======================================================================= ______ _ __ _ __ / ____/___ ___________(_)___ ____ _/ /_(_)___ ____ / / / /_ / __ `/ ___/ ___/ / __ \/ __ `/ __/ / __ \/ __ \/ / / __/ / /_/ (__ ) /__ / / / / /_/ / /_/ / /_/ / / / /_/ /_/ \__,_/____/\___/_/_/ /_/\__,_/\__/_/\____/_/ /_(_) 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 11, NUMBER 1 January 2011 ISSUE #84 ======================================================================= Bonne Année! / Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu / Happy New Year! Welcome to the latest edition of Fascination, the Unofficial Cirque du Soleil Newsletter. Two Thousand and Eleven promises to be another great year for Cirque du Soleil with the premiere of ZARKANA on the east coast (New York City, New York) and IRIS on the west coast (Hollywood, California); But a sad one as well: this month we bid farewell to Cirque du Soleil's "winter tale" - Wintuk - which has been a holiday favorite in New York City these past four seasons. In addition to all the latest news items posted to Fascination! Web and, of course, all the pertinent posts on Cirque du Soleil's various social widgets in our OUTREACH section (not to mention the updated touring schedules), we're also excited to continue our interview series this month with an exclusive chat with the composers of Cirque du Soleil's TOTEM: Bob & Bill! Find out all the trials and tribulations the dynamic duo undertook to turn this recording around in record time. Okay, 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 * Arena Shows -- In Stadium-like venues * BigTop Shows -- Under the Grand Chapiteau * Resident Shows -- Performed en Le Théâtre * Venue Shows -- Venue & Seasonal Productions o) Outreach -- Updates from Cirque's Social Widgets * Club Cirque -- This Month at CirqueClub * Networking -- Cirque on Facebook, YouTube & Flickr o) Compartments -- A Peek Behind the Curtain * Historia -- Cirque du Soleil's History o) Fascination! Features * INTERVIEW /// "Bob & Bill - Believing & Dreaming" By: Keith Johnson - Seattle, Washington (USA) o) Subscription Information o) Copyright & Disclaimer ======================================================================= CIRQUE BUZZ -- NEWS, RUMOURS & SIGHTINGS ======================================================================= The Stars Align for Guy Laliberté {Dec.06.2010} ------------------------------------------------- Check out this fantastic article about Guy Laliberté, Cirque du Soleil's founder and guide, By Reed Johnson of the Los Angeles Times! # # # A few days ago at Hollywood & Highland, a smooth-scalped man in a black leather jacket, jeans and sneakers got a red-carpet treatment that royalty might envy. Not one, but two, L.A. City Council members took turns gushing over him. His fellow countryman, the director James Cameron, praised the honoree as a theatrical magus who conjures "living dreams," populated with aerialists, acrobats and clowns that are actually amusing. Then, as a beaming Hollywood Chamber of Commerce representative looked on, Guy Laliberté, the press-shy billionaire founder and CEO of Cirque du Soleil, stepped forward to unveil his and Cirque's shiny new star, the 2,424th on the Walk of Fame. The VIP theatrics were telling. On July 21, the Montreal-based Cirque will pull the drapes off its latest high-flying extravaganza, the Hollywood-themed "Iris." The new show has a 10-year contract to perform at the Kodak Theatre in the Hollywood & Highland Center, which annually hosts the Academy Awards ceremony but has had trouble filling its cavernous 3,400- seat enclosure year-round. # # # Read the rest of the article here: < http://articles.latimes.com/2010/dec/05/entertainment/ la-ca-1205-cirque-20101205 > {SOURCE: LA Times} Cirque in 3D? {Dec.08.2010} ------------------------------------------------- Mike Fleming over at Deadline.com has an exclusive this morning - James Cameron (Avatar, Titanic) and Narnia director Andrew Adamson are shooting a 3D film starring and financed by Cirque du Soleil. Here's what he has to say: # # # Director Andrew Adamson has begun production on an enterprising family-oriented feature film that marries James Cameron's 3D wizardry with the precision and spectacle of Cirque du Soleil. I'm told the untitled film is a hybrid combining narrative storytelling with Cirque performances that are being captured in 3D from different themed Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas. Those performances serve as the backdrop of a magical world where the film's lead character has been transported. According to Fleming, Adamson is about a third of the way through production and is currently shopping the project to major distributors. # # # Read the original article here: < http://www.deadline.com/2010/12/andrew-adamson-james-cameron- team-with-cirque-du-soleil-on-3d-feature/ > {SOURCE: Deadline.com} beLIEve CD Now Available! {Dec.13.2010} ------------------------------------------------- A Dark & Thrilling Dreamlike World With the original score for the show CRISS Angel Believe, Cirque du Soleil fans are provided an in-depth look at renowned French composer Éric Serra's work which features key tracks from the pre-opening of the show in September 2008 to today. Éric Serra created the initial music composition for the show CRISS ANGEL Believe and incorporates his vast experience in film music scores (The Big Blue, The Last Combat, Subway, La Femme Nikita, Atlantis, The Fifth Element, etc.). Inspired by the show's themes and written and arranged to blend with the visuals, Serra takes the listener on a thrilling, dreamlike exploration beginning with sounds of vintage children-inspired melodies to rock and gothic moments with heavy, industrial, electronic beats to classical and operatic influences. Tracks: 1. Homage to the rabbits 2. The life factory 3. Sexy pet 4. Flying with the birds 5. Kayala and the poppies 6. Sympathy for Crimson 7. The magic doors 8. The cockroach dance 9 In and out of the dream 10. Shadows and whispers 11. Being houdini I 12. Being houdini II 13. Prewed 14. Blow me a tornado 15. She is gone to the sky 16. The magic wedding All tracks composed and arranged by Eric Serra Get your copy today at: http://eboutique.cirquedusoleil.com/ {SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil} Cirque in the Cloud? {Dec.14.2010} ------------------------------------------------- For those who enjoy the technical aspect of Cirque du Soleil's operation... # # # Cirque du Soleil, the world-renowned entertainment provider, has chosen Orange Business Services to implement messaging and collaboration services with the Microsoft Office 365 cloud platform. The initial engagement has Orange Business Services delivering Microsoft Exchange Online to thousands of Cirque du Soleil employees around the world, adding collaboration tools with the needed flexibility to adapt to the constantly evolving workforce demands. Orange Business Services will provide the consultancy, project management, implementation and operational support behind the platform, covering both Cirque du Soleil's travelling and permanent shows, as well as its corporate offices. Employees at these sites will now have access to cloud-based messaging and collaboration tools, such as email and document sharing. # # # Read more of the article here: < http://www.vadvert.co.uk/internet/6093-orange-business- services-migrates-cirque-du-soleil-e-mail-services-into-the- cloud.html > {SOURCE: Vadvert, UK} Quebéc's Garou to star in Zarkana {Dec.15.2010} ------------------------------------------------- From the Montreal Gazette: Garou will play, and sing, the starring role of Zark in Zarkana, the Cirque du Soleil show scheduled to open at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in June. The sexy Quebec pop singer with the growly, gravel-toned voice [...] will sing nine songs, composed by Nick Littlemore, with the participation of Elton John. In this mega-spectacle, which will feature 72 performers, the character of Zark is a magician who has lost his true love and, along with her, his magical powers. Read the original article here: < http://www.montrealgazette.com/entertainment/Garou+star+ Cirque+Apple+show/3979959/story.html > {SOURCE: Montreal Gazette} You Want OUR Opinion? Oookay... {Dec.23.2010} ------------------------------------------------- We love it when Cirque does