======================================================================= ______ _ __ _ __ / ____/___ ___________(_)___ ____ _/ /_(_)___ ____ / / / /_ / __ `/ ___/ ___/ / __ \/ __ `/ __/ / __ \/ __ \/ / / __/ / /_/ (__ ) /__ / / / / /_/ / /_/ / /_/ / / / /_/ /_/ \__,_/____/\___/_/_/ /_/\__,_/\__/_/\____/_/ /_(_) T h e U n o f f i c i a l C i r q u e d u S o l e i l N e w s l e t t e r ------------------------------------------------------------ E X P A N D E D I S S U E ------------------------------------------------------------ ======================================================================= VOLUME 10, NUMBER 8 August 2010 ISSUE #79e ======================================================================= =========== CONTENTS =========== o) Cirque Buzz -- News, Rumours & Sightings o) Itinéraire -- Tour/Show Information * Arena Shows -- In Stadium-like venues * BigTop Shows -- Under the Grand Chapiteau * Resident Shows -- Performed en Le Théâtre * Venue Shows -- Venue & Seasonal Productions o) Outreach -- Updates from Cirque's Social Widgets * Club Cirque -- This Month at CirqueClub * Networking -- Cirque on Facebook, YouTube & Flickr o) Compartments -- A Peek Behind the Curtain * Didyaknow? -- Facts About Cirque * Historia -- Cirque du Soleil's History o) Fascination! Features *) "Memory of the Circus: Inside the Cirque du Soleil Library/Archives (Part 1 of 2)" By: Keith Johnson - Seattle, Washington (USA) o) Subscription Information o) Copyright & Disclaimer ======================================================================= CIRQUE BUZZ -- NEWS, RUMOURS & SIGHTINGS ======================================================================= Banana Shpeel Slips into Toronto [EXPANDED] {Jul.07.2010} ----------------------------------------------- Let’s hope this second Banana has appeal. A new Cirque show is usually a cause for celebration but some people might be discouraged by the fact that Shpeel recently closed in New York after a very short run thanks to some generally dismissive reviews. I have to confess that I didn’t share the rest of my colleagues’ displeasure with the show, finding it “an amusing, engaging way to spend an evening.” Part of my relief, to be honest, was to discover that after the notices the show had received in its Chicago tryout (“unfunny, creepy and depressing” were some of the adjectives used by Windy City scribes), it was actually quite lighthearted and entertaining. It’s also very different. So if you expect all Cirque shows to look and sound the same, be prepared to be surprised. Cirque du Soleil, in cooperation with Mirvish Productions, is bringing its latest production, Banana Shpeel, to Toronto at the Canon Theatre from Sept. 14 through Oct. 10, the Star has learned. Banana Shpeel is, quite frankly, an exercise in vaudeville. Baggy pants comedy, raucous slapstick, the whole nine yards. It's something we don't see much of lately, least of all from Cirque, but it's done with the group's usual panache. My sources inside Cirque also tell me that "a fair bit of tweaking" has occurred since the New York premiere, so what we get here in Toronto will not be identical to what failed to knock Gotham on its ear. If you’re looking for advice, I’d tell you to forget any preconceptions and prepare yourself to enjoy the show on its own merits. I took some friends to see it last Sunday night, the end of an eight-show week performed during a heat wave, but the cast were still putting out 100 per cent. Aaron Walpole, who plays the role of narrator Lonny, was indisposed, but I’m pleased to tell you his understudy, Carson Nattrass, performed the role with great flair and style. Remember: It’s never too hot to rock ’n’ roll. {SOURCE: Toronto Star} Rogers is Cirque's official Canadian wireless services provider {Jul.09.2010} ----------------------------------------------- Rogers and Cirque du Soleil have successfully grown their organizations by driving innovation and remaining on the cutting edge of technology and entertainment. As entrepreneurs, the companies have revolutionized their respective industries, pushed boundaries and changed the rules of the game in order to enhance customer experiences. It was then natural for both organizations to establish a partnership. Rogers is proud to now be affiliated with Cirque du Soleil by officially supporting its 2010-2011 Canadian tour as its official wireless services provider. "This is a partnership between two leading innovators in the Canadian market dedicated to enhancing consumer experiences. We are delighted to accompany Cirque du Soleil on their 2010-2011 Canadian tour and we look forward to providing them with the most innovative wireless solutions available," said Rob Bruce, President, Communications, Rogers. {SOURCE: Newswire} La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil Announces Limited Edition Trading Pin as Commemorative Gift for New Year's Eve {Jul.14.2010} ------------------------------------------------------- Lake Buena Vista, Fla. - July 6, 2010 - La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil announced today that a limited edition commemorative La Nouba trading pin will be available with the purchase of a ticket to the New Year's Eve performances this year. Tickets are on sale now. This is the second official Disney trading pin unique to Cirque du Soleil and will only be fully revealed to our guests as they arrive that evening. "We are really excited to be able to offer a pin exclusively to our guests," said Neil Boyd, Company Manager of La Nouba. "We get asked occasionally about a La Nouba trading pin and we think New Year's Eve 2010 is the perfect opportunity to launch what we intend to be an annual gift." Pin trading has been an official tradition for more than ten years at Walt Disney World; Resort and has spread to Disneyland; Paris, Tokyo Disneyland;, Hong Kong Disneyland and Disney Cruise Line; with each location creating their own pins and customs. La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil is pleased to be a part of this lasting tradition. NEW YEAR'S EVE PRICING Tickets for the New Year's Eve 2010 performances of La Nouba range in price from $67 to $133 plus tax for adults and $54 to $109 plus tax for children (ages 3-9). Tickets for these performances are on sale now by calling (407) WDW-SEAT (407-939-7328), or by visiting the box office located at the plaza level of the theater, or by logging on to cirquedusoleil.com/lanouba. Group reservations can be made by calling (702) 352-0197. For more information and to receive news alerts and priority sale details, sign up for Cirque Club at cirquedusoleil.com/lanouba or visit facebook.com/lanouba. PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE Tuesdays through Saturdays at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. with additional performances on Monday, December 27 th. The theater is dark Sundays and Mondays and select times throughout the year. La Nouba is performed exclusively at Downtown Disney; West Side at Walt Disney World; Resort. {SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil} SALTIMBANCO doesn't begin as much as it creeps [EXPANDED] {Jul.14.2010} --------------------------------------------------------- The Cirque du Soleil show opens with deceptive quiet as brightly clad characters wander out on to the arena floor and, jabbering away in a language of their own devising, start making friends with the audience. The little tricks and comedy moments go on for a while until you notice that a full troupe of acrobats and clowns have materialised on stage. A ringmaster in a tall hat bangs his staff on the ground, and we're off. Welcome to Saltimbanco. By the time the evening's end rolls around, the Cirque performers are done sneaking up on you, instead trying for full- on astonishment. To reach that, they pull out all the tricks in their arsenal – the trapeze and the bungee ropes, the Chinese Poles and the Russian Swing. Nor will they be shy about leavening that with juggling, lavish costumes, bicycles and, frequently, laughter. As jobs go, it's not a bad living for an international, globe- trotting troupe that spends most of the year on the road and rocks up at a new arena every week with 16 lorries and a mission to do something unique. Since its 1992 debut Saltimbanco has become one of the circus- redefining Canadian troupe's signature shows. For the more than 50 performers who will bring it to life in Nottingham, it remains a challenging piece. "I enjoy this show, the energy this show gives," says Cirque veteran James Clowney, who plays the ringmaster. "I would love to say I changed the character, but I think the character actually changed me." Michael Ocampo has been with Cirque since 1993. Now retired from performing, he works behind the scenes as a coach for Saltimbanco. "It's really uplifting," he says. "There are images from Saltimbanco, from when I saw it the first time, that still stay with me. "At the end of the show I was sitting like that," he says, letting his mouth fall open in amazement. "And I come from a background of gymnastics and acrobatics." For all the on-stage amazement, there's an small off-stage army keeping everything running. Let's talk wardrobe: Saltimbanco features 2,500 different pieces of wardrobe – from surreal, almost carnival-style masks to intricately detailed shoes. The show employs four full-time travelling wardrobe assistants and bring in another three helpers at each stop. The four full- timers take turns dressing each night's show – having everything ready and providing the on-the-fly changes and necessary repairs. "If they bust a shoe I can run down here and whip them up another one," says wardrobe assistant Victoria Lightner. "If you can do this job here, out of a road case, you can do it anywhere. This is wardrobe boot camp." Showtime is nearing as Victoria's explaining this, and around her in the bowels of the Festhalle Frankfurt, performers are milling around, getting loose and gearing up for the night's show. Some have put on their first costume of the night, others are still in their warm-up clothes (one performer wears a T- shirt that proclaims: ""Keep staring, I might do a trick" – and he might). While all this is going on, it can be difficult to keep track of all the different languages being spoken. Backstage at a Cirque du Soleil show can look like a UN meeting crossed with a Benetton advert. Cirque recruits from all over the world, and more than 20 countries are represented in this incarnation of Saltimbanco (the only English member of this troupe is Nicola Dawn, one of the singers with the show's band). Some are former high-level competitive gymnasts. Others have a background in acting – most likely with a healthy dose of physical theatre experience. Others attended circus schools, a route that's particularly popular in former Soviet countries, where school- age circus training remains from the Communist years. Still others come from traditional travelling circus families. Cirque's official work language is English, but backstage you'll hear everything from French to Russian to