliz Año Nuevo (Happy New Year), Feliz día de los Reyes, Feliz día de los Padres, Feliz Semana Santa etc. If you want to translate the exact words ‘Happy Holidays’ you would say: Feliz Dias Festivos!

See more of the Q&A (with pictures) here:
http://goo.gl/gcPNz0

{ SOURCE: CirqueClub | http://goo.gl/gcPNz0 }