surveys; it can sometimes clue us in to where their corporate thinking is with regard to fans. We were (randomly we're sure) selected to take part in another just last month, with some interesting questions. (Surveys like this can be tailored so that different responses engender different questions, so others who took the survey might not get the same questions.) They first started with a set of typical survey questions about what we thought of Cirque du Soleil, Cirque Club and other entertainment options. Then questions got interesting, asking about music and whether we preferred a "live" recording of a show or a "studio" recording (our answer - Yes! Both!). They also wanted to know if we'd pay extra for exclusive access to videos online or backstage tours of shows (no to the first, yes to the second). They then wanted to know about our interest in "limited edition artwork specially designed by local artists" and being able to submit photos/videos to an online community (not for extra money, please). Then they asked about our interest in a "CDS Gift Card." This, according to the survey, would be a card whose value could be used for tickets to two or more Cirque shows in a set length of time. They seemed to be interested in sweetening the deal, asking about our interest if there were a big discount, access to tickets in advance of public sale, or a special gift or privilege. We like this idea, though wonder how it might work with the various price points of the arena, tent, and resident shows. We'd need to know more about which category of tickets they'd be offering under this idea, but the idea of getting tickets ahead of the general public at a discount intrigues us. (SOURCE: Keith Johnson) ======================================================================= ITINÉRAIRE -- TOUR/SHOW INFORMATION ======================================================================= o) BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau {Corteo, Koozå, OVO, Totem & Varekai} o) ARENA - In Stadium-like venues {Saltimbanco, Alegría, Quidam, Dralion & Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour} o) RESIDENT - Performed en Le Théâtre {Mystère, "O", La Nouba, Zumanity, KÀ, LOVE, ZAIA, ZED, Believe & VIVA Elvis} o) VENUE - Venue & Seasonal productions {Iris, & Zarkana} NOTE: .) While we make every effort to provide complete and accurate touring dates and locations available, the information in this section is subject to change without notice. As such, the Fascination! Newsletter does not accept responsibility for the accuracy of these listings. .) Dates so marked (*) are not official until released by Cirque du Soleil. For current, up-to-the-moment information on Cirque's whereabouts, please visit our website: < http://www.CirqueFascination.com/ >. ------------------------------------ BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau ------------------------------------ Online at: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?page_id=39 > Corteo: Brussels, BE -- Jan 4, 2011 to Jan 30, 2011 Vienna, AT -- Feb 10, 2011 to Mar, 6, 2011 Madrid, ES -- Apr 2, 2011 to May 8, 2011 Valencia, ES -- Jun 16, 2011 to Jul 10, 2011 Alicante, ES -- Jul 28, 2011 to Aug 21, 2011 Sevilla, ES -- Sep 8, 2011 to Oct 9, 2011 Paris, FR -- Nov 11, 2011 to TBA Koozå: Miami, FL -- Nov 12, 2011 to Jan 2, 2011 Tokyo, JPN -- Feb 2, 2011 to May 8, 2011 Osaka, JPN -- Aug 4, 2011 to Oct 10, 2011 Nagoya, JPN -- Nov 23, 2011 to Jan 22, 2012 Fukuoka, JPN -- Feb 9, 2012 to Apr 1, 2012 Sendai, JPN -- Apr 19, 2012 to Jun 3, 2012 Ovo: Atlanta, GA -- Nov 4, 2010 to Jan 2, 2011 Dallas, TX -- Jan 28, 2011 to Feb 20, 2011 Houston, TX -- Mar 10, 2011 to Mar 27, 2011 Cincinnati, OH -- Apr 21, 2011 to May 8, 2011 Minneapolis, MN -- May 26, 2011 to Jun 12, 2011 Chicago, IL -- Jun 30, 2011 to Jul 31, 2011 Seattle, WA -- Nov 17, 2011 to TBA Totem: London, UK -- Jan 5, 2011 to Feb 17, 2011 Charlotte, NC -- Mar 3, 2011 to Mar 20, 2011 Baltimore, MD -- Apr 7, 2011 to Apr 24, 2011 Pittsburgh, PA -- May 12, 2011 to May 29, 2011 Montreal, QC -- Jun 16, 2011 to Jul 17, 2011 Toronto, ON -- Aug 11, 2011 to Sep 4, 2011 San Francisco, CA -- Oct 21, 2011 to TBA Varekai: Barcelona, ES -- Nov 5, 2010 to Jan 2, 2011 Taipei, TW -- Jan 20, 2011 to Mar 6, 2011 Seoul, SKR -- Apr 6, 2011 to May 29, 2011 ------------------------------------ ARENA - In Stadium-Like Venues ------------------------------------ Online at: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?page_id=1831 > Saltimbanco: Antwerp, BE -- Dec 22, 2010 to Jan 2, 2011 Lille, FR -- Jan 5, 2011 to Jan 9, 2011 Paris, FR -- Jan 13, 2011 to Jan 16, 2011 Friedrichshafen, DE -- Feb 11, 2011 to Feb 13, 2011 Istanbul, TR -- Feb 18, 2011 to Mar 5, 2011 Johannesburg, ZA -- Mar 9, 2011 to Mar 20, 2011 Cape Town, ZA -- Mar 23, 2011 to Apr 3, 2011 Perth, AU -- Apr 21, 2011 to May 1, 2011 Adelaide, AU -- May 12, 2011 to May 20, 2011 Melbourne, AU -- May 25, 2011 to Jun 3, 2011 Hobart, AU -- Jun 15, 2011 to Jun 19, 2011 Brisbane, AU -- Jul 8, 2011 to Jul 15, 2011 Newcastle, AU -- Jul 20, 2011 to Jul 24, 2011 Sydney, AU -- Jul 27, 2011 to Aug 5, 2011 Wollongong, AU -- Aug 17, 2011 to Aug 21, 2011 Auckland, NZ -- Aug 25, 2011 to TBA Alegría: Wichita, KS -- Dec 29, 2010 to Jan 2, 2011 Baton Rouge, LA -- Jan 5, 2011 to Jan 9, 2011 Colorado Springs, CO -- Jan 12, 2011 to Jan 16, 2011 Broomfield, CO -- Jan 19, 2011 to Jan 23, 2011 Loveland, CO -- Jan 26, 2011 to Jan 30, 2011 Laredo, TX -- Feb 2, 2011 to Feb 6, 2011 Hidalgo, TX -- Feb 9, 2011 to Feb 13, 2011 Corpus Christi, TX -- Feb 16, 2011 to Feb 20, 2011 Tulsa, OK -- Feb 23, 2011 to Feb 27, 2011 North Charleston, SC -- Mar 17, 2011 to Mar 20, 2011 Knoxville, TN -- Mar 23, 2011 to Mar 27, 2011 Charlotesville, VA -- Mar 30, 2011 to Apr 3, 2011 Atlantic City, NJ -- Apr 6, 2011 to Apr 10, 2011 Greensboro, NC -- Apr 13, 2011 to Apr 17, 2011 Biloxi, MS -- Apr 20, 2011 to TBA Southaver, MS -- Apr 27, 2011 to TBA Roanoke, VA -- May 4, 2011 to May 8, 2011 Columbia, SC -- May 11, 2011 to TBA Toledo, OH - May 18, 2011 to TBA Louisville, KY -- Jun 9, 2011 to TBA Nashville, TN -- Jun 15, 2011 to Jun 19, 2011 Tampa, FL -- Jun 22, 2011 to TBA Jacksonville, FL -- Jun 29, 2011 to TBA Raleigh, NC -- Jul 6, 2011 to TBA Duluth, GA -- Jul 13, 2011 to TBA Sunrise, FL -- Jul 20, 2011 to TBA Charlotte, NC -- Aug 3, 2011 to TBA Estero, FL -- Aug 10, 2011 to TBA Oberhausen, DE -- Sep 7, 2011 to Sep 11, 2011 Leipzig, DE -- Sep 14, 2011 to Sep 18, 2011 Stuttgart, DE -- Sep 21, 2011 to Sep 25, 2011 Munich, DE -- Sep 28, 2011 to Oct 2, 2011 Salzburg, AT -- Oct 5, 2011 to Oct 9, 2011 Berlin, DE -- Oct 12, 2011 to Oct 16, 2011 Bremen, DE -- Oct 19, 2011 to Oct 23, 2011 cologne, DE -- Oct 26, 2011 to Oct 30, 2011 Frankfurt, DE -- Nov 2, 2011 to Nov 6, 2011 Mannheim, DE -- Nov 9, 2011 to Nov 13, 2011 Quidam: Quebec, QC -- Jan 4, 2011 to Jan 9, 2011 Chicoutimi, QC -- Jan 12, 2011 to Jan 16, 2011 Vancouver, BC -- Mar 9, 2011 to Mar 13, 2011 Everett, WA -- Mar 16, 2011 to Mar 20, 2011 San Jose, CA -- Mar 24, 2011 to Mar 27, 2011 San Diego, CA -- Mar 30, 2011 to Apr 3, 2011 San Francisco, CA -- Apr 6, 2011 to Apr 17, 2011 Long Beach, CA -- Apr 20, 2011 to Apr 24, 2011 Ontario, CA -- Apr 27, 2011 to May 1, 2011 Reno, NV -- May 4, 2011 to TBA Sacramento, CA -- May 11, 2011 to May 15, 2011 London, ON -- Jun 2, 2011 to TBA Hamilton, ON -- Jun 8, 2011 to TBA Wilkes-Barre, PA -- Jun 15, 2011 to TBA Ottawa, ON -- Jun 22, 2011 to TBA St. John's, NL -- Jul 6, 2011 to TBA Saint John, NB -- Jul 13, 2011 to TBA Providence, RI -- Jul 27, 2011 to TBA Hershey, PA -- Aug 18, 2011 to TBA Baltimore, MD -- Aug 31, 2011 to TBA Amherst, MA -- Sep 7, 2011 to TBA State College, PA -- Sep 14, 2011 to TBA Fort Wayne, IN -- Sep 21, 2011 to TBA Hartford, CT -- Sep 28, 2011 to TBA Reading, PA -- Oct 5, 2011 to TBA Pittsburgh, PA -- Oct 12, 2011 to TBA Milwaukee, WI -- Oct 19, 2011 to TBA Washington, DC -- Nov 16, 2011 to TBA Fayetteville, NC -- Nov 23, 2011 to TBA Greenville, SC -- Nov 30, 2011 to TBA Hampton, VA -- Dec 7, 2011 to TBA Worcester, MA -- Dec 14, 2011 to TBA Toronto, ON -- Dec 20, 2011 to TBA Dralion: Philadelphia, PA -- Dec 21, 2010 to Jan 2, 2011 Boston, MA -- Jan 5, 2011 to Jan 9, 2011 Grand Rapids, MI -- Jan 12, 2011 to Jan 16, 2011 St. Louis, MO -- Jan 19, 2011 to Jan 23, 2011 Chicago, IL -- Jan 26, 2011 to Jan 30, 2011 Mobile, AL - Feb 2, 2011 to Feb 6, 2011 Columbus, OH - Feb 9, 2011 to Feb 13, 2011 Detroit, MI -- Feb 16, 2011 to Feb 20, 2011 Austin, TX -- Mar 10, 2011 to Mar 21, 2011 San Antonio, TX -- Mar 23, 2011 to Mar 27, 2011 Des Moines, IA -- Mar 30, 2011 to Apr 6, 2011 Springfield, IL -- Apr 6, 2011 to TBA Council Bluffs, IA -- Apr 13, 2011 to Apr 17, 2011 Moline, IL -- Apr 19, 2011 to TBA Peoria, IL -- Apr 22, 2011 to Apr 24, 2011 Madison, WI -- Apr 26, 2011 to Apr 27, 2011 Green Bay, WI -- Apr 29, 2011 to May 1, 2011 Rockford, IL -- May 3, 2011 to TBA Kansas City, MO -- May 11, 2011 to TBA Abbotsford, BC -- Jun 2, 2011 to Jun 5, 2011 Eugene, OR -- Jun 8, 2011 to TBA Portland, OR -- Jun 15, 2011 to TBA Victoria, BC -- Jun 22, 2011 to Jun 26, 2011 Edmonton, AB -- Jul 6, 2011 to TBA Saskatoon, SK -- Jul 13, 2011 to TBA Winnipeg, MB -- Jul 20, 2011 to TBA Frisco, TX -- Jul 27, 2011 to TBA Indianapolis, IN -- Aug 3, 2011 to TBA Atlanta, GA -- Aug 25, 2011 to TBA Albany, NY -- Sep 7, 2011 to TBA Syracuse, NY -- Sep 14, 2011 to TBA Binghampton, NY -- Sep 20, 2011 to TBA Glens Falls, NY -- Sep 24, 2011 to TBA Portland, ME -- Sep 28, 2011 to TBA Cypress, TX -- Nov 17, 2011 to TBA Beaumont, TX -- Nov 23, 2011 to TBA Springfield, IL -- Nov 30, 2011 to TBA Richmond, VA -- Dec 7, 2011 to TBA Montreal, QC -- Dec 19, 2011 to TBA Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour: Montreal, QC -- Oct 2, 2011 & Oct 3, 2011 Ottawa, ON -- Oct 7, 2011 to Oct 8, 2011 Hamilton, ON -- Oct 12, 2011 Detroit, MI -- Oct 15, 2011 London, ON -- Oct 18, 2011 Toronto, ON -- Oct 21, 2011 & Oct 22, 2011 Winnipeg, MB -- Oct 26, 2011 Saskatoon, SK -- Oct 29, 2011 Edmonton, AB -- Nov 1, 2011 & Nov 2, 2011 Vancouver, BC -- Nov 4, 2011 & Nov 5, 2011 Seattle, WA -- Nov 9, 2011 Portland, OR -- Nov 18, 2011 Salt Lake City, UT -- Nov 29, 2011 Las Vegas, NV -- Dec 3, 2011 to Dec 11, 2011 Denver, CO -- Jan 6, 2012 Sacramento, CA -- Jan 10, 2012 San Jose, CA -- Jan 13, 2012 Oakland, CA -- Jan 18, 2012 San Diego, CA -- Jan 21, 2012 Anaheim, CA -- Jan 24, 2012 Los Angeles, CA -- Jan 27, 2012 & Jan 28, 2012 Houston, TX -- Feb 10, 2012 Miami, FL -- Mar 2, 2012 Montreal -- Mar 20, 2012 to Mar 22, 2012 Quebec City, QC -- Mar 24, 2012 & Mar 25, 2012 New York City, NY -- Apr 3, 2012 Philadelphia, PA -- Apr 10, 2012 Atlanta, GA -- Jun 29, 2012 --------------------------------- RESIDENT - en Le Théâtre --------------------------------- NOTE: (*) Prices are in United States Dollars (USD) unless otherwise noted. (*) Ticket prices exclude the 10% Live Entertainment Tax, the $7.50 per-ticket processing fee, and sales tax where applicable. Online at: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?page_id=40 > Mystère: Location: Treasure Island, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Saturday through Wednesday, Dark: Thursday/Friday Two shows Nightly - 7:00pm & 9:30pm 2010 Ticket Prices (adult) / (child 5-12): o Category 1: $109.00 / $54.50 o Category 2: $99.00 / $49.50 o Category 3: $79.00 / $39.50 o Category 4: $69.00 / $34.50 o Category 5: $60.00 / $30.00 (Limited View) 2010 Added Performances o December 31st 2011 Dark Dates: o January 5-19 o February 6 o March 2 o May 8-11 o July 6 o September 3-7 o November 2 2011 Added Performances: o July 14th o December 30th "O": Location: Bellagio, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Wednesday through Sunday, Dark: Monday/Tuesday Two shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:00pm 2010 Ticket Prices: o Orchestra: $150.00 o Loggia: $130.00 o Balcony: $99.00 o Limited View: $93.50 2010 Dark Dates: o December 8-19 2011 Dark Dates: o February 6-9 o April 13-17 o June 12 o August 10-14 o October 9 o December 5-18 La Nouba: Location: Walt Disney World, Orlando (USA) Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday Two shows Nightly - 6:00pm and 9:00pm 2010 Ticket Prices (adults) / (child 3-9): o Category 0: $120.00 / $97.00 o Category 1: $105.00 / $85.00 o Category 2: $85.00 / $69.00 o Category 3: $69.00 / $56.00 o Category 4: $55.00 / $45.00 2011 Dark Dates: o January 18-22 o March 22 o May 17-28 o July 26 o September 20-24 o November 22 Zumanity: Location: New York-New York, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Friday through Tuesday Dark: Wednesday & Thursday Two Shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:00pm 2010 Ticket Prices (18+ Only!): o Duo Sofas: $129.00 o Orchestra Seats: $105.00 o Upper Orchestra Seats: $79.00 o Balcony Seats: $69.00 o Cabaret Stools: $69.00 2010 Dark Dates: o November 15-16 o December 17-21 2010 Added Performances: o November 24th o December 31st 2011 Dark Dates: o February 6, 15 o April 15-19 o June 21 o August 26-30 o Septembre 2-6 o October 17-18 o December 16-20 2011 Added Performances: o November 23rd o December 31st KÀ: Location: MGM Grand, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark Sunday/Monday Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm 2010 Ticket Prices (adult) / (child 5-12): o Category 1: $150.00 / $75.00 o Category 2: $130.00 / $65.00 o Category 3: $99.00 / $49.50 o Category 4: $69.00 / $34.50 2010 Added Performances: o December 26 o December 31 2011 Dark Dates: o January 18-29 o April 5 o May 31 - June 4 o July 12 o August 30 - September 7 o November 15-16 2011 Added Performances: o January 16 o May 29 o November 27 o December 26 o December 31 LOVE: Location: Mirage, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Thursday through Monday, Dark: Tuesday/Wednesday Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm 2010 Ticket Prices: o Lower Orchestra: $150.00 o Upper Orchestra: $130.00 o Lower Balcony: $99.00 o Middle Balcony: $93.50 2010 Dark Dates: o December 2 - 15 2011 Dark Dates: o February 7-8 o April 7-11 o May 16 o June 6 o August 4-8 o October 3 o December 1-12 2011 Added Performances: o May 18th o December 28th o December 31st ZAIA: Location: Venetian, Macao (China) Performs: Every Day, Dark: Wednesday One to Two Shows Daily - Times Vary 2010 Ticket Prices (adult) / (child 2-11): o VIP Seating: MOP$ 1288 / MOP$ 1288 o Reserve A: MOP$ 788 / MOP$ 394 o Reserve B: MOP$ 588 / MOP$ 294 o Reserve C: MOP$ 388 / MOP$ 194 ZED: Location: Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo (Japan) Performs: Varies One to Two Shows Daily - Showtimes vary 2010 Ticket Prices (Non-Peek / Peek Time): o Category 1 ("Premium"): ¥15,000 / ¥16,000 o Category 2 ("Stage-Side"): ¥12,500 / ¥13,500 o Category 2 ("Center"): ¥12,500 / ¥13,500 o Category 3 ("Wide View"): ¥9,500 / ¥10,500 o Category 4 ("Value"): ¥7,500 / ¥8,500 BELIEVE: Location: Luxor, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Friday through Tuesday, Dark: Wednesday/Thursday Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 10:00pm NOTE: Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Children under the age of five are not permitted into the theater. 2010 Ticket Prices (all): o Category 1: $160.00 o Category 2: $130.00 o Category 3: $109.00 o Category 4: $89.00 o Category 5: $59.00 2010 Added Performances: o December 31 at 4:30pm and 7:00pm 2011 Dark Dates: o January 11-15 o March 1-5 o June 7-14 o September 6-10 o December 6-17 VIVA ELVIS: Location: Aria, Las Vegas (USA) Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm 2010 Ticket Prices o Category 1: $175.00 o Category 2: $150.00 o Category 3: $125.00 o Category 4: $99.00 2011 Dark Dates: o January 18-19 o March 15-19 o May 10-11 o July 5-16 o September 13-14 o November 8-12 2011 Added Performances: o May 29th o November 27th o December 26, 31 -------------------------------------- VENUE - Venue & Seasonal Productions -------------------------------------- Online at: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?page_id=251 > IRIS: Location /// Kodak Theatre Hollywood, CA (USA) Performances /// Opens July 22, 2011 Ticket Prices /// Previews: Category 0 = $203.00 Category 1 = $100.50 Category 2 = $78.00 Category 3 = $59.25 Category 4 = $33.00 Weekday Matinee: Category 0: $253.00 Category 1: $123.00 Category 2: $93.00 Category 3: $68.00 Category 4: $43.00 Saturday Matinee: Category 0: $253.00 Category 1: $133.00 Category 2: $103.00 Category 3: $78.00 Category 4: $43.00 ZARKANA: Location /// Radio City Music Hall New York City, NY (USA) Performances /// June 9, 2011 through September 4, 2011. 