Mongolian. All who sign on must have a love of a unique lifestyle. "It's like running away to join the circus," artistic assistant Neelanthi Vadivel says. "My husband always says 'too many freaks, not enough circus'." Surely then, Cirque is populated by people who are living the dream they harboured as children. Well, not necessarily. James Clowney started at circus schools in his native New York from seven, and began working in circuses from 11. But as a young man, the fellow who wears a top hat and entertains thousands had other plans. "I actually wanted to go into business," he says. "Banking or accounting, something like that." Oh. Right. So then, would he ever consider leaving Cirque and running away to join the, erm, accountancy firm? He laughs. "I would always have that itching in the back of my head," he says. "It's hard to give it up." { SOURCE: Nottingham Post } Cirque du Soleil hatches an insect love story [EXPANDED] {Jul.17.2010} -------------------------------------------------------- A clown and dramatic actress, Michelle Matlock now finds herself starring as a lonely but fabulous beetle in the most spectacular “bug meets bug” love story to lay a giant glowing egg on a Boston stage. She plays Ladybug, the love-struck beetle at the pulsing heart of “Ovo,” Cirque du Soleil’s newest touring show, which opens this coming week at Fan Pier on Boston’s waterfront. Taking its title from the Portuguese word for egg, “Ovo” casts 54 artists from 16 countries as insects in a fantastic theatrical ecosystem of light, color, sound – and even smell – beneath Cirque’s signature blue and yellow Big Top. “Ovo” will open Thursday and run through Aug. 15. As Cirque du Soleil’s first female director, Deborah Colker has used three decades of experience as an award-winning choreographer to create a show full of dancing insects, daredevil acrobatics, contagious music and spectacular lighting effects. The ants juggle kiwis with their feet. Red and yellow fleas cavort like Olympic gymnasts. A pair of butterflies perform an aerial pas de deux at the end of a rope. Each insect species has been costumed and choreographed to crawl and eat, flutter and dance, fight and search for love with distinctive ways to move. Artistic Director Marjon Van Grunsven described Ovo as “a beautiful fusion of art and life.” “It’s a perfect fusion of dance, acrobatics, design and music. I really hope audience members can experience it all through their eyes and ears and imaginations,” she said. Working with an international cast, Van Grunsven said she encourages the 54 performers, including many who came to the show from backgrounds in sports, to use their different skills to give their insect characters “their own recognizable way of moving.” A native of the Netherlands, she earned degrees in dance and theater and has worked as a choreographer, composer, producer and teacher in Paris, South Korea and New York. “Spiders are slow and graceful. Crickets jump on their articulated legs. The scarabs are daring flyers,” she said between shows in Hartford, Conn. “Ovo’s creators chose insects because there’s so many different kinds, so many different colors, so many different stories. It’s Cirque du Soleil’s 25th anniversary and they wanted to give audiences something colorful and happy and festive.” After observing children in the audience, Van Grunsven hopes adults “learn to open up completely” like kids when they watch “Ovo.” “Children leave everything outside. I hope adults learn from them to watch these colorful characters, forget everything and let themselves be carried away into a fantasy,” she said. Now based in Montreal, Cirque du Soleil is the offspring of Parisian street performers who combined forces to export their daredevil artistry around the world. Their shows, which combine theatrical acrobatics and costumed multimedia spectacles, have been seen by 90 million people around the world. Mixing bugs and love, “Ovo” takes off when the sphinx-like egg appears onstage. When a buzzing fly named Foreigner carries the glowing red egg into the insect world, Ladybug is overcome with feelings that would make any six-legged, self-respecting beetle blush like a schoolgirl. Matlock said Ladybug feels her life changing in ways that touch the audience. “Through her struggles, I think Ladybug connects to audiences instantly in her own humane way,” said Matlock between performances. “She’s very sweet and popular and sexy. But she hasn’t found true love yet.” While the “aviation-challenged” Ladybug doesn’t fly like the other insects, Matlock said her “pop culture diva costume” – which features platform boots, a bright orange belly, pink wings and bobbing antennae – “equips me to crawl into my role. Ladybug hasn’t found true love but she’s fabulous with who she is,” she said. To play Ladybug, she watched videos of insects and worked with other actors to invent their own “bug language” of clicks, squeaks and tongue rolls that are transmitted by a hidden microphone. For Matlock, audiences might learn a lot from the way the insect characters react to the arrival of a mysterious egg in the middle of their world. “We’re all bugs. We’re different bugs but we have to share our world,” she said. “When that egg comes onstage, it feels nice. I think ‘Ovo’ is what life is: simplicity, openness and celebration.” {SOURCE: The Patriot-Ledger} New website goes online {Jul.19.2010} --------------------------------------------- Montreal, July 19, 2010 - Cirque du Soleil is today launching its new website-a site which repositions the company online. A true international showcase, this new site presents not only all Cirque du Soleil shows but also the company's various parallel achievements, such as designing the Canada Pavilion for the Shanghai World Expo 2010, the REVOLUTION Lounge and GOLD Lounge in Las Vegas, and Jukari-the fitness program for women created in collaboration with Reebok. "This revamp is in line with Cirque's desire to extend its presence in the world of entertainment and new media on a global scale," explains Annie Derome, Director of Internet and Interactive Media. "The new platform has been in the works since 2007 and allows Cirque du Soleil to highlight its distinctive personality, as well as its various shows," she continues. NEW HOME PAGE The first change is visible right on the home page, which is split into two points of entry. The first-Discover who we are- plunges visitors into an immersive environment at the very core of what makes Cirque du Soleil unique: its innovative style, values, mission and history. The second-Discover our shows- provides a quick and intuitive overview of the 21 shows currently playing around the world. Visitors will find special offers or news based on the country selected at the bottom of the page. RENEWED CONTENT Renewed content also provides visitors with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the creative world of each of the shows. Over 250 video clips present excerpts of Cirque du Soleil shows as a means to explore their respective worlds. CURRENT SHOWS EASIER TO FIND The new website is truly a calling card for Cirque du Soleil on five continents. It is now easier and quicker for visitors to find out what shows are playing in their city or country. A search tool quickly identifies which show is being presented where. CIRQUE CLUB With more than two million members, Cirque Club will now have more exclusive content for its members, in addition to discounts and exclusive pre-sales. THIRD REVAMP SINCE 1995 The first Cirque du Soleil website went online in 1995. After a major overhaul the following year, it earned a 1996 Suxess Award in the Best Design and Realization category, awarded by the Suxess advertising agency in Vienna, Austria. The second transformation of cirquedusoleil.com-in 2001-won four Gold awards at the Digital Marketing Awards (2002) in Toronto in the Best of Show (Grand Prize), Experience, Content/Information and Experimental categories. The current revamp of the site was carried out by Sid Lee, CGI and PopCode, and also involved 80 employees in various areas of activity. The site welcomes more than 60,000 visitors a day. Please visit the www.cirquedusoleil.com/newcirquedusoleil microsite for more information about the various functionalities of the new platform and the technology used by the Web design team. The Cirque du Soleil address remains the same: www.cirquedusoleil.com. {SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil} Kooza has its heart—and its skills—firmly in place [EXPANDED] {Jul.24.2010} ------------------------------------------------------------- You know how sex can be so intense sometimes that you almost want it to stop, but you really, really don’t? Kooza, the latest Cirque du Soleil show to hit Vancouver, is like that. In fact, it’s the best Cirque production to come to town since the company trampolined its way into our hearts with Alegría seven years ago. That’s because writer and director David Shiner has perfected the presentation of two essential elements: acrobatics and clowning. The aerial acts are insanely exciting. In “Wheel of Death”, Colombian artists Jimmy Ibarra and Carlos Marin Loaiza run around in and on two giant wheels that are connected by a huge, rotating spoke, so that the wheels circle around each other. At first, the spinning made me kind of sick, but I forgot all about that when I started screaming. These guys use momentum to send themselves shooting off the wheels. They fly through the air, sometimes dropping a huge distance, only to land on the wheels again. It’s terrifying, but Ibarra and Loaiza perform with such bravado that terror turns into a wild adrenaline rush. The quartet that performs “High Wire” is also spectacular. On twin wires suspended 15 and 25 feet above the stage, these dudes do crazy things like leapfrog over one another. Marie-Chantale Vaillancourt’s costuming is part of the delirious sexiness of the production. Contortionist Iuliia Mykailova looks like a bejewelled snake, and her body is so healthily voluptuous that she doesn’t make you want to puke, which can be a problem with contortionists. Yao Deng Bo, who works the Chinese chairs with muscular precision, enters in a dreamily androgynous flowing cape. Almost everything works. Irina Akimova, who shimmies as many as seven silver hoops up and down her lithe body, is like sex on a plate, duo unicyclists Diana Aleshchenko and Yuri Shavro are all acrobatic romance, and second-generation Cirque performer Darya Vintilova is pure freedom on the trapeze. The one act that tanks is Michael Halverson’s turn as a pickpocket. He’s just not that good; the guy he chose from the audience the night I attended often clearly knew what was up. And the second act is somewhat oddly structured. It opens with “Wheel of Death”, the most exciting piece, and closes with “Teeterboard”. “Teeterboard” is impressive—performers, sometimes strapped into tall metal stilts, get catapulted through the air— but it doesn’t feel climactic. These are minor complaints, though. Kooza has vision, and it’s held together by character. In