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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
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E X P A N D E D I S S U E
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VOLUME 9, NUMBER 4 JULY 2009 ISSUE #66e
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Bonjour et bienvenue! Greetings and welcome to another addition of
Fascination!, the Unofficial Cirque du Soleil Newsletter.
Cirque du Soleil, of course, celebrated its 25th anniversary on June
16th marking the event in a very unique way - by attempting to break
the world record for the number of persons stilt walking at one time.
They approached the attempt in a unique way, by having stilters all
across the world (at Cirque du Soleil locations worldwide) take part
at the exact same time (locally). Thanks to La Nouba being virtually
in my back yard, I had the opportunity to take part in the adventure.
Well, no, I didn't have the chance to stilt walk but I was part of
the celebrations in-show and was even selected for an extra special
activity during the show for the very first time! (Those who have
seen La Nouba know what activity I speak of). I had hoped to share
that experience with you this issue; however, a number of items came
up that prevented me doing so, but I will in the near future!
Otherwise, inside we have a number of goodies to explore. Cirque du
Soleil's 25th Anniversary celebrations were followed quite
extensively through all its social widgets, so a number of
interesting and intriguing articles, pictures and video were shared
with the fanbase, and in turn we have collected those to share with
you! So don't miss our "OUTREACH" area this month!
Also inside our own Keith Johnson takes apart the new Cirque 25 CD,
the newest compilation from Cirque du Soleil Musique, by delving into
the product track-by-track. Get his thoughts on the track selection,
the inclusions of some rare and previously unavailable pieces, and
general ideas about the package as a whole, within. And if you ever
wanted to know a little bit about working for Cirque as a temporary
member on tour, an anonymous cirqueador takes us on his recent
journey working for the Koozå tour.
Interested in joining like-minded passionates of Cirque du Soleil
on a group trip? If so, join us at CirqueCon 2009 in Monterrey
this year for Cirque du Soleil's Dralion! A new update about
"CirqueCon 2009: Monterrey!"is available under GATHERINGS in the
OUTREACH section of the newsletter. Check it out and join us
today!
Well, that about wraps up this intro. Now, onto the issue!
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
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CONTENTS
===========
o) Cirque Buzz -- News, Rumours & Sightings
o) Itinéraire -- Tour/Show Information
* Touring Shows -- Productions under the Big Top
* Resident Shows -- Performed en Le Théâtre
* Venue Shows -- Arena & Seasonal Productions
o) Outreach -- Updates from Cirque's Social Widgets
* Club Cirque -- This Month at CirqueClub
* Networking -- Cirque on Twitter, Facebook & MySpace
* Telemajik -- Cirque on YouTube & Television
* Gatherings -- CirqueCon, Celebri & More!
.) NOTE: Special CirqueCon Event Update, as
of June 26, 2009!
o) Compartments -- A Peek Behind the Curtain
* Didyaknow? -- Facts About Cirque
* Historia -- Cirque du Soleil's History
o) Fascination! Features
*) "'25' - The Ultimate Cirque Mixtape?"
By: Keith Johnson - Seattle, Washington (USA)
{Issue Exclusive}""
*) "Working for a Cirque du Soleil Touring Show"
By: Anonymous Cirqueador
Edited by: Keith Johnson & Ricky Russo
{Issue Exclusive}
*) "Guy Laliberté: Rocket Man"
A Special Collection of Articles From The Press
{Expanded Selection}
*) "How to Party Like a Cirque Star"
A Special Excerpt from Ian Halperin's New Book
{Expanded Selection}
o) Next Issue
o) Parting Quote
o) Subscription Information
o) Copyright & Disclaimer
=======================================================================
CIRQUE BUZZ -- NEWS, RUMOURS & SIGHTINGS
=======================================================================
Guy Laliberté: Shooting for the Stars?
{Jun.02.2009}
-----------------------------------------------
OTTAWA (AFP) - The Canadian pauper-turned-billionaire founder of
Cirque du Soleil will voyage to the International Space Station
in September, a US space website said Tuesday.
NASA Watch, which is not affiliated with the US National
Aeronautics and Space Administration, said on its website
"multiple sources" report Cirque founder Guy Laliberte will fly
into orbit aboard a Soyuz rocket.
The Canadian Space Agency said it will hold a press conference
at its Montreal headquarters on Thursday to present "the first
philanthropic mission to the International Space Station by a
private Canadian explorer."
The CSA announcement is to be made simultaneously in Moscow,
where the mystery traveler is to be joined by representatives of
space tour operator Space Adventures.
"The first Canadian space explorer... (is) slated to launch with
Soyuz TMA-16 crew this September," the agency said in a
statement.
A spokesperson for the Cirque was not immediately available for
comment.
{SOURCE: AFP}
It's Official: Laliberté goes from Stilt-walker to Spacewalker
{Jun.03.2009}
---------------------------------------------------------------
MONTREAL - Cirque du soleil founder Guy Laliberte will become
Canada's first space tourist when he blasts off on board a
Russian Soyuz spacecraft in September, a spokeswoman for the
world-renowned circus troupe said Wednesday.
The 49-year-old Laliberte, who is already in Moscow for
Thursday's official announcement, will also become the third
Canadian to visit the International Space Station this year.
The Quebec billionaire will be dropping in on Canadian astronaut
Bob Thirsk, who has just begun a six-month space station visit
and is to return to Earth in November.
Laliberte will become the seventh private citizen to visit the
orbiting space lab since April 2001.
{SOURCE: The Canadian Press}
Cirque 25: Photo Exhibit!
{Jun.04.2009}
-----------------------------------------------
LEVIS, QC, June 4 /CNW Telbec/ - Desjardins Group, which has
partnered with Cirque du Soleil since the very beginning, is
proud to present a traveling photo exhibit showcasing the 25th
anniversary of Cirque du Soleil.
A special tribute to the 25 years of partnership ties between
Cirque du Soleil and Desjardins, the exhibit will be presented
in the Greater Montréal Area in June and July at Carrefour Laval
(June 11 to 14), at Promenades St-Bruno (June 18 to 21) and at
Complexe Desjardins (July 15 to 17). After that, it will go on
tour with the Cirque du Soleil latest production, OVO(TM),
putting the photos on display at the Galeries de la Capitale in
Québec City (August 6 to 9) and at Toronto's Eaton Centre
(September 10 to 13).
A contest will be held in tandem with the exhibit, offering the
public a chance to win tickets to see a performance of OVO.
{SOURCE: CNW Group}
Cirque Connection: Cavalia
{Jun.05.2009}
-----------------------------------------------
Residents of Chicagoland may be interested to know that
"Cavalia" is coming to town this summer!
Created and produced by Normand Latourelle, one of the founders
of Cirque du Soleil (and with them up to 1990), it is a show
described by Mr. Latourelle himself as, "Cirque du Soleil with
horses."
Cavalia is a multimedia show featuring more than 100 two- and
four-legged artists. Horses, riders, acrobats, aerialists,
dancers and musicians will perform beginning July 14th under the
white big top pitched West Loop, at Racine and Jackson, 5
minutes west of the Sears Tower.
Learn more at http://www.cavalia.net/
Dishing the Dirt on Cirque [EXPANDED]
{Jun.05.2009}
-----------------------------------------------
Macleans, Canada's weekly current affairs magazine, sat down for
a few moments recently with Ian Halperin, author of the
unauthorized biography "Guy Laliberté: The Fabulous Story of the
Creator of Cirque du Soleil", to learn a little bit about what
might appear in the book:
# # #
Q: Your latest book is Guy Laliberté: The Fabulous Story of the
Creator of Cirque du Soleil. How did you get interested in the
topic?
A: Through Andrew Morton, basically. We're friends, and we were
in a New York cab late one night when he was wondering who to
write about next. This was just after publishing his Tom Cruise
book. I told him the biggest, still unknown entertainment story
was Guy Laliberté, and Andrew said, "Who?" I explained, and the
next day he phoned me and said I knew the story so much better,
I should do it. So I did.
Q: How did you find all the Cirque performers, past and present,
you spoke to?
A: I had already met many over the years. I was a professional
sax player in Montreal for 15 years. I often performed with
Cirque tango players, even acrobats. I knew people already, and
I knew about their crazy world.
Q: Which raises the question, what did you leave out?
A: Oh, a good 30 per cent of the stuff I heard didn't make the
final cut, mostly because I couldn't get corroboration. Some
came too late-one woman wrote me with lengthy details about her
affair with Laliberté. That'll go in the second edition. But I
also wasn't very interested in negative stuff about Guy, and I
heard a lot. I wanted to show a success story. No matter what
anyone said about him or about his crazy life, he's a
humanitarian-his heart's in the right place.
Q: What do you think of his planned space flight?
A: Hes going in September, so Im sure its his 50th birthday
[Sept. 2] present to himself. I had heard that as soon as fellow
billionaires Paul Allen and Richard Branson said they wanted to
go to space, Laliberté said he wanted to be one of the first.
Q: Is the Cirque more sedate these days?
A: Yes, because pay and conditions have improved. You dont hear
those old allegations about exploiting foreign artists any more,
especially the East Europeans. Thats the upside of the fact
that Cirque has become a giant corporation; 24 hours a day a
Cirque show is performing somewhere in the world. It has become
like Disney, for good and bada lot of people think it has sold
out or at least spread itself too thin, lost its cutting edge.
Q: You give a lot of space and detail to your own platonicif
occasionally nakedrelationship with Lalibertés angry ex-
common-law wife. Why?
A: In the books I write Im always involved, generally in an
undercover way. She contacted me, gave me lots of details about
how Guy operates, introduced me to a lot of Cirque people I
didnt know.
Q: How do you think this story will end?
A: One day there will be a Hollywood movie about himprobably
produced by him. If hes honest, itll be an incredible story,
the greatest showbiz biopic ever.
{SOURCE: Macleans.ca}
A Q&A With Andrew Atherton [EXPANDED]
{Jun.07.2009}
-----------------------------------------------
The CirqueClub Twitter friends asked questions of Andrew
Atherton from Varekai:
Q. I would like to know if you feel cirque has given you an
opportunity you could have gotten somewhere else?
DEFINITELY
Cirque has given me the opportunity to perform an
act I love to perform. I get to travel the World, discover new
places, experience different cultures and meet so many
interesting people. I consider myself very lucky!
Q. If you didn't get into performance for cirque and similar,
what would you have chosen for a career?
Something physical! I have a passion is for sports, health and
nutrition, so I guess a personal trainer would fit.
Q. If you could do any other act in any other Cirque show, what
would it be and why?
It would have to be another flying act. The feeling of freedom
you get from performing in the air is just indescribable. Its
almost like a dream. The dream that we all have as youngsters!
What would it be like to fly? I get to live that dream night
after night and it never gets boring.
Q. Everyone has one - what's your guilty pleasure? Or what's
your favorite comfort food?
I am very lucky in that my favorite comfort food just happens to
be very healthy for me. I love chicken, fresh fish and salads. I
occasionally eat chocolate, but definitely dont feel guilty
about it. I train hard enough to be able to burn off any extra
calories they may give me.
Q. What was your Audition life for Cirque du Soleil?
Very difficult but a lot of fun! Once you get over the initial
fear factor and realize that everyone in the room is in the
exact same position you are, youll be amazed at what you can
achieve. Cirque du Soleil have an amazing casting team who know
exactly how to get the best out of you.
Q. Considering personas are created around athletes, not actors,
to them the most difficult component of the creative process
is?
The most difficult thing for an athlete entering Cirque du
Soleil is to try and put everything that they have learned in
their previous years at their specific disciplines to one side.
