======================================================================= ______ _ __ _ __ / ____/___ ___________(_)___ ____ _/ /_(_)___ ____ / / / /_ / __ `/ ___/ ___/ / __ \/ __ `/ __/ / __ \/ __ \/ / / __/ / /_/ (__ ) /__ / / / / /_/ / /_/ / /_/ / / / /_/ /_/ \__,_/____/\___/_/_/ /_/\__,_/\__/_/\____/_/ /_(_) 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 ------------------------------------------------------------ http://www.CirqueFascination.com ------------------------------------------------------------ ======================================================================= VOLUME 14, NUMBER 3 March 2014 ISSUE #122 ======================================================================= Welcome to the latest edition of Fascination, the Unofficial Cirque du Soleil Newsletter. Just when you thought Cirque du Soleil had finished up announcing new ventures, they surprised us this past month with a number of even more new initiatives... First, through the company's "Cirque du Soleil Media" division (which fans might remember was announced in late 2012), Cirque revealed it was in the process of developing children's entertainment with Saban – the makers of Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers. What form this enter- tainment might take has not yet been made public, but one can infer that, as with the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers, it might be something live action, or even animated. Cirque du Soleil has made numerous attempts in the past to break into the children's entertainment market through both television and print media. Anyone remember PARADE OF COLORS? This 32-page illustrated book for young readers was based on Cirque's productions at the time (2003), but it is interesting to note that it (or something like it) was planned as far back as 1997. At that time Cirque was in the process of identifying a publishing partner for a series of children's books inspired by its productions. The first would be an illustrated book inspired by Quidam. So it'll be very interesting to see how this newest announcement pans out... especially in the wake of SOLSTROM, Cirque's 13-episode variety show, which many derided. The following day - as many of us were taking in the Mighty Cirquin' Banquine Rangers announcement - Cirque and Grupo Vidanta (a leading developer of world-class resorts and tourism infrastructure in Mexico, according to them) announced plans to introduce a "new brand of cultural and culinary entertainment to Mexico and Latin America “through the creation of what appears to be a Cirque du Soleil dinner show. Housed in a brand new 600-seat theater in the Riviera Maya, the 70-minute spectacle is slated to be performed up to eight times a week, year round. Details regarding this particular production have so far remained under wraps, but it is interesting never-the-less, wouldn't you say? And besides making deals for new productions, Cirque has also been busy upgrading their current offerings for our viewing pleasure. Over at "O" there's new VIP seating available in the mezzanine, complete with plush chairs and alcoholic beverages! KÀ is getting back into the swing of things, giving fans a behind-the-scenes peek at its theater and stage (at least every once in a while). And last, but not least, a re-imagined ZARKANA made its debut, completely removing the character of ZARK (thus removing much of the original singing), removes about 50% of the current music, and adds one sensational duo act: the Atherton Twins. Will these changes spell success for ZARKANA at ARIA? Time will tell, of course, but they're quite welcome changes indeed! Our features this month explore those ZARKANA changes through the use of Cirque's Press Room. From those documents we get an idea of the new ZARK-less storyline, the new running order, and where in the line-up the Atherton's perform. Keith discusses and summarizes an article he found recently on the stage technology of Michael Jackson ONE. The article, entitled, "Thriller – Cirque du Soleil pays tribute to the King of Pop in Michael Jackson ONE" by Richard Cadena, appeared in the November 2013 edition of Lighting and Sound America magazine and goes into great detail about the audio, stage mechanics, lighting and projections used in the show. And back in January, Michel Laprise was publically announced as the writer and director of Cirque du Soleil’s newest touring show KURIOS – CABINET OF CURIOSITIES, a post he obviously took up a couple of years prior. As Cirque’s official biography of Mr. Laprise states, Michel spent five years at Cirque du Soleil as a talent scout before taking on, in 2006, the role of Special Events Designer. With KURIOS set to debut very soon, and with all eyes on Michel Laprise, we thought it would be interesting to take a further peek into some of the special events Michel has been involved in creating. As always we've got the latest news items posted to Fascination! Web and, of course, updates to Cirque's tour schedule. So, let's get started. Join us on the web at: < www.cirquefascination.com > Realy Simple Syndication (RSS) Feed (News Only): < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?feed=rss2 > - Ricky "Richasi" Russo =========== CONTENTS =========== o) Cirque Buzz -- News, Rumours & Sightings o) Itinéraire -- Tour/Show Information * BigTop Shows -- Under the Grand Chapiteau * Arena Shows -- In Stadium-like venues * Resident Shows -- Performed en Le Théâtre o) Outreach -- Updates from Cirque's Social Widgets * Club Cirque -- This Month at CirqueClub * Didyaknow? -- Facts About Cirque * Networking -- Posts on Facebook, G+, & YouTube o) Fascination! Features * "Michel Laprise - Coordinating Cirque's Special Events (Part 1 of 2)" By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA) * "The Tech Behind Michael Jackson ONE" By: Keith Johnson - Seattle, Washington (USA) * "Introducing the New ZARKANA" By: Cirque du Soleil Press Materials o) Subscription Information o) Copyright & Disclaimer ======================================================================= CIRQUE BUZZ -- NEWS, RUMOURS & SIGHTINGS ======================================================================= What the Cirque du Soleil can teach your practice? {Feb.05.2014} --------------------------------------------------- 'What do Cirque du Soleil and the professional services firms with new business models have in common?'. The question was recently asked by Warren Riddell, one of George Beaton's business partners. Who is George Beaton? Besides being a columnist for Australia's Business Review Weekly (BRW), he's the founder and executive chairman of Beaton Research + Consulting, which provides advisory, performance improvement and trouble- shooting services to professional services firms. George's management experience includes executive director roles in advisory, consulting, communications and marketing research firms. He regularly contributes to BRW. But back to the question… 'What do Cirque du Soleil and the professional service firms have in common?' Mr. Riddell's reflections on the answer generated so much interest that Mr. Beaton thought they should be shared with BRW readers. # # # Cirque du Soleil and firms with new business models are both demonstrations of innovating to deliver more value. And both swim in a blue ocean (in the context of the Blue Ocean vs Red Ocean strategy debate, which I explain below). By new business models, I mean for example AdventBalance in legal services, about which I written before in BRW. At the heart of Blue Ocean strategy, as Warren explained, is value innovation. This concept is centered on a win-win scenario for clients and professional services firms by which clients gain increased value and firms gain increased profit. There is no doubt that some new professional services firms recognize this because it is happening now in at least law, IP and accountancy. Cirque du Soleil provides a great example of how the old can be re-invented into the new for a win-win. Consider this observation in the Harvard Business Review: "At the time of Cirque's debut, circuses focused on benchmarking one another and maximizing their shares of shrinking demand by tweaking traditional circus acts. "This included trying to secure more and better-known clowns and lion tamers, efforts that raised circuses' cost structure without substantially altering the circus experience. The result was rising costs without rising revenues and a downward spiral in overall circus demand." If this sounds familiar; it is. Not only are there uncanny similarities between lion tamers and law or accounting firm partners, more fundamentally the business models of circuses and these firms are not too dissimilar. They both: o) Hire the best talent to draw the client/audience o) Maximize the yield on that talent o) Drive down fixed costs (old style circuses replaced their big tops with rented arenas) to be able to pay for that talent, o) Try to occupy a space where there is no or little competition – which is admittedly easier for circuses than for professional firms. Value innovation Value innovation breaks with the conventional value/cost trade- off, where a firm increases its value to its clients by increasing its cost, or the opposite it decreases cost and decreases value to its clients. Blue Ocean strategy seeks to break this relationship, by increasing client value and simultaneously increasing a firm's profit. Cirque increased the value of the circus experience to its paying guests by providing more of what the audience really wanted, which allowed it to access a new and higher spending audience base and at the same time it reduced its own costs. For example, Cirque removed costly and undervalued animals from the show. Whilst Cirque du Soleil was a disruptive newcomer, the Harvard Business Review paper cites incumbents that shifted the boundaries of their markets and created Blue Ocean strategies. There is a lesson here for all professional services firms that use the traditional business model – innovation is possible. Evidence of new Blue Ocean strategies in the delivery of legal and other professional services can be found in the likes of LPO providers and Riverview Law. And Deloitte's Giam Swiegers has warned that all traditional-model accountancy and consulting firms are similarly under threat. Almost all big law and accountancy firms are in a red ocean Now some will be saying that it can hardly be a Blue Ocean if you are sharing it with others. This may be true, but it is a matter of relativity. Almost all big law and accountancy firms are unquestionably in a red ocean with conventional boundaries. It is the firms that are challenging these boundaries that will open up blue ocean opportunities for themselves and the litmus test is value innovation. Blue oceans are not about technology innovation. Blue Ocean strategy is achieved when the whole system of a firm's services, price, and cost base is re-engineered and aligned. The new business model firms get this, they create client value that is incrementally superior to their competitors, and they do this with sufficient profit to fuel both growth and satisfy shareholder expectations. The founder of Cirque du Soleil was a one-time accordion player, stilt walker, and fire-eater. He was from within the industry not from outside, nevertheless he saw a different way to create value for both his audience and himself. The rest is history. How many one-time practicing lawyers and accountants have the vision to become new model professional services firm leaders? { SOURCE: Business Review Weekly | http://goo.gl/OWS7jP } LOVE Performs in "The Night That Changed America" {Feb.06.2014} --------------------------------------------------- Cast members from The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil at The Mirage in Las Vegas will perform two incredible acts in "The Night That Changed America: A GRAMMY Salute To The Beatles". Twenty-seven dancers and acrobats deliver a captivating performance to a unique rendition of "Here Comes the Sun" sung by Pharrell Williams and Brad Paisley and contributed to a very special finale alongside the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Stevie Wonder, Annie Lennox and many notable others. The performance of "Here Comes The Sun"marks the first time The Beatles LOVE has combined live music with exciting elements of the internationally acclaimed show. The collaboration reshaped the scope of performance and creates a completely unique spectacle. The show taped on Monday, Jan. 27, the day after the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards, and will broadcast in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network Sunday, Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. ET/PT — exactly 50 years to the day, date, and time of The Beatles' memorable first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show." "The Night That Changed America: A GRAMMY Salute To The Beatles" — presented by The Recording Academy, AEG Ehrlich Ventures and CBS — will celebrate the remarkable legacy of the seven-time GRAMMY- winning group. Featuring today's top artists covering songs performed by the Fab Four on that momentous evening in 1964 and other Beatles classics through the years, the show also will include footage from that landmark Sunday night, as well as other archival material. In addition, various presenters will help highlight and contextualize the musical, cultural and historical impact of the group and this legendary performance. "The Night That Changed America: A GRAMMY Salute To The Beatles" is produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures, LLC. Ken Ehrlich is the executive producer, Rac Clark is co-executive producer, Gregg Gelfand is director, and David Wild and Ehrlich are the writers. { SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil | http://goo.gl/FKa7w8 } New VIP Seating at "O"! {Feb.07.2014} --------------------------------------------------- If you want to kick it up a notch for your Vegas show experience, be prepared to shell out the big bucks. This VIP experience will cost you $295 per person ($335.45 with tax and fees), but can you really put a price on legroom? Many Las Vegas theaters sardine you in, even when you're paying top dollar for those front row seats. The new package features seating much like an opera box in the back of the top tier of the theater where two pairs of more pretty than comfortable blue velvet chairs are arranged around a shared table. In the spacious box, there is plenty of room to stretch out and arrange the seats how you like. Along with the legroom, guests can choose from a bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne, red wine or white wine, and nibble on truffles and chocolate-covered strawberries, too. We opted for champagne and there was only a selection of various truffles and chocolates, no strawberries; though, the chocolates were quite tasty and a great complement to the champagne. We only occupied two of the four seats and thus didn't have to share. A Cirque rep tells us it would be very unlikely that two separate parties would find themselves in the same suite. In addition to the edible parts of the upgrade, the suites (seven in all) feature personal speakers for premium sound and soundproof drapes which can be parted if you have a large party and want to create a "super suite." There's also a call button in case you need to page your server for additional drinks during the performance. Check out some pictures here: LINK ///< http://www.cirquefascination.com/?p=4468 > { SOURCE: VegasChatter.com | http://goo.gl/gsSkLd } Cirque to Develop Children's Entertainment with Saban? {Feb.09.2014} ------------------------------------------------------- Saban Brands and Cirque Du Soleil Media have entered into a pact to develop a children's-entertainment property based on elements from the live-entertainment company's long-running productions. The deal includes a new television series, web content, interactive content, and merchandise, the two companies said, Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Elie Dekel, President of Saban Brands, and Jacques Méthé, President, Cirque du Soleil Media. characterized the pact as one in which responsibility was shared. "We are doing this as partners both on the creative and on the business side of things," said Méthé, in an interview. The two companies expect to have a property ready by the end of the year, they said. The Cirque Du Soleil live show "takes you to somewhere else. It's consistent across the entire experience," said Dekel. "We believe those elements, those aspects of color, of music, of physical movement, of imagination – those are the most important ingredients in kids' entertainment, and in our view, no one does that better than Cirque. We are working to shape that into a kids' format." The property would likely be appropriate for children at the pre-school level or older, the two executives said. Creative Artists Agency brokered the deal with Saban Brands on behalf of its client Cirque du Soleil Media. { SOURCE: Variety | http://goo.gl/KEVFKI } Cirque du Soleil and Grupo Vidanta Partner to Introduce an Unprecedented Intimate Dinner and Spectacle in Riviera Maya {Feb.11.2014} ------------------------------------------------------- Cirque du Soleil, a leading entertainment company, and Grupo Vidanta, a leading developer of world-class resorts and tourism infrastructure in Mexico, announced today plans to introduce a new brand of cultural and culinary entertainment to Mexico and Latin America. Housed in a custom-designed theater currently under construction in Riviera Maya, the first-of-its-kind intimate dinner and spectacle will be Cirque du Soleil's first resident show operating outside Las Vegas or Orlando. "We believe the entertainment offerings for our region's guests and visitors should rival any in the world," said Grupo Vidanta founder Daniel Chávez Morán. "Through our partnership with Cirque du Soleil we will deliver an entertainment experience beyond what currently exists in Mexico or the world in the Vidanta Theater in Riviera Maya. This entirely new category of entertainment will be an experience one must see, hear and taste. We are extremely proud to bring this dream to life." "This is the marriage of two creators of unique entertainment and world-class experiences," said Daniel Lamarre, President and CEO of Cirque du Soleil. "We were asked four years ago by Grupo Vidanta to imagine something different, something new, something unprecedented for this destination. We're excited that our partnership will unveil a new intersection for us between performance and culinary creativity. The setting is the most intimate, custom-built theater of all the Cirque du Soleil resident theaters in the world." The Vidanta Theater in Riviera Maya is a 600-seat architectural marvel planned and built by Grupo Vidanta to house this new and unique Cirque du Soleil production. Grupo Vidanta's chief architect, Arturo Hernandez, designed the theater to deliver a level of intimacy between audience and performance never before seen in a Cirque du Soleil show. World-class dining and champagne service will be integrated with the spectacle. This unique partnership was imagined to build new tourism offerings in Mexico. The Première is scheduled for November 2014. Learn more here: LINK ///< http://goo.gl/M9P27O > { SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil | http://goo.gl/vu9MgT } Tech problems cancel Cirque's opening night {Feb.12.2014} ------------------------------------------------------- YOUNGSTOWN The old adage says "the show must go on," but not when the show is as technically dependent as Cirque du Soleil's "Varekai" and not when one of its main pieces of equipment isn't working. Cirque was forced to cancel Wednesday's opening performance of "Varekai" at the Covelli Centre. Tour publicist Vanessa Napoli said the center winch, which is integral to many of the aerial elements in the production was not working properly. "We don't want to put on less than a stellar show," Napoli said. She did not expect the problem to affect any of the remaining six performances. "It's going to get fixed," she said. "We just need more time." Kelsey Rupert, director of marketing and sales for the Covelli Centre, said ticket holders who want to exchange their Wednesday tickets for another performance should come to the arena box office, which will be open until 8 p.m. today to help customers making exchanges and will open at 10 a.m. Thursday. "We'll do our best to accommodate anyone who wants to come to another performance," Rupert said. Refunds will be available at the point of purchase. { SOURCE: Tribune-Chronicle | http://goo.gl/S4vtl8 } KURIOS – 30 Second TV Spot {Feb.13.2014} ------------------------------------------------------- The first preview of KURIOS – The Cabinet of Curiosities is now available… and it looks mysteriously a lot like IRIS. And no wonder, as most of the footage in it comes from IRIS. A number of IRIS performers are going on tour with KURIOS, so, does that mean KURIOS is a traveling version of IRIS? Time will tell! Check out the spot here: LINK /// < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?p=4464 > { SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil } TOTEM off to Auckland! {Feb.14.2014} ------------------------------------------------------- August 22 – September 28, 2014 at Alexandra Park, Auckland Tickets now on sale exclusively to Cirque Club members General on-sale begins 9am Thursday, February 27 Cirque du Soleil is pleased to announce the long-awaited return of its trademark blue-and-yellow big top to Auckland this Spring with an all-new, awe-inspiring production. TOTEM, a fascinating journey into the evolution of mankind, will open on August 22, 2014 at Alexandra Park for a five week engagement. No further extension is possible. Pre-sale tickets are now available online exclusively to Cirque Club members. Cirque Club membership is free and benefits includes access to advance tickets, special offers and exclusive behind the scenes information. To join, visit www.cirqueclub.com. Tickets are available to the general public from 9am Thursday, February 27 at www.cirquedusoleil.com/totem or by phone on toll free 00800-154-80000 (12pm-10pm daily). { SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil } Robin Leach Q&A w/Criss Angel – MagicJam {Feb.14.2014} ------------------------------------------------------- Magician Criss Angel was told that if he didn't undergo shoulder surgery, he might be eventually forced to give up performing magic. He knew that he had no choice but to go under the knife. But the expected 45-minute operation to repair torn muscles sustained in a New York City straitjacket stunt for his Spike series "Believe" eventually ran more than 3 hours. When surgeons opened up his right arm, they found his bicep hanging — torn from the shoulder. Nobody believed that he'd be back onstage within a few months. He still doesn't have clearance to resume the Cirque du Soleil show "Believe" at Luxor until hopefully sometime in April with its strenuous and dangerous illusions. But Criss was determined not to let his theater staff, production crew and colleagues down, and although undergoing intense daily-rehabilitation workout sessions, he put together a new show, "Magic Jam," at Luxor to keep everybody on the payroll. He's still under doctor's orders to use extreme caution. His right arm is in a reinforced protective sling bolted to a waist strap. Under the skin, seven plastic screws — they