the loose story, the Innocent follows the Trickster into Kooza’s magical world. Mike Tyus’s Trickster has more sinister allure than Mick Jagger—and better moves. Stéphan Landry is a winning Innocent. And, in his combination of sweetness and misbehaviour, former Vancouverite Colin Heath, who sports a little yellow hat here, is the best of a group of clowns. Poor clowning was the downfall of Corteo, the Cirque show that visited Vancouver in 2008, but Kooza has its heart—and its skills—firmly in place. And for all its sensuality, it’s still a family show. It uses the metaphor of a child’s adventure to explore the wonder that lurks just beneath the surface of mundane existence. {SOURCE: The Georgia Straight} It’s a bug’s life — and a fun one at that [EXPANDED] {Jul.24.2010} ---------------------------------------------------- Insectophobes beware: Oversize bugs are crawling all over the Boston waterfront. Actually, make that crawling, running, gyrating, whirling, hurtling, cycling, and flying. Cirque du Soleil is in town with a new show, “OVO," that is set in the insect world. It’s a charmer and often a dazzler, marred only by a grating audience-interaction segment in the second act that stalls the show’s momentum and made me wish someone would send out the clowns. As with earlier Cirque du Soleil productions, there are times in “OVO’’ when the performers achieve a level of artistry that almost defies comprehension. It is like watching Fred Astaire dance or Mariano Rivera pitch. At this particular moment, Cirque du Soleil may feel it has something to prove. Since it was founded in 1984, the Montreal- based organization had succeeded in casting a spell over audiences with one spectacle-laden show after another. All told, its productions have been seen by nearly 100 million spectators. But Cirque experienced an embarrassing hiccup last month when “Banana Shpeel," a $20 million foray onto Broadway, closed after only six weeks. Now comes the inventive, if amorphous, “OVO." Written and staged by Deborah Colker, the first female director to take the helm of a Cirque show, it is a fast-moving riot of acrobatics, aerial wizardry, and dance movement. (Colker, a native of Brazil, also devised the choreography). "OVO" purports to be about such grandiose themes as biodiversity, the mystery of life, and what the company calls the “hidden, secret world at our feet." That’s eyewash, really, since the insect-kingdom setting is largely a pretext for Cirque’s 54 performers to do what they do so well, albeit while wearing outfits of iridescent green, red, and blue devised by costume designer Liz Vandal. The slender plot of "OVO" concerns a fly (Francois-Guillaume LeBlanc) who wanders into a community of other insects while toting a giant egg on his back ("ovo" means egg in Portuguese). He instantly becomes enamored of a fetching, flirty ladybug (Michelle Matlock). The other insects, meanwhile, are captivated by the large white orb (in what the Cirque creators acknowledge is a nod to the way the apes get transfixed by the obelisk at the beginning of Stanley Kubrick’s "2001"). So while the fly is pitching woo with the ladybug, the other insects make off with the egg. But the egg is not central to subsequent developments — not that there really are subsequent developments. "OVO" suffers from the lack of a compelling story line and the absence of a truly hissable villain who would ratchet up the dramatic tension. You’re not likely to care much when the performers start to do their stuff. The crowd was electrified midway through the first half of "OVO" when five jugglers attired as ants (Han Jing, Su Shan, Wang Shaohua, Zhu Tingting, Kong Yufei, and Pei Xin) used their feet to flip objects (meant to represent corn and kiwi) end over end and transferred spinning disks (representing eggplant) from one to another. As a pair of amorous butterflies, Maxim Kozlov and Inna Mayorova created a gorgeous aerial ballet on a rope, swooping and twirling upside down far from the ground. Further upside-down astonishment was later delivered by "Spiderman" (Li Wei), who balanced on his chin on a unicycle while pedaling the cycle back and forth on a wire suspended 15 feet from the stage. Did I mention that the wire was swaying much of the time? Words can’t really capture "Creatura" (Lee Brearley), a headless character whose torso-twisting moves and now-you-see-it-now-you- don’t manipulation of his limbs gave him the appearance of a giant, living Slinky, friendly and spooky at once. (With Creatura, "Toy Story" meets "A Bug’s Life.") Speaking of manipulating limbs: Svetlana Belova led a team of spider contortionists who created such impossible pretzels of their bodies that it made me wince to see it. Familiar, though still impressive, thrills were delivered on the trapeze by 11 performers dressed as scarab beetles who demonstrated remarkable teamwork as they caught or flipped one another. "OVO" saves the highlight for the end: A gaggle of performers attired as green crickets who scale a clifflike 20-foot-high wall and then proceed to leap from it and bound back to the top again and again (there are trampolines on the floor), somersaulting and whizzing past one another diagonally. It’s an exhilarating display, flawlessly executed, and like much of "OVO," it made me wonder who needs CGI when human beings can generate these kinds of special effects. {SOURCE: The Boston Globe} Behind the Mask, Behind the Magic [EXPANDED] {Jul.28.2010} --------------------------------------------- It takes a lot to make the magic of Cirque du Soleil -- and what happens behind the scenes is a wizardry all its own. Backstage -- even on Cirque du Soleil's first day in Regina -- things were busy, but remarkably calm, considering 55 artists and 40 technicians and administrative staff had just descended on the Brandt Centre and were settling to stay for performances until Sunday. Taking the classic show Alegria -- which helped establish Cirque du Soleil's reputation when it premiered in 1994 -- and its many components on tour to arenas across North America is a big undertaking, explained Sheryl-Lynne Valenski, a Toronto product who has been with Cirque du Soleil for five years and is the artistic assistant on Alegria. "The arenas are interesting because they're all different," she said. "We've been to some huge U.S. cities. We've been to some very small Canadian cities. You have to be very adaptable and flexible. One of the things we're very consistent with is our set out front and our seating. But our backstage can be a real challenge for us." Sometimes such spaces as a loading dock need to be utilized in order to have the backstage meet the needs of the large tour. Artists need facilities available to work out and stay in shape for the physically demanding production, Valenski noted. While having training areas available is a big consideration, it is only one of the many things that have to be arranged to accommodate the Alegria tour. The group brings its own appliances to keep up with some of the chores. "The amount of laundry is truly phenomenal," Valenski said, noting there are 400 costume pieces involved in the show. "In fact, we travel with our own washing machines and dryers, because we never know what we're going to get in some of the arenas." Zebastian Hunter, a Cirque du Soleil trapeze artist from Australia, said that from a performer's perspective, the logistical challenges always are overcome by the consistent work of the support staff. "Every week we come in and it's perfect and exactly the same," he said. "So we're really lucky. We have a great team -- really professional and fun to work with." Hunter, who has been a circus performer since childhood, said it had been his dream to work with Cirque du Soleil since he saw Alegria in Australia more than 10 years ago. He has been with Cirque du Soleil for almost a year. "I think that it's really different than a lot of the other art forms that are out there," he said. "It incorporates a lot of different things. You have dance, you have theatre, you have the circus and you have the amazing athletics." He spent five months in Montreal for a "formation period" to learn trapeze and now tours with Alegria. With rare exceptions, the tour moves to a new location every week, he said, noting cast members usually have some time in each location to walk around and check out the city. "Part of the challenge is the routine of it -- of going, going, going," he said. "But a nice thing is that with the arena tours, every 10 weeks we have two weeks off, which means we can go home or wherever we like and have a bit of a break and come back re- energized for the show." Denys Tolstov, a hand balancer and juggler from Ukraine who has been with Cirque du Soleil for almost nine years, said the life of a performer involves a lot of travelling, but that's part of what makes the job great. "It's always travel," he said, with a laugh. "Meeting new people, seeing new places. It's always a great experience to go to new cities and give people joy. They enjoy it and they see what the human body can do." In Tolstov's hand-balancing act, he displays amazing strength by supporting himself on one hand in ways that don't seem humanly possible -- but he proves they are. His training started many years ago, he said. "Most of the training I've done was when I was a kid," he said. "Now, I'm just doing training that I need for my act on the show. One or two hours of practice, it depends. It's a lot of physical exercise. Pushups. Staying on my hands for five, 10 minutes." It's a different world backstage at Alegria. Even more different is the world the cast and crew create on stage with every performance. Tim Smith, the artistic director for the tour, has been with Cirque du Soleil for five months following a 20-year career in New York City on Broadway and in professional theatre. He is charged with maintaining the artistic integrity of the Cirque du Soleil brand on the tour. "It's exciting," he said. "When I say that I am the artistic director for Alegria, everyone goes, 'Oh!' It's everyone's favourite show, so the pressure is on to make sure that it's just as good as they remember in 1994. So far we've been doing a really good job." {SOURCE: Leader Post} Gravity defying KOOZA dazzles [EXPANDED] {Jul.28.2010} --------------------------------------------- "Are you kidding?" hollered the boozed-up guy behind me at KOOZA on opening night. He was three sheets to the wind, but the sentiment was right on. What contortionist Iuliia Mykailova was doing was impossible. All snaky in spandex, she was so twisted up she had put her butt on her head. "Ass over tea kettle" doesn't begin to describe the pose. KOOZA (derived from "koza," Sanskrit for box, chest or treasure) is jam packed with "Are you kidding?" moments. Creator/director David Shiner has taken Cirque back to its original roots with a show that relies on acrobatics and clowning but without losing any of the fantastic music, make-up, costumes and lighting effects that has made the company internationally famous. The story is simple and less dark