Suddenly things that you would once consider to be a mistake
were now encouraged and often lead you somewhere very
interesting. Cirque du Soleil is a massive playground for all
ages!
Q. What was the best performance you've ever had and what made
it so truly special for you?
This would have to be World premiere of Varekai in Montreal on
April 24th, 2002. This was the first time that my parents were
to see my brother and I perform our Aerial Straps number. They
were very proud!
Q. What will you do post-cirque career?
I hope to continue working on the Cirque du Soleil stage for as
long as my body will allow me. I feel fitter than Ive ever
felt, so Ive got a few good years ahead of me yet. After that I
hope to continue working for the company, but in what role Im
not exactly sure. I always like to keep my options open, as you
never know where life will take you. All I know is that I love
the company and everything it stands for.
Q. Do you all workout together? Do you do the same workout
training?
My brother and I work out together as often as possible. We have
a specific training program/regime that weve followed since
joining Cirque du Soleil. It can change from day to day but for
the most part, were pretty consistent. Its not for everyone
but it works for us.
Q. What inspired you to become a performer?
From the moment I saw my first Cirque du Soleil show. It was
Alegria at the Royal Albert Hall in London. Both my brother
and I were invited to attend by a friend who was performing in
the show. For 2 hours we sat there in silence. From that moment
I knew I wanted to be a performer. A Cirque du Soleil performer!
Q. What's life really like on tour? Do you actually have any
time to yourself?
If you love what you do and with whom you do it with, life on
tour can be the most enjoyable and rewarding job in the World.
Yes, it has its down sides, but personally for me, the positives
by far outweigh the negatives.
Q. Performing night after night must get a bit tedious. How do
you keep things fresh?
For me, I always try to go back to the way I felt the time I saw
my first Cirque du Soleil performance. Night after night I know
that this will be the first time that most of the audience
members will be seeing my work. I want them to feel exactly the
same feeling I felt. This is what keeps me fresh and motivated.
Q. What do you like the most about being part of Cirque du
Soleil?
For a circus performer, its the biggest stage in the World to
display their art.
Q. How do you keep the show fresh?
Its not hard when you love what you do!
{ SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil Facebook Page }
Cirque Helps Local NZ Circus Kumarani [EXPANDED]
{Jun.10.2009}
------------------------------------------------
Cirque du Soleil is famous for its outreach programs. Word comes
from the Dargaville News in New Zealand that Cirque du Soleil is
helping out local Circus Kumarani by doing a special performance
to benefit the troupe.
* * *
World renowned Cirque du Soleil will do a special performance to
benefit Dargavilles Circus Kumarani troupe.
The Dargaville troupe managed to get an audience with the
international circus, first in 2005 and then again in 2007.
Kumarani showed many of its skills to Cirque performers who were
impressed and a friendship was formed.
So now, to help the Dargaville community circus raise funds for
its youth-at-risk programme, Cirque du Soleil has gifted 100
tickets to the matinee performance of its show Dralion, in
Auckland on Sunday, July 26.
Kumarani is hoping to raise more than $10,000 by selling the
tickets.
Kumaranis creative director, German-born Thomas Hinz, is the
force behind the local troupe, together with his partner Frances
Kelliher. Mr Hinz worked in his home country as a social worker
teaching performance skills to people with disabilities. The
couple saw a need to do this in New Zealand and started the
circus in Dargaville, Ms Kellihers home town, in 2003.
With dedicated staff, the circus has taught people skills such
as juggling, acrobatics, riding a unicycle, stilt walking and
clowning, to name a few. It has worked with schools and
communities throughout Northland.
Kumarani management say they have seen children grow more
confident and demonstrate team building qualities during their
sessions.
An open day is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, for the community
to meet the Kumarani team and to try out some circus skills.
The troupe was presented the Big A Creative Space award as part
of Arts Access Aotearoas Big A Awards last year.
Kumarani has more than 70 members of all ages and abilities,
ranging in age from five to 70. About one-third of its members
have disabilities.
Mr Hinz is ecstatic that Cirque du Soleil supports grassroots
organisations like Kumarani and provides a great boost to the
morale of small communities.
"Hopefully it will motivate other not-for-profit organisations
like us to think outside the square in their fundraising
efforts," he says.
Circus Kumarani is offering six of its benefit tickets to other
Northland circus groups such as Whangarei Community Circus and
Circool Circus in Waipu, to be used for fundraising purposes.
Arts Access Aotearoa had assisted Circus Kumaranis proposal to
Cirque du Soleil and executive director Marianne Taylor says:
"We are delighted to be able to help Circus Kumarani.
"Its a wonderful example of the value in fostering positive
long-term relationships. Its also a tremendous story about
hope, possibilities and magic."
{ SOURCE: Dargaville News }
Cirque and Oxfam Join Forces in NZ
{Jun.11.2009}
-----------------------------------------------
World renowned troupe Cirque du Soleil is giving Kiwis the
chance to not only be dazzled by its latest masterpiece Dralion
in Auckland in July, but to also help raise $80,000 towards the
work of international development agency Oxfam New Zealand.
This year Cirque du Soleil has generously donated 700 Category 1
tickets to Oxfam New Zealand. When the public purchase their
tickets through Oxfam, 100 per cent of the ticket price will go
to help Oxfam's work with disadvantaged youth around the world.
"This is a unique opportunity for the public to really get the
most bang for their buck in times when we're thinking twice
about spending. Buying your tickets through Oxfam gives you a
fantastic night out while your money goes to a great cause,"
says Barry Coates, Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand.
"Making that simple choice will help us to raise over $80,000
for Oxfam New Zealand, thanks to the ongoing international
support from Cirque du Soleil. Why wouldn't you buy your ticket
through Oxfam?"
Call 0800 OXFAM NZ (0800 693 2669) today to book your tickets or
visit www.oxfam.org.nz.
{SOURCE: Oxfam NZ}
Alegria "Remastered" - really?
{Jun.11.2009}
-----------------------------------------------
The interest of fans Cirque du Soleil music was piqued when not
only were plans to release the soundtrack of Macao's ZAIA
announced, but also a brand-new 2-CD compilation of tracks from
throughout the company's history, "25." Not only that, it seemed
there was going to be a re-mastering of the Cirque's best-
selling soundtrack, "Alegria."
Or would there? Amazon started the whole thing with the heading
"Alegria [Remastered]" and offering a price of USD $20.00. But
they never seemed to have stock and when it missed the original
release date people started to worry. What was going on?
Actually, nothing much! We contacted a kind source inside Cirque
du Soleil Musique who confirmed Alegria was NOT being re-
mastered. Instead, the prior master has been re-printed and re-
launched for the Canadian market with slightly updated cover
artwork to reflect the new Cirque du Soleil logo (with the long
tail on the "q"). There is no new mastering, no remixing, and no
new music.
Sorry folks!
{SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil Musique}
"Sex, Drugs & Acrobats" [EXPANDED]
{Jun.11.2009}
-----------------------------------------------
As it approaches its 25th anniversary on June 16, Cirque du
Soleil is solidly entrenched as one of Canadas greatest
entertainment and business success stories. From its almost
mythic origin as the creation of a group of young Québécois
idealists, hard-working, hard-living, utopian-minded street
performers led by a (literal) fire-breather named Guy Laliberté,
the Cirque and its postmodern, animal-free productions now span
the globe. Laliberté, who used to sleep in parks while
performing for spare change, parlayed his extraordinary drive
and ambitionand rode the wave of Quebec nationalism unleashed
by the Parti Québécois election victory of 1976 (premier René
Lévesque was a crucial early Cirque supporter)into becoming one
of Quebecs six billionaires. On the eve of his 50th birthday,
Lalibertés $2.5-billion personal fortune now puts him at number
261 in Forbes ranking of the worlds richest people.
As for the Cirques other founding mythologythat its long,
strange trip has always been a sex- and drug-fuelled odyssey,
according to Guy Laliberté: The Fabulous Story of the Creator of
Cirque du Soleil (Transit)rumour hardly exceeds reality. Author
Ian Halperin, a journalist and gossip writer whose previous
unauthorized biographies include Céline Dion: Behind the
Fairytale and Love & Death: The Murder of Kurt Cobain, argues
that a heady 60s mix of hedonism and social consciousness has
always marked the Cirque. Halperin, a Montrealer, is from that
worldhe had an uneasy platonic relationship with Lalibertés
embittered ex-common-law wife, described at length in the book,
even as he eventually sided with Laliberté in their splitand he
approves of his subjects zest for life. Especially Lalibertés,
of whom Halperin writes that he shares the authors own
unquenchable thirst for lifes pleasures balanced with a
passion for social justice, traits we know are not
incompatible.
Still, even Halperin was bowled over by the Fellini-esque
account provided by one veteran of the Cirques early days.
Annie, who worked there for years as an acrobat and part-time
choreographer, describes a sex-obsessed world, where the
Cirques upper echelon, a decent enough lot ordinarily, became,
when stoned or drunk, the animals absent from their circus. In
its early days, says Annie, working for the Cirque was an
unglamorous, dangerous and stressful job. Thats why we were
all fking each others brains out at night. We needed a
release.
As for drugs, Annie claims there were so many around the Cirque
that it could have been called the biggest pharmaceutical
operation in Quebec. Whatever your drug of choice was, there
would be a clown, a technician, or a performer to supply it.
Shes amazed that so many performers were able to carry out
their audacious circus acts stoned. Annie explains that
backstage before a show, while the audience was piling into the
tent, people were running around like crazy, half-naked,
excited, and stoned out of their minds or, like her, having
last-minute sex. Wed barely have time to catch our breath,
she says. You disengage and then head right on stage. I liked
to live on the edge. But I think everyone in Cirque lived that
way.
If they did, some were working flat out at the same time, and
one in particular showed a hard-edged practical side. In the
summer of 1981, Guy Laliberté was a slim, good-looking 22-year-
old fire-breather with long blond hair. He took part in an
artistically impressive but commercially ruinous free circus
festival in Baie-St-Paul, a resort town about 100 km east of his
Quebec City home. According to Halperin, Laliberté took the lead
in digging the festival out of its $10,000 hole, as the only
person involved capable of doing the math. He convinced
organizers to market better in the future, to replace ungifted
amateurs with more seasoned acts, andscandalously to his
idealistic companionsproposed the novel idea of charging for
admission. In 1982, the festival was an artistic and financial
success, and Laliberté was looking for new ground to conquer.
The 1984 celebrations for the 450th anniversary of Jacques
Cartiers arrival in New France provided the means. Although
Quebecs PQ government was on the whole lukewarm to the very
idea of providing funding for an old-fashioned-sounding
enterprise like a circus, René Lévesque felt differently
possibly, Halperin says, because the premiers mistress was also
intimately involved with several Cirque members. His government
provided a $1.4-million grant, Lalibertés group formally
adopted the name Cirque du Soleilbecause, one associate told
Halperin, Guy worships the sun as if its his godand the
first production opened on June 16, 1984, in the Gaspé.
Laliberté made sure his circus was a success during its 11-city
provincial run that year by throwing himself into what would
become his signature networking ways. He gave grand parties, and
provided Cirque tickets (and party invitations) to anyone he
thought might be of use in the future. He also drove his acts
hard. Low pay, long work hours and consequent unhappy, mediocre
performances almost scuttled the Cirque on an unsuccessful
cross-Canada tour in 1985. Even an emergency $250,000 bailout
from Lévesque wasnt enough, and Laliberté had to go cap in hand
to all the business contacts he had so assiduously built up.