will disintegrate after six months — hold everything in place. The man who once jumped near the Grand Canyon on an exploding motorcycle and hung on fish hooks from a helicopter over Death Valley, Calif., now can't even get a bear hug from family and friends. "I have to be really careful. It's frustrating. I could lift my arm before the surgery; now while it's healing, I can't. If I jump the wrong way, if I fall, I wreck it, and I would be finished," he told me backstage recently. But to keep his crew employed, he decided to risk the dangers, and everything he learned using his right arm he's now doing on a limited basis with his left. After two weeks of planning and rehearsing, he's been able to unveil his dream show "Magic Jam" with fellow magicians and specialty acts, and incredibly after four days when I went to see him, he was up to 40 minutes of onstage hosting and illusions. He introduced the comedy magic of his "Believe" protege Krystyn Lambert, who performed his straitjacket stunt; "America's Got Talent" and former Flamingo headliner Nathan Burton; amazing mentalist Banacheck, who appeared on "Believe"; close-up card- shark Armando Vera from Mexico; Jason Byrne's extraordinary and exotic birds that miraculously appear from nowhere; an adorable circus dog act; and funnyman Russ Merlin with his hilarious masked-audience participants. "They are my unsung heroes, and it gives them their own starring platform," said Criss. He's tight-lipped about the future of "Magic Jam" after "Believe" returns but teases that he will be extending it in some format if he wins the expected blessing of Cirque and MGM Resorts. So what is he up to? Read more here: LINK /// < http://goo.gl/PrjsiJ > { SOURCE: The Las Vegas Sun | http://goo.gl/PrjsiJ } More on Cirque Riviera Maya {Feb.14.2014} ------------------------------------------------------- Cirque du Soleil has partnered with resort developer Grupo Vidanta to bring the first resident Cirque du Soleil dinner-and- show venue to Mexico in November. The 70-minute show will be performed eight times a week year- round in the custom-built, 600-seat Vidanta Theater currently under construction across the street from Grupo Vidanta's complex of four resorts (Grand Luxxe, Grand Bliss, Grand Mayan and Mayan Palace) in the Riviera Maya between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. "The design and materials used in the theater reflect the beauty of the Yucatan jungle habitat," said Daniel Lamarre, Cirque's president and CEO. Dining and champagne service will be integrated with the spectacle. { SOURCE: Travel Weekly | http://goo.gl/qBKQwu } OVO in Japan Gets Mascots {Feb.16.2014} ------------------------------------------------------- From OVO – Cirque du Soleil Facebook Page: Hello Japan! We are pleased to introduce our new OVO – Cirque du Soleil Mascots! For the next 16 months, these 3 furry and cuddly insects will be travelling with us and promote OVO in the different cities we will be visiting. If you see them around, make sure you stop and take a picture. Check them out here! LINK /// < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?p=4486 > { SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil } Cirque invites us to upgrade our "O" experience {Feb.19.2014} ------------------------------------------------------- Earlier in the month we heard that there was new VIP Seating at "O", and now Cirque du Soleil has made it official with their own Tweet... releasing some details in the process: Upgrade your experience in the new opera house-style VIP Suites with additional perks. o) There are seven (7) Opera House style VIP Suites located on the Loggia 200 level. o) Each private suite comfortably seats four (4) people with premium views of the "O" stage and performers. o) Each suite is separated by a sound-proof curtain. o) Five (5) added speakers in each suite for premium sound. o) A custom presentation of Truffles or other seasonal delights will be awaiting your arrival in your suite. o) Your choice of Champagne, Red Wine, or White Wine – per party of two (2). o) Private cocktail service. o) A convenient call button located in each suite for service request. Terms and Conditions: Pricing does not include tax and fees. Individual seating price is per seat. Suite seats sold in parties of two (2) or four (4) only. No single seating. Choice of beverage subject to change and based on availability. Non alcholic beverage available upon request. VIP experience will cost you $295 per person ($335.45 with tax and fees) but it just might be worth it! Check the link for a couple more pictures: LINK /// < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?p=4492 > { SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil } SCALADA Continues in 2014 {Feb.20.2014} ------------------------------------------------------- The world famous Cirque du Soleil performance troupe is to perform another run of special shows in Andorra, which fans will be able to enjoy for free. Between 5 July and 2 August 2014, 17 one-hour performances of 'Scalada' will be put on at an outdoor stage in the capital city of Andorra La Vella, with 3,000 free standing tickets on offer for each show. 'Scalada' was created especially for Andorra last year and combines spectacular acrobatics, costumes, lighting and scenery to tell the story of one of Europe's smallest countries. Shows will take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with 2,000 paid-for tickets on offer in addition to the free standing passes. If you'd like to go, tickets must be booked in advance online at visitandorra.com. { SOURCE: Opodo Travel News | http://goo.gl/pF4F0I } KURIOS: "Through this porthole…" {Feb.24.2014} ------------------------------------------------------- It looks as if marketing for Cirque du Soleil's newest touring production – KURIOS: Cabinet of Curiosities – is gearing up, and first up is this tweet... Through this porthole, you could see the moon shining on the soul of fellow travelers. #Kurios http://cirk.me/1ms3oxY The porthole is actually part of a costume the media got a chance to see when KURIOS was announced last month. See these pictures here: LINK /// < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?p=4498 > { SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil } Cirque forms exciting partnership with SOS Children's Villages in Mexico {Feb.25.2014} ------------------------------------------------------- Internationally renowned entertainers Cirque du Soleil are collaborating with SOS Children's Villages Canada, and SOS Children's Villages Mexico to help vulnerable youth develop essential skills. The pilot project, called SOS Children's Villages Social Circus Mexico, will be hosted at SOS Villages in Mexico City and Huehuetoca in 2014. Over the past 20 years Cirque du Soleil has refined and developed the 'Social Circus' program which has aided vulnerable youth populations in both developing nations and in Canada. The 'Social Circus' engages youth in circus-style activities, which help build self-esteem and confidence. Anik Couture, Head of Social Action for Cirque du Soleil notes, "Cirque du Soleil has long recognized the exceptional work of SOS Children's Villages with children and youth. We see SOS as the ideal partner to increase the reach of the Social Circus program. We have invested a lot in developing this program into an effective tool for at-risk youth, we wish to achieve maximum impact and make an important contribution." SOS Children's Villages Social Circus Mexico will focus on building confidence and trust among youth participants. The highly skilled instructors will use a variety of techniques and tools to engage youth in positive activities, aided by social workers and peers, with an emphasis on communication and creativity. Boyd McBride, President and CEO of SOS Canada notes "It is very important SOS CVI collaborate with new and innovative partners, like Cirque du Soleil. The youth in our programs deserve every opportunity. And while we know they need support in many different ways, we believe the Social circus program is a valuable addition to our toolkit to support vulnerable youth." { SOURCE: SOS Children's Villages | http://goo.gl/7VSliL } GymConUSA Gymnastics Conference Partners with Cirque in Las Vegas {Feb.25.2014} ------------------------------------------------------- GymConUSA, presented by Inside Gymnastics magazine and Tumbl Trak, is proud to welcome Cirque du Soleil aboard as an official sponsor for the 2014 conference, slated for June 16-18 at The Mirage in Las Vegas. The involvement from Cirque du Soleil will include opportunities for an exclusive stage visit, a night out at The Beatles LOVE as well as presentations during the conference. Stage Visit Opportunity and Night Out at The Beatles LOVE Cirque du Soleil will offer GymConUSA 2014 attendees a special once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for a stage visit to The Beatles LOVE on the opening day of the conference. Later that evening, attendees will be part of the audience for the live performance at 9:30 p.m. "This truly is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," remarks Chris Korotky, President and Publisher of Inside Publications. "It's not every day you get to go behind-the-scenes at one of the most renowned productions in the country. GymConUSA was designed as a conference that would be both incredibly informative as well as entertaining, and I know this year's attendees will appreciate this incredible opportunity." Cirque du Soleil Presents at GymConUSA A member of the casting and coaching teams from Cirque du Soleil will also be among the featured presenters at the conference during the Tuesday (June 17) session. The session will include a look at preparing for a career with Cirque du Soleil and an inside perspective from an Artistic coach. "Many of the artists in Cirque du Soleil shows were former competitive gymnasts and we're proud to offer a great career path for so many talented gymnasts as they end their competitive careers," commented Stacy Clark, Artistic Talent Scout with Cirque du Soleil. "We are always looking for talented acrobats and performers for our shows and it's a phenomenal way for them to stay involved in the sport and industry that they have devoted so much of their lives to." Final Days of Early Bird Registration Registration to the 2014 conference is now open (www.GymConUSA.com). Pricing is set to increase on March 17. Registration to the conference includes admission to the Opening Reception on June 16 and all speaker sessions. Hotel accommodations and tickets to The Beatles LOVE are not included in the registration fee. Upon completion of registration, information on discounted hotel room rates at The Mirage (at the rate of $116 per night – limited availability) and special pricing for all Cirque du Soleil shows during the convention will be provided. To register and for more on this year's slate of speakers and presenters, visit www.GymConUSA.com { SOURCE: GymCon USA | http://goo.gl/VlPDPD } TOTEM ticket glitch leaves some out of pocket in NZ {Feb.26.2014} ------------------------------------------------------- Hundreds of Cirque du Soleil ticket buyers could be out of pocket following a currency conversion glitch on the circus' website. Pre-sale tickets for the Totem show were advertised on the Cirque website in New Zealand dollars – but punters were charged in US dollars. The company's New Zealand's publicist said it was impossible to pinpoint exactly how many people were impacted by the error, but that it was likely to be "less than 1000 people". Jackson Whitham said he only noticed the error when he saw offshore service margin charges on his bank statement. "I didn't even question the charge that came though," he said. "I saw offshore service margins had