than some Cirque shows of the past: the Innocent (wide-eyed Stephan Landry), while trying to fly a kite, takes delivery of a parcel--a big box--which, when he opens it, contains a super-slick, slightly wicked Trickster (Mike Tyus) and a whole circus complete with clowns (Ron Campbell, Jimmy Slonina and Colin Heath, a former Leaky Heaven favourite.) While many of the acts are performed by individuals- -like flying Darya Vitilova on the trapeze or hoop-twirling Irina Akimova--the stage is always packed with colour, sound and movement. A 20-strong group, sumptuously costumed in red, white and what looks like tiny squares of gold, opens the show backed up by singers and musicians in an ornate, birdcage-like, elevated bandstand. With lots of brass, lights, colour, it's eye and ear popping. Yuri Shavro makes riding a unicycle look easy as he seemingly effortlessly wraps Diana Aleshchenko around his neck and his body like a shimmery turquoise snake while continuing to pedal. Tricky and dangerous is the high wire act (Angel Quiros Dominguez, Vincente Quiros Dominguez, Angel Villarejo Dominguez and Flouber Sanchez) and there were times when my heart was in my throat as one performer made a couple of attempts at leap- frogging over another who was riding a bicycle along the wire. He succeeded on the third try on opening night and earned roars of approval. Solemn, intensely focused Yao Deng Bo climbs and balances eight chairs, cantilevering himself at impossible angles to the stack of chairs below him. And then bedlam appears to break out as almost a dozen tumblers twist and flip in the air as they're bounced off the teeterboard. There's even a pair of stilt- walkers who launch off the board and land upright on a mattress. But the wildest, scariest act of the evening and one that earned a standing ovation the night I attended was Wheel of Death performed by Jimmy Ibarra and Carlos Marin Loaiza. I've seen wheels of death before but never like this. The contraption looks like two hamster wheels mounted together and it's put in motion by the performers walking slowly at first inside each wheel. Eventually all hell breaks loose; the rig is revolving, the wheels are rotating and the performers are flying in it, off it, over it. What was that sound? Oh, that was the sound of absolutely everyone holding his or her breath before one of the guys, hurtling through space landed on a wheel spinning wildly beneath him. The Cirque du Soleil company is committed to being a good global citizen by supporting more than 80 communities in some 20 countries on five continents around the globe. KOOZA is not inexpensive but knowing that your money not only employs a huge number of performers, designers, technicians and support staff but also helps youth at risk and fights poverty worldwide, may ease what guilt you might (or might not) have indulging yourself in this display of fun and derring-do. It's truly dazzling. {SOURCE: Vancouver Courier} ======================================================================= ITINÉRAIRE -- TOUR/SHOW INFORMATION ======================================================================= o) BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau {Corteo, Koozå, OVO, Quidam, Totem & Varekai} o) ARENA - In Stadium-like venues {Saltimbanco, Alegría, Quidam & Dralion} o) RESIDENT - Performed en Le Théâtre {Mystère, "O", La Nouba, Zumanity, KÀ, LOVE, ZAIA, ZED, Believe & VIVA Elvis} o) VENUE - Venue & Seasonal productions {Wintuk & Banana Shpeel} NOTE: .) While we make every effort to provide complete and accurate touring dates and locations available, the information in this section is subject to change without notice. As such, the Fascination! Newsletter does not accept responsibility for the accuracy of these listings. .) Dates so marked (*) are not official until released by Cirque du Soleil. For current, up-to-the-moment information on Cirque's whereabouts, please visit our website: < http://www.CirqueFascination.com/ >. ------------------------------------ BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau ------------------------------------ Online at: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?page_id=39 > Corteo: St. Petersburg, Russia -- Jun 26, 2010 to Aug 8, 2010 Kazan, Russia -- Aug 21, 2010 to Sep 26, 2010 Moscow, Russia -- Oct 9, 2010 to Dec 12, 2010 Brussels, BE -- Jan 4, 2011 to TBA Vienna, AT -- Feb 11, 2011 to TBA Madrid, ES -- Apr 2, 2011 to TBA Valencia, ES -- TBA Alicante, ES -- TBA Sevilla, ES -- TBA Koozå: Vancouver, BC -- Jul 22, 2010 to Sep 5, 2010 Calgary, AB -- Sep 16, 2010 to Oct 24, 2010 Miami, FL -- Nov 12, 2010 to Dec 5, 2010 Tokyo, JPN -- Feb 2, 2011 to Apr 12, 2011 Ovo: Boston, MA -- Jul 22, 2010 to Aug 29, 2010 Washington, DC -- Sep 9, 2010 to Oct 24, 2010 Atlanta, GA -- Nov 4, 2010 to Dec 31, 2010 Dallas, TX -- Jan 28, 2011 to TBA Houston, TX -- Mar 10, 2011 to TBA Cincinnati, OH -- Apr 22, 2011 to TBA Seattle, WA -- Nov 17, 2011 to TBA Quidam: Santiago, CL -- Jul 11, 2010 to Aug 15, 2010 Lime, PE -- Sep 3, 2010 to Sep 26, 2010 Bogota, CO -- Oct 9, 2010 to Nov 21, 2010 NOTE: Begins Arena Tour after Bogota! Totem: Montréal, QC -- Apr 22, 2010 to Jul 11, 2010 Québec City, QC -- Jul 22, 2010 to Aug 29, 2010 Amsterdam, NL -- Oct 7, 2010 to Nov 21, 2010 (*) London, UK -- Jan 5, 2011 to Jan 30, 2011 (*) Charlotte, NC -- Mar 3, 2011 to TBA Baltimore, MD -- Apr 7, 2011 to TBA Pittsburgh, PA -- May 12, 2011 to TBA Montreal, QC -- Jun 16, 2011 to TBA San Francisco, CA -- Oct 21, 2011 to TBA Toronto, ON -- TBA Varekai: Oostende, BE -- Jul 29, 2010 to Aug 29, 2010 Zurich, CH -- Sep 16, 2010 to Oct 10, 2010 Barcelona, ES -- Nov 5, 2010 to Dec 5, 2010 Taipei, TW -- Jan 20, 2011 to TBA ------------------------------------ ARENA - In Stadium-Like Venues ------------------------------------ Online at: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?page_id=1831 > Saltimbanco: London, UK -- Jul 28, 2010 to Aug 1, 2010 Hamburg, DE -- Aug 19, 2010 to Aug 22, 2010 Dortmund, DE -- Aug 25, 2010 to Aug 29, 2010 Berlin, DE -- Sep 1, 2010 to Sep 4, 2010 Munich, DE -- Sep 8, 2010 to Sep 12, 2010 Milan, IT -- Sep 15, 2010 to Sep 18, 2010 Zaragoza, ES -- Sep 22, 2010 to Sep 26, 2010 Granada, ES -- Sep 29, 2010 to Oct 3, 2010 Madrid, ES -- Oct 6, 2010 to Oct 10, 2010 Lisbon, PT -- Oct 13, 2010 to Oct 24, 2010 Prague, CZ -- Nov 12, 2010 to Nov 14, 2010 Zagreb, HR -- Nov 17, 2010 to Nov 21, 2010 Basel, CH -- Dec 1, 2010 to Dec 5, 2010 Budapest, HU -- Dec 8, 2010 to Dec 12, 2010 Nurnberg, DE -- Dec 15, 2010 to Dec 19, 2010 Lille, FR -- Jan 5, 2011 to TBA Paris, FR -- Jan 12, 2011 to TBA Johannesburg, ZA -- Mar 9, 2011 to Mar 20, 2011 Cape Town, ZA -- Mar 23, 2011 to Apr 3, 2011 Antwerp, BE -- TBA Alegría: Saskatoon, SK -- Aug 4, 2010 to Aug 8, 2010 Edmonton, AB -- Aug 11, 2010 to Aug 22, 2010 Kelowna, BC -- Aug 25, 2010 to Aug 29, 2010 Kamloops, BC -- Sep 1, 2010 to Sep 5, 2010 Victoria, BC -- Sep 8, 2010 to Sep 12, 2010 Tacoma, WA -- Sep 15, 2010 to Sep 19, 2010 Spokane, WA -- Sep 22, 2010 to Sep 26, 2010 Honolulu, HI -- Oct 15, 2010 to Oct 31, 2010 Boise, ID -- Nov 4, 2010 to Nov 7, 2010 Houston, TX -- Nov 10, 2010 to Nov 14, 2010 Phoenix, AZ -- Nov 17, 2010 to Nov 21, 2010 Tucson, AZ -- Nov 24, 2010 to Nov 28, 2010 El Paso, TX -- Dec 1, 2010 to Dec 5, 2010 Oklahoma City, OK -- Dec 23, 2010 to Dec 26, 2010 Wichita, KS -- Dec 29, 2010 to Jan 2, 2011 Baton Rouge, LA -- Jan 5, 2011 to Jan 9, 2011 Colorado Springs, CO -- Jan 12, 2011 to Jan 16, 2011 Broomfield, CO -- Jan 19, 2011 to Jan 23, 2011 Loveland, CO -- Jan 26, 2011 to Jan 30, 2011 Laredo, TX -- Feb 2, 2011 to Feb 6, 2011 Hidalgo, TX -- Feb 9, 2011 to Feb 13, 2011 Corpus Christi, TX -- Feb 16, 2011 to Feb 20, 2011 Tulsa, OK -- Feb 23, 2011 to Feb 27, 2011 Quidam: Kingson, ON -- Dec 11, 2010 to Dec 14, 2010 Montréal, QC -- Dec 18, 2010 to Dec 30, 2010 Quebec, QC -- Jan 4, 2011 to Jan 9, 2011 Chicoutimi, QC -- Jan 12, 2011 to Jan 16, 2011 Dralion: Trenton, NJ -- Oct 20, 2010 to Oct 24, 2010 Buffalo, NY -- Oct 27, 2010 to Oct 31, 2010 Reading, PA -- Nov 2, 2010 to Nov 7, 2010 Youngstown, OH -- Nov 10, 2010 to Nov 14, 2010 Windsow, ON -- Nov 17, 2010 to NOv 21, 2010 Oshawa, ON -- Nov 24, 2010 to Nov 28, 2010 Worcester, MA -- Dec 16, 2010 to Dec 19, 2010 Philadelphia, PA -- Dec 21, 2010 to Jan 2, 2011 St. Louis, MO -- Jan 19, 2011 to Jan 23, 2011 Peoria, IL -- Apr 22, 2011 to Apr 24, 2011 --------------------------------- RESIDENT - en Le Théâtre --------------------------------- NOTE: (*) Prices are in United States Dollars (USD) unless otherwise noted. (*) Ticket prices exclude the 10% Live Entertainment Tax, the $7.50 per-ticket processing fee, and sales tax where applicable. Online at: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?page_id=40 > Mystère: Location: Treasure Island, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Saturday through Wednesday, Dark: Thursday/Friday Two shows Nightly - 7:00pm & 9:30pm 2010 Ticket Prices (adult) / (child 5-12): o Category 1: $109.00 / $54.50 o Category 2: $99.00 / $49.50 o Category 3: $79.00 / $39.50 o Category 4: $69.00 / $34.50 o Category 5: $60.00 / $30.00 (Limited View) 2010 Dark Dates: o September 4 - 8 o November 3 "O": Location: Bellagio, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Wednesday through Sunday, Dark: Monday/Tuesday Two shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:30pm 2010 Ticket Prices: o Orchestra: $150.00 o Loggia: $130.00 o Balcony: $99.00 o Limited View: $93.50 2010 Dark Dates: o August 11 - 15 o October 10 o December 8 - 21 La Nouba: Location: Walt Disney World, Orlando (USA) Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday Two shows Nightly - 6:00pm and 9:00pm 2010 Ticket Prices (adults) / (child 3-9): o Category 0: $120.00 / $97.00 o Category 1: $105.00 / $85.00 o Category 2: $85.00 / $69.00 o Category 3: $69.00 / $56.00 o Category 4: $55.00 / $45.00 2010 Dark Dates: o September 21 - 24 o November 16 Zumanity: Location: New York-New York, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Friday through Tuesday Dark: Wednesday & Thursday Two Shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:00pm 2010 Ticket Prices (18+ Only!): o Duo Sofas: $135.00 o Orchestra Seats: $99.00 o Upper Orchestra Seats: $79.00 o Balcony Seats: $69.00 o Cabaret Stools: $69.00 2010 Dark Dates: o August 3 - 8 o September 14 o October 12 - 13 o November 30 o December 1 - 14 2010 Added Performances: o September 16th o October 14th o November 29th o December 30th KÀ: Location: MGM Grand, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark Sunday/Monday Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm 2010 Ticket Prices (adult) / (child 5-12): o Category 1: $150.00 / $75.00 o Category 2: $125.00 / $62.50 o Category 3: $99.00 / $49.50 o Category 4: $69.00 / $34.50 2010 Dark Dates o September 7 - 11 o November 16 - 17 LOVE: Location: Mirage, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Thursday through Monday, Dark: Tuesday/Wednesday Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm 2010 Ticket Prices: o Lower Orchestra: $150.00 o Upper Orchestra: $130.00 o Lower Balcony: $99.00 o Middle Balcony: $93.50 2010 Dark Dates: o October 7 o December 3 - 13 ZAIA: Location: Venetian, Macao (China) Performs: Every Day, Dark: Wednesday One to Two Shows Daily - Times Vary 2010 Ticket Prices (adult) / (child 2-11): o VIP Seating: MOP$ 1288 / MOP$ 1288 o Reserve A: MOP$ 788 / MOP$ 394 o Reserve B: MOP$ 588 / MOP$ 294 o Reserve C: MOP$ 388 / MOP$ 194 ZED: Location: Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo (Japan) Performs: Varies One to Two Shows Daily - Showtimes vary 2010 Ticket Prices (Non-Peek / Peek Time): o Category 1 ("Premium"): ¥15,000 / ¥16,000 o Category 2 ("Stage-Side"): ¥12,500 / ¥13,500 o Category 2 ("Center"): ¥12,500 / ¥13,500 o Category 3 ("Wide View"): ¥9,500 / ¥10,500 o Category 4 ("Value"): ¥7,500 / ¥7,800 BELIEVE: Location: Luxor, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Friday through Tuesday, Dark: Wednesday/Thursday Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 10:00pm NOTE: Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under the age of five are not permitted into the theater. 