Impressed by his artistic vision and, even more so, by his
unshakable self-confidence and charisma, they came through for
him.
By 1986 and the Cirques invitation to Vancouvers Expo 86,
Laliberté had already brought on board cutting-edge costume
designers and musicians, and moved from traditional circus fare
to single-concept, postmodern productions. La Magie Continue
featured 35 performers from not only Quebec but Cambodia,
Mexico, Holland and elsewhere. It hit an upscale demographic,
with most spectators between the ages of 21 and 45, and was
successful enough to spark an invitation from the Los Angeles
Arts Festival. It was an offer rife with chances of both reward
and risk.
The LAFT promised to hand out a million flyers in advertising,
but couldnt afford to finance the Cirqueit would have to
perform for a percentage of gate receipts. In short, success
would literally open a world of opportunities, while failure
would mean, in Halperins words, that the Cirque would have to
walk back to Montreal. Laliberté, as always, took the chance,
being sure to maximize his marketing opportunities by sending
the cast out to roam L.A.s streets in costume. On opening night
it all worked out, when the likes of Michael Jackson, Madonna
and Jane Fonda came. Johnny Carson brought several Cirque
performers onto his show, and scalpers started charging $200 for
$19 tickets.
In the next few years, Laliberté successfully resisted the siren
call of Columbia Pictures (after he realized he would lose
control of the Cirque), conquered New York, fought off both an
inter-management takeover threat and performer discontent (a 25
per cent raise worked wonders there), and became very rich. But
Cirque watchers hadnt seen anything yet, for Laliberté had
developed a Vegas obsession. He loved everything about Las
Vegas, recalls a former Cirque executive, from the hot weather
to the casinos to the atmosphere on the strip. He knew that
everyone who came to Vegas came for one thing: to spend money.
Guy smelled success there. What he needed was the right person
to offer the right opportunity.
Rejection by Caesars CEO J. Terrence Lanni depressed and
angered Laliberté, but he soon found the right matcha fellow
Vegas newcomer and gambler much like himself, casino developer
Steve Wynn. In 1993 Wynn was about to open the Treasure Island
Hotel and Casino. He was looking for a show to generate buzz for
his $450-million development; Laliberté told Wynn he had the
answer, Cirques new production, Mystère. The two men got along
famously, and soon signed a 10-year contract. Laliberté now had
a permanent home, in the endless sunshine he worshipped, for his
circus. Or so it seemed, until, with just weeks to go, Wynn
started to get cold feet. Was the show too risqué? Too dark? Too
much of a departure from Vegas normality? After watching
numerous rehearsals, a nervous Wynn blurted out to Laliberté and
Cirque artistic director Franco Dragone, You guys have made a
German opera here.
Dragone said later he took the comment as a compliment on his
artistic vision, but Laliberté knew better. Wynn was threatening
to postpone indefinitely the grand opening unless changes were
made, a public relations disaster Laliberté refused to
countenance. The final weeks turned into a blur for Laliberté,
as he desperately raced to make just enough changes to keep both
Wynn and his cast and crew onside. On Christmas Day 1993,
Mystère opened to glowing reviews. Dragones concept, featuring
72 performers exploring the origins of life in the universe and
set to a spectacular soundtrack of Spanish, African and east
European music, was a hit with fans and critics. The Cirque was
now 10 years old, and while it would go from strength to
strength over the next 15 yearsLaliberté is one of the minority
of world billionaires to have increased his wealth over the
past, recession-wracked yearhe had already made it to the top
of the A-list heap.
True to his hard-partying instinctsand his hard-won marketing
insightsLaliberté threw what Halperin calls the mother of all
Vegas parties, one he will be remembered forever for. A long-
time friend confided to the author that it had everything you
could think of, including the best alcohol, drugs and hottest
women in Vegas. Even if I lived in Alaska and had no money Id
walk all the way to Vegas to be at his party. People would do
anything for Guy, so long as he promised them an invitation to
his parties.
The Las Vegas gala set the tone for his future parties even as
they grew ever more lavish and elaborate (or, as a friend put
it, better and crazier each time). Eventually they culminated
with Lalibertés Grand Prix bashes in Montreal, in productions
as dazzling, in their own way, as a Cirque show.
{ SOURCE: MacLeans }
Cirque Celebrates 25th Anniversary!
{Jun.18.2009}
-----------------------------------------------
LAS VEGAS, June 17 /PRNewswire/ - Cirque du Soleil cast, crew
and staff went to great heights to attempt to break the Guinness
World Record for the most people to simultaneously walk on
stilts on June 16, the date of its 25th anniversary. To mark
this historic milestone, audiences at the Cirque du Soleil shows
on June 16 experienced special performances including
commemorative gifts for everyone.
Cities worldwide made the attempt to break the standing Guinness
World Record of 625 participants [119 in Orlando alone]. The
stilt walking events in Orlando and Las Vegas coincided with
events in Montreal, Moscow, Fortaleza (Brazil) and Macau with
additional unofficial events in Lisbon (Portugal), Nagoya
(Japan), New York City and Tokyo (Japan). There were a combined
total of more than 1300 people attempting to walk 328 feet on
stilts.
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer,
through official proclamations, named June 16, 2009 Cirque du
Soleil Day in their respective cities. Visitors to The Strip in
Las Vegas noted that Las Vegas Boulevard was renamed Cirque du
Soleil Boulevard for the day.
# # #
Truly a birthday bash.
Happy Birthday Cirque du Soleil!
{SOURCE: PRNewswire}
Laliberté to get Star on Walk of Fame
{Jun.19.2009}
-----------------------------------------------
According to the Montreal Gazette this morning, Cirque du Soleil
founder and guide - Guy Laliberté - is set to receive his own
star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Hollywood, California.
Laliberté is one of 28 celebrities who will be celebrated with a
star on the Hollywood walk of fame in 2010, LCN, the French-
language TV network says. The star ceremony could coincide with
the opening of a new Cirque du Soleil extravaganza in Los
Angeles, a show based on film history. Laliberté is the second
Quebecer, after Céline Dion, to be honoured with a star, LCN
says.
{SOURCE: Montreal Gazette}
Saltimbanco Coming to Tampa! [EXPANDED]
{Jun.24.2009}
-----------------------------------------------
Cirque du Soleil's arena tour of Saltimbanco is coming to the
Tampa Bay area! John Fleming, St. Petersburg Times Performing
Arts Critic introduces the show to the community. From his
article as published in the St. Pete Times:
# # #
Cirque du Soleil's campaign to take over the world - at least
the show business part of it - has a fresh manifestation in its
arena show Saltimbanco, which opens tonight at the St. Pete
Times Forum in Tampa. This is not a new Cirque show. Saltimbanco
goes all the way back to 1992, and its creator was Franco
Dragone, one of the gurus of the Montreal-based company. It's
more of a pure circus show - complete with a juggler, trapeze
duo and trick bicyclist - and doesn't have the thematic
pretensions of later Cirque productions like Quidam or Alegria.
When I saw the show in Lakeland in April, these questions popped
into my mind:
Q. What's with the title?
Saltimbanco is a typically elusive Cirque title, derived from
the Italian word salto, which means flip or somersault, of which
there are many in the show. It literally comes from the phrase
saltare in banco, which translates as "to jump on a bench.''
Q. Does it have a plot I can follow?
"It has kind of a narrative thread,'' artistic director Adam
Miller says. "There are characters who take you through it. It
is more of a journey than a story. There are nuances based on a
narrative idea, but it's not a necessity for the audience to
know the particulars of it.
"The underlying story is a sense of growth from innocence and
conformity to diversity and excitement over everything the world
has to offer within the urban experience. It's supposed to have
a street feel to it.
"I think Saltimbanco is the most human of the Cirque shows. To
me there's a bridge between the show and the audience. It's not
quite as theatrical in its cohesiveness as some of the other
shows. Because of that it has a freewheeling feel to it.''
Q. Why an arena staging? (This was the first Cirque tent show to
be restaged for an arena.)
Saltimbanco is our least complicated show technically,'' says
Carmen Ruest, director of creation for the restaging. "And this
is a show that has proven itself very successful in many
different new markets. It's a very good show for new audiences
to experience Cirque du Soleil. Altogether, it was easier to
bring a show into the arena that we know inside out. The stage
is higher but the same size as for the big top, which has 2,500
seats. We designed the set in arenas and other venues for not
more than 4,500 seats. Spectators are on three sides.''
Q. Will fans of the Cirque tent shows see their return?
Cirque swears that putting its shows into arenas doesn't mean
that it won't be touring as much in tents, and I hope that's
true, because as entertaining as Saltimbanco is, it's just not
the same to see it in the bland, institutional setting of an
arena as it would be under the big top.
The company brought three tent shows to St. Petersburg, where it
set up in the Tropicana Field parking lot for Quidam, Alegria
and Varekai, the most recent in 2005. They drew sellout crowds,
but the last time Cirque brought a tent show to Florida, Corteo,
in December 2008, it played only in Miami.
Cirque continues to develop tent shows. The latest, Ovo,
premiered in Montreal in April and tours to other Canadian
cities this year.
Q. What are Saltimbanco's best parts?
There are three major acrobatic acts, including the amazing
Russian Swing, in which the performers soar into the upper
reaches of the arena. The other two are Chinese Poles and the
bungee act that winds up the show. The duo trapeze act,
performed by sisters Ruslana and Taisiya Bazaliy, from Ukraine,
looks incredibly risky as they swing and catch each other with
their feet. The surreal, Magritte-like costumes by Dominique
Lemieux are among the best ever done for Cirque. René Dupéré's
score includes Kumbalawe, a song with gentle flute solo and
nonsense lyrics that you'll be humming for weeks.
Q. What's it like to fly so high with no safety harness, no net,
in a daredevil act like Russian Swing?
"It's pretty scary, but it happens so fast you can't really
think about it," says Michelle Vera, 21, a gymnast from Miami
who has been in Saltimbanco for two years. "You don't
necessarily get used to it. You always have an adrenaline rush
before you jump off the swing. The main thing is to stay focused
because you can lose your concentration pretty easily."
{SOURCE: Tampabay.com, St. Pete Times}
La Presse: "War of Words" [EXPANDED]
{Jun.24.2009}
-----------------------------------------------
The Globe and Mail, one of Toronto's prestigious newspapers
(and one we quote quite often here at Fascination!) has printed
a story this morning about the war of words brewing between
Cirque du Soleil, our favorite avant-garde circus, and
Maclean's, a magazine billing itself as Canada's only national
weekly current affairs rag. The reason for the fight: an article
entitled "Sex, Drugs and Acrobats" that Macleans published
highlighting the recent "tell-all" book by Montreal author Ian
Halperin and the comments the magazine made about Cirque du
Soleil therein.
* * *
The lawyer for Cirque du Soleil is reviewing an "editor's note"
in the latest Maclean's to see if it satisfies a complaint he
made last week about the magazine's recent "Sex, Drugs &
Acrobats" cover story on the famed Quebec troupe.
Meanwhile, the Cirque lawyer, François Fontaine, has received a
demand letter from counsel for Montreal author Ian Halperin
whose new book, Guy Laliberté: The Fabulous Story of the
Creator of Cirque du Soleil, was excerpted in Maclean's and
serves as the basis of its controversial June 15 cover story.
The letter calls on Laliberté to retract comments the Cirque
founder made about Halperin to Canadian Press and Yahoo News on
June 16.
The letter, written by lawyer Michèle Frenière, asks that the
retraction be made by June 25 and threatens to seek punitive
damages of $500,000 - $250,000 from Laliberté, the same from
Cirque itself - plus $25,000 from Cirque spokesperson Renée-
Claude Ménard who also is alleged to have slandered Halperin.