been charged and I wondered what that was for […] that's when I realised it should have been much less than what I had paid." Mr Whitham said he bought three adults tickets for a total of $405 but was billed $490.03 plus banking conversion fees of $10.29. An email has been sent to those who may have been affected and the company's PR agent said the "hiccup has now been resolved 100 percent". { SOURCE: 3 News | http://goo.gl/i9SNkc } Robin Leach on Re-Imagined Zarkana {Feb.27.2014} ------------------------------------------------------- We’ve featured a number of his posts here at Fascination – Robin Leach and he’s spent the past decade giving readers of his column over at the Las Vegas Sun the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premiere platinum playground. And in this entry he gives us an inside peek at the new music and amazing new acrobatic acts amongst the subtle yet major changes to be unveilved this Friday at the re-imagined “Zarkana” at Aria in MGM’s CityCenter. o) “Zarkana” closed at the end of December to take advantage of the preplanned vacation for cast and crew in January, with the scheduled opening Friday. The spectacle about an abandoned magic theater that comes back to life returns with four guides rather than the individual magic character of Zark, while lead singer Cassiopee’s role has been expanded. o) At the time, Cirque commented, “A historic aspect of our artistic philosophy is to constantly renew and refresh productions. On its return in February, guests will find an invigorated ‘Zarkana’ with many of the same features, but with new enhancements, making it even more exciting and vibrant.” o) An incredible acrobatic act with British twins Kevin and Andrew Atherton is expected to be one of the incredible new highlights. The storytelling will be enhanced by new and expanded sand-painting art that has dazzled audiences since the premiere. He also talked candidly with Diane Quinn, Cirque’s vice president of show quality and integrity, about the changes and the new-look ZARKANA. Some highlights... # # # Q. “Zarkana” was received very warmly, but you went ahead with your normal tweaking and improvements? I do think that different audiences are looking for different kinds of experiences. When we talked with our Las Vegas audiences after we had opened for a few months, we realized that they wanted a different kind of feel-good vibe: a little bit lighter, a little bit more upbeat and maybe even a little more accessible than how the show had been designed for New York and overseas audiences. Q. You had that Cirque-invented language, which I loved but worried whether people would really follow the story. Sometimes you have to repeat the same lines differently to audiences here to make sure they fully understand the plot. That’s a really interesting comment. Initially, we had done the show when we started in 2011 in New York in English, and then we realized that the show was going to be traveling to the international markets of Madrid and Moscow. We debated over this for a while and changed to the invented language. It worked well overseas, so we just brought that same language right to Las Vegas. It was challenging for some people wondering if it was Italian or Spanish, so ultimately we made a change there, too. We continue singing in the invented language, but now there’s much less language going on in the show. For example, the clowns use some English and some Cirque talk. Our amazing composer Nick Littlemore, who takes his inspirations from his compositions for U2 and Coldplay, wanted to give the audience a little time to catch their breath between the spectacular acts. Originally, we didn’t have a lot of that. The theater is such a beautiful room, you need the music to wash over you, and that reimagined phase has been really important. Nick has rewritten more than half of the music, with a lot re- orchestrated and rearranged. The music is such an important storyline for all our shows, and this now really makes a bigger emphasis of what you see onstage. Q. So that’s a 50-percent-plus change in the music. Let’s talk about the individual acts, and let’s start with these two characters with the aerial strap act. Amazing act! They are English twins — Kevin and Andrew Atherton — two of the nicest guys. It was really important that we could bring them to Las Vegas from our touring show “Varekai” and then “Iris” in L.A. They add a more emotional interaction with the audience. It’s amazing when they go over the audience. They’re synchronized. You feel you are watching one person. They know each other so intimately that they know where the other will be without even having to look. When you watch them, you immediately see they use their twin senses. They don’t even turn their head, yet they can envelop each other. It truly takes your breath away. Q. So we have new music and new acrobatics, and I’ve heard that it will be more comedic without the need of Zark? That’s the biggest thing. We decided to make the show more comedic. We made a very tough decision and removed Zark so that the audience can now really see the acrobatic numbers. We haven’t taken any numbers out; we’ve actually added to them. Now you will see nonstop acrobatics with the new rock music and visuals and set design making it one of the most gorgeous shows we’ve ever done. The sets haven’t changed, but it now really gets to be highlighted by these nonstop acrobatics. Brighter, lighter and faster paced. Q. “Zarkana” was derived from the words “bizarre” and “arcane,” so Zark didn’t come from the show title. Who now threads the storyline? We actually use four characters — the two main clowns, the amazing female singer who is now prominently highlighted as we really focus on her playing several different roles and characters, and the wonderful sand artist. She’s captivated our audiences. We haven’t expanded her role per se, but it’s now really tailored to Las Vegas, so she’s been incorporated into the changes. Q. Does the cast love the new look, feel and sound of the show? Yeah, it’s great. They worked incredibly hard, the technicians. And now all of those amazing movers, that’s what we call the characters in white, are more of the focus, which is fantastic. You get to see them and watch how they’ve evolved their individual characters. That for me has been a treat, as well. Audiences are an incredibly diverse thing. You can have someone who loves the show, and you can have others who don’t. When we really started looking at our audience in Las Vegas, we thought that the best thing to do for them was to make some changes. We’ve made the right decisions; we like what we’re seeing so far. It’s subtle and soft. There will be new artwork and new visuals coming in the next month, so it will look and feel different. From a marketing viewpoint, it will reflect a new look. For the show itself, we are now highlighting all the original acts, except we’re adding one. It’s nonstop acrobatics more than anything else. We have the same great female singer and band, same cast, so it’s “Zarkana” amped up. # # # There’s more to read over at The Las Vegas Sun! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/f5xKUz > { SOURCE: Las Vegas Sun | http://goo.gl/f5xKUz } ======================================================================= ITINÉRAIRE -- TOUR/SHOW INFORMATION ======================================================================= o) BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau {Amaluna, Corteo, Koozå, OVO, Totem & Kurios} o) ARENA - In Stadium-like venues {Quidam, Dralion, MJ Immortal & Varekai} o) RESIDENT - Performed en Le Théâtre {Mystère, "O", La Nouba, Zumanity, KÀ, LOVE, Believe, Zarkana & Michael Jackson ONE} 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. For current, up-to-the-moment information on Cirque's whereabouts, please visit Cirque's website: < http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/ >. ------------------------------------ BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau ------------------------------------ Amaluna: San Jose, CA -- Jan 22, 2014 to Mar 2, 2014 New York, NY -- Mar 20, 2014 to May 18, 2014 Boston, MA -- May 29, 2014 to Jul 6, 2014 Washington, DC -- Jul 31, 2014 to Sep 21, 2014 Atlanta, GA -- Oct 3, 2014 to Nov 30, 2014 Corteo: Porto Alegre, BR -- Mar 6, 2014 to Apr 13, 2014 Còrdoba, AR -- May 3, 2014 to May 25, 2014 Buenos Aires< BR - Jun 6, 2014 to Aug 3, 2014 Koozå: Amsterdam, NL -- Mar 13, 2014 to Apr 27, 2014 Vienna, AT -- May 9, 2014 to Jun 8, 2014 Port Aventura, ES -- Jul 9, 2014 to Aug 30, 2014 Düsseldorf, DE -- Nov 6, 2014 to Nov 30, 2014 Kurios: Montreal, QC -- Apr 24, 2014 to Jun 29, 2014 Quebec City, QC -- Jul 24, 2014 to Aug 10, 2014 Toronto, ON -- Aug 28, 2014 to Oct 28, 2014 Ovo: Tokyo, JP -- Feb 12, 2014 to Jun 29, 2014 Osaka, JP -- Jul, 17, 2014 to Nov 2, 2014 Nagoya, JP -- Nov.20, 2014 to Feb 1, 2015 Fukuoka, JP -- Feb 21, 2015 to Apr 5, 2015 Sendai, JP -- Apr 23, 2015 to Jun 7, 2015 Totem: Santa Monica, CA -- Jan 17, 2014 to Mar 16, 2014 Portland, OR -- Mar 27, 2014 to May 4, 2014 Vancouver, BC -- May 15, 2014 to Jun 29, 2014 Auckland, NZ -- Aug 22, 2014 to Sep 28, 2014 ------------------------------------ ARENA - In Stadium-Like Venues ------------------------------------ Quidam: Brussels, BE -- Feb 27, 2014 to Mar 2, 2014 Toulouse, FR -- Mar 5, 2014 to Mar 9, 2014 Strasbourg, FR -- Mar 12, 2014 to Mar 16, 2014 Toulon, FR -- Mar 19, 2014 to Mar 23, 2014 Montpellier, FR -- Mar 26, 2014 to Mar 30, 2014 Lyon, FR -- Apr 2, 2014 to Apr 6, 2014 Rouen, FR -- Apr 30, 2014 to May 4, 2014 Berlin, DE -- May 7, 2014 to May 11, 2014 Nuremberg, DE -- May 14, 2014 to May 18, 2014 Hanover, DE -- May 21, 2014 to May 25, 2014 Bremen, DE -- May 29, 2014 to Jun 1, 2014 Hamburg, DE -- Jun 4, 2014 to Jun 8, 2014 Luxembourg, LU -- Jun 11, 2014 to Jun 15, 2014 Tel Aviv, IL -- Aug 7, 2014 to Aug 16, 2014 Zurich, CH -- Oct 16, 2014 to Oct 19, 2014 Paris, FR -- Dec 3, 2014 to Dec 7, 2014 Lille, FR -- Dec 10, 2014 to Dec 14, 2014 Dralion: Kazan, RU -- Feb 21, 2014 to Mar 1, 2014 Moscow, RU -- Mar 6, 2014 to Mar 16, 2014 Minsk, BY -- Mar 20, 2014 to Mar 23, 2014 Hernig, DK -- Mar 27, 2014 to Mar 30, 2014 Wroclaw, PL -- Apr 3, 2014 to Apr 6, 2014 Malmö, SE -- May 1, 2014 to May 4, 2014 Glasgow, UK -- May 8, 2014 to May 11, 2014 Sheffield, UK -- May 14, 2014 to May 18, 2014 Birmingham, UK -- May 22, 2014 to May 25, 2014 Dublin, IE -- May 28, 2014 to Jun 1, 2014 London, UK -- Jun 4, 2014 to Jun 8, 2014 Manchester, UK -- Jun 11, 2014 to Jun 15, 2014 San Sebastian, ES -- Jul 3, 2014 to Jul 6, 2014 Santiago de Compostela, ES -- Jul 10, 2014 to Jul 20, 2014 Granada, ES -- Jul 23, 2014 to Jul 27, 2014 Bilbao, ES -- Aug 16, 2014 to Aug 24, 2014 Palma de Mallorca, ES -- Aug 28, 2014 to Sep 6, 2014 Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour: Worcester, MA -- Feb 28, 2014 to Mar 1, 2014 Amherst, MA -- Mar 6, 2014 to Mar 6, 2014 Rochester, NY -- Mar 10, 2014 to Mar 11, 2014 Baltimore, MD -- Mar 18, 2014 to Mar 19, 2014 Fairfax, VA -- Mar 21, 2014 to Mar 22, 2014 Philadelphia, PA -- Mar 25, 2014 to Mar 26, 2014 Trenton, NJ -- Mar 28, 2014 to Mar 29, 2014 Raleigh, NC -- Apr 1, 2014 to Apr 2, 2014 Norfolk, VA -- Apr 4, 2014 to Apr 5, 2014 Charlotte, NC -- Apr 8, 2014 to Apr 9, 2014 Greensboro, NC -- Apr 11, 2014 to Apr 12, 2014 Richmond, VA -- Apr 15, 2014 to Apr 16, 2014 Columbus, OH -- Apr 18, 2014 to Apr 19, 2014 Little Rock, AR -- Apr 22, 2014 to Apr 23, 2014 Louisville, KY -- Apr 25, 2014 to Apr 26, 2014 Toledo, OH -- Apr 29, 2014 to Apr 30, 2014 Lexington, KY -- May 2, 2014 to May 3, 2014 Huntsville, AL -- May 6, 2014 to May 7, 2014 Duluth, GA -- May 10, 2014 to May 11, 2014 Gainesville, FL -- May 13, 2014 to May 14, 2014 Varekai: Cedar Park, TX -- Feb 26, 2014 to Mar 2, 2014 Beaumont, TX -- Mar 5, 2014 to Mar 9, 2014 Baton Rouge, LA -- Mar 12, 2014 to Mar 16, 2014 Pensacola, FL -- Mar 19, 2014 to Mar 23, 2014 Pittsburgh, PA -- Mar 27, 2014 to Mar 30, 2014 East Lansing, MI -- Apr 2, 2014 to Apr 6, 2014 Knoxville, TN -- Apr 9, 2014 to Apr 13, 2014 Loveland, CO -- May 1, 2014 to May 4, 2014 Broomfield, CO -- May 7, 2014 to May 11, 2014 Kansas City, MO -- May 14, 2014 to May 18, 2014 Oshawa, ON -- May 21, 2014 to May 25, 2014 Lonson, ON -- May 28, 2014 to Jun 1, 2014 Bridgeport, CT -- Jun 4, 2014 to Jun 8, 2014 Hartford, CT -- Jun 11, 2014 to Jun 15, 2014 Bangor, ME -- Jun 18, 2014 to Jun 22, 2014 Manchester, NH -- Jun 25, 2014 to Jun 29, 2014 Providence, RI -- Jul 1, 2014 to Jul 6, 2014 Indianapolis, IN -- Jul 24, 2014 to Jul 27, 2014 --------------------------------- RESIDENT - en Le Théâtre --------------------------------- Mystère: Location: Treasure Island, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Saturday through Wednesday, Dark: Thursday/Friday Two shows Nightly - 7:00pm & 9:30pm 2014 Dark Dates: o March 12 o May 8 - 16 o July 9 - 11 o September 4 - 12 o November 5 - 7 Added performances in 2014: o April 18 o December 26 "O": Location: Bellagio, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Wednesday through Sunday, Dark: Monday/Tuesday Two shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:00pm 2014 Dark Dates: o March 21 o April 7 - April 15 o June 8 o August 4 - 12 o October 5 o December 1 - 16 Added performances in 2014: o March 25 o June 3 o December 29 La Nouba: Location: Walt Disney World, Orlando (USA) Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday Two shows Nightly - 6:00pm and 9:00pm 2014 Dark Dates: o TBA Zumanity: Location: New York-New York, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Friday through Tuesday, Dark Wednesday/Thursday Two Shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:00pm 2014 Dark Dates: o March 21 o April 9-17 o June 13 o August 20-September 4 o October 21 o December 10-18 Added performances in 2014: o January 1 o March 12 KÀ: Location: MGM Grand, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark Sunday/Monday Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm 2014 Dark Dates: o March 15 o March 21 o May 18-26 o July 19 o September 21-29 o December 2 Added performances in 2014: o August 31 o December 28 LOVE: Location: Mirage, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Thursday through Monday, Dark: Tuesday/Wednesday Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm 2014 Dark Dates: o March 21 o April 1-9 o June 5 o July 29 - August 6 o October 2 o December 2 - 17 Added performances in 2014: o March 25 o August 12 o December 31 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. 2014 Dark Dates: o March 21 o April 6 - 14 o June 15 - 30 o September 1 - 8 o November 9 - 17 ZARKANA: Location: Aria, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Friday through Tuesday, Dark: Wednesday/Thursday Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm 2014 Dark Dates: o TBA MICHAEL JACKSON ONE: Location: Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Saturday through Wednesday, Dark: Thursday/Friday Two Shows Nightly: 7:00pm and 10:00pm 2014 Dark Dates: o March 13 - 21 o May 21 - 23 o July 24 - 31 o September 24 - 26 o November 13 - 28 Added performances in 2014: o August 29 o December 26 ======================================================================= OUTREACH - UPDATES FROM CIRQUE's SOCIAL WIDGETS ======================================================================= o) Club Cirque -- This Month at CirqueClub o) Didyaknow? –- Facts About Cirque o) Networking -- Posts on Facebook, G+, & YouTube --------------------------------------- CLUB CIRQUE: This Month at CirqueClub --------------------------------------- "The Birds and Bees on OVO" {Feb.13.2014} ---------------------------------------------- The OVO team has watched love blossom between two of their grasshoppers, Karl and Marjorie, who got married last year. Wedding bells rang again, this year, for a another charming couple… of crickets (AKA Laura and Michel). Is love in the air on OVO? With Valentine's Day around the corner, we talk about love with our newlyweds. Michel kindly answered our questions. Enjoy! Q. Was it love at first sight? A. No, not really. Creation was so busy that we didn't have much time to take notice of each other. As time went by, we got closer… Q. Tell us about the proposal, who asked? A. I was the one who proposed. I wanted it to be a total surprise so one day, when Laura went to the show early, I bought roses and scatted them all over the apartment. I also put the ring and a bottle of champagne, on the table. After the show, when we got home, Laura opened the door and saw everything! Q. Usually, do you celebrate Valentine's Day, if yes, what are your plans this year? A. Valentine's Day isn't popular in Switzerland, so we don't go crazy. I usually buy Laura a small gift and flowers. Q. Would you consider working closely an advantage in your relationship? What advice would you give couples living and working together? A. It can be an advantage in a way that we can see each other whenever we like, but I don't think it makes our relationship better. The advice I would give to another couple who work together is: know when to give each other space. Also know for a fact that if you intend to plan a surprise proposal, it will be pretty hard, as you are always together. Q. According to you, what's the biggest proof of love? A. When you don't have to change who you are to please the other person. Q. You traveled a lot with OVO, Which city is the most romantic to you? A. I would have to say Brisbane, because that's the city I proposed to Laura. { SOURCE: CirqueClub | http://goo.gl/xnCVaj } --------------------------------------- DIDYAKNOW?: Facts About Cirque --------------------------------------- o) Didyaknow that Dralion has over 19 different types of shoelaces that are used for their shoes? Every costume has a different lace and each performer has a different pair of shoes for each costume and act! o) Didyaknow the Dralion wardrobe is composed of 3,000 pieces of handmade costumes? The Little Buddha wig was handmade at their Headquarters in Montreal. The Wardrobe team wash and style the headpiece every week to get it ready for the show. o) Didyaknow Kooza’s “Mad Dog” costume was a huge challenge when it was created? The performer wearing it has to be able to move the dog’s ears, stick its tongue in and out! o) Didyaknow that Michael Jackson ONE’s “Dirty Diana” Costume is made out of Swarovsky Crystals? Over 7,000 to be exact. o) Didyaknow that Mystère does 35 loads of laundry for all 400-500 costume pieces? It happens every night after the show, five times a week. Get a load of that! o) Didyaknow that "O" features the largest group of Olympic Athletes out of all the Cirque du Soleil productions? Some participated in one or more Olympic Games before joining the show. o) Didyaknow the four smoking umbrellas featured in The Beatles LOVE contain the smallest fog machines in the world? Now that’s what I call smoking! o) Didyaknow, before each performance, the technical team at TOTEM spends between an hour and an hour-and-a-half to get the set, props and machinery ready for the show? You do now! o) Didyaknow that there are 330 'Bamboo poles' that make up the enchanted forest of Varekai? The set up on big top was close to a full day's work however, we've now got it down to 2 hours! o) Didyaknow it takes 46 delightful artists, 53 technicians and 14 more Zumans working together to ensure a smooth and sensual production? --------------------------------------------------- NETWORKING: Cirque on Facebook, YouTube & Twitter --------------------------------------------------- {Compiled by Keith Johnson} ---[ AMALUNA ]--- {Feb.05} Happy Wednesday, San Jose! Check out this clip of our Crystal Goddess performing at Hillsdale Mall today. LINK /// < http://goo.gl/e7nIAX > ---[ CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ]--- {Feb.05} One Night for ONE DROP, imagined by Cirque du Soleil in support of One Drop, will be back on March 21, 2014 for a 2nd edition. This all new production will be specially created for a one- night-only performance in Las Vegas! Tickets start at $225. More info here: http://cirk.me/1nPIudK LINK /// < http://goo.gl/0MhhyD > {Feb.07} Here’s a sneak peek of the award-winning vocal group, The Tenors, who will take the stage at the second annual #1night1drop, imagined by Cirque du Soleil in support of One Drop, on March 21. LINK /// < http://goo.gl/ctldgc > {Feb.07} Run away with Cirque du Soleil At The Springs Preserve LINK /// < http://goo.gl/NnfTg4 > {Feb.25} We’re so excited to have Lindsey Stirling perform in #1night1drop, imagined by Cirque du Soleil. This one-night-only original performance will be back for its 2nd edition in Las Vegas, on March 21st to benefit One Drop! For more info visit: http://cirk.me/1nPIudK LINK /// < http://goo.gl/9RJ7ZN ---[ CIRQUE CASTING ]--- {Feb.05} Put some colors in your everyday life by downloading our 2014 calendar wallpapers! http://cirk.me/1g2RIOq LINK /// < http://goo.gl/P9CigM > {Feb.07} We are happy to welcome the Trampoline & Tumbling Technical Committee of the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) at the Cirque du Soleil’s International Headquarters in Montreal! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/t5SsCD > {Feb.11} Discipline of the week: STRIPTEASE! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/P8wvCC > {Feb.25} #Music Auditions #Musique — with Claude Vendette in Montreal LINK /// < http://goo.gl/Hjs3gc > {Feb.27} Backstage action! One of our artists is currently learning a new trick for the Hoop diving act. Wish him good luck! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/nzxi8w > ---[ DRALION ]--- {Feb.06} While our crew are loading in at the @Tractor Arena in #Chelyasbink, RU, we have taken our artists and our Artistic director for interviews around the city. Dralion opens on Feb. 7 and tickets are still available for each performances. LINK /// < http://goo.gl/vbp88i > {Feb.06} Getting ready for tonight's performance in Chelyabinsk, RU. LINK /// < http://goo.gl/4gXXiN > {Feb.08} Are you curious to see behind the scenes of Dralion! Take a look at this Hello Magazine (Russia edition) photo-story with the four elements. We had a great time shooting it, we hope you enjoy it too! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/uHj1uq > {Feb.14} Happy Valentine's Day to all our fans around the world! #CirqueValentine LINK /// < http://goo.gl/u9uY7U > ---[ KÀ ]--- {Feb.11} KÀ invites you to take a sneak peek of the KÀ theatre every Friday in February from 11am to 1pm. Come behind the scenes and experience the blockbuster production, 165 million dollars in the making. LINK /// < http://goo.gl/J9Ek6Y > {Feb.18} Come visit the KÀ theatre lobby MGM Grand Las Vegas tomorrow, Feb. 19 at 6 p.m. for a nice meet and greet with our KÀ artists! *Must purchase tickets to the 7:00 PM show to attend. LINK /// < http://goo.gl/NTeGpo > {Feb.21} Stop by tomorrow for a sneak peak at the KÀ by Cirque du Soleil theater from 11am to 1pm. Discover what makes KÀ epic on this 165 million dollar blockbuster production! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/BENjd8 > {Feb.24} Archery is a skill that incorporates art and precision. KÀ artists spend hours training to learn proper archery techniques so they can be on “point” when shooting arrows through the air. LINK /// < http://goo.gl/KKiwhb > ---[ KOOZA ]--- {Feb.01} Kooza - Premiere night in Munich - January 31, 2014 (7 photos) LINK /// < http://goo.gl/Sa0Fp0 > ---[ MJ IMMORTAL ]--- {Feb.10} Check out this great interview with Dancers Tina Cannon and Cameron McKinlay! They can't wait for our return to the US – what about you? LINK /// < http://goo.gl/N2BbDX > ---[ OVO ]--- {Feb.08} Snow storm in Tokyo? That won't stop us from getting ready for the Premiere!!! Only 3 more days!!! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/7QGAHR > {Feb.09} 2 more days before Premiere. Hiro and the crickets are putting the final touch to their act! They can't wait to perform. LINK /// < http://goo.gl/BAJY9w > {Feb.11} Tonight is OVO's dress rehearsal in Tokyo. Here are some pictures of our new concession tent!!! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/IFjn1M > LINK /// < http://goo.gl/Yc80a2 > {Feb.12} Thank you Tokyo for a wonderful Premiere! We couldn't expect a warmer welcome. LINK /// < ttp://goo.gl/Df4DAl > {Feb.13} Good Morning Japan! Happy Valentine's day! Joyeuse Saint- Valentine! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/Vs0iAR > {Feb.14} Tonight, OVO is covered with snow! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/dyjzdt > {Feb.20} The Olympic Games pushes the limits of the human body. At Cirque du Soleil, we know exactly what that feels like as we work with former Olympians everyday! LINK /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdwIK72fWBM > {Feb.21} Hello all! With the Sochi Olympics, we thought we should introduce some of the former Olympians who are now performing in OVO. LINK /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdwIK72fWBM > {Feb.27} Did you know that Hironori Taniguchi, who plays the Foreigner in OVO, is the first Japanese performer to lead a Cirque du Soleil show in Japan. His country can be very proud of him! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/5OW7et > LINK /// < http://goo.gl/WTFx9Y > ---[ QUIDAM ]--- {Feb.05} Have you ever wondered what a week in the life of a performer looks like? Here's a fun look at what's it's like to be the #Quidam Juggler and Papa character during our London engagement. Did you expect something different? LINK /// < http://goo.gl/0wCkGG > ---[ THE BEATLES LOVE ]--- {Feb.09} LOVE at the CBS Grammy Salute to the Beatles (24 photos) – There’s nothing like watching The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil fly above the stage! Tune in on CBS Sunday, {Feb.9 at 8/7c as we celebrate The Night That Changed America: A GRAMMY Salute to The Beatles. LINK /// < http://goo.gl/2jLHM3 > {Feb.11} If you missed A GRAMMY Salute to The Beatles featuring performers from The Beatles LOVE, it will now re-air this Wednesday February 12th on CBS! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/NuXVzo > ---[ TOTEM ]--- {Feb.05} Come watch a special preview performance of TOTEM on Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica tomorrow as we present a sneak peek of our sublime production at 12:30pm! Join us on the Promenade between Broadway and Santa Monica Blvd.! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/qORfaU > {Feb.06} Join us at 12:30pm on Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica for a collaborative performance between TOTEM artists and Red Bull athletes!! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/k5JLMF > LINK /// < http://goo.gl/YYlDRD > {Feb.07} We are shooting a video in collaboration with BuzzFeed today in Hollywood with Gael and Alya! Stay tuned for final edit! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/1YNkgd > {Feb.11} To celebrate our long lasting relationship with Santa Monica, California, we decided to give the community a special preview of TOTEM - Cirque du Soleil! Were you part of the celebration? LINK /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSkQmUTDHoo > {Feb.15} For #CirqueValentine's Day, various Cirque du Soleil characters tried to seduce our Cirque Club members to be voted the best Valentines! We are extremely proud of our two Neanderthals, Norman & Bates, who won the friendly competition with 88% of the votes! Watch their video here! LINK /// < https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOa3k6WamTQ > {Feb.18} It was a froggy day at TOTEM!! Our Green Frogs were the stars of a photoshoot for the upcoming edition of a well-known magazine featuring a notorious celebrity. More details this Spring Photos: Amanda Balius LINK /// < http://goo.gl/TY5zam > LINK /// < http://goo.gl/aG6w1H > LINK /// < http://goo.gl/z9dtw3 > {Feb.19} It is official! TOTEM will be performing in Auckland, New Zeland at the Alexandra Park from August 22 - September 28, 2014! Read the full story in the NZ Herald! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/1tAEEV > ---[ VAREKAI ]--- {Feb.18} We had so much fun The Broadcast TV in Dallas this morning! And thanks to the show for letting us celebrate their 1 year anniversary with the cast! Check out some of our photos. If you missed us, you can tune in again today on KTXD from 16:00 – 17:00 CST! (5 photos) LINK /// < http://goo.gl/Cp0pVe > LINK /// < http://goo.gl/EKFX8r > LINK /// < http://goo.gl/bh1RKQ > LINK /// < http://goo.gl/KL6SZF > LINK /// < http://goo.gl/KYIjtA > {Feb.20} If you missed us on Good Morning Texas, check out some of our colorful characters and spokesperson talk about the show and what Texans should expect from Varekai! Varekai will be visiting #Dallas (until this Sunday), #Austin (Cedar Park) from Feb. 26 – March 2 and Beaumont from March LINK /// < http://goo.gl/3a2Mcx > ---[ ZARKANA ]--- {Feb.15} We're excited to be celebrating our 1000th show tomorrow night at 9:30pm. Congratulations to the 9 artists who have not missed 1 show! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/sm4HRP > {Feb.21} Guess what? We did our 1000th show on Sunday, and the cast and crew want to thank you for all of your support. It couldn't be possible without you. Now give yourself a hand! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/A9piff > {Feb.27} Learn more about our high flying aerial duo, the Atherton twins! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/ErFb5R > ---[ ZUMANITY ]--- {Feb.15} We did it once with Heather Graham and Bradley Cooper. Let's do it for a 4998th with you! #Zumanity 5000th LINK /// < http://goo.gl/tPzdQ5 > {Feb.16} We did it once with Halle Berry. Let's do it with you now. Again and Again. #Zumanity 5000th LINK /// < http://goo.gl/8aEo4z > {Feb.17} We did it once with Neil Patrick Harris and 5000 times with you. Let's do it again and again! #Zumanity 5000th LINK /// < http://goo.gl/DmXozZ > ======================================================================= FASCINATION! FEATURES ======================================================================= o) "Michel Laprise - Coordinating Cirque's Special Events" (Part 1 of 2) By: Ricky Russo - Atlanta, Georgia (USA) o) "The Tech Behind Michael Jackson ONE" By: Keith Johnson - Seattle, Washington (USA) o) "Introducing the New ZARKANA!" By: Cirque du Soleil Press Materials ---------------------------------------------------------- "Michael Laprise - Coordinating Cirque's Special Events" (Part 1 of 2) By: Ricky Russo – Atlanta, Georgia (USA) ---------------------------------------------------------- Back in January, Michel Laprise was publically announced as the writer and director of Cirque du Soleil’s newest touring show KURIOS – CABINET OF CURIOSITIES, a post he obviously took up a couple of years prior. As Cirque’s official biography of Mr. Laprise states, Michel worked in theater for nine years as an actor, director and artistic director before joining Cirque du Soleil in 2000. Even before he was out of theater school, Michel had started his own creation company, Théâtre Pluriel, which spawned a number of innovative productions that have garnered both popular and critical acclaim. At Cirque du Soleil, Michel spent five years as a talent scout (fans might remember seeing his name in Cirque’s 2002 reality series “Fire Within”) before taking on, in 2006, the role of Special Events Designer. In that capacity, Michel directed a number of special performances produced by Cirque du Soleil. The biography goes on to name them: The Opening Ceremonies of the Montreal Outgames (2006), the launch of Fiat Bravo in Italy (2007), the Cirque du Soleil performance event celebrating Quebec City’s 400th anniversary (2008), the opening show at the Eurovision Song Contest held in Russia (2009), the launch of Microsoft’s Kinect console at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (2010), and the Opening Ceremonies of the FIBA International Basketball Federation World Championships in Istanbul (2010). With KURIOS set to debut very soon, and with all eyes on Michel Laprise, we thought it would be interesting to take a further peek into some of the special events Michel has been involved in creating. “CIRCLE” at WORLD OUTGAMES (2006) --------------------------------- Montreal was chosen to host the very first Outgames, an international gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender festival celebrating sport, culture and GLBT rights and hosting approximately 12,000 athletes from around the globe. The opening ceremonies took place at the Olympic Stadium with the "circle" as its theme, which symbolizes harmony, the Olympics and the human form in movement. The show's concept featured moving ensembles, including music, singing, dancing, choirs, crowd choreography and circus acts. Cirque du Soleil paid tribute to athletes from every possible background and celebrated diversity by bringing to the event a poetic universe of breathtaking performances combining spectacular feats, strength and dexterity. Michel Laprise, who organized our participation in the event, had this to say: "Cirque decided to offer three acts. We didn't oversee the entire opening ceremonies, as was the case with the FINA World Swimming Championships. The first two acts were the Cyr Wheel—performed by Antoine Carabinier- Lépine, a member of the artistic team on our Celebrity Cruises' "A Taste of Cirque on Board"—and a hand to-hand act featuring the duo Jaroslaw Marciniak and Dariusz Wronski, who occasionally performs in Mystère. With the third act, we decided to create a special number for the occasion. We had a strong desire to offer a special gift to the spectators of the opening ceremonies." The third act was set to a song by Quebec diva Diane Dufresne. The act's creative team chose a piece that the pop singer had vowed to never sing again. However, when Diane saw the script she agreed on the spot to embark on the adventure. An original act consisting of two parts and including floor performers and a quartet of Spanish web artists was thus created specifically for the event. Explains Michel: "We had a few hours to develop and rehearse the whole thing. We had to work like we do for TV, and to come well prepared. The acrobatic aspects of the act were rather prominent, since they each took up about a minute and a half. We feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to give a lively, acrobatic dimension to this piece, which Diane performed for the very last time before her fans." FIAT THROUGH THE EYES OF CIRQUE (2007) -------------------------------------- To mark the occasion of Fiat's launch of its new Bravo model at the Stadio dMarmi ("marble stadium") in Rome, Cirque’s Special Events team created a unique happening. Their mission was to reinvent the concept itself of the new car launch. The first challenge the creative team set for itself was to unveil the "product" only at the end of the evening, after first conveying a sense of the car’s values and evoking its eMembers of the team visited the Bravo plant and the Fiat Design Centre, talked with the car’s designers and even ask them questions as if the car were a person. "What film changed its life? What is its favourite music? Where does it see hope for humanity? What is its greatest dream?" The Venue: From January 29 to February 3, six evenings of lavish celebrations were offered to a select group of Fiat’s guests. Il Laboratorio Invisible: Beauty in Motion dazzled the audience of journalists, importers, dealers, suppliers, political figures, employees and partners of the prestigious Italian automaker. In all, over 8,000 people from 72 countries, including 2,000 children from Rome, attended the event. The dream-like festivities took place under a glass tent covered by an enormous, white scrim that served as a screen for the projection of huge images offering the guests a glimpse into the creators’ imagination. All of the furnishings were made of glass or plexiglass. A totem pole assembled from car parts stood at the entrance to the venue. In addition to emitting light and serving as an instrument for the percussionists, the totem pole even featured an inner staircase and a platform for the singers. The idea was to create a gathering point that would attract the Bravo’s spirit of Beauty. The evening began with an animated and interactive cocktail party that plunged the guests into a world of vibrant creativity: sculptors crafted clay into life-size car parts; the chandeliers swung to life, propelled by the movements of the lovely acrobats; draftsmen performed drafting choreographies to the beat of CDS music; a human assembly line brought together acrobats and dancers; stiltwalkers opened the doors to a world of dreams; live sculptures offered guests cocktails from a conveyor belt of dream sculptures; a live string quintette performed Il sogno di volare from Saltimbanco, sung by Laurence Jeannot; characters wove their way through the crowd wearing costumes designed using material from the Bravo. During the dinner that followed, guests enjoyed three circus performances. The Show: The high point of the evening was an original, 60-minute show created specifically for the occasion. The show began with a call to Beauty by characters outfitted with actual decoys brought from Quebec (snow geese, Canada geese, moose!). This call to Beauty was echoed in the circus acts and the performances. The procession of the opening sequence was headed by four miniature Bravos driven by children… at 20 feet from the ground, under a night full of stars! The show included eight numbers, most of them adapted for the event, as well as characters, choreographies and a grand finale: the unveiling of the car, which featured horses, a 40-car carrousel, fire performers and fireworks. The Special Events team had just over two months to create this unique experience. They began work on the project in November and obtained final approval on December 15. With 152 artists from all over the world, the team had to work very hard to obtain the work permits from the Italian bureaucracy during the holiday season! What’s more, because the site only became available a few days before the event, they had very little time to rehearse. Despite it all, everyone was blown away by the event – one they won’t soon forget. Yet another resounding success for the Special Events team! The Designers: o) Director of Creation: Jean-François Bouchard o) Artistic Director and Director: Michel Laprise o) Assisted by David Poulin o) Production Manager: Danielle Labrie o) Assisted by Hugues Letellier o) Costume Designer: Lucien Bernèche o) Assisted by Niko Chicoine and Sylvain Brochu o) Make-up Designer: Nathalie Gagné o) Hair Designer: Aldo Signoretti o) Choreographer: Jean-Jacques Pillet o) Projections: Moment Factory o) Lighting Designer: Nol van Genuchten o) Assisted by Valy Tremblay o) Totem pole: Luisa Valentini o) Sound Designer: Harvey Robitaille o) CDS Technical Director: Marc-André Leclerc o) Italian Technical Director: Daniele Cunfaro o) Music: CDS remixed by Alain Vinet o) DJ: Stephane Cocke o) Fireworks and pyrotechnics: Michel Rioux (Fiat Lux) VENETIAN MACAO GRAND OPENING (2007) ----------------------------------- (By: Michele Laprise, as published in “Hand-to-Hand”) As is always the case with special events, we had only one shot at creating an event to mark the grand opening of the Venetian Macau resort. I often joke that here at Special Events, the reality we face is that the lions’ den, premiere, stabilization and closing night are actually all rolled into one evening. Naturally, this pushes not only the level of emotion and risk very high, but also the level of enjoyment. The original idea was to create a 15-minute mini-show that would be inserted into the main opening show. Macau is a booming city, with new casinos opening all the time. Competition is fierce and, in their eagerness to impress, people are prepared to pull out all the stops. We, however, opted for a more sensitive approach. The story we developed tells of a young traveler who arrives in Macau at daybreak, ready to provoke his destiny and embark on a new leg of his quest. Reflecting on his life, he sets out to discover what fate has in store for him, but he does so by playing a more active role and testing his own abilities. What struck me from the start was the fact that we were creating something for the Chinese, who are an extremely superstitious people. For example, they consider eight to be a very lucky number. They are prepared to pay hundreds of dollars to have an eight included in their cell phone number. In Hong Kong, there are people willing to pay up to a million dollars for a license plate that includes this number. Conversely, they will do anything to avoid the number four, which is pronounced like the word for “death.” The Chinese are also extremely sensitive to signs of luck. All of this made for some very interesting theatrical possibilities. Inspired by this combination of notions of superstition and destiny, I was drawn to the theme of luck. I wrote a short fable that included the main symbols of luck: the bat, which is pronounced the same way as the Cantonese word for “good luck”; the three lucky coins symbolized by the trio of women’s aerial hoops (Yin) and the men’s Cyr wheel trio on the ground (Yang); a banquine act version formed of eight artists; the dragon and the central image of the final knockabout: a red and gold fish character who jumps over the “Dragon Gate.” Indeed, in China, the expression “He’s like the goldfish that jumped over the Dragon Gate” means that a person has been successful. To reflect this symbolism, I thought of integrating a few springboard tricks that would have the traveler, transformed into a goldfish, make his exit by jumping over the Dragon Gate! The flying dragon project was a very risky gamble. The team did great work! There is only one company that has the technology to make objects fly remotely, without wires or any other control device. Jean- François Bouchard was the one who led me to this discovery last February. When I began work on the Venetian Macau, I had a flash about having a flying dragon, just like in the stories and legends of our childhood. The Chinese are used to seeing dragons carried on poles during their traditional street parades—it’s an image that is firmly rooted in their memories. When they saw the dragon rise without any assistance and fly under the proscenium arch and out over the audience, they couldn’t believe their eyes! It’s always a good idea to incorporate a couple of risky elements into every project. It’s a good test of everyone’s courage! The team experienced a very special connection with the audience. Something magic happened. Before we came on, each performance was well received, but after a few seconds, the atmosphere in the theatre would grow cold again as the audience retreated into the type of reserved attitude that we aren’t accustomed to at Cirque. But once we started, a wave of warmth swept through the theatre and the audience was great, applauding our acts and exclaiming with “oohs” and “ahhs” at the crucial moments in the story. It was as if someone had suddenly turned up the heat in the theatre, or as if the people in the audience felt comfortable expressing themselves—as if everyone had suddenly let down their guard. * * * Next time we’ll look at Cirque’s performance event celebrating Quebec City’s 400th anniversary (in 2008) in great detail, and the opening show at the Eurovision Song Contest held in Russia (2009). ---------------------------------------------------------- "The Tech Behind Michael Jackson ONE" Summary by: Keith Johnson - Seattle, Washington (USA) ---------------------------------------------------------- Here at Fascination! we like to clue our readers in to interesting articles about Cirque du Soleil and its shows that appear in various printed, video, and online media. Recently we found one such article discussing the stage technology of Michael Jackson ONE. Unfortunately it requires the potential reader to subscribe to the online edition (though that is free) in order to view the archived article. And it's just too much audio-visual technobabble for us to recommend going to the trouble. Instead, we can take the most interesting bits and quote them here! The article appeared in the November, 2013 edition of Lighting and Sound America magazine. You can find the entire original article, including an exhaustive breakdown of all of the equipment involved in the show by subscribing (and accessing the electronic copies of back issues) at www.lightingandsoundamerica.com . The article, entitled, "Thriller – Cirque du Soleil pays tribute to the King of Pop in Michael Jackson ONE" by Richard Cadena goes into great detail about the audio, stage mechanics, lighting and projections involved in Cirque’s latest resident show. We found some interesting quotes and facts among the highly detailed listing of equipment within. To whit: (the remainder of this article are direct quotes from that article) Kevin Antunes, Musical Director: "You take this sound system, combined with the immersion of an IMAX like surround-sound theater, then you take the storyline that Jamie King put together, all the creative minds of Cirque, and Michael Jackson's music to create a truly unbelievable show." Sound Designer Jonathan Deans: "Come naked, we’ll clothe you in sound. It's very immersive. I want you to wear the sound." The audio in Michael Jackson ONE doesn't overpower the rest of the production, but it blends well. It's not exceedingly loud, and there are no gratuitous 3-D effects, just great quality sound that you would expect from a live concert. And there's a very good reason for that. "Every time I do a Cirque show," Deans says, "in the sound world, they have to be different and unique. This one is very much like attending a concert by Michael Jackson, I really want you to feel as if you're at a great concert. We’re not standing there screaming and lighting lighters but a very elegant concert." "It's surround sound," Deans says, "but we make our own format, like in LOVE. In fact, during one of the sessions of LOVE, someone asked, "What format is it?" I said, "I don't know because I don't work in formats; I work with what's needed for the production." The format is not a format because every single moment, and certainly every single song, has a different way of coming at you. It's not something that is fixed because if it is fixed, that's a movie. Movies have formats because they need to go from one movie house to another. It has to be something very fixed so that you can plug in and off you go. We're not interested in that. The only way you can hear Michael Jackson ONE is by coming here. There's nowhere else you can hear it, any of the music, in the same way." One major consideration [about video] was the choice of presentation format. "More and more in rock shows today, we use LED screens," Jimmy Lakatos, Video Designer says. "And they are so powerful that they light the entire stage." It was a challenge, he adds, to strike a balance between the light on the stage and the brightness of the video. "Normally, Jamie King is used to working with the power of video walls, but, in this case, we needed to rethink how we needed to show the images with less power." The designers had one factor in their favor, however, and that was time. They used it to set up gear on the stage, measure light levels, and evaluate the effectiveness of video projection as opposed to an LED video wall. "It was a lot of trial and error," Lakatos says, "and that time was very valuable. It was really important to work with the light meter. We're at around 30FC [foot-candles] in this show. Normally, we work at around 50 or 60. We needed very, very high contrast." Toward the end of pre-production, King decided to add another video element to the show, and Dago González came on board to incorporate more video of Jackson in addition to the manufactured content. "Jamie King is a director of shows in rock environments," Lakatos says, "especially arenas, but he wanted more of a theatrical show. So that was our lead for at least a year. But when we started to present it, it was felt that we needed more of Michael's presence. It really made a difference being able to see Michael Jackson dancing at the same time as the dancer on stage." Lakatos says Fly Studio owner Jean-Francois Talbot was very involved in creating video content for the project and spent time with them in Las Vegas. "It made a big difference. They work a lot with Softimage, Blue Newt, and After Effects, and they have a lot of good animators. Near the end, for about three weeks, we had about 20 people working full-time on the show creating new edits and new animations. Normally, we have no more than five or six." David Finn, who led the lighting design team, said, "Even though Jamie King is a pop director, I knew that the lighting had to have a real sense of theatricality to it, that I had to create atmospheres that support the storyline. I also knew that I had to have those pop elements in the [lighting design] plot, I knew that he would want to turn to them at some point and say, "Let's just blow this number out, have a good time, and make a pop number inside of this little story that we built."” The integration of lighting with the video was key to the design and programming process, and it was pulled off with aplomb. According to Finn, by the time lighting got to the theater for pre-production, the video crew already had four or five numbers "roughed in." They already had ideas for about 10 numbers; another 10 were yet to be designed. "For the four or five numbers that video had roughed in," Finn says, "I took my cues from them and I based my work around what they were doing. It really came down to color, rhythm, and speed of movement. They would put an image up, and I would start working from that image. But then I would take a turn, and they would follow me. It really was a 50-50 give-and-take. They would say, "We really love what you're doing with that" and I would say the same thing. It was a true collaboration in that sense." One of the more notable lighting technologies involves the custom LED elements, especially in the costumes. It took nearly 6 months of tedious work to program the LEDs in the costumes and the set. "When we mention that we have over 7,000 LEDs, we feel like we've earned the right to brag a bit," Joshua Hind, project manager says. "Because of the complexity of the pieces, we ended up programming most of those 7,000 LEDs individually." Finn says that there are more than 13,500 cues in the show, and programming the LEDs in the costumes and the set was incredibly time- consuming. "The "Billy Jean" number alone probably took two months to program," Finn says. "We had to start out by mapping all the LEDs, and some of the costumes had 300 or 400 LEDs in them. And then if I said, "I want the thing to go blue from head to toe," we would have to make sure we had the mapping in the right order and know whether the arms were up or down, if a leg was out or in ... it was crazy!” The success of the show guarantees that Jackson's music and legacy will survive, and the sound, imagery and emotions of his live shows will remain intact. For the designers, engineers, technicians, and performers, it was the kind of project that might only come once in a lifetime, but to the audience, it's a way of transcending time. "I think people really enjoy seeing Michael," Lakatos says, "which is why I think the show works well. At the end of the day, people really feel the presence of Michael." "He's not alive," Deans says, "but his presence is definitely here. You feel him. And I feel that if Michael was with us, he would be sitting here going, ‘Yeah!’” ---------------------------------------------------------- "Introducing the New ZARKANA" By: Cirque du Soleil Press Materials ---------------------------------------------------------- On Friday, February 28th, Cirque du Soleil previewed the “new” Zarkana to a public audience, and though a small number of press reviews have been published regarding the changes (namely from the Las Vegas Sun and Las Vegas Review-Journal) that detail some of these changes, the following is how Cirque du Soleil now describes the show on its website and press materials. THE NEW STORYLINE ----------------- Zarkana by Cirque du Soleil is a spirited journey through an abandoned theater where an extraordinary circus comes back to life. Populated by a motley collection of off-the-wall characters and incomparable acrobats, Zarkana is a visual vortex set in a twisted acrobatic fantasy universe where, little by little, chaos and craziness give way to a true celebration. Zarkana is a quintessential Cirque du Soleil spectacular featuring an international cast of 70 world class acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, high wire and trapeze artists set on a grand stage at ARIA Resort & Casino. THE MAIN CHARACTERS ------------------- Our singer oversees the action perched high above the stage taking on various incarnations from Mandragora to Kundalini, the snake woman, to Tarantula, the spider lady, before finally coming to life as Lia, the beautiful rose woman. She gathers her strength for this transformation through the power of the acts in the show. The Movers are a collection of eclectic spirits that inhabit the world of Zarkana, including: o) The Mad Scientist, assisted by his apprentice, is dedicated to outlandish experiments. His pickle jar traps Sleepy Clown, his cannon sends Pocus on a flight to another planet. And then there’s his quantum machine... o) TI-BOSS, a veritable "clown tamer,” cracks her whip, keeping our mischievous clowns in line. o) The Ballerina commands the respect she deserved from her career in days long past although her dancing talents have waned causing our bitter ballerina to stir up some trouble. o) The Convict is a chameleon, melding and disappearing into the set. Always in a state of panic, feeling pursued and afraid of being captured, he keeps his distance. RUNNING ORDER ------------- Opening After a hiatus of many years, clowns Hocus and Pocus, emerge in an abandoned theater to awaken the Movers, white-clad spirits of the theater. Hocus and Pocus lead the reunion together with the Movers, bringing to life an extraordinary circus. Hocus and Pocus bungle their way through an eye-popping acrobatic extravaganza of high energy acts reminiscent of the golden age of circus and side shows. Juggling Making a surprise entrance from a prop box, our juggler is assisted by a host of Movers, entertaining with skills that defy gravity and space as balls dance rhythmically under and over long-forgotten props and set pieces. Ladder Duo Our ladder duo exhibits a mastery of balance while climbing higher and higher to reach Sleepy Clown, who is trapped in the theater rafters more than 30’ above the stage. Aerial Straps Emerging from the depths of the theater, identical twin brothers attach themselves to straps and fly high into the air and over the seats of the theater, immersing the audience in the beauty of their movements. Accompanied by the captivating melody of Mandragora, their graceful maneuvers leave one and all breathless with their aerial prowess and ethereal fluidity. Flags Our flag artists trigger a rhythmic, almost hypnotic energy as they manipulate oversized, vibrantly colored flags, filling the stage to the beat of approaching drums. Russian Bar In a joyous reunion reminiscent of a day at the park, our Movers enchant with childlike enthusiasm as they take part in a celebration of our Russian Bar artists – one who is launched high above the narrow and flexible bar doing twists and multiple somersaults before landing expertly back on the bar with the aid of her powerful porters. High Wire Under the spell of Kundalini, the snake lady, and accompanied by a chorus of lithe fire breathers, our high wire artists exude amazing balance, control and precision as they speed across their wire performing jaw-dropping stunts – all while avoiding the ball of fire that taunts them. Cyr Wheels and Cerceaux Chasing Pocus into a strange world seemingly on a planet far from home, the extraterrestrial Jovians perform outlandish stunts on giant wheels, while others fly through the air twisting through suspended aerial hoops creating a dizzying tableau which reflects the kookiness of this foreign land. Sand Painting The Oracle, an accomplished visual artist, interprets and summarizes the events that have been uncovered and those still to come as she creates temporary masterpieces made of sand. Flying Trapeze Caught in the web and under the spell of Tarantula, the spider lady, flying acrobats crisscross high above the stage with meticulous timing as they are launched off platforms and bars, creating an effect of visual symmetry and tight choreography. Wheel of Death Testing the quantum machine, an experiment led by the Mad Scientist, leads to the unveiling of an outlandish dual caged apparatus with two artists who leap into place resulting in an act of high speed and daring movements, powered by pure physical strength. Hand Balancing Illustrating a moment of quiet poetry and refined grace, complemented by an enchanting and haunting score, a solo artist takes center stage effortlessly balancing his weight with the fluidity of ballet and the strength of an athlete. Banquine Human pyramids engulf the stage in an act of amazing power and agility. As our group of acrobats defies gravity and space, they race across the stage with precise movements and playful choreography. Using only their bodies to suspend and propel each other, the acrobats astonish with their strength. ======================================================================= SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION ======================================================================= Fascination! is a monthly publication, available through subscription via the World Wide Web in text format at the newsletter's website: < http://www.CirqueFascination.com/ >. To subscribe, please visit our website and enter your name and email address in the "About Fascination" box and press Subscribe. You'll receive an email to confirm your selection. Once confirmed you'll be added to our mailing list. To Subscribe via Really 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 > ======================================================================= COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER ======================================================================= Fascination! Newsletter Volume 14, Number 3 (Issue #122) - March 2014 "Fascination! Newsletter" is a concept by Ricky Russo. Copyright (c) 2001-2014 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. { Mar.06.2014 } =======================================================================