2010 Ticket Prices (all): o Category 1: $160.00 o Category 2: $125.00 o Category 3: $99.00 o Category 4: $79.00 o Category 5: $59.00 2010 Dark Dates: o October 12 - 16 VIVA ELVIS: Location: Aria, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm 2010 Ticket Prices (Previews / Regular) o Category 1: $149.38 / $175.00 o Category 2: $128.75 / $150.00 o Category 3: $108.13 / $125.00 o Category 4: $86.68 / $99.00 2010 Dark Dates: o September 14 - 16 o November 17 - 25 -------------------------------------- VENUE - Venue & Seasonal Productions -------------------------------------- Online at: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?page_id=251 > Wintuk: Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City (USA) Wintuk's 2009 Season has drawn to a close. See you next winter! Banana Shpeel: Banana Shpeel is going on tour! Check out the show at these locations: Toronto, ON -- Sep 14, 2010 to Oct 10, 2010 Orange County, CA -- Dec 7, 2010 to Dec 26, 2010 ======================================================================= OUTREACH - UPDATES FROM CIRQUE'S SOCIAL WIDGETS ======================================================================= o) Club Cirque -- This Month at CirqueClub o) Networking -- Cirque on Facebook, Youtube & Flickr --------------------------------------- CLUB CIRQUE: This Month at CirqueClub --------------------------------------- THE POWER OF THE BEATLES LOVE {Jul.28.2010} Behind the Music of The Beatles LOVE by Jillian Sutton GRAMMY Awards, international praise and a long list of celebrity visitors are among the many accolades that have been bestowed upon The Beatles LOVE since it premiered at The Mirage in Las Vegas on June 30, 2006. The recipe for the show’s success? A winning combination of Cirque du Soleil and its legendary acrobatics, aerial stunts, costuming and set design coupled with the infinite archives of The Beatles’ brought to life by legendary producer, Sir George Martin and his son Giles Martin. Sound was of paramount concern to all those involved and veteran designer Johnathan Deans lent his expertise to deliver in-depth audio in a way few have ever experienced. “Everyone knows The Beatles’ music, and everyone knows Cirque du Soleil ” Deans says. “The idea of marrying those two entities meant making sure that Cirque du Soleil would be able to enhance The Beatles’ music, and that the music would enhance the performance. It had to go both ways.” In 2008, LOVE won top honors, “Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or other Visual Medium” and “Best Surround Sound Album,” at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards. At the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards, ‘All Together Now,’ the feature- length documentary about the making of The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil® won the Grammy for Best Long Form Music Video. FACE TO FACE: PAUL BOWLER, MASTER OF THE AERIAL CUBE IN MYSTÈRE {Jul.27} Paul Bowler, master of the aerial cube, began touring in Alegría by Cirque du Soleil in early 1997 before settling down in Las Vegas in 1999. Prior to going on the road, Bowler spent three months undergoing intense training with the creator of the act. Originally from Manchester, England, Paul Bowler has represented his country as a gymnast time and again. But one of his most thrilling moments was an audience with the Queen of England after competing for the British gymnastic team four times at the World Championships. Outside of Britain, he has flexed his muscles, both literally and figuratively, in various European competitions. Featured nightly in Mystère, Bowler has also performed his act for the Prince’s Trust Gala and twice in the Royal Variety Show, in 1997 and 2003. AN EXCITING AND COLOURFUL CIRQUE DU MONDE GATHERING {Jul.26} On May 28, as part of the 15th anniversary celebrations of Cirque du Monde, more than 150 young participants from Quebec descended on Cirque du Soleil's headquarters in Montreal to take part in three days of festivities, exchanges and circus arts! NEW CIRQUEDUSOLEIL.COM: THE FACTS BEHIND THE 8 NEW VIDEOS {Jul.19} In creating our eight new online videos, our goal was to reflect the beauty of Cirque du Soleil in all its forms. The challenge was to capture highlights from different shows (while maintaining the integrity of the original numbers), and still get the costumes and artists back in time for the evening's performance! Discover 15 facts and photos of the behind-the-scenes shoot: o) 3 days o) 34 performers o) 7 dancing rabbits o) 4 contortionists o) 2 love birds o) Up to 3 acts were shot per day in a studio just outside Vegas o) The fire video was filmed on location in the "O" theatre at the Bellagio o) Although performers usually apply their own makeup, a makeup artist adapted their looks for the camera o) To create a timeless environment, the films were shot on a yellow background representing the sun and Cirque du Soleil o) All the effects were captured ‘live’ with the artists performing take after take to get it just right o) Getting the camera between the artists to shoot the fight scene up close was particularly challenging o) A suspended camera was used to capture the plank video from above o) Filming the hand shadows required several different camera angles to avoid capturing the shadows of the crew o) For the slow-motion sequences, a special camera was used to capture every movement and facial expression o) Post-production edits were kept to a minimum KÀ: AWE, DAZZLE, AMAZE. {Jul.14} Cirque du Soleil has been leaving audiences awestruck for more than 25 years. When KÀ debuted in 2005, the groundbreaking production took amazing to a whole new level. In 2010, KÀ celebrates its fifth birthday on the Las Vegas Strip (exclusively at MGM Grand). Each night, audiences are transported into an imaginative world via the KÀ Theatre - a spectacular venue with a 360-degree-rotating stage. The performance space is one of the many reasons why KÀ has been a celebrity and tourist favorite, drawing numerous repeat visitors each year. Due to its innovative nature, KÀ has attracted such famous visitors as Britney Spears and Janet Jackson. Tom Cruise could be dubbed a fanatic— he’s journeyed to KÀ and back three times. So why is KÀ a favorite among celebs and non-celebs alike? “Twenty-five or 30 years ago we would go to the theatre, the circus or the dance or the opera with a very specific set of rules,” says KÀ Creator and Director Robert Lepage. “Now, people are exposed to more and more television and cinema and rock videos. The web has its own way of interacting and telling stories. We’re being told stories in all kinds of crazy ways. The spectator’s narrative vocabulary has evolved a lot. So you can allow yourself to do things in a live performance that you could never have done before. As a result, in this show, people will have the impression they’re inside some kind of cinematic event—but actually everything is interactive, everything’s happening at the moment.” More than 2,400 performances later, it’s safe to say KÀ has exceeded those expectations. THE BEATLES LOVE BY CIRQUE DU SOLEIL COMMEMORATES 4th ANNIVERSARY WITH RINGO STARR {Jul.12} The Beatles LOVE the powerful Cirque du Soleil production that celebrates the musical legacy of The Beatles, has commemorated four years of captivating audiences at The Mirage in Las Vegas on June 30, 2010. In celebration of the show’s anniversary, four cast members from LOVE traveled to Niagara Falls earlier this week to join Ringo Starr at the launch of his upcoming North American concert tour. While visiting Niagara Falls, cast from LOVE were photographed with Ringo Starr in honor of this special milestone, captured exclusively by legendary music photographer, Rob Shanahan. --------------------------------------------------- NETWORKING: Cirque on Facebook, YouTube & Flickr --------------------------------------------------- --- [ ALEGRIA ] --- {JUl.26} Carmen Ruest has watched Cirque du Soleil come a long way. Ruest's journey with Cirque du Soleil began in Montreal in the late 1970s. She was a dancer, involved in street performance culture. Her experiences led her to become involved with Guy Laliberte, who founded Cirque du Soleil in 1984, and other pioneers, she explained during a recent interview at a coffee shop in Regina. LINK /// < http://www.leaderpost.com/business/Alegria/3322796/ story.html#ixzz0wErh7RHv > {Jul.23} REVIEW: A night of adventure, joy and peerless beauty | In a moment, a review. But first, a realization. In 2008, this reviewer noted that Cirque's last Winnipeg show, Saltimbanco, was difficult to review. After all, you can't really review a man doing handsprings from another man's head: it just is. It just happens. It's incredible to see, and then it's over, and how could we add to that? Two years later, Cirque is still hard to review. But last night at the MTS Centre, between the crackpot clowns searching for an effective mode of transport and the spandex-clad acrobats making leg-twirling leaps from what can only be described as bendy, human-borne balance beams, we changed our minds about why. LINK /// < http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/REVIEW- A-night-of-adventure-joy-and-peerless-beauty- 99076849.html > {Jul.09} On Thursday, July 8, Alegría was featured on the national TV show eTalk Canada! We took eTalk reporter backstage for a one-on-one lesson on the Cyr Wheel with artist, Tyler Block. LINK /// < http://watch.ctv.ca/etalk/this-week/etalk---thursday -july-8-2010/#clip323283 > {Jul.02} Great reviews in Toronto! | Bigger can be better. That's the major surprise attached to the new, expanded touring version of Alegria now on view at the Air Canada Centre. When I first heard that Cirque du Soleil was taking one of its trademark touring shows, that had been delighting the world in its smaller tent format since 1994, and blowing it up to fit the giant arena venues around the world, I was dubious, to say the least. LINK /// < http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/theatre/ article/830900--cirque-du-soleil-a-bigger-alegria- fills-the-bill > --- [ BANANA SHPEEL ] --- {Jul.22} A backstage look at Banana Shpeel captured and created by artist Robyn Baltzer! VIDEO [2:16] /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php ?v=10100153559497419&ref=mf > {Jul.12} Foot Juggler Vanessa Alvarez was born into a circus family in Spain and trained with her juggler father to master her very special skill. FOTO [1] /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php ?pid=6008166&id=153330866799 > {Jul.09} Check out some of the cool sketches from Costume Designer Dominique Lemieux. FOTO [5] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php ?aid=230560&id=153330866799&ref=mf > --- [ CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ] --- {Jul.31} Get excited - Viva ELVIS the album comes out in November! Check out this introduction to the album! VIDEO [1:45] /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_DCRuDs8wE > {Jul.26} In the media: Interview with Nathan Dennis, a flyer and master of the somersault, and reheasal footage of Saltimbanco in Nottingham, UK! VIDEO [4:20] /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OrmNFnnXsk > {Jul.19} Check out the new trailer for Zumanity - we think it's super sexy! VIDEO [1:00] /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBVbyL84pDA > {Jul.14} Watch a clip of the 15th anniversary celebrations of Cirque du Monde, a social circus program developed by Cirque du Soleil. VIDEO [4:20] /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mj9FvMZh52E > {Jul.01} Cirque du Soleil Our show The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil, presented exclusively at The Mirage in Las Vegas, commemorates its 4th anniversary with Ringo Starr! VIDEO [0:58] /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfZU9aTdpEY > --- [ CORTEO ] --- Now playing in Sankt-Peterburg, RU! Check out these photos! FOTO /// < http://www.flickr.com/photos/marylise- doctrinal/4661182694/ > --- [ KÀ ] --- {Jul.28} Hi KÀ superfriends! Thank you to the fans who posted links of our appearance on "America's Got Talent" from last week. In the event you didn't see the links below, here it is. This is also some foreshadowing for upcoming "AGT" appearances being worked out for some of our other Vegas shows, we'll let you know more about that soon! VIDEO [3:36] /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehZ3E0twYw8 > {Jul.26} We're starting a new game here on Facebook called 'Mystery Photo of the Week' so fans can test their show knowledge! Check out some of the recent phots of the week here: LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php ?aid=233209&id=31527171928&ref=mf > {Jul.06} Happy Tuesday, KÀ friends! On Saturday we bid 'adieu' to our good friend Miro who originated the role of the "Counselor's Son." Please join us in wishing him all the best, and please help us welcome Spencer, our new and extremely talented "Counselor's Son"! (The photo below is Miro, taken before the show's official premiere. Does anyone know when that was?) FOTO [1] /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php ?pid=5964425&id=31527171928 > {Jul.01} KÀ sent some characters to the Daytime Emmy Awards this year to present an award with Wayne Brady. Here are some shots of us getting the star treatment on the red carpet and backstage! FOTO [12] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php ?aid=228849&id=31527171928&ref=mf > --- [ KOOZA ] --- {Jul.27} Get a sneak preview of the show and some behind the scenes in Vancouver, BC! VIDEO [2:40] /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJsZFK1Jzh0 > {Jul.16} Check out this spectacular artistic mural (75' by 50') that is now painted on a building downtown Calgary to celebrate the arrival of KOOZA this fall in town. Come and see it live at on the corner of the 7th Street SW and 6th Avenue! If you take pictures, post them here! LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php ?pid=5025823&id=34324811338 > ---[ LA NOUBA ] --- {Jul.28} Tonight. 9:00 p.m. Our 5500th show. This milestone, illustrated backstage by Les Cons. We give thanks to the BEST. FANS. EVER. FOTO [1] /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php ?pid=4716126&id=16315569901 > {Jul.20} We're starting a new game here on Facebook called 'Mystery Photo of the Week' so fans can test their show knowledge! Check out some of the recent phots of the week here: LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php ?aid=181909&id=16315569901&ref=mf > {Jul.14} La Nouba has been working on our second-ever official Disney Trading pin! This limited edition pin will only available to our guests on New Year's Eve. Here's a sneak peek!! LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php ?pid=4597511&id=16315569901 > {Jul.03} Doors and windows are a recurring objects in La Nouba. Perhaps symbolizing the journey into another world or a new beginning... A new opportunity... --- [ MYSTERE ] --- {Jul.30} We're starting a new game here on Facebook called 'Mystery Photo of the Week' so fans can test their show knowledge! Check out some of the recent phots of the week here: LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php ?aid=225046&id=18155469918&ref=mf > {Jul.28} Hola amigos de Mystère! A few weeks ago a writer for a Chicago- based Spanish-language health-and-medical magazine (how's that for overuse of hyphens?) came to review Mystère. Disfrute! LINK /// < http://www.unbuendoctor.com/detalle_ articulos.asp?idenfermedad=1914&tipo=9 > {Jul.06} Hi Mystère fans! Not sure if you remember but our Hand-to-Hand artists, Marco & Paulo Lorador, performed at the Laureus World Sports Awards 2010 event in Abu Dhabi this past March. We put up some photos of the trip a few months ago but here is the video of their performance. Enjoy! VIDEO [5:20] /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=_gqOYnFnpXc&feature=channel > {Jul.01} This past weekend some Mystère artists made a surprise visit to the lobby after the late show Saturday night to meet guests and pose for photos. Well, it wasn't a total surprise since we let people know as they entered the theatre, but they didn't know when they bought their tickets. We're going to do ...this again in the next few weeks. The question for you, Facebook friends, is: would you like me to tell you when it will be, or would you like it to be a surprise? FOTO [3] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php ?aid=222972&id=18155469918&ref=mf > --- [ "O" ] --- {Jul.27} We're starting a new game here on Facebook called 'Mystery Photo of the Week' so fans can test their show knowledge! Check out some of the recent phots of the week here: LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php ?aid=189488&id=26000574416&ref=mf > {Jul.26} Sometimes it's hard to get going on a Monday morning, these flexibility exercises might help! Designed by the Contortion Coach and Head Coach of "O", the stretching routines were published in Real Simple magazine this month! LINK /// < http://www.realsimple.com/health/fitness- exercise/stretching-yoga/increase-flexibility- improve-life-00000000037981/page3.html > {Jul.23} A group shot of the three artists at the Far Niente Winery in Napa, California. LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php ?pid=4406611&id=26000574416 > {Jul.23} On July 17, three artists from "O" performed at the 125th anniversary of the Far Niente Winery in Napa, California. The Ballerina and Zebra characters interacted with the 800 guests, while one of the amazing Contortionists performed a 5-minute piece choreographed for the event! LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php ?pid=4406593&id=26000574416 > {Jul.02} Check out an interview with one of our Contortionists from MSN's "Behind the Shell" LINK /// < http://behindtheshell.msn.com/#/articles/24669102 > --- [ OVO ] --- {Jul.31} Here's our site in Boston! FOTO [1] /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php ?pid=4564563&id=132413742481&ref=mf > {Jul.12} A different kind of circus | Mass Appeal LINK /// < http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/mass_appeal/community/a- different-kind-of-circus > --- [ SALTIMBANCO ] --- {Jul.23} Interview with Nathan Dennis in Nottingham! VIDEO [4:20] /// < http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/VIDEO- Cirque-du-Soleil-s-Saltimbanco-backstage- interview/article-2446000-detail/article.html > {Jul.23} Review: Cirque du Soleil Saltimbanco, Trent FM Arena | CIRQUE du Soleil translates as circus of the sun but there is little about it which resembles your average circus. Instead it is more like experiencing a strange dream where Olympic gymnasts perform in neon leotards, glowing in UV lights with some comedy skit intervals. You walk out not quite sure if you actually imagined it all. LINK /// < http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/entertainmentnews/ Review-Cirque-du-Soleil-Trent-FM-Arena/article- 2444987-detail/article.html > {JUl.08} Cirque du Soleil's 50 acrobats ready to shine | FLYING through the air with the greatest of ease, these daring young men and women on the trapeze will wow crowds as part of the Cirque du Soleil's visit to Ireland that kicked off last night. The world- renowned acrobatic troupe from Montreal, Canada, will be here for the next fortnight as it stages the first Irish performance of 'Saltimbanco' at Dublin's O2 arena which has been performed around the world since 1992. LINK /// < http://www.independent.ie/national-news/cirque-du- soleils-50-acrobats-ready-to-shine-2250342.html > {Jul.07} Great article about a reporter visiting in Montreal! | Circus acts don't get more thrilling than the Russian Swing. Imagine a swing, big enough for five standing swingers - and a flyer. Gradually it swings higher and higher and when it reaches its peak, the person at the front of the swing (the aptly titled 'flyer') jumps off and is catapulted ten metres high in the air. This is where it gets really tricky. Now the flyer has a choice: she can aim to land on the mat held by two men running around on the ground and hoping to be in the right spot at the right time to catch her, or she can go for broke and head for a steel bar being held by two men . . .who are standing on the shoulders of another two men. Welcome to the world of Cirque du Soleil. LINK /// < http://www.thepost.ie/story/text/ojauauojkf/ > {Jul.07} REVIEW: Greatest show on Earth | You're perfectly safe!" shouts one of the Cirque du Soleil acrobats. "Jump!" I'm 50 metres above him, harnessed to a set of bungee cords and I'm hyperventilating. Below me, the multi-coloured stage set for Cirque's Saltimbanco show blurs as I discover a fear of heights. But I've been given the chance to be, if only for a few brief minutes, a Cirque acrobat, and I'm not giving it up. I close my eyes, grit my teeth and let go. LINK /// < http://www.herald.ie/entertainment/around- town/greatest-show-on-earth-2234858.html > {{Jul.02} Great reviews in Newcastle, playing until Sunday, July 4! | CIRQUE DU SOLEIL'S history reads like a fairy