These are the latest skirmishes in an escalating war of words.
Earlier this month, Fontaine sent a letter to Halperin's
publisher, Transit Publishing, demanding that the biography -
which Laliberté has called "a piece of crap" - be pulled from
bookshops. The book's French-language edition is already a
bestseller in Quebec but the English-language version has yet to
hit stores.
Fontaine said yesterday neither he nor his client have yet to
discuss the "note" in the June 29th Maclean's to see if further
action is required. "It's not a full retraction. It's not an
apology. However, I think they are acknowledging there was some
kind of confusion so my interpretation is
that the cover was
not proper."
Fontaine had earlier demanded a retraction and an apology from
Maclean's, calling the article, with its tales of orgiastic sex,
illegal drugs and expensive, never-ending parties, "a melting
pot
of rumour and facts" and the cover "a sensationalistic
photo montage [with a]vulgar title [that gave]a false, unjust
and defamatory image of the company."
The "editor's note" - two paragraphs in length - includes
Fontaine's statement about Cirque's "shock and profound
disappointment" at the Maclean's "cover page." However, in the
second paragraph, the "note" says the newsmagazine "does not
agree with [Cirque's]characterization - the cover image was in
fact available on the Cirque's own website - and we recognize
that the Cirque is a great Canadian creative institution." It
continues: "Halperin's book is an unauthorized biography of Guy
Laliberté." The published excerpts "refer to past events and do
not necessarily reflect upon the Cirque du Soleil itself as an
ongoing business enterprise or on its current employees."
Maclean's editor-in-chief and publisher Kenneth Whyte declined
comment yesterday as did the director of communications for
Rogers Consumer Publishing, Maclean's parent company.
Halperin was unavailable for comment about his demand letter,
according to his publisher Pierre Turgeon. However, in an
interview last week with The Globe and Mail, Halperin said he
would defend his reputation against the alleged "slanderous
statements" made by Laliberté.
"I stand by every word that was in the Maclean's article. They
[Maclean's]have to make their own decisions. I can't make their
decisions but I stand by every word that was printed in the
excerpt."
{ SOURCE: The Globe and Mail }
Guy Laliberté says "Thank You" [EXPANDED]
{Jun.26.2009}
-----------------------------------------------
In an open letter published by The Montreal Gazette this
morning, Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté thanks the
people of Quebec for their patronage and support, and explains
why he wants to blast off into outer space this Fall:
* * *
Today I am back in Star City, Russia, resuming my training for
my 12-day journey into space. I've just had an incredible week
full of events that put me in contact with my family, my
friends, my employees, and the public, young and old.
And all of you took the time to give me sincere, inspiring and
truly touching encouragement for my adventure - our adventure.
Whether at the International des Feux Loto-Québec, on the
street, or at Cirque celebrations of our 25th anniversary, your
"Bon voyage!" and "Go, Guy!" greetings touched me deeply.
And then there was Gaspé - a whole town wearing clown noses
welcomed me. This gesture was part of my dream 25 years ago and
to see it happen with such generous and genuine people will
remain in my heart forever.
Once again, I found the source of unconditional motivation
you've always represented. Thank you to the people of Quebec!
Life has rewarded me through personal encounters, sometimes
winding roads and unforgettable experiences. It has taken me to
the four corners of the planet.
This is the result of determination and hard work with a bunch
of dreamers. Twenty-five years later, we can congratulate
ourselves for having had the audacity to try, the strength of
character not to give up and, especially, to have brought
millions of people with us.
People here and elsewhere let themselves go along with the sweet
madness that we share with them. I have been told repeatedly
that my plans were crazy, extravagant and unrealistic. But
hindsight shows I was right to believe in these crazy,
extravagant and unrealistic ideas.
They made it possible for designers, artists, artisans and
employees, more than 4,000 in all, to achieve self-fulfillment,
to live well and, I hope, to believe that anything is possible
with enough work and goodwill.
I have immense respect for those people who are part of my life:
my family, my gang at Cirque du Soleil, and our audience. They
are the ones who motivate me, inspire me, and give me the
determination and willingness to go further.
I usually don't let the skeptics get to me. They've always been
there and they always will be. Like mosquitoes, they make noise
and they bite, but after a few days we forget all about them. I
have great difficulty understanding and respecting people who
persist in putting the brakes on the dreams of others.
Such defeatists encourage people to believe that change isn't
possible. Encouraging mediocrity in the hope that it will not
make waves is not the model that I received as a child. And this
is definitely not the model I want to convey to my own children.
And I know that this is not a model that works for society.
People want leaders, they want inspiration. They want to take
part in dreams.
I've had success with my company and made money. I have a good
life, it's true. I choose to invest in jobs, people and dreams.
I choose to circulate my money. It is a right and a privilege
that I give to myself.
It's been said that I'm a "new philanthropist," but I do not see
myself only as a philanthropist. I have always believed in the
act of feeding the cycle of life. You might call that
bohemianism or even naïveté, but I can assure you that this is
the same circle that nurtured me at the beginning. When I was a
wandering entertainer, I understood the importance of networking
and the performer's influence on the public. Those days as a
street artist taught me the importance of sharing.
This is why, for more than 15 years, we have entrenched a
fundamental value in our company to provide social and concrete
help to designers, artists and communities. Through our "one per
cent of our gross income" policy we want to contribute to a
better world through the arts. I never wanted to use this
commitment to enhance our business. We do it out of conviction,
and I know that is the right decision.
My dream today is very simple, but I do not have 25 years to
achieve it. I refuse to believe that my work of the past can't
be used to build on the future. The same spirit moved me when I
created the One Drop Foundation in 2007. Two reasons motivated
me. First, the recognition that water is life. The second is the
staggering fact that a child dies every eight seconds because he
or she lacks access to safe drinking water.
I created a foundation and injected $100 million of my own money
for projects to provide access to water to people in need. This
has resulted in pilot projects in Nicaragua and Honduras. We are
preparing a third one for an Arab country.
One Drop also seeks to raise awareness among those who do not
yet understand that water is not an inexhaustible resource. My
strategy is indisputably to make a splash. I want to provide
global visibility to One Drop, which will allow me, eventually,
to use this medium to call on companies, governments and
individuals and make them aware of the urgent need to act.
On the eve of my 50th birthday, I discovered another group of
dreamers who have dedicated their lives to helping humanity.
These explorers, pioneers, scientists and humanists also want to
change the world. They made the decision, despite the risks, to
explore space and at the same time improve our lives today. How
can we not admire them? They should serve as an example to the
youth of today and future generations. I feel privileged to be
working alongside these people. They welcomed me with great
openness and shared their knowledge with uncommon generosity.
I am putting forward a simple message. I want to reach people on
the issue of water. I want to accomplish this by doing what I do
best, through an innovative and artistic approach to create
awareness. Will I succeed? I don't know, but I do know that it's
worthwhile to use the voice I've been given, and add it to that
of thousands of others who believe this issue is important.
I have the profound conviction that I must do everything in my
power to convince people - even if I have to do it one person at
a time. And if I should manage to save one life, that's an
accomplishment I can be proud of.
At the creation of Cirque du Soleil 25 years ago, we were told
that we had reinvented the circus. My desire for One Drop is to
reinvent philanthropy. To get the message across through
projects that touch people's hearts. Because I believe that a
message is much stronger when it's transmitted through an
emotion.
The Guy Laliberté of today has never been so close to the Guy
Laliberté of 25 or even 30 years ago. I have always had the same
objective: to live my life with intensity, but with the
conviction that we can change the world.
"Impossible" is only a word. Let us continue to believe that.
{SOURCE: Montreal Gazette, canada.com}
Workouts are in synch with life at Cirque [EXPANDED]
{Jun.26.2009}
----------------------------------------------------------------
When physical therapist Vanessa Gurie assesses the condition of
her clients, she often looks way up into the rafters of an arena
to see them fly and flip and tumble in astonishing displays of
daredevil acrobatics.
"They're amazing. A very, very talented bunch of people,'' Gurie
said one afternoon in April, watching 16 men and women climb and
leap and swing among four tall poles taller than telephone
poles with uncanny power, speed and precision.
Gurie, 29, is health services supervisor with Saltimbanco, the
arena show that Cirque du Soleil is bringing to Tampa this
month. She was watching a number called Chinese Poles as the
company went through its training routine. A few hours later,
the acrobats would don outlandish, colorful costumes for the
opening performance of a five-day run at the Lakeland Center.
"We see a lot of repetitive strain injuries,'' Gurie was saying.
"We tape a lot of wrists and ankles. But we also design exercise
programs to prevent pain or we modify routines if somebody has
an injury."
If you've ever seen a Cirque show, you've probably wondered how
the performers' bodies hold up under the strain of these
incredible performances often two a day. The answer: They're
as vulnerable as any athlete, so Cirque employs people like
Gurie to head off show-stopping injuries.
While obviously geared toward the highest-level athletes, the
Montreal-based company's training practices, emphasizing
strength, nutrition and the body-balancing approach of Pilates,
hold lessons for many who'll get no closer to a Cirque show than
the front row.
ACROBATS AS ATHLETES
A South African who has a master's degree in sports medicine,
Gurie worked as a physical therapist for cricket and Australian-
rules football teams as well as an Asian tour of Cats before
joining Saltimbanco in 2007. She finds many similarities between
the performers in professional sports and Cirque. Now, though,
she has to be concerned not only with the health and fitness of
her charges, but also with the safety of their working
environment.
"My main duty is to ensure that their health and safety is taken
care of at all times,'' she said. In Lakeland, the big concern
was the swine flu alert, then in its early stages.
"We worry about things like swine flu because we're part of a
close-knit society, a traveling village, really,'' she said.
"It's my job to make the artists aware that this problem exists
and what to do and not to do, and making them aware in about 10
different languages."
ADRENALINE RUSH
Unlike Cirque shows staged under its trademark blue and gold big
top, Saltimbanco, the company's second production to play
arenas, has to adapt to different venues. "Because we travel
from week to week, we try to maintain exactly the same
conditions," Gurie said. "For instance, we keep the temperature
always at 72 degrees, so artists won't get cold when they come
off after doing a number."
They also pay careful attention to food, with Cirque employees
preparing and serving all the performers' meals. Menus often are
inspired by local foods. "Florida seafood would be high on the
list of things we would have on this part of the tour," said
Gurie, who figures that the company includes 10 to 15
vegetarians.
The acrobats often wear safety harnesses when they practice
their high-flying tricks, but during the show they perform
without them. In the act of sister trapeze artists, one dangles
by her calf hooked over the other's foot, high above the arena
floor, without a net.
Not surprisingly, it's tough to come down from that kind of
excitement. That's why many of the performers do their major
workouts after the show is over for the night.
"They have a high level of adrenaline, and it's hard for them
just to go to bed," Gurie said. "When they're really pumped from
the show, you'll see them doing their workouts."
TAILORED WORKOUTS
Backstage at Saltimbanco is the training mat, a communal area
where the performers do their workouts, tailored for each of
them by Gurie, another physical therapist and head coach Michael
Ocampo, a certified Pilates and yoga instructor.
"Most of these artists come from an extremely high level of
sport," Ocampo said. "They were on national gymnastic teams and
competed at national championships, world championships, some of
them in the Olympics. So they pretty much know what they need to
do to keep themselves in shape and stay healthy. If they do need
assistance, that's what the two physios and myself are there
for."