2011 Dark Dates: o June 13-15, 20-22, 27-28 o July 4, 11, 18, 25 o August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 o September 5, 12, 19, 26 o October 3 Ticket Prices /// Previews: Category 1 = $250.00 Category 2 = $120.00 Category 3 = $70.00 Category 4 = $47.00 Fri Eve, Sat Mat, Sat Eve, Sun Mat: Category 1: $300.00 Category 2: $130.00 Category 3: $75.00 Category 4: $52.00 Tues Eve, Wed Mat, Wed Eve, Thurs Eve, Fri Mat, Sun Eve: Category 1: $250.00 Category 2: $130.00 Category 3: $75.00 Category 4: $52.00 ======================================================================= OUTREACH - UPDATES FROM CIRQUE'S SOCIAL WIDGETS ======================================================================= ---[ CIRQUE WEEK ]--- Cirque Week Day 1: Registration LINK /// < http://www.flickr.com/photos/cirquelasvegas/ sets/72157625502266140/ > Cirque Week Day 1: LOVE / BELIEVE LINK /// < http://www.flickr.com/photos/cirquelasvegas/ sets/72157625501674212/ > Cirque Week Day 2: Zumanity - Rehearsal and Q&A LINK /// < http://www.flickr.com/photos/cirquelasvegas/ sets/72157625383814489/ > Cirque Week Day 3: Criss Angel Meet & Greet LINK /// < http://www.flickr.com/photos/cirquelasvegas/ sets/72157625390238693/ > Cirque Week Day 3: Viva Elvis LINK /// < http://www.flickr.com/photos/cirquelasvegas/ sets/72157625390079327/ > Cirque Week Day 4: KA Demonstration and Q&A LINK /// < http://www.flickr.com/photos/cirquelasvegas/ sets/72157625544235582/ > Cirque Week Day 5: "O" Q&A Panel LINK /// < http://www.flickr.com/photos/cirquelasvegas/ sets/72157625419823587/ > Cirque Week Day 6: Creative & Technical Panel LINK /// < http://www.flickr.com/photos/cirquelasvegas/ sets/72157625550973698/ > Cirque Week Day 7: Mystere - Taiko Drum Demonstration LINK /// < http://www.flickr.com/photos/cirquelasvegas/ sets/72157625552230014/ > ---[ ALEGRIA ]--- {Dec.24} Best wishes from Alegria! FOTO [3] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php? aid=316367&id=38543815745 > {Dec.22} Everything (well almost...) you always wanted to know about Clowns and Physical Actors at Cirque du Soleil but were afraid to ask ! VIDEO [7:50] /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php? v=10150112325881210&oid=102959066704&comments&ref=mf > {Dec.21} Premiere in Oklahoma City @ Cox Convention Center, tomorrow Wednesday, December 21. Watch a performer! VIDEO /// < http://newsok.com/cirque-du-soleil-alegria- performer/multimedia/video/709313474001 > ---[ CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ]--- {Dec.21} Cirque du Soleil Are you more like the Scientist from TOTEM? Or like Jamie from Wintuk? Learn how your personality aligns with Cirque du Soleil characters and Infiniti vehicles with Infiniti's Performance Personality quiz! LINK /// < http://goo.gl/HCXxa > {Dec.20} Together, we can change the world. Happy Holidays! | Ensemble pour changer le monde. Joyeuses Fêtes! VIDEO /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7BAA81zc_0&sns=em > {Dec.14} Don't miss your chance to win an all expenses paid trip for two to Montreal to see the premiere of Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour in Montreal! Enter now: LINK /// < http://bit.ly/bsJWy4 > {Dec.01} Did you know that Cirque du Soleil has been involved with the Journées de la culture for more than 10 years now? Here's a glimpse of the 2010 edition at Cirque Studio in Montreal. VIDEO /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v46m4_xJm4&sns=em > ---[ DRALION ]--- {Dec.31} Best wishes for the New Year from all Dralion cast and crew :) {Dec.30} During Cirque du Soleil's Dralion, a gorgeous spectacle of acrobatic accomplishments, it's tough not to let one's mind wander toward the Spider-Man debacle unfolding on Broadway. LINK /// < http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/ wendy_rosenfield/20101223_Special-effects- free_creativity.html > {Dec.22} Watch, live this morning, Amanda Orozco teach aerial tissue to the NBC-10 anchors at Liacouras Center. VIDEO [1:25] /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php? v=487863620352&oid=39340140194&comments&ref=mfK > {Dec.22} And now.... Watch Katy, reporter on Fox 29, trying a move on the Aerial Hoop with Marie-Eve Bisson. VIDEO [0:26] /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php? v=487938825352&oid=39340140194&comments&ref=mf > {Dec.20} Dralion in Philadelphia! FOTO [5] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php? aid=595893&id=39340140194&ref=mf > {Dec.20} Cirque du Soleil's 'Dralion' unites the East and West LINK /// < http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2010/12/ 17/entertainment/srv0000010319801.txt > {Dec.15} Woohoo! Watch Han Yuzhen performing live at Fox 25 this morning. Opening tomorrow night at the DCU Center! LINK /// < http://www.myfoxboston.com/dpp/morning/cirque-du- soliels-dralion-20101215 > {Dec.13} A New Twist on Dralion | Cirque du Soleil performances are always intense but not always in tents. The Montreal-based circus has folded up its famous big top and gone indoors for the current arena tour of 'Dralion,' which includes seven performances at the DCU Center Dec. 16 through 19. LINK /// < http://www.telegram.com/article/20101205 /NEWS/12050586 > {Dec.01} Coming soon to the DCU Center in Worcester!!! Read a preview from our Artistic Director Sean McKeown and the Goddess of Water - Oceane performed by Tara C. Pandeya. LINK /// < http://www.thepulsemag.com/wordpress/2010/12/ cirque-du-soleil-brings-dralion-to-the-dcu-center > ---[ IRIS ]--- {Dec.31} IRIS' Float! LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php? fbid=173536572684691&set=a.173536262684722.34125. 161171830587832 > {Dec.30} Countdown to the Rose Parade - 2 days to go! Decorating underway, check out the newest photos. FOTO /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php? aid=33695&id=161171830587832 > {Dec.27} The 2011 City of Los Angeles float features Cirque du Soleil and Hollywood. We're honored to be a part of the city's 113th year of participation in the Rose Parade. Here are pics of the float in process. Cirque artists will be performing on it during the parade. Don't miss it! Saturday, January 1, 2011, starting ...at 8am (PST). Check your local listings for details. FOTO [12] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php? aid=33695&id=161171830587832&ref=mf > {Dec.03} Here's a look at IRIS -- coming to the Kodak Theatre in 2011! Tickets are on sale now! VIDEO [0:30] /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php? v=10100265603001339&oid=161171830587832&comments&ref=mf > ---[ KOOZA ]--- {Dec.24} Happy Holidays to all the KOOZA fans! {Dec.11} KOOZA cast out on the streets of Miami beach! KOOZA by Cirque du Soleil is now performing until January 2nd, 2011 under the Blue and Yellow Big Top at Bicentennial Park in Miami! Don't miss out! VIDEO /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCI5b_UGliw > {Dec.07} KOOZA in the streets of South Beach, Florida - December 7, 2010 FOTO [39] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php? aid=250680&id=34324811338&ref=mf > {Dec.02} LA SOIRÉE ONE DROP in Miami, to benefit the ONE DROP foundation, was held last night at KOOZA by Cirque du Soleil under the Blue and Yellow Grand Chapiteau at Bicentennial Park. Gloria & Emilio Estefan, Guy Laliberté, the founder of Cirque du Soleil & ONE DROP Foundation walked the Blue Carpet with many more co-hosts a...nd suporters. To learn more about ONE DROP, please visit www.onedrop.org. FOTO /// < http://www.flickr.com/photos/ onedropfoundation/5226437018/ > ---[ KA ]--- {Dec.21} Hello KÀ friends! Today we're honoring one of our many unseen heroes - Miranda Sallaway from our Performance Medicine department. She's one talented Canadian, eh? LINK /// < http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2899230 > ---[ LA NOUBA ]--- {Dec.31} Cheers to 2010! VIDEO [2:07] /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php? v=1802843953849&oid=16315569901&comments&ref=mf > {Dec.24} Friends are like snowflakes, each one different and beautiful. Wishing our beautiful friends happiness in your celebrations this season! {Dec.23} We're celebrating an anniversary today! Can you guess (or remember) which one? VIDEO /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=h-YcBVEnLT8&feature=related > {Dec.14} La Nouba recently shot lots of footage to be used in a new TV spot to promote the show. This has been in the works for quite some time and needless to say... We're excited about it. (Photos by Laura Murphy) The Making Of: La Nouba's TV Spot FOTO [51] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php? aid=253555&id=16315569901&ref=mf > {Dec.08} La Nouba Rigger Takes Vacation, Makes the News (nice work, Barry!)