tale of performance success. The story began with a group street performers in Quebec, Canada, starved of funding, who took their abstract and painstakinglystaged circus show to a big top. As they gained a reputation for producing spectacle, funding flooded in and the company moved from big top to big venue with its hugely successful formulae to entertain and amaze. The Saltimbanco show is based on the faceless masses who inhabit a big city. LINK /// < http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/leisure/8251656. Cirque_du_Soleil___Newcastle_Metro_Radio_Arena/ > --- [ THE BEATLES LOVE ] --- {Jul.30} LOVE Voted "Best Show in Las Vegas" by SEVEN magazine! LINK /// < http://www.weeklyseven.com/ae/2010/ july/29/arts-entertainment > {Jul.29} Check out video of Paul McCartney rocking the White House: VIDEO /// < http://to.pbs.org/9ew5ki. > {Jul.28} We're starting a new game here on Facebook called 'Mystery Photo of the Week' so fans can test their show knowledge! Check out some of the recent phots of the week here: LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php ?aid=180443&id=14653468665&ref=mf > {Jul.20} Check out these FAB 8 Beatles hairstyles from 1963 to 1970! FOTO [1] /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php ?pid=4705281&id=14653468665 > {Jul.18} Summer fun with The Beatles! FOTO [1] /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php ?pid=4681858&id=14653468665 > {Jul.07} Here's some clips from our visit to the Hard Rock today to celebrate Ringo's birthday! If you make it to the end, you'll be rewarded with some nice, random scenery shots from the Strip - our gift to you! VIDEO [0:57] /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php ?v=10100142413733619&ref=mf > {Jul.07} Here are some photos from our celebration of Ringo's birthday at the Hard Rock Cafe today! FOTO [2] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php ?aid=180463&id=14653468665&ref=mf > --- [ VIVA ELVIS ] --- {Jul.29} We're starting a new game here on Facebook called 'Mystery Photo of the Week' so fans can test their show knowledge! Check out some of the recent phots of the week here: LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php ?aid=182340&id=167136344108&ref=mf > {Jul.27} See what one of our performers is doing during our 2 week break! FOTO [1] /// < http://www.elvis.com/graceland/vtour/potw.asp > {Jul.06} Show review: Viva Elvis! at Aria Resort & Casino! LINK /// < http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-18012-Phoenix- Concerts-Examiner~y2010m7d3-Show-review-Viva-Elvis- At-Aria-Resort--Casino > --- [ ZED ] --- {Jul.28} ZED is proud to announce that TV Tokyo has chosen Seishi Inagaki, our amazing baton twirler as part of the 100 Japanese people who can change the world. The program is called Japan All Stars and will be on air tomorrow (30th) from 20:00 to 22:00 Japan time. Check it out! {Jul.22} ZED 1 millionth visitor celebration! - ZED is welcoming today its 1 million visitor- the fastest achievement in the history of Japanese theatre! FOTO [4] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php ?aid=254046&id=41326571163&ref=mf > ---[ ZUMANITY ] --- {Jul.30} Friday Night Fun Fact ladies & gents! Over the past 7 years, more than 3.4 million voyeurs have enjoyed the show! {Jul.29} On a hot summer night, mix something cold & sexy for your tastebuds! See the recipe below for our signature Zumanitini! LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php ?pid=4624885&id=13931088846 > ======================================================================= COMPARTMENTS -- A PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN ======================================================================= o) DIDYAKNOW - Facts at a Glance about Cirque o) HISTORIA - Cirque du Soleil History --------------------------------- DIDYAKNOW? - Facts About Cirque --------------------------------- o) Piano wire, fishing line, urethane, and metallic gift paper are some of the unusual items used in the Costume Workshop. o) You can get the "í" in Alegría by holding down the "Alt" key and typing "0237" on the numeric keypad. o) In the Dralion skipping act, 10 people create a skipping pyramid that stands 6 feet tall. o) You can get the "è" in Mystère by holding down the "Alt" key and typing "0232" on the numeric keypad. o) In Dralion, 18 rings are used in the hoop diving act. o) You can get the "<<" and ">>" in "O" by holding down the "Alt" key and typing "0171" and "0187". o) There are five stage lifts used to create the performance space and move props and artists during the show of KÀ. o) You can get the "À" in KÀ by holding down the "Alt" key and typing "0129" on the numeric keypad. o) The boat in the Storm scene of KÀ weighs almost 1800 pounds and is completely manipulated onstage by the artists. o) 25 puppets have been created for CRISS ANGEL(r) Believe. The victorian period, the extravagant universe of Criss Angel and the imagination of Mérédith Caron have inspired the costumes of CRISS ANGEL Believe. o) Silk, velvet and leather - to name just a few - are some of the materials used for the costumes of CRISS ANGEL Believe. o) An alphabet of 26 symbols, The Zed Alpha, was created for the production of ZED. It appears in the set design and shows the periodic table of the elements as well as words related to components of the show. o) You can get the "å" in Koozå by holding down the "Alt" key and typing "0229" on the numeric keypad. ------------------------------------ HISTORIA: Cirque du Soleil History ------------------------------------ * Aug.01.1986 -- Le Magie Continue opened Saint-Sauveur * Aug.01.1990 -- Nouvelle Expérience opened San Francisco * Aug.01.2002 -- Dralion opened Seattle * Aug.01.2002 -- Varekai opened Toronto * Aug.02.1984 -- 1984 Tour opened Magog * Aug.03.2004 -- Alegría CD Released US (CDS Musique) * Aug.03.2006 -- Saltimbanco opened Sao Paulo * Aug.04.1987 -- Cirque Réinventé opened Saint-Sauveur * Aug.04.2005 -- Saltimbanco opened Monterrey * Aug.04.2005 -- Corteo opened Toronto * Aug.04.2010 -- Alegría Arena opened Sakatoon, SK * Aug 06.2006 -- Mystère celebrated 6000th performance [Sunday, 7:30pm] * Aug.06.2008 -- Nakeel of Dubai purchases 20% Stake in Cirque * Aug.06.2010 -- Varekai celebrated 3000th performance, Oostende, BE * Aug.07.1992 -- Fascination opened Yokohama * Aug.08.1989 -- Cirque Réinventé opened San Francisco * Aug.08.1996 -- Quidam opened Toronto * Aug.08.2008 -- Alegría opened Santiago * Aug.08.2008 -- Koozå celebrated 500th Performance [4:00pm/Chicago] * Aug.09.1984 -- 1984 Tour opened Hull * Aug.09.1990 -- Nouvelle Expérience CD Released (Nâga) * Aug.09.2007 -- Koozå opened Toronto * Aug.10.2006 -- Varekai opened Sydney, Asia-Pacific Tour Begins * Aug.10.2006 -- La Nouba Celebrates 5,000,000th guest! * Aug.11.2005 -- Varekai opened Columbus * Aug.11.2010 -- Alegría Arena opened Edmonton, Alberta * Aug.12.2004 -- Dralion opened Antwerp * Aug.12.2004 -- Quidam opened Sydney * Aug.13.2006 -- Corteo celebrated 500th performance [5:00pm/Chicago] * Aug.14.1986 -- Le Magie Continue opened Longueuil * Aug.14.1987 -- Le Cirque Réinventé opened Longueuil * Aug.14.1993 -- Saltimbanco opened Washington DC * Aug.14.1996 -- Mystère Live CD Released in Canada (RCA/Victor) * Aug.14.2008 -- Alegría opened Santiago, Chile * Aug.15.2001 -- Dralion opened Boston * Aug.16.1984 -- 1984 Tour opened Sorel * Aug.16.1985 -- 1985 Tour opened Niagra Falls [CP Skylon Tower] * Aug.16.2001 -- Cirque wins 3 Emmys for Dralion on Bravo * Aug.16.2005 -- "O" CD released in Canada (CDS Musique) * Aug.16.2005 -- La Nouba CD released in Canada (CDS Musique) * Aug.16.2005 -- Mystère (Live) CD released in Canada (CDS Musique) * Aug.17.2000 -- Dralion opened Minneapolis, Minnesota * Aug.17.2007 -- Varekai opened Perth, Australia * Aug.18.1992 -- Fascination opened Sendai * Aug.18.2000 -- Alegría: Le Film premiered in Italy * Aug.19.2004 -- Alegría opened Toronto * Aug.19.2010 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Hamburg, DE * Aug.20.2004 -- Saltimbanco opened Frankfurt * Aug.20.2008 -- DELIRIUM premieres on Digital Theater Screens * Aug.21.2001 -- Alegría opened Brisbane, Australia * Aug.21.2002 -- Alegría opened Minneapolis * Aug.21.2003 -- Alegría opened Seattle * Aug.21.2010 -- Corteo opened Kazan, Russia * Aug.23.1984 -- 1984 Tour opened Montréal * Aug.23.2003 -- Dralion opened St. Louis * Aug.23.2007 -- Corteo opened Los Angeles, California * Aug.24.2006 -- Quidam opened Cincinnati * Aug.25.1994 -- Alegría opened San Jose * Aug.25.2010 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Dortmund, DE * Aug.25.2010 -- Alegría Arena opened Kelowna, BC * Aug.27.1992 -- Fascination opened Kita-Kyushu * Aug.27.1992 -- Saltimbanco opened San Jose * Aug.28.1986 -- Le Magie Continue opened Ottawa * Aug.30.2004 -- Zumanity celebrated its 500th performance * Aug.30.2006 -- Dralion opened Berlin * Aug.31.2000 -- Quidam opened Düsseldorf * Aug.31.2006 -- Alegría opened Brussels * Aug.xx.2001 -- Dralion celebrated 500th Show [Minneapolis, MN] ======================================================================= FASCINATION! FEATURES ======================================================================= -------------------------------------------------------------- "Memory of the Circus: Inside the Cirque du Soleil Library/Archives (Part 1 of 2)" By: Keith Johnson - Seattle, Washington (USA) -------------------------------------------------------------- "The library is not a shrine for the worship of books. It is not a temple where literary incense must be burned or where one's devotion to the bound book is expressed in ritual. A library, to modify the famous metaphor of Socrates, should be the delivery room for the birth of ideas - a place where history comes to life." ~Norman Cousins Libraries have been described as "Medicine for the Soul." As public libraries and museums are the memory of cultures, so can private libraries and archives for a business. A repository of history, protector of the collective memory. They can also provide the spark of inspiration. Located on the ground floor of the sprawling Cirque du Soleil International Headquarters (IHQ) in Montréal, down a hallway between building sections and without much outward decorative fanfare, is the Cirque du Soleil Centre for Research and Documentation. Behind its double doors this library serves two purposes. One is to maintain a modest collection of books on all sorts of subjects that creators can use to spark ideas and concepts that might find their way onto Cirque stages. The second is to manage the historical assets of the company, including business records and historical artifacts. On my wife's and my previous tours of the IHQ we were teased with the wonders that lay beyond those double doors. Assured that if we were to venture inside it would be impossible to tear us away, even a quick peek was not allowed. It was a momentary marker on our longer excursion through the building. But for this late-April visit (as part of our CirqueCon weekend, which also provided us the interview with Cirque CEO Daniel Lamarre