Arranged around the large mat are exercise bikes, an elliptical
trainer, free weights, weight machines, training poles and
climbing ropes, a chin-up bar and Pilates equipment. Gurie and
Ocampo are big proponents of Pilates.
"We're learning how much Pilates is beneficial for someone like
an acrobat who tends to overuse certain joints, overuse one side
of their body more than the other," Ocampo said. "With the
Pilates approach we try to almost recenter people, because
otherwise acrobats can quickly become unbalanced from side to
side, from front to back, because almost everything that we do
is one sided or unidirectional.''
Ocampo, in his mid 30s, a Cirque performer in Alegria and
Saltimbanco for 10 years before becoming a coach, explained that
acrobats nearly always twist one way to their right or left
when doing things like a salto (a flip) or cartwheel.
"Pilates tries to address the imbalances that are going to start
to form in your body because you're only twisting one way," he
said.
However, Pilates, with its focus on breathing and disciplined
movement, can be a challenge for high-energy young athletes. The
50 or so performers in Saltimbanco range from 18 to 47, but most
are on the young side.
"When you say to them, 'Okay, let's slow down, let's take it on
the mat and do these small, slow exercises,' it's a hard thing
for a lot of acrobats to grasp, because they like to move
fast,'' Gurie said. "But when they see it work for them, how
injuries become less and less when Pilates is incorporated into
their training regimen, then it becomes attractive, then
everybody wants to do it."
Gurie and Ocampo run half-marathons when they can work a race
into the touring schedule, but they haven't persuaded any of the
Saltimbanco performers, who apparently prefer a little more
excitement in their workouts, to join them yet.
"I may change their minds as time goes on,'' Gurie said. "But
when they look at long-distance running, they go, 'It is so
boring.' "
{SOURCE: St. Petersburg Times}
Cirque Kodak Delay: Here's Why.
{Jun.29.2009}
-----------------------------------------------
While news of Cirque's Kodak Theater show's delay has circulated
the fan scene in recent days, the reason for the delay has not
been widely known. Anarticle out of the Los Angeles Business
Journal today sheds some light on those reasons. From the
article:
# # #
The Los Angeles city government is stepping in to help save
plans for a reconstruction of the Kodak Theatre so the home of
the Oscars can accommodate Cirque du Soleil's 10-year Hollywood-
themed show. L.A. developer CIM Group, which co-owns and
operates the Kodak at Hollywood & Highland, is seeking a $30
million loan from the city to replace a private financing deal
that collapsed in the capital market meltdown.
Under the deal, the city essentially would borrow $30 million
from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and
then loan that money to CIM for the project. It carries some
risk to the city. If the Cirque show tanks or otherwise is
unable to pay, then CIM is obligated to pay. But if it can't,
the city would lose up to $30 million of HUD money.
Already, design changes have forced a delay of at least nine
months in the project's opening, pushing it back to summer 2011
from the September 2010 opening date originally announced. The
major change has involved fitting an on-site training center for
Cirque performers into the existing complex.
{SOURCE: Los Angeles Business Journal}
=======================================================================
ITINÉRAIRE -- TOUR/SHOW INFORMATION
=======================================================================
o) TOURING - Under the Big Top
{Corteo, Dralion, Koozå, OVO, Quidam & Varekai}
o) RESIDENT - en Le Théâtre
{Mystère, "O", La Nouba, Zumanity, KÀ, LOVE,
ZAIA, ZED & Believe}
o) VENUE - Arena & Seasonal Productions
{Saltimbanco, Alegría | Wintuk, Vaudeville2009}
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. As such, the Fascination! Newsletter
does not accept responsibility for the accuracy of these listings.
NOTE (*): 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/ >.
---------------------------------
TOURING - Under the Big Top
---------------------------------
Online at: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?page_id=39 >
Corteo:
Nagoya, Japan -- May 21, 2009 to Jul 12, 2009
Osaka, Japan -- Jul 29, 2009 to Oct 18, 2009
Tokyo, Japan -- Nov 4, 2009 to Dec 20, 2009
Fukuoka, Japan -- Feb 11, 2010 to Apr 4, 2010
Sendai, Japan -- Apr 21, 2010 to Jun 6, 2010
Dralion:
Auckland, New Zealand -- Jul 10, 2009 to Aug 23, 2009
Monterrey, Mexico -- Sep 17, 2009 to Oct 11, 2009
Guadalajara, Mexico -- Oct 22, 2009 to Nov 15, 2009 (*)
Mexico City, Mexico -- Nov 26, 2009 to Dec 31, 2009 (*)
Koozå:
Minneapolis/St-Paul, Minnesota -- Jul 3, 2009 to Aug 9, 2009
Denver, Colorado -- Aug 20, 2009 to Oct 4, 2009
Santa Monica, California -- Oct 16, 2009 to Dec 20, 2009
Irvine, California -- Dec 28, 2009 to Jan 31, 2010
OVO:
Montreal, QC -- Apr 23, 2009 to Jul 19, 2009
Quebec, QC -- Jul 30, 2009 to Aug 23, 2009
Toronto, ON -- Sep 3, 2009 to Oct 18, 2009
Quidam:
Recife, Brazil -- Jul 09, 2009 to Aug 02, 2009
Salvador, Brazil -- Aug 13, 2009 to Sep 6, 2009
Brasília, Brazil -- Sep 18, 2009 to Oct 11, 2009
Belo Horizonte, Brazil -- Oct 23, 2009 to Nov 22, 2009
Curitiba, Brazil -- Dec 4, 2009 to Dec 27, 2009
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil -- Jan 8, 2010 to Feb 7, 2010
Sao Paulo, Brazil -- Feb 26, 2010 to May 2, 2010
Porto Alegre, Brazil -- May 10, 2010 to Jul 11, 2010
Buenos Aires, Argentina -- Jul 23, 2010 to Aug 29, 2010
Santiago, Chile -- Sep 11, 2010 to Oct 31, 2010
Varekai:
Gijon, Spain -- Jul 9, 2009 to Aug 16, 2009
Hamburg, Germany -- Aug 28, 2009 to Oct 4, 2009
Moscow, Russia -- Oct 23, 2009 to Dec 13, 2009
London, UK -- Jan 6, 2010 to Jan 24, 2010
---------------------------------
RESIDENT - en Le Théâtre
---------------------------------
NOTE: (*) Prices are in United States Dollars (USD) unless otherwise
noted.
(*) Price reflected in brackets [] is inclusive of 10% Las Vegas
Entertainment Tax where applicable, but does not include
Sales Tax.
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 -
o Saturday: 7:00pm & 9:30pm
o Sunday: 4:30pm & 7:00pm
o Monday - Wednesday: 7:00pm & 9:30pm
2009 Ticket Prices:
o Category 1: $109.00
o Category 2: $99.00
o Category 3: $95.00
o Category 4: $79.00
o Category 6: $69.00
o Category 7: $60.00 (Limited View)
2009 Dark Dates:
o July 8
o September 3 - 11
o November 4
"O":
Location: Bellagio, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Wednesday through Sunday, Dark: Monday/Tuesday
Two shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:30pm
2009 Ticket Prices:
o Orchestra: $150.00 [$165.00]
o Loggia: $125.00 [$137.50]
o Balcony: $99.00 [$108.90]
o Limited View: $93.50 [102.85]
2009 Dark Dates:
o August 3-11
o October 4
o December 7-22
La Nouba:
Location: Walt Disney World, Orlando (USA)
Performs: Tue through Sat, Dark: Sun/Mon
Two shows Nightly - 6:00pm and 9:00pm
2009 Ticket Prices (adults) / (child 3-9):
o Category 0: $117.00 / $94.00 (+Tax)
o Category 1: $102.00 / $82.00 (+Tax)
o Category 2: $83.00 / $67.00 (+Tax)
o Category 3: $67.00 / $54.00 (+Tax)
o Category 4: $53.00 / $43.00 (+Tax)
2009 Dark Dates:
o July 28
o September 20 - 28
o November 17
Zumanity:
Location: New York-New York, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:30pm
2009 Ticket Prices (18+ Only!):
o Category 1: $135.00
o Category 2: $99.00
o Category 3: $79.00
o Category 4: $69.00
o Category 5: $69.00 (Obstructed View)
2009 Dark Dates:
o July 13 - 15
o August 3 - 10
o September 7 - 9
o October 19 - 21
o December 1 - 14
KÀ:
Location: MGM Grand, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Fri through Tue, Dark Wed/Thu
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
2009 Ticket Prices (adult) / (child 5-12):
o Category 1: $150.00 [$165.00] / $75.00 [$82.50]
o Category 2: $125.00 [$137.50] / $62.50 [$68.75]
o Category 3: $99.00 [$108.90] / $49.50 [$54.45]
o Category 4: $69.00 [$75.90] / $34.50 [$37.95]
2009 Dark Dates
o July 12 - 15
o September 6 - 12
o November 10
LOVE:
Location: Mirage, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Thursday through Monday, Dark: Tuesday/Wednesday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
2009 Ticket Prices:
o Lower Orchestra: $150.00 [$165.00]
o Upper Orchestra: $125.00 [137.50]
o Lower Balcony: $99.00 [$108.80]
o Middle Balcony: $93.50 [$102.85]
o Upper Balcony: $69.00 [$75.90]
2009 Dark Dates:
o August 3 - 12
o October 8
o December 1 - 16
ZAIA:
Location: Venetian, Macao (China)
Performs: Tuesday through Sunday, Dark Monday
One to Two Shows Daily -
Tuesday: 8:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00pm
Thursday - Saturday: 7:00pm & 10:00pm
Sunday: 4:00pm & 7:00pm
2008 Ticket Prices (adult) / (child 0-12):
o Category 1: MOP$ 1288 / No Child
o Category 2: MOP$ 788 / MOP$ 688
o Category 3: MOP$ 588 / MOP$ 488
o Category 4: MOP$ 388 / MOP$ 288
2009 Dark Dates:
o Not Available
ZED:
Location: Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo (Japan)
Performs: Varies
One to Two Shows Daily - Showtimes vary
2009 Ticket Prices (all):
o Category 1 ("Premium"): ¥18,000
o Category 2 ("Front"): ¥15,000
o Category 3 ("Regular"): ¥9,800
o Category 4 ("Overview"): ¥7,800
2009 Dark Dates:
o Not Available
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.