!! | ORLANDO, Fla. -- A man climbs to the top of a 68- foot flag pole more than 300 feet in the air to unsnarl a stuck flag that ripped in half atop an Orlando hotel. Tuesday, December 7, 2010. LINK /// < http://www.clickorlando.com/news/ 26047545/detail.html > ---[ MYSTERE ]--- {Dec.22} If you're on Twitter, tweet about your experience at or love for Mystère using hashtag #Mystere and see it reflected on the 'Share Love' tab on our Facebook page! LINK /// < http://on.fb.me/MystereShare > {Dec.21} Thank you to all of you who stayed up late to see us on "Lopez Tonight" last night! For those of you who were fast asleep (don't worry, it was past my bedtime too...), here's a link to help you procrastinate at work and school. Enjoy! VIDEO /// < http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/6SXCHp/ www.lopeztonight.com/episode_recaps_and_ highlights/cirque_du_soleil.php > {Dec.18} Hello Mystère fans! Today is part three of our behind-the-scenes en español fiesta party, but we have some front-of-scenes TV news: be sure to tune in to "Lopez Tonight" on TBS this Monday, Dec. 20th at midnight to see an exclusive performance from Mystère featuring Hand-to-Hand and Aerial Cube! Mystère Technical Tour on "Acceso Total" (Telemundo L.A.) [HQ] VIDEO [2:00] /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php? v=1766425086851&oid=18155469918&comments&ref=mf > {Dec.16} Hi everyone! We're going to have some big TV news for you later this week, but in the meantime here's part two of our behind- the-scenes en español fiesta party. (I know "fiesta" means party, but it's worth repeating.) Mystère Wardrobe on "Acceso Total" (Telemundo L.A.) [HQ] VIDEO [2:00] /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php? v=1763198006176&oid=18155469918&comments&ref=mf > {Dec.11} Hola, Mystère fans! Today we're taking the first in a four part journey behind-the-scenes en español. Enjoy! Mystère Taiko Drums on "Acceso Total" (Telemundo L.A.) [HQ] VIDEO [2:00] /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php? v=1755403331314&oid=18155469918&comments&ref=mf > {Dec.08} We've got our Twitter chat with Taiko drummer and percussionist Carlos Lopez today at 4 pm EST over on the @Cirque Twitter. Carlos has put together an awesome video about a day in his life at Mystère, you can check it out below! A Life in the Day - Carlos Lopez from Mystère [HQ] VIDEO [1:44] /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php? v=10100270066566319&oid=18155469918&comments&ref=mf > {Dec.02} Happy belated December, Mystère fans! All of our artists work very hard, and live in Nevada, so it only made sense for Las Vegas' local newspaper to feature our Red Bird in their "Nevadan at Work" column. Please enjoy Ross Gibson's candid interview, and bonus points if you can guess where in the theatre the photo was taken. LINK /// < http://www.lvrj.com/business/soaring-determination- leads-gymnast-to-myst_re-roost-110930669.html > ---[ QUIDAM ]--- {Dec.20} Entrevue avec Fabrice Lemire (Directeur Artistique) à ne pas manquer aujourd'hui à 15h40 à Désautels sur La Première Chaine de Radio-Canada LINK /// < http://www.radio-canada.ca/emissions/ desautels/2010-2011/ > {Dec.19} Quidam in Montréal, QC FOTO [11] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php? aid=258920&id=35752277045&ref=mf > {Dec.12} The buzz around the Quidam Press conference in Montreal - La conférence de Presse de Quidam à Montréal fait jaser... LINK /// < http://www.webpresse.ca/#!/video/788118/ quidam-du-cirque-du-soleil > LINK /// < http://www.flashquebec.info/Culturels/autres/ quidam_extrait_cirque_du_soleil_061210/ > {Dec.11} The reviews are in, thank you Kingston! LINK /// < http://www.thewhig.com/ ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2887148 > {Dec.10} Quidam in Kingston, ON FOTO [12] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php? aid=256511&id=35752277045&ref=mf > ---[ SALTIMBANCO ]--- {Dec.26} Très bientôt en France !!! | Cirque du Soleil : toujours aussi incroyable Saltimbanco - Les journaux du Week-end - Vidéo VIDEO /// < http://videos.tf1.fr/jt-we/cirque-du-soleil- toujours-aussi-incroyable-saltimbanco-6197245.html > {Dec.16} Great crowd in Nürnberg, thanks for the warm welcome !! LINK /// < http://www.nordbayern.de/nuernberger- nachrichten/politik/magisch-der-cirque-du-soleil -in-der-arena-1.383698 > {Dec.10} A review of the show in Budapest! LINK /// < http://www.magyarhirlap.hu/kultura/a_szurrealis_ vilag_lakoinak_paradeja.html > {Dec.10} Comments about the show in Budapest ! LINK /// < http://www.metropol.hu/kultura/cikk/663110 > {Dec.03} Great story for the first ever visit in South Africa!! Carte Blanche - Carte Blanche: Cirque (Part 1) LINK /// < http://beta.mnet.co.za/mnetvideo/browsevideo.aspx? ChannelId=35&vid=36164&Search&Category Id=0&sortby=5&CPage=0 > ---[ TOTEM ]--- {Dec.18} TOTEM New CD is now online!! You can find the music of TOTEM on our website and for a limited time Cirque club members can download the song "Omé Yo Kanoubé" for free! The album is available at our online boutique and under the Big Top. LINK /// < http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/shows/ totem/videos-extras/music.aspx > {Dec.05} Sinterklaas visiting TOTEM - December 5, 2010! FOTO [11] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php? aid=38763&id=111798252174207&ref=mf > ---[ THE BEATLES LOVE ]--- {Dec.05} You've never seen head-spinnning and air-flares quite like this before....from Youssef, backstage at LOVE....wow wow wow VIDEO /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ys8m5kIXYOs > {Dec.03} A a fun little profile story on one of the LOVE dancers, Jacqui! LINK /// < http://www.pointemagazine.com/issues/ decemberjanuary-2011/side-jacqui-guimond > {Dec.03} Congrats to The Beatles for a GRAMMY 2011 nomination in the category of Best Historical Album for 'The Beatles' stereo set! LINK /// < http://www.examiner.com/beatles-in-national/beatles- mccartney-both-grab-nominations-53rd-annual-grammy-awards > {Dec.02} LOVE DARK TRIVIA! Ever wonder what the LOVE Theater looks like during the extended dark period? Yesterday, all 2,013 seats were individually covered with trash bags - so they stay protected during the maintenance happening in the grid above the stage! Guess how many LOVE crew members it took to accomplish covering each chair in less than an hour?...80! LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/notes/the-beatles-love-by- cirque-du-soleil/love-dark-trivia/10150097818910180 > {Dec.01} Check out this fun review on LOVE! | Beatles Love show review - "Get Back,Loretta"... - National Las Vegas | Examiner.com LINK /// < http://www.examiner.com/las-vegas-in-national/ love-at-mirage-get-back-lorettaK > ---[ VAREKAI ]--- {Dec.22} Varekai participó a La Marato de TV3 el domingo pasado. EL Espectaculo esta en Barcelona hasta el 2 de Enero! LINK /// < http://www.tv3.cat/videos/3275570/Lespectacle- Varekai-del-Cirque-du-Soleil-a-La-Marato-2010 > ---[ VIVA ELVIS ]--- {Dec.29} Here are some great fitness and nutrition tips from two of our fittest performers! LINK /// < http://www.shape.com/fitness/workouts/stretch-flex- and-tone/5-stay-fit-tips-from-cirque-du-soleil-las-vegas > {Dec.28} Check out this new video featuring Elvis and the Viva ELVIS band doing Burning Love! LINK /// < http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/marc_malkin/ b216770_elvis_presley_alive_see_yourself.html > {Dec.25} The cast and crew is wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas! And congrats to our friends at Mystère on their 17th anniversary! {Dec.18} Carly Smithson, American Idol contestant from season 7 has joined our cast. Tonight is her debut in the show. Break a leg Carly! {Dec.16} Happy 1 Year Anniversary to ARIA! Today is also the 1 year anniversary of our soft opening. Can you believe it's been a year already?! {Dec.05} Toscha got the Las Vegas Marthon runners All Shook Up this morning! FOTO [1] /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php? fbid=462912549108&set=a.167799494108.119733.167136344108 > ---[ WINTUK ]--- {Dec.15} Check out some of our artists performing on Good Morning America this morning! LINK /// < http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/cast- wintuk-performs-12401378 > {Dec.09} Just another day at Cirque du Soleil: a Wintuk Snowball from our promo team waits in the lobby for her shift to start! FOTO [1] /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php? fbid=10150336210885321&set=a.222882910320. 276944.98244255320 > {Dec.01} Wintuk at Rachel Ray Show FOTO [4] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php? aid=568336&id=98244255320&ref=mf > ---[ ZARKANA ]--- {Dec.02} Here's a look at the first teaser trailer for Zarkana! Anybody get their tickets yet? VIDEO [0:30] /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php? v=10100264831921589&oid=139797212738843&comments&ref=mf > ---[ ZED ]--- {Dec.21} Look who I found in the training room! Her name is Margarita Gibadullina and she's one of our amazing juggling artist. Now, let me introduce a fan fact! Did you know that our juggling act is performed by the actual family members? She's not only a great artist but also a great mother. We have a kitchen in the theater and she often does amazing cook for her family. FOTO [1] /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php? fbid=10150144377111164&set=a.10150144377101164. 342824.41326571163 > {Dec.13} Okay, here's the sneak peak photos from last week photo shoot... Hope you all like it. FOTO [10] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php? aid=338410&id=41326571163&ref=mf > {Dec.03} We created a special Christmas photo location for our visitors. If you have chance to visit us in December, don't forget to take pictures there! FOTO [5] /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php? aid=334317&id=41326571163&ref=mf > ---[ ZUMANITY ]--- {Dec.16} It's good to be #1 :) LINK /// < http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-skin- 20101128,0,4100820.story > {Dec.14} We have the perfect cocktail for you to mix up this holiday season! See below for the recipe to our super sexy Zumanitini! LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php? fbid=480144208846&set=a.103927633846.92609.13931088846 > {Dec.03} Zumanity, Out & About! LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/album.php? aid=160312&id=13931088846&ref=mf > {Dec.03} Zumanity was the proud recipient of a Localites Vegas 2010 award in the category of Sexiest Las Vegas Show last night at HAZE Nightclub. A huge thanks to all of our fans that voted - we couldn't have done it without you! FOTO [1] /// < http://www.facebook.com/photo.php? fbid=474322253846&set=a.103927633846.92609.13931088846 > ======================================================================= COMPARTMENTS -- A PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN ======================================================================= ------------------------------------ HISTORIA: Cirque du Soleil History ------------------------------------ * Jan.02.2009 -- Koozå opened Atlanta, GA * Jan.03.2008 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Quebec, QC * Jan.04.2007 -- Quidam opened Dubai, UAE * Jan.04.2009 -- Quidam opened London * Jan.04.2011 -- Corteo opens Brussels * Jan.04.2011 -- Quidam Arena opened Quebec, QC * Jan.05.1996 -- Saltimbanco opened London * Jan.05.1999 -- Alegría opened London * Jan.05.2006 -- Alegría opened London * Jan.05.2007 -- Alegría opened London * Jan.05.2007 -- Varekai opened Auckland, New Zealand (Asia-Pacific Tour Begins) * Jan.05.2007 -- REVOLUTION Lounge opens (based on Beatles/LOVE) * Jan.05.2010 -- Alegria Arena opened Quebec City, QC * Jan.05.2011 -- TOTEM opened London, UK * Jan.05.2011 -- Saltimbanco Arenao opened Lille, FR * Jan.05.2011 -- Alegria Arena opened Baton Rouge, LA * Jan.05.2011 -- Dralion Arena opened Boston, MA * Jan.06.2003 -- Premiere of Fire Within on BRAVO * Jan.06.2005 -- Saltimbanco opened Manchester * Jan.06.2005 -- Varekai opened Houston * Jan.06.2005 -- Dralion opened London * Jan.06.2008 -- Varekai opened London, UK * Jan.06.2010 -- Varekai opened London, UK * Jan.07.1998 -- Alegría opened London * Jan.07.1999 -- Saltimbanco Asia-Pacific Tour Began (Sydney) * Jan.07.2003 -- Saltimbanco Euro Tour II began London * Jan.07.2003 -- Varekai CD Released in US (BMG/CDS Musique) * Jan.08.2009 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Tupelo, MS * Jan.08.2010 -- Koozå opened Irvine, CA * Jan.08.2010 -- Quidam opened Rio de Janiero, BR * Jan.09.2004 -- Dralion opened London * Jan.09.2004 -- Alegría opened Miami * Jan.10.1999 -- Alegría: Le Film showcased in Palm Springs * Jan.10.2001 -- Alegría opened Auckland, Australia * Jan.12.2011 -- Alegria Arena opened Colorado Springs, CO * Jan.12.2011 -- Quidam Arena opened Chicoutimi, QC * Jan.12.2011 -- Dralion Arena opened Grand Rapids, MI * Jan.13.2006 -- Saltimbanco opened Mexico City * Jan.13.2010 -- Alegria Arena opened Chicoutimi, QC * Jan.13.2010 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Salzburg, AT * Jan.13.2011 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Paris, FR * Jan.14.1997 -- Quidam CD Released in US (RCA/Victor) * Jan.14.2009 -- Alegría opened Taipei, Taiwan * Jan.14.2009 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Biloxi, MS * Jan.16.2003 -- Varekai opened San Jose * Jan.16.2004 -- Saltimbanco opened Seville * Jan.16.2004 -- Varekai opened Costa Mesa * Jan.16.2008 - Saltimbanco Arena opened Chicoutimi, QC * Jan.17.1999 -- Banquine Act awarded in the 23rd Festival du Cirque de Monte-Carlo. * Jan.17.2002 -- Dralion opened Houston, Texas * Jan.17.2008 -- Quidam opened Monterrey, Mexico * Jan.17.2010 -- Dralion's Final Curtain Call [Mexico City] * Jan.19.2006 -- Quidam opened San Diego * Jan.19.2006 -- Dralion opened Seville * Jan.19.2006 -- Corteo opened San Jose * Jan.19.2011 -- Alegria Arena opened Broomfield, CO * Jan.19.2011 -- Dralion Arena opened St. Louis, MO * Jan.20.2000 -- Quidam opened Barcelona * Jan.20.2006 -- Varekai opened Miami * Jan.20.2008 -- Corteo celebrated 1,000th performance [San Diego, CA] * Jan.20.2010 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Stratsbourg, FR * Jan.20.2011 -- TOTEM opened Taipei, Taiwan * Jan.21.2009 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Hoffman Estates, IL * Jan.23.2003 -- Alegría opened Dallas * Jan.23.2008 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Detroit, MI * Jan.24.1995 -- Alegría opened Costa Mesa * Jan.24.2007 -- Delirium opened Detroit, MI * Jan.25.2000 -- Saltimbanco opened Hong Kong * Jan.25.2008 -- Dralion opened Tokyo * Jan.26.1991 -- Nouvelle Expérience opened San Diego * Jan.26.2011 -- Alegria Arena opened Loveland, CO * Jan.26.2011 -- Dralion Arena opened Chicago, IL * Jan.27.2004 -- Order of Canada bestowed upon Guy Laliberté * Jan.27.2010 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Frankfurt, DE * Jan.28.1999 -- La Nouba Premiere Gala (Previews End) * Jan.28.2011 -- OVO opened Dallas, TX * Jan.29.1997 -- Quidam opened Orange County * Jan.29.2008 -- Saltimbanco Arena opened Cleveland, OH * Jan.29.2009 -- Dralion opened Perth, Australia * Jan.30.1993 -- Saltimbanco opened Costa Mesa * Jan.31.2007 -- Delirium opened Grand Rapids, MI * Jan.31.2008 -- Koozå opened San Jose, CA * Jan.31.2009 -- Dralion celebrated 3,500th performance [4:00pm, Perth] ======================================================================= FASCINATION! FEATURES ======================================================================= ------------------------------------------------------- INTERVIEW /// "Bob & Bill - Believing & Dreaming" By: Keith Johnson - Seattle, Washington (USA) ------------------------------------------------------- The pressure cooker of a Cirque du Soleil creation can't be for the faint of heart. Being creative to a deadline isn't for everyone. Our interviewees this month found themselves thrust from one deadline- driven pressure cooker to another, resulting in the quickest show premiere to CD turnaround we've seen. The tasks of both creating the music and producing the soundtrack for Cirque du Soleil's latest touring creation, Totem (2010, Cirque du Soleil Musique CDSMC-10034), fell to the Montréal musical team of "Bob & Bill." Their 'real' names are Guy Dubuc (Ge Doo-BOOK) and Marc Lessard (Mark Less-ARD) - so who is "Bob" and who is "Bill?" "It's a big secret," Marc hinted, when we talked in late October. Explained Guy, "It's a team actually. Nobody's nobody, the team is called Bob & Bill." Musique Redux That teams' first major project was the musical soundtrack for the popular UbiSoft video Game Splinter Cell (Pandora Tomorrow). Though their production of the Kooza CD was the first time Cirque fans had heard of the team, it wasn't the first show they did for the company. That would have been the show that turned into Soleil de Minuit/Midnight Sun. "As a matter of fact, that was the first show we ever did with Cirque," explains Marc. "It [came about] from one of our friends [at] the International Festival de Jazz de Montréal (www.Montréaljazzfest.com), Laurent Saulnier (Ed: Vice-President, Programming and Production). He talked to the circus about us and that's how we ended up doing the special for the 25th anniversary of the Jazz Festival and the 20th anniversary of Cirque du Soleil." They were responsible for Remixing, Arrangements and Orchestrations and were Musical Directors for the 2004 show. "We had an orchestra of at least 70 musicians, and a lot of singers. And we were also playing. [We worked with] two great Directors, Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon, who did Delirium after that." Two years later a concept album with arrangements and production by the pair was released, Pink Floyd Redux (2006, Zone 3 ZON-22176). "It's a concept album we wanted to do, with lounge [versions] of Pink Floyd music sung by girls only," said Guy. "We re-arranged some of Pink Floyd's biggest hits in an electronica, lounge-ey, all-girls aspect." It was two years after that that they released their first album under the team name Bob & Bill, Crime Report (2008, Orange Music OMCD-5551). It was also in 2008 that they were asked to arrange and produce the Jean-François Côté-composed soundtrack for the Cirque show Kooza (2008, Cirque du Soleil Musique CDSMC-10028). In an interesting aside, Marc confided that the DVD was recorded before the CD. "The same team that [mixed] the DVD sounds did the mixing of the CD (Ed: that would be Rob Heaney and Brian Mercier), [and] we used tracks from the DVD to start building the [CD's] songs. So we kept some tracks from the DVD." This led to some interesting track credits on the CD, including guitar and percussion tracks taken from the DVD. They also expanded the horn-infused soundtrack with three different brass sections. Guy: "As we worked with [composer] Jean-François Côté we wanted some [of the] brass parts to have a big band sound. In the live show it's only two brass [pieces], sometimes three, but [with some of] his songs it's really cool to [include] big brass. So in Montréal we hired a small big band to play on some songs, more like a basic big band track. And we used the instrumentalists of the show to do the solos, to [reflect] the personality of the show. We also had a classical brass section, [which was] used for the orchestral parts." First Nation Influence But it wasn't just their production of the Kooza soundtrack that gave them the inside track on the composers job for Totem (which these French-Canadians pronounce tow-TEM, not TOW-tum as Americans might). Guy: "We were already working with Cirque du Soleil as arrangers and occasional composers for special events, so we [were working] a lot with [Cirque Musical Director] Alain Vinet. And he proposed to director Robert Lepage and (Totem Director of Creation) Neilson Vignola [that we] do the music for Totem." The soundtrack melds many forms of World Music, but places special emphasis on First Nation (what those in the USA might call "Native American") music. But to incorporate that music successfully involved special care. Guy: "We worked with a First Nations guy from Quebec City who is the singer in the show right now, Christian Laveau (LAV- oh, www.christianlaveau.com). He's a Huron, and [we] proposed [him to] Robert Lepage because we knew him from working on other projects. This way we had somebody [whom] we could consult musically, to ask questions about the music." Marc added, "And of course the show is based on the evolution of man, so we had to find music of all different nations..." "...In the world actually," said Guy, completing the sentence. "For [First Nations] music, we consulted with Christian a lot. Not only about the music, but also for the staging. That was the point of having somebody [like Christian], we could ask if we could go [to a musical place] or [even] further." They also utilized Mr. Laveau for lyrics to "Onta," composing the others themselves in "traditional Cirque-ish." Songs can be like children to their composers, but do the pair have any favorites? "I'm pretty happy with "Koumaya" (Koo-MY-uh), for the girls with the bowls," answered Guy. "It's a mixture of African and Chinese music. We got the idea and it was a good flash." "And it's a song we wrote really fast, it [took] ten minutes to write," said Marc. "It's been [in the show] from the demo [stage] and everybody liked it. When we tried it with the girls it worked perfectly." "I also like the finale, "Omé yo Kanoubé," Guy continued, "because it's a very happy song. And for a show it's fun to write something really happy. Sometimes we wrote stuff that was too dark. We always came back to listening to the old [Cirque] shows and [re]working the parts that were too dark. We wanted a really nice happy soundtrack." "From the beginning it was important for us to have some happiness in the music," commented Marc. "It's hard to bring happiness to music; it's easy to get into really dark things, and we were telling ourselves, 'Let's get more happy.'" Quick Turnaround With Totem premiering in Montréal in late April, 2010, and the CD being available in October, the six-month turnaround must be the quickest in Cirque history. How did it come about, and why? Guy elaborated, "We had a quick OK from Guy Laliberté to start producing the CD. Guy asked us to do the CD right after the premiere." It was important to Laliberté to produce the CD more quickly than had been done in the past. Which was not easy, Marc said, but, "We had a deadline. That's what we do in life, too, [when] we produce albums. With our [own] music it was not easy but it was quick." The request to immediately start work on a soundtrack CD after being involved in the vortex of creation meant jumping from one frying pan to another. Marc: "We took like a two-week break and then started recording everything. It took about three months, we started in May and finished in August. [Cirque Musical Director] Alain Vinet produced the album with us, which is really important to say. Which was good; we're so into our music that it was a big help with Alain being there, [it was] another set of eyes on the music." The experience the duo had working on the Kooza CD didn't directly apply to the recording of the Totem CD: "It's completely different," Marc explained. "With Kooza we were only arranging Jean-François Côté's music. [With] Totem it was our music so it was a bit different." Guy added, "Yeah, because for Totem we wrote the music from A to Z. For Kooza we were the producers and arrangers." One of the earliest decisions was who should play on the album, explained Marc. "We're musicians, that's what we do in life. I always play drums, bass and guitar, and Guy plays keyboards." But he then reassured, "First of all, it was a must to incorporate everybody in the process of the album, which we did on Totem for sure." Guy concurred. "To Alain Vinet it was important to incorporate the band and to have album versions [of the songs in the show]. It was important that the album have songs that you recognize from the show and have the same sound. It was also important to go other places and incorporate other people and different sounds to make the production a CD [that stands by] itself." "There were some parts where we used other people, as in "Toreador." In the live show (drummer) Nick D'Virgilio's singing the whole part, but on the CD we used a really traditional Spanish guy from Montréal (Marcos Marin). We still kept Nick in the response in the chorus though, because he has such an amazing voice." "The production [used] many instrumentalists and we decided by feeling. For example, we would think - OK, it would be nice to have Nick the drummer on "Crystal Pyramid" - and we started adding people this way, instead of recording all the tracks ourselves." Marc elaborated. "Sometimes we kept drummer Nick's track and I [would] play drums over it, and then we [would] decide which track works best for the CD. It wasn't so much a matter of us wanting to play on the album, it was [trying to get] the best sound we could. We love the guys so much that we tried to put them on the album as much as possible. That was important to us, they are a big part of the CD. Because those guys have been there since the beginning of [the shows] creation; they were there for three months of rehearsal in Montréal. They worked really hard and we know it. It's a big thing at Cirque that it's really important to incorporate the musicians and we did it as much as we could." On the finished CD, there were two songs fans wondered about since they didn't seem to be in the show. Marc explained, "["Cum Sancto Spiritu"] is not in the show right now. It was a number that was supposed to be [in the show] but didn't make it. "Kunda Toyé" is the backup number, for a hand-to-hand act. But we liked the music and with Alain Vinet we decided to put both "Cum Sancto" and "Kunda Toyé" on. Of all the musicians that appear on the CD, one, Daniel Taylor, appears courtesy of another label (Sony Classical). Guy: "He's a guy we've worked with before (Ed: On Crime Report), a star international classical countertenor singer. We thought about him because the part is really really high, so he has a little feature part." In addition to the creation musicians, several musicians familiar to Cirque fans also appear on the disk. Francine Poitras and Mathieu Lavoie (From Saltimbanco and Quidam/Varekai respectively) sing on "Terre-Merre," and Wayne Hankin (also from Varekai) plays woodwinds on several cuts. Guy: "We work a lot with them on [Cirque's] special events, and they're good friends. We used them on the demos where we presented the songs, so it was natural for us to include them in parts of the CD." A wide variety of musical styles is evident throughout the CD, including two songs that, on first blush, stick out. "Indie-Hip," the music that accompanies the Rings scene in Act One is one such piece. What inspired it's Indian musical leanings in a piece whose setting is Muscle Beach? "It actually was the aesthetic of the number; if you [look at] the costumes they come from Krisha colors," Guy explained. "So that's why we went with Indian music, a mix of Indian and hip- hop." In a departure from most other Cirque soundtracks the music from the Act Two clown piece, "Fast Boat," is also on the CD. This wasn't a hard choice, according to Marc. "Working in collaboration with Alain we put all the songs [together] and then decided which ones we [should] put on the CD. We really liked "Fast Boat;" it's a clown act but it's kind of groovy. Of course it's a different song, but one nice thing about the circus is you can go anywhere [musically], and we went somewhere else with that track." "And it's kind of cool that it's on the CD," Guy added, "because it's in the show and if you saw the show it would be a reminder of that number." Marc also clued us in to a worthy musical inclusion. "Charles Denard, Jr., who is our chief musical director (Ed: and plays keyboards in the show), has [pretty much] the only keyboard solo on the CD and it's on that track. He's from New Orleans and he's a really good Hammond B3 organ player. So if you listen carefully to the song there's a big solo by Charles on it." When we asked if there was anything missing from the CD they wished they could include, we got an interesting answer from Guy. "There's a remix from Alain Vinet we wanted to put on the CD. Because Alain is [also] a DJ, and whenever there's a big premiere or party for Cirque he DJ's. And he was always playing that [remixed] track and everybody was liking it. So we wanted to put it on [the CD], but it was a matter of budget." Dreaming the Future: Completion of the Totem CD doesn't mean their collaboration with Cirque ended. "We just came back from Shanghai (China) playing a big show with the circus [at] Expo 2010 Shanghai (www.expo2010.cn)," said Guy. "It was our personal Bob & Bill project - our songs, with a singer and brass section, Marc playing drums and [myself on] keyboards." "And it's house music, so it's party music," Marc added. "And we did pretty well there." Guy agreed. "People were really happy. We made the Chinese people move, we had a great time. Thanks again to the circus because it was so well organized. Sound and everything was amazing." The duo is now on to working on their second studio album, a house music project. Their ability to tackle the wide variety of musical influences needed for a show about man's evolution was something for which they have been preparing for a long time. Marc: "The thing that helped us most was the variety of styles we'd been performing before. It's been happening a lot in Montréal, which is a big cosmopolitan town. Guy and I have been partners for ten years, but we've been playing together in [many different] bands for 20 years. African bands, Brazilian bands, a lot of jazz music, all [types of] music actually. That's why we were so happy to work on the Totem project, because it's the way we've always worked, [with] different sounds and [music from different] places on the planet." Guy was quick to add, "We must [give] flowers to Cirque du Soleil and Guy Laliberté. From (Musical Director) Alain Vinet to (Director of Creation) Neilson Vignola to (Director) Robert Lepage to (Founder and Guide) Guy Laliberté to (Vice-President of Creation for New Shows) Jean-François Bouchard. They respect the creators. They always let us do our thing and then choose our stuff. They never said, "Don't do this, don't do that." So for us having done so many different styles, it was natural to do a show like this. They just [pointed us] in a [particular] direction." And their words for young artists? Marc was quick to answer. "Believe in yourself. And keep working. You know, it was a big break for Guy and I to do a Cirque creation. But it's been since Soleil de Minuit (in 2004) that we [first] thought that we could and would like to do this. We kept believing in ourselves and we kept saying don't give up, keep dreaming." "Yeah, believe in your dreams," Guy added. "It took as many years as it [did] because we had to go through [what we went through] to make this. That's what we did. It's all about dreaming." My sincere thanks go to: Mr's. Dubuc and Lessard for so graciously spending time with us, Chantal Côte, Corporate PR Manager, And my wife LouAnna for putting up with my sometimes obsessive hobby. ======================================================================= SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION ======================================================================= Fascination! is a monthly publication, available through subscription via 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 Realy Simple Syndication (RSS) Feed (News) use the following: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?feed=rss2 >. To view back issues, or other online Newsletter content, please visit us at: < http://www.CirqueFascination.com/ >. Join us on the web at: < www.cirquefascination.com > Realy Simple Syndication (RSS) Feed (News Only): < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?feed=rss2 > ======================================================================= COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER ======================================================================= Fascination! Newsletter Volume 11, Number 1 (Issue #84) - January 2011 "Fascination! Newsletter" is a concept by Ricky Russo. Copyright (c) 2001-2010 Ricky Russo, published by Vortex/RGR Productions, a subsidiary of Communicore Enterprises. No portion of this newsletter can be reproduced, published in any form or forum, quoted or translated without the consent of the "Fascination! Newsletter." By sending us correspondence, you give us permission (unless otherwise noted) to use the submission as we see fit, without remuneration. All submissions become the property of the "Fascination! Newsletter." "Fascination! Newsletter" is not affiliated in any way with Cirque du Soleil. Cirque du Soleil and all its creations are Copyright (c) and are registered trademarks (TM) of Cirque du Soleil, Inc., and Créations Méandres, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No copyright infringement intended. { Jan.05.2011 } =======================================================================