that appeared in our June issue #77), we were assertive (but polite) in asking to finally venture within and understand more about the Library and the role it plays in the company. * * * * * It is early afternoon on Friday, April 30, 2010 when we are quietly escorted through those double doors and into the Library proper. And what we see is, indeed, a working business - library! Well, actually that's not quite true. The "official" title is "Centre for Research and Documentation" and it resides under the "Knowledge Management and Information Technologies" section of the Cirque corporate structure. The Centre itself consists of three units: Library, Records Management, and Historical Documents. They are the "integrated service of documentation and knowledge" for all of Cirque du Soleil. The library doors are open the same hours as the rest of the IHQ, from 8:30am-5:00pm Monday through Friday. The main room, about 30 feet square, is lined on the perimeter of two sides with bookshelves, some protruding out into the room. Next to the doors are several cabinets housing CDs and DVDs. A small viewing area looks upon a flat-panel TV which is surrounded by a display of books on Elvis Presley and slapstick (acquired during the creation processes for Viva Elvis and Banana Shpeel). And along the north wall are desks where the library personnel sit. Wild Cirquey color or design elements are not much in evidence, function is the focus here. We are introduced to Stéphane Zummo (STEF-ahn ZU-mow), a tall friendly gentleman with a French-Canadian accent. He is one of the five Library Technicians (though he suggests a more complete definition as "researcher/librarian for the CDS creative community") who works inside the Centre. (Which from this point forward we'll refer to by the more common moniker "Library.") Prior to joining Cirque, Stéphane worked in the Canadian Center for Architecture for almost 9 years. "For the last 7 years," he says, "I've worked here at the circus with the creators and conceptors." Two of the five technicians are dedicated to historical and business records, and the other three (including him) are dedicated more to creations, dividing the work between them. Information requested by the Centre's clients is wide ranging, and covers such topics as: * Nature (such as the four elements-fire, water, air & earth, clouds, insects and animal behavior) * Patterns from everywhere * Architecture * Stage design * Painting, painters, contemporary art * Symbolism and rites & ritual * Arts & crafts * And much more. Succinctly summing up the Library's function, Stéphane suggests, "We are the memory of the circus." We start our tour with the shelves in the main part of the Library, which hold 2,230 books and 300 periodical subscriptions. Organized to the Dewey Decimal System, "This part is dedicated to serving the creative teams, production, workshop - all the people that need images in order to create their storyboards or to make their draft of any costumes." Scanning through the stacks, we note some expected topics are well represented. There are lots of books on fashion, useful for costumers. A small section on business, a nice section on art and architecture and design. Lots of books dedicated to traveling. We come to a smallish section about circus, including several copies of the "official" books about Cirque. But otherwise, "[There's] not too much about circus. The big library about circus is on the other side of the street at École Nationale de Cirque. In fact we don't need so many books about circus, it's more about creation." (The school (www.nationalcircusschool.ca), across the street from the IHQ, maintains a library of over 10,000 circus-related items.) The type of user and their needs greatly influences the type of books they acquire. "Generally creators appreciate books with lots of images. They don't like to work with digital images or [e-books]; they like to work with big books." "The way we develop the collection is according to the needs of the creators. We buy a little bit of everything. For instance now we are working on Michael Jackson, so we acquire a lot of books on Michael Jackson. The estate has also given us a lot of information. But it's always according to the projects. We have a lot of shows, but also a lot of special events. [We also might] get to know that a certain person in the workshop needs certain books dedicated to a certain topic, so we are becoming used to the different topics. In this way we are more able to develop the collection." Separated on one shelf are a number of programs of varying size, which turn out to be from other circus shows, especially from Europe and Russia. "The artists appreciate seeing themselves in other programs," Stéphane explains. They can also be consulted for casting possibilities and to see how acts have been presented. The CD and DVD cabinets house almost 400 CDs and 1,000 DVDs but isn't the whole of what's available. "We are also cataloging our founders (that would be Guy Laliberté's) collection which is going into his house, [so we can be] aware of his huge collection. It could be useful to borrow different books, DVDs and CDs from him." Incorporating the Laliberté collection of books, for example, raises the number available from 2,230 to almost 9,000. Since it caters to a special clientele, checkout policies are a bit different from what you might expect to find in a typical library. "For the creation team it's a three-month loan. After that we call them (because sometimes they are in Paris, or in Las Vegas, or in Montreal) and ask if they still have the book. It could happen that they have lost the book, so we give them a reminder after three months." But they let creators have books for as long as they want them. "For employees its two weeks - no late fees, though. (Laughs) The employees really appreciate our service, because it's really useful to have so much information [close at hand]. We also have other requests, [such as] a business request from another department." In one corner is a small video viewing room, one of two in the library. Connected to the TV screen by way of a switcher are several different video players - DVD, VHS, Betamax, Hi8, professional video. So almost any type of video can be viewed here. "And in the other room just beside this we have more [formats available]." On one wall of the viewing room is a small bookcase filled with a special collection. "Four or five years ago our founder bought a special collection of books dedicated to magic. In fact, when [he] bought this, [we hadn't started working on] Believe, that came after. This collection is very interesting, and some of the things in these books can be integrated into different shows." Pointing to the north wall of the main library room Stéphane comments, "Pretty soon this wall here will no longer exist; we will expand and have a special place for viewing videos and for reference." Wandering through a doorway at the north end of the Library we find the working offices of the library staff. There are three desks, all with various piles of paperwork, periodicals and books stacked upon them. Stéphane points out a shelf of DVDs that each have "HOLD" marked on them. These, he explains, are recordings of a French TV show that features circus acts. Creators can look at these shows for casting or act possibilities. Since these shows are not publically available the Library has them specially recorded. It's here that the tour takes an interesting turn, with two direct examples of how the Library helps creators. On one of the desks is a 1970 Sears Catalog. What's that doing here? "This was for Viva Elvis. We learned that he bought all his personal stuff from Sears, so it was really useful for costuming." Making even more of an impression is a huge unmarked red box, about 2 feet high by 1.5 feet wide. Just trying to lift the cloth-covered box is a chore, opening it reveals a thick book almost as big inside. This, it turns out, is "The Official Michael Jackson Opus" (which you can see here ) a $250.00, 13" x 18", 400-page, 25-pound estate-authorized book about Jackson which Cirque recently acquired. This is the kind of book that will be a good source of inspiration for creators working on the Jackson show. But there is still more to see. Next month in Part Two, we'll conclude our tour with a visit to the fascinating Archives section of the Library, where the history of Cirque resides! My sincere thanks go to: Mr. Stéphane Zummo, for so graciously spending time with us, The staff of the Cirque du Soleil Centre for Research and Documentation, Chantal Côte, Corporate PR Manager, And my wife LouAnna for putting up with my sometimes obsessive hobby. ======================================================================= SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION ======================================================================= Fascination! is a monthly publication, available through subscription via Yahoo! Groups or on the World Wide Web in text format at the newsletter's website: < http://www.CirqueFascination.com/ >. To subscribe, please send an email to: < CirqueFascination- subscribe@yahoogroups.com >. To unsubscribe, please send an email to: < CirqueFascination-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com >. To Subscribe via Realy Simple Syndication (RSS) Feed (News) use the following: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?feed=rss2 >. To view back issues, or other online Newsletter content, please visit us at: < http://www.CirqueFascination.com/ >. Join us on the web at: < www.cirquefascination.com > Realy Simple Syndication (RSS) Feed (News Only): < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?feed=rss2 > Have a comment, question or concern? Email the Fascination! Newsletter staff at: < CirqueFasincation-owner@yahoogroups.com >. We are anxious to hear any and all comments! ======================================================================= COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER ======================================================================= Fascination! Newsletter Volume 10, Number 8 (Issue #79) - August 2010 "Fascination! Newsletter" is a concept by Ricky Russo. Copyright (c) 2001-2010 Ricky Russo, published by Vortex/RGR Productions, a subsidiary of Communicore Enterprises. No portion of this newsletter can be reproduced, published in any form or forum, quoted or translated without the consent of the "Fascination! Newsletter." By sending us correspondence, you give us permission (unless otherwise noted) to use the submission as we see fit, without remuneration. All submissions become the property of the "Fascination! Newsletter." "Fascination! Newsletter" is not affiliated in any way with Cirque du Soleil. Cirque du Soleil and all its creations are Copyright (c) and are registered trademarks (TM) of Cirque du Soleil, Inc., and Créations Méandres, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No copyright infringement intended. { Aug.10.2010 } =======================================================================