2009 Ticket Prices (all):
o Category 1: $160.00 +Tax
o Category 2: $125.00 +Tax
o Category 3: $99.00 +Tax
o Category 4: $79.00 +Tax
o Category 5: $59.00 +Tax
2009 Dark Dates:
o July 5 - 19
o August 11
o September 9 - 17
o November 10
o December 8
--------------------------------------
VENUE - Arena & Seasonal Productions
--------------------------------------
Online at: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?page_id=251 >
Saltimbanco:
North American Tour
-------------------
Tampa, FL -- Jun 25, 2009 to Jul 5, 2009
Estero, FL -- Jul 8, 2009 to Jul 12, 2009
Cypress, TX -- Jul 15, 2009 to Jul 19, 2009
Houston, TX -- Jul 22, 2009 to Jul 26, 2009
Phoenix, AZ -- Jul 29, 2009 to Aug 2, 2009
Salt Lake City, UT -- Aug 5, 2009 to Aug 9, 2009
Columbus, OH -- Aug 12, 2009 to Aug 23, 2009
European Tour
-------------
Stockholm, SE -- Sep 17, 2009 to Sep 20, 2009
Helsinki, FI -- Sep 23, 2009 to Sep 26, 2009
Turku, FI -- Sep 30, 2009 to Oct 4, 2009
Oslo, NO -- Oct 8, 2009 to Oct 11, 2009
Gothenburg, SE -- Nov 4, 2009 to Nov 8, 2009
Mannheim, DE -- TBA
Aarhus, DN -- TBA
Nice, FR -- TBA
Alegría:
Providence, RI -- Jul 2, 2009 to Jul 5, 2009
Manchester, NH -- Jul 8, 2009 to Jul 12, 2009
Newark, NJ -- Jul 15, 2009 to Jul 19, 2009
Wilkes-Barre, PA -- Jul 22, 2009 to Jul 26, 2009
Hamilton, ON -- Jul 29, 2009 to Aug 2, 2009
Bridgeport, CT -- Aug 20, 2009 to Aug 23, 2009
Boston, MA -- Aug 26, 2009 to Aug 30, 2009
Amherst, MA -- Sep 2, 2009 to Sep 6, 2009
Syracuse, NY -- Sep 9, 2009 to Sep 13, 2009
Albany, NY -- Sep 16, 2009 to Sep 20, 2009
Rochester, NY -- Sep 23, 2009 to Sep 27, 2009
State College, PA -- Sep 30, 2009 to Oct 4, 2009
Pittsburgh, PA -- Oct 7, 2009 to Oct 11, 2009
Hershey, PA -- Oct 14, 2009 to Oct 18, 2009
Reading, PA -- Oct 21, 2009 to Oct 25, 2009
London, ON -- Nov 12, 2009 to Nov 15, 2009
Greenville, SC -- Nov 18, 2009 to Nov 22, 2009
Duluth, GA -- Nov 26, 2009 to Nov 29, 2009
Hampton, VA -- Dec 2, 2009 to Dec 6, 2009
Worcester, MA -- Dec 9, 2009 to Dec 13, 2009
Wintuk:
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City (USA)
Performs: Wednesday through Sunday, Dark Monday/Tuesday
Exception: December 22nd, 28th and 29th
Previews on Wednesday November 11th and 12th at 7:30pm
Regular Season begins Friday, November 13th!
Schedule: There are currently 87 scheduled performances between
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 and Sunday, January 3,
2010 on the following days:
o) Mon [2] - 12/28 (2)
o) Tue [4] - 12/22 (2), 12/29 (2)
o) Wed [12] - 11/11 (1), 11/18 (1), 11/25 (2), 12/2 (1),
12/9 (1), 12/16 (2), 12/23 (2), 12/30 (2)
o) Thu [13] - 11/12 (1), 11/19 (2), 11/26 (2), 12/3 (2),
12/10 (2), 12/17 (2), 12/24 (2),
o) Fri [11] - 11/13 (1), 11/20 (2), 11/27 (2), 12/4 (2),
12/11 (2), 12/18 (2)
o) Sat [24] - 11/14 (3), 11/21 (3), 11/28 (3), 12/5 (3),
12/12 (3), 12/19 (3), 12/26 (3), 1/2 (3)
o) Sun [21] - 11/15 (2), 11/22 (2), 11/29 (3), 12/6 (3),
12/13 (3), 12/27 (3), 1/3 (2)
Performance Times: Wintuk may perform at the following times
throughout its run. Consort the official schedule for
exact showtimes:
< http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/CirqueDuSoleil/Wintuk/
schedule/WIN09_Show_Schedule.pdf >
o) Monday: 2:30pm, 7:30pm
o) Tuesday: 2:30pm, 7:30pm
o) Wednesday: (2:30pm), 7:30pm
o) Thursday: (11:00am), (2:30pm), 7:30pm
o) Friday: (11:00am), 2:30pm, 7:30pm
o) Saturday: 11:00am, 2:30pm, 7:30pm
o) Sunday: 1:00pm, 5:00pm / 11:00am, 3:00pm, 7:00pm
Ticket Prices:
Tickets range from $30.00 to $220 based on category and
date of performance. Peek and non-peek pricing is in
effect.
Vaudeville2009:
Location: Chicago Theater, Chicago (USA)
Schedule: There are currently 59 scheduled performances between
Thursday, November 19, 2009 and Sunday, January 3, 2010,
on the following days:
o) Mon [02] - 12/28 (2)
o) Tue [05] - 12/22 (3), 12/20 (2)
o) Wed [11] - 11/25, 12/2, 12/9 (2), 12/16 (2), 12/23 (3),
12/30 (2)
o) Thu [03] - 11/19, 12/10, 12/17
o) Fri [05] - 11/20, 11/27, 12/4, 12/11, 12/18
o) Sat [19] - 11/21 (2), 11/28 (2), 12/5 (3), 12/12 (3),
12/19 (3), 12/26 (3), 1/2 (3)
o) Sun [14] - 11/22 (2), 11/29 (2), 12/6 (2), 12/13 (2),
12/20 (2), 12/27 (2), 1/3 (2)
PERFORMANCE TIMES
o) Wednesday: 2:00pm, 8:00pm (12pm, 4pm, 8pm on 12/23)
o) Thursday: 8:00pm
o) Friday: 8:00pm
o) Saturday: (12:00pm), 4:00pm, 8:00pm
o) Sunday: 1:00pm, 5:00pm
TICKET PRICES
o) Adults (1-8 tickets):
PEAK / WEEKEND:
Regular: $48.00, $65.00, $85.00, $98.00
Premium: $150.00
Tapis Rouge: $300.00
NON-PEAK / WEEKEDAY:
Regular: $35.00, $45.00, $65.00, $82.00
Premium: $115.00
Tapis Rouge: $275.00
PRE-THANKSGIVING:
Regular: $23.00, $30.00, $50.00, $75.00
Premium: None
Tapis Rouge: None
o) Students & Seniors:
PEAK / WEEKEND:
Students and Seniors receive a 10% discount on regular
priced seats (premium and Tapis Rouge seats not
included) on Pre-Thanksgiving and Non-Peak/Weekday
tickets only.
NON-PEAK / WEEKDAY:
Regular: $31.50, $40.50, $58.50, $73.80
Premium: Not Available
Tapis Rouge: Not Available
PRE-THANKSGIVING:
Regular: $20.70, $27.00, $45.00, $67.50
Premium: None
Tapis Rouge: None
o) Group - Adult (9+ tickets):
PEAK / WEEKEND:
Regular: $48.00, $65.00, $85.00, $98.00
Premium: $150.00
Tapis Rouge: $300.00
NON-PEAK / WEEKDAY:
Regular: $28.75, $36.75, $59.00, $74.40
Premuim: $115.00
Tapis Rouge: $275.00
PRE-THANKSGIVING:
Regular: $17.00, $22.00, $40.75, $60.75
Premium: None
Tapis Rouge: None
o) Group - Student/Senior (9+ tickets):
PEAK / WEEKEND:
Regular: $43.50, $59.00, $77.00, $88.50
Premium: Not Available
Tapis Rouge: Not Available
NON-PEAK / WEEKDAY:
Regular: $26.25, $33.50, $53.50, $67.25
Premuim: Not Available
Tapis Rouge: Not Available
PRE-THANKSGIVING:
Regular: $15.75, $20.25, $37.00, $55.00
Premium: None
Tapis Rouge: None
=======================================================================
OUTREACH - UPDATES FROM CIRQUE'S SOCIAL WIDGETS
=======================================================================
o) Club Cirque -- This Month at CirqueClub
o) Networking -- Cirque on Twitter, Facebook & MySpace
o) Telemajik -- Cirque du Soleil on YouTube & Flickr
o) Gatherings -- CirqueCon, Celebri & More!
---------------------------------------
CLUB CIRQUE: This Month at CirqueClub
---------------------------------------
A Year of Celebrations [EXPANDED]
{Jun.10.2009}
Cirque du Soleil celebrates a unique milestone in 2009 by
hitting the quarter-century mark!
Since June 16, 1984, our young Québec company has never stopped
dreaming, daring, and pushing the limits, having thrilled close
to 90 million spectators in more than 200 cities across 5
continents.
For Guy Laliberté and his original street-performer friends,
dreams have been a part of the troupe's philosophy from the very
beginning. The motivation behind this happy group that would
eventually become a high-quality international artistic
entertainment company has always been to take the adventure ever
further, to live out their dreams and, especially, to never stop
believing in those dreams.
"Twenty-five years later, the dream continues..."
- Guy Laliberté
Founder of Cirque du Soleil
Alongside our 25th anniversary, some of our 18 concurrent
productions performing this year reach special milestones of
their own! Here's a glimpse of our year of celebrations:
JANUARY
31 - Dralion, celebrated 3500th performance in Perth,
Australia
FEBRUARY
17 - KÀ, celebrated 2000th performance in Las Vegas, Nevada
20 - Varekai celebrated 2500th performance in Sevilla, Spain.
APRIL
18 - "O" , Celbrated 5000th performance in Las Vegas, Nevada
21 - Alegría, celebrates 15 years of joyful performances
22 - Dralion, celebrated 10 years of life among the four
elements
JUNE
3 - Corteo, celebrated 1500th performance in Nagoya, Japan
18 - Quidam, celebrates 4500th performance in Fortaleza,
Brazil
28 - Saltimbanco, celebrated 5000th performance in Tampa,
Florida
JULY
11 La Nouba Only at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando,
Florida USA; 5,000th transformation of the ordinary
into the extraordinary, stimulating our imagination from
beginning to end!
AUGUST
1 ZAIA Only at The Venetian Macao, Cotai Strip, China; 1
year of soaring to the farthest reaches of space and human
beauty!
OCTOBER
1 ZED Only at Tokyo Disney Resort, Japan; 1 year in an
imaginary world that conjures the vitality of the human
condition and holds up a mirror to our true selves!
31 CRISS ANGEL Believe Only at Luxor Las Vegas, Nevada USA;
1 year-long haunting journey inside the mind of mystifier
Criss Angel!
DECEMBER
3 KOOZA Under the Grand Chapiteau while visiting Santa
Monica, California USA; 1,000th performance set in an
electrifying and exotic visual world full of surprises,
thrills, chills, audacity and total involvement!
19 Zumanity Only at New York-New York Hotel and Casino, Las
Vegas, Nevada, USA; 3,000th performance of a seductive
twist on reality, making the provocative playful and the
forbidden electrifying!
These many milestones are a testament of truly remarkable
achievement for Cirque's passionate pioneers, creators, artists
and artisans, stage hands and technicians, support staff and
employees who carry out the dream day in and day out.
Bravo ! And may the dream continue...
---------------------------------------------------
NETWORKING: Cirque on Twitter, Facebook & Myspace
---------------------------------------------------
{Jun.16.2009 | Cirque 25 }
Cirque du Soleil celebrated its 25th Anniversary and on the day
of its first performance - June 16th - Cirque held a global
stilt-walking event to mark the occasion, and the public was
invited to join the Cirque du Soleil stilters' troupe visiting
select cities around the world! In honor of the 25th
anniversary, many of Cirque du Soleil's shows marked the event
and shared their celebrations with us through their Facebook
pages. Items relating to Cirque's 25th are collected here:
[Asia]
o) Special Performance:
< http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=85059&id=34277887388&ref=mf >
[Orlando]
o) Stilt Walking Practice Video [2:01]:
< http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=112138350619&ref=mf >
o) Photos in the Beginning...:
< http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=83771&id=16315569901&ref=mf >
o) More Rehearsal Photos:
< http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=84589&id=16315569901&ref=mf >
o) Anniversary Day Photos:
< http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=84994&id=16315569901&ref=mf >
[Las Vegas]
o) 25th Anniversary Pictures from Cirque Las Vegas:
< http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=116592&id=18155469918&ref=mf >
< http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=118504&id=31527171928&ref=mf >
o) LOVE Cake Pictures:
< http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=117844210179&ref=mf >
o) Mirage Executive Pastry Chef Everett Williams Cake:
< http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=118252325179&ref=mf >
o) Stilt Walking Highlights Video [1:48]
< http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=90607321761&ref=mf >
o) Picture Slideshow from Las Vegas Sun:
< http://www.lasvegassun.com/photos/galleries/2009/
jun/16/cirque-on-stilts/ >
o) Ethan Miller Pictures:
< http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/_ogLfx9C17Y/Cirque%20Du%
20Soleil%20Holds%2025th%20Anniversary%20Guinness/42DW1agxY2N >
o) VegasNews.com pictures (by: Erik Kabik):
< http://www.vegasnews.com/8744/cirque-du-soleil-celebrates-
25th-anniversary-with-world-record-stilt-walk.html >
o) Great video from Las Vegas Review-Journal:
< http://www.reviewjournal.com/media/video/cirque_stilt_
061709.html?video=1 >
# # #
{Jun.01.2009 | Alegría}
See behind the scenes of Cirque du Soleil! This story aired
nationally in Australia on the weekend!
Read More:
< http://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunday-night/video/-/watch/13743373/ >
{Jun.02.2009 | LOVE}
In case you are wondering what's going on at Abbey Road, check
out the live web cam!
< http://www.abbeyroad.com/visit/ >
{Jun.02.2009 | Saltimbanco}
A few Saltimbanco artists did the first pitch at the Marlins
game!
See the pictures:
< http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=115651&id=4
1245692958&ref=mf >
{Jun.02.2009 | ZAIA}
Team members of Cirque du Soleil participated in the Dragon Boat
Race in Macau on May 28th
See the pictures:
< http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=81963&id=
34277887388&ref=mf >
{Jun.04.2009 | "O"}
Take a look at Las Vegas through one of our musicians' eyes on
conciergequestionnaire.com.
< http://www.conciergequestionnaire.com/q.php?id=134 >
{Jun.06.2009 | Mystère}
How do we do it? Find out at Mystère Revealed on Monday, June 8.
We're at it again! We'll be opening the Mystère theatre doors
a few hours before show time & letting guests see the show pre-
set! During the pre-set Mystère Operations Production Manager,
Michael Mattox will give a general Mystère overview and will
describe some of the activity that is taking place in the
theatre. Guests will have the opportunity to ask questions and
get an up-close look at some of the show costumes. The Mystère
Revealed experience will last 20 minutes. Seating is limited to
the first 100 guests. Doors open at 4:45 pm.
{Jun.06.2009 | "O"}
O by Cirque du Soleil has yoga classes backstage twice a week.
Here's a story about the classes and the amazing teacher who is
the head of our wardrobe department.
Read More:
< http://www.examiner.com/x-8760-Las-Vegas-Yoga-
Examiner~y2009m5d29-Julie-Roddham-warms-up-Os-Cirque-du-
Soleil-performers-with-yoga >
{Jun.09.2009 | Alegría}
Did you know: there are 55 artists in the show, including the
actors and singers. in total, more than 100 people are touring
with Alegría, with wardrobe, creation, crew and kitchen teams! |
The magic of the circus is that it lifts the audience from
reality with brilliant displays of acrobatic talent, artfully
evoked laughter and a frenzy of colour and light. Alegría is all
this and more.
Read More:
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/magazine/article/689731
{Jun.10.2009 | LOVE}
We love the MAMAS!!! | Last month, hubby and I caught our fourth
Cirque du Soleil show: The Beatles' LOVE at the Mirage. Like
other Cirque shows, this one combined phenomenal acrobatics,
upbeat dance, and entertaining characters - complemented by
lights, confetti and many, many other special effects. More than
two dozen Beatles' songs accompany all of the aerial
performances and athleticism to create an incredibly fast-paced
show.
Read More:
< http://travelingmamas.com/2009/06/05/a-multimedia-acrobatic-
extravaganza-the-beatles-love-by-cirque-du-soleil/ >
{Jun.12.2009 | KÀ}
KÀ by Cirque du Soleil artist Bobby Robinson shares some of his
insight on Las Vegas check it out!
< http://www.conciergequestionnaire.com/q.php?id=141 >
{Jun.17.2009 | LOVE}
On this weekend's edition of "Dennis Mitchell's Breakfast With
The Beatles," special guest Olivia Harrison is on to talk about
the creation of the new album "Let It Roll: Songs By George
Harrison," and bring us up to date on her very busy life these
days!
< http://www.beatlesradioshow.com/ >
{Jun.17.2009 | LOVE}
More from the "20-something" bloggers, rock on!
< http://jamieann.net/2009/06/17/cirque-du-soleil-love/ >
{Jun.18.2009 | KÀ}
This time-lapse video shows KÀ artist Eric Henderson
transforming into the Spearman character in under three minutes.
The make-up process actually takes 45 minutes and requires nine
different brushes and 10 products (powder & cream-based make-
up).
< http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=90951196761&ref=mf >
{Jun.18.2009 | Alegría}
Meet Marceline Goldstein, an Acrobatic Talent Scout for Cirque
du Soleil shows! | Cirque du soleil is in town and made it's
first American stop in Providence. Marceline Goldstein joined
The Rhode Show to talk more about it.
See it!:
< http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi4OqZ43ifw >
{Jun.18.2009 | ZAIA}
ZAIA dazzled silver screen Indian Cinema superstars as an
exclusive performance of the Cirque du Soleil spectacular marked
the launch of the Videocon International Indian Film Academy
(IIFA) Weekend at The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel
See the pictures:
< http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=85058&id=
34277887388&ref=mf >
{Jun.19.2009 | LOVE}
Stage Management Intern Travis Brendle has to say about his
experiences thus far in Las Vegas! | Hey Guys...so I've heard
back from a few folks and the unanimous vote is on me to write a
series of blog postings about how we put the show together every
night! It was been quite an experience for me learning exactly
how we put on the show every night. For those of you who have
not seen the show, shame on you (come out to Vegas we are
running some great specials) and for those of you who have, you
will know how many artists we have (66) and how many different
things are in the show. From in line skating, to intense
acrobatics, to traditional African Gumshoe dancing, all of our
artist are very talented and can do many different things.
Each Artist knows a series of "cues", which is basically every
time they come on stage. Each of the Artists know many different
cues which make a track, or the "role" that the artists will
play every night. Every day we get several different documents
and notes from a few different people: Kati, our wonderful
Resident Artistic Director, David, our fantastic Dance Coach,
Coach Dan and Gab, our Acrobatic and Performance Medicine
Coaches, and Rob and Marikawa, our Acrobatic Captains as to who
will be doing what in the show that night. All of that
information is compiled by one of the stage managers who creates
what is called the "Lineup". This is a document that all of the
artists and technicians read to know what and who will be doing
what that night. Confused yet? It is a brilliant piece of paper
that is very user friendly and easy to read.
Now just think about this...all of the Artists and Technicians
read that piece of paper each night to find out what they are
doing. No night is exactly the same! It just shows how
wonderfully special and talented our artists and technicians are
that they can do all of this with such showmanship and safety!
That is the basic explanation of what the lineup is...Tune in
tomorrow for a real world cirque example of how this goes into
play!
Merci, Bon Chance, and Have a good one!
{Jun.21.2009 | "O"}
"O" is starring in a Korean drama series. Filming is happening
everywhere at the theatre today!
{Jun.22.2009 | "O"}
For those of you who missed Time Warp, you can check out clips
on the Discovery Channel website.
< http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/time-warp-whats-hot/ >
{Jun.22.2009 | Zumanity}
Zumanity is flattered that Heather Graham keeps mentioning
Zumanity in the interviews she's doing to promote her new movie!
Check out one of the interviews on our page!
< http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/blogs/the-
playground/2009/jun/02/heather-graham-dishes-vegas-advice-
filming-emhango/ >
{Jun.26.2009 | Koozå}
Meet James Tanabe, the assistant artistic director for KOOZA! |
James Tanabe, a globe-trotting acrobat and show producer who
grew up in Rochester, returns to Minnesota this week for the
Cirque du Soleil production of "Kooza" in St. Paul. He's the
assistant artistic director for the show, to be held July 3 to
Aug. 2 in a giant tent pitched in St. Paul's Lowertown. Tanabe,
31, is part of the direction team, responsible for everything
happening onstage. And that's a constantly moving assignment,
with 53 artists from 14 countries running, jumping and flying
throughout the performance.
Read More:
< http://www.minnpost.com/artsarena/2009/06/23/9707/rochester_
native_returns_to_state_with_cirque_du_soleils_kooza >
{Jun.26.2009 | Mystère}
Random Mystère Shots, including an old billboard!
< http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=118563&id=
18155469918&ref=mf >
{Jun.26.2009 | Zumanity}
Tune into The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien on Thursday June
25th to see the cast of Zumanity performing a super sexy version
of "Dance on TV". New to the act: world champion pole dancer
Felix Cane twisting, turning, climbing and spinning on the pole
in her American national tv debut! ...and don't forget to check
back on the Zumanity page for behind-the-scenes photos and video
to be posted after the taping!
See the video!:
< http://widgets.nbc.com/cscallback/urlexchange/
4727a250e66f9723/facebook.html?x=qv.BPYc91DiAOtA8g2y
MPYc5mD7UPoFo1jyDb4RugG6BM9AngT2HPdQ4gDqEa4drhWyAMw >
{Jun.26.2009 | LOVE}
Jamie Durie trains to run away with Cirque du Soleil! Check out
exclusive footage from Cirque du Soleil International
Headquarters in Montreal and The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du
Soleil at The Mirage in Las Vegas!!!
< http://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunday-night/video/-/watch/13743373/ >
{Jun.29.2009 | LOVE}
Stage Management Intern Travis Brendle is workin' it behind-the-
scenes at LOVE! Check out his latest blog post| Sorry for the
lateness in a blog update, but it has been a crazy week! During
the course of my internship, I get to learn different back stage
tracks. What does that mean you ask? Basically, it takes four
stage managers back stage working to run the show. It also takes
one stage manager to "call" the show, which is where the
"calling stage manager" tells different departments when to take
different cues (here it is mostly automation, but periodically
the sm calls lighting, sound and projection cues). The four sms
backstage do many different things in concert with the other
departments and the artists to make the show run. We are also a
first line of defense in case their is a safety issue! As I
mentioned above, there are four tracks that I have had the
opportunity to "run".
This week I was assigned to learn my last track, the west track
(I've already learned the three other tracks: East, Rover and
Stage Rover). Usually, I have three days with another stage
manager to learn the track and then get validated to do the
track by myself. This week was kind of crazy and I got to learn
the track super fast. Tonight, I got to run the track mostly by
my self, except for one part of the track that is pretty cue
heavy and difficult. Throughout the process, the stage
management team has been wonderful about giving me notes and
telling me the nuances of each track, which has made learning
the tracks so easy. I actually love each track for different
reasons, but the west track is really exciting and fast paced.
So a fun fact. When you see the show, if you are sitting on the
North side (the side by the concession stand) and you see a
person in black following the ushers down the aisle during
"Within You", that is the west sm making sure no one is on the
stage so that the next magical moment of the show (which I will
not give away) can happen safely.
-------------------------------------------
TELEMAJIK: Cirque on YouTube & Flickr
-------------------------------------------
[FLICKR]
Website: < http://www.flickr.com/photos/cirquedusoleildotcom/ >
Cirque du Soleil released 7 images through its Flickr photostream in
the month of June. Two of which mark Cirque's 25th in Montreal while
the rest showcase a performance of ZED within Ikispari. Check them
out here!
o) Cirque Montreal Celebrates 25 Years on Stilts:
- www.flickr.com/photos/cirquedusoleildotcom/3637485824/
- www.flickr.com/photos/cirquedusoleildotcom/3661956787/
o) ZED Performance at IKSPIARI
- www.flickr.com/photos/cirquedusoleildotcom/3662758640/
- www.flickr.com/photos/cirquedusoleildotcom/3661956787/
- www.flickr.com/photos/cirquedusoleildotcom/3662758640/
- www.flickr.com/photos/cirquedusoleildotcom/3662758656/
- www.flickr.com/photos/cirquedusoleildotcom/3662758670/
[YOUTUBE]
Website: < http://www.youtube.com/cirquedusoleil >
Website: < http://youtube.com/CirqueLasvegas >
o) Stilt Event in New York City
[0:34] < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-0mHX8AdH8 >
o) Cirque 25th Anniversary Stilt Walking (Vegas)
[1:49] < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQi_SMVM_z8 >
----------------------------------------
GATHERINGS: CirqueCon, Celebri & More!
----------------------------------------
CirqueCon: < http://www.CirqueCon.com/ >
Celebri: < http://www.celebri.org/ >
[CirqueCon]
UPDATE #2: Friday, June 26, 2009 [ENGLISH]
Greetings, Cirque Passionates!
It's been a little over three months since we announced our
exhilarating prospect to bring CirqueCon to Monterrey, Mexico for
the 2009 season, and we apologize that you've not heard from us
since then. We're still here and we're excited that in just three
more months we will be watching Dralion with you!
While waiting for official dates to post to Cirque du Soleil's
website, Rich, Rodolfo and I (the Three 'R'-migos) have been
working diligently behind the scenes to secure everything we spoke
about in our tentative itinerary - hotel accommodations, group meal,
city tour, etc. And while the Mexican Tour dates are still not
published on Cirque du Soleil's ticket page, OCESA, the box office
vendor in Mexico, has made the tour official and will soon be
selling seats to our official show. We'll have to act fast to secure
our tickets, so please review the information below - we can't wait
to see ya!
o) EVENT DATES CONFIRMED
We apologize for being ambiguous about our selected weekend up
till now, but with OCESA's recent announcement, we are very
happy to publicize our weekend date now!
+---------------------------------+
| |
| Thursday, September 24, 2009 |
| through |
| Sunday, September 27, 2009 |
| |
+---------------------------------+
o) DRALION TICKETS
We have selected Saturday, September 26, 2009 @ 8:00pm as our
Official CirqueCon performance of Dralion. OCESA, Cirque du
Soleil's box office vendor in Mexico will begin selling
tickets to the public on Monday, July 13th. Due to time
constraints, once again CirqueCon will be facilitating the
purchase of these tickets (i.e., we'll be selling them to you,
rather than Cirque or OCESA).
+---------------------------------+
| |
| *** CIRQUECON OFFICIAL SHOW *** |
| |
| Saturday |
| September 26, 2009 |
| @ 8:00pm |
| |
+---------------------------------+
Seats sell fast in Monterrey so in order to secure enough for
each of us we'll need your ticket order and payment by Friday,
July 10th! We apologize for the quickness in this announcement;
however, OCESA gave us no warning and we must act fast!
Seating - Where Are We?
-----------------------
Because Cirque du Soleil does not control ticketing in Mexico,
we are unable to hold a specific block of seats as we have in
years past - however, we are working with OCESA's Group Sales
to get us the very best seats together in the sections we
choose. With this in mind all categories are available for
purchase from us.
Pricing - Okay, How Much?
-------------------------
The prices below reflect the cost of adults & children (there
is no distinction between the two, sorry) with all taxes added
in Mexican Pesos (MXN) with USD approximates:
Cat. 1: $1,090 MXN ($84.00 USD approx) + Svc Charges
Cat. 2: $890 MXN ($69.00 USD approx) + Svc Charges
Cat. 3: $690 MXN ($54.00 USD approx) + Svc Charges
Cat. 4: $490 MXN ($38.00 USD approx) + Svc Charges
Tapis Rouge is also available in Monterrey. Tickets are sold
separately with a price of $700 MXN ($54.00 USD) + SVC
Charges. Be advised you will be sold a Category 1 seat for the
price above on top of the Tapis Rouge ticket, but if you'd
like to go Tapis Rouge let us know, we'll place the order for
you!
Buying - Great, How Do I Get 'Em?
---------------------------------
Because we don't yet know the final cost of tickets (and there's
an exchange rate to deal with) we aren't able to take payment
just yet. We'll let you know shortly! Thanks for your patience.
o) HEADQUARTERS HOTEL
Rich, Rodolfo and I are excited to announce that we have
chosen a hotel in the center of a wonderful green space in the
heart of Monterrey: HOLIDAY INN PARQUE FUNDIDORA.
+-----------------------------------------------+
| |
| HOLIDAY INN PARQUE FUNDIDORA |
| |
| $ 75.00 USD / Night = Standard Room |
| $ 85.00 USD / Night = Superior Room |
| $105.00 USD / Night = Executive Room |
| |
+-----------------------------------------------+
Notes:
------
.) Prices reflect Single or Double occupancy.
.) Rates are in US Dollars at the date of payment.
.) Rates do not include food and/or beverages
.) Rates are subject to 15% IVA and 2% State taxes.
.) Rates per extra person per night are $16.00 USD +
taxes.
So come join us!
-----------------
We have a number of convenient options available in order to
make your room reservations, they are:
.) PHONE = From the USA and other countries, please call
1-800-HOLIDAY and request a transfer to HOLIDAY INN
PARQUE FUNDIDORA. Or, if you'd like to contact the hotel
directly, you may do so by dialing [52] (818) 380-2217.
From Mexico, please call 01-800-772-7083. And from
Monterrey, call locally at 83-80-22-17.
.) INTERNET = Go to the hotel's website at
(www.hotelesmilenium.com), then select Monterrey on the
map and later the hotel (HOLIDAY INN PARQUE FUNDIDORA).
On the reservation form, please specify in the section
"Código de grupo" the code: "CIR".
.) EMAIL = Reserve by sending an email to
cro.hipfmty@hotelesmilenium.com and mention the code
"CIRQUE CON 2009". Make sure you provide the following
information so your reservation may be confirmed:
- Full Name
- Credit Card Number
- Expiration Date
- Code Number
- Card Company/Bank
NOTE: A credit card will be required to secure your
reservation!
NOTE: You can cancel your reservation up to 48 hours prior to
guest arrival without penalties. If the cancellation
request is not received and confirmed by the hotel at least
48 hours before check in, your reservation will be canceled
as a "no show" and a one night charge will appear on your
credit card.
o) WHAT ABOUT GROUP MEAL, CITY TOUR?
We'll let you know more about our social events shortly. We
wanted to be sure you were informed about our weekend date,
how to join us at our headquarters hotel, and the ticket
options available to us. Stay tuned!
o) CIRQUECON HOLLYWOOD --> CIRQUECON 2011: HOLLYWOOD
Recently we were informed by Cirque du Soleil that there has
been a delay in their Kodak Theater resident show in
Hollywood. It will not premiere in Fall 2010 as originally
scheduled. Delays in development have meant the show will now
debut some time in Fall 2011, a year later.
So we are now calling our Hollywood Event "CirqueCon 2011:
Hollywood!" We appreciate the enthusiasm shown by many of our
members, but until we have an approximate time frame for our
Event we will not be taking paid memberships. Unfortunately,
we likely won't have that time frame until this time next year
or later.
We will keep everyone on the Mailing List informed, of
course. And if we get news to report, you'll be the first to
know!
With the delay of "Cirque Kodak" until 2011, the potential of a
new 2010 event held in a different location is a distinct
possibility. As soon as we know more we'll, of course, let you
know!
# # #
We're very excited about Monterrey. So come join us south of the
border; we 'R' looking forward to it!
Ricky "Richasi" Russo, Rich Alford & Rodolfo Elizondo
CirqueCon 2009: Monterrey!
www.cirquecon.com
mexico@cirquecon.com
=======================================================================
COMPARTMENTS -- INFORMATION BEHIND THE CURTAIN
=======================================================================
o) DIDYAKNOW - Facts about Cirque
o) HISTORIA - Cirque du Soleil History
---------------------------------
DIDYAKNOW? - Facts About Cirque
---------------------------------
o) Didyaknow that Cirque du Soleil donates tickets to community
organizations where it performs throughout the world? In 2008, over
35,000 tickets were donated to worthy causes. Wow!
o) Didyaknow that the Worms' masks in Saltimbanco are made from a
material called Pododiflex, a plastic used in the medical field?
The material becomes very flexible in hot water and shapes easily;
when placed in cold water, it then becomes very hard. Once shaped,
the masks are dipped in latex to make them smooth and then are
painted.
o) Didyaknow that the props, equipment and performers in Mystère are
elevated to the stage level from the trap by means of four moving
lifts located at the heart of the stage? The center stage has a 28-
foot turntable that rotates up to 10 revolutions per minute. Each
of the lifts can support 300 pounds per square foot and are
controlled by a motion cue system designed by Mirage Resorts
Entertainment Technologies Group. The lifts were constructed by
Gala Corporation of Montreal and assembled in Las Vegas.
o) Didyouknow that it takes less than two minutes for the Dralion
artists to take the trapeze apparatus from backstage to center
stage? They set it up themselves before taking to the skies!
o) Didyaknow that Quidam, Cirque du Soleil's 1996 production,
originally surprised spectators and attracted "considerable
criticism" for being too dark? Cirque du Soleil answered these
charges by saying Quidam was not an "Alegria Plus" or "Super
Saltimbanco", but an animal all to its own.
o) Didyaknow that Dominique Lemieux wanted to represent historic
periods from the 15th to 20th centuries with the costuming in "O"?
She had a special fondness for Venetian styles, which she used as
inspiration for the show. Two sets of costumes are used by the
performers, consequently, as the latex material used does not dry
fast enough between shows.
o) Didyaknow the Varekai stage is 42 feet in diameter and includes
five traps, two turntables and an elevating platform? The set
includes a 100-foot-long catwalk, a staircase allowing performers
to travel from one end of the stage to the other, and a lookout, a
17-square-foot platform that serves as a cabin for one of the
forest inhabitants above the audience.
------------------------------------
HISTORIA: Cirque du Soleil History
------------------------------------
* Jul.01.1990 -- Cirque Réinventé (Vol 2) CD Released (Nâga)
* Jul.02.2002 -- La Nouba Boutique pepper spray incident forces
evacuation
* Jul.03.2009 -- Koozå opened Minneapolis/St-Paul
* Jul.04.2007 -- Cirque named top Canadian Brand by Brand Finance
Canada.
* Jul.05.1984 -- 1984 Tour opened Rimouski
* Jul.05.1985 -- 1985 Tour opened Québec [Vieux-Port de Québec]
* Jul.05.1986 -- Le Magie Continue opened Québec
* Jul.05.1990 -- Nouvelle Expérience opened Seattle
* Jul.05.1996 -- Quidam opened Ste-Foy
* Jul.05.2007 -- Koozå opened Quebec City
* Jul.05.2007 -- Varekai opened Adelaide, Australia
* Jul.06.2000 -- Saltimbanco 2000 opened Seattle
* Jul.06.2006 -- Quidam opened Philadelphia
* Jul.06.2008 -- René Dupéré named "Chevalier" in the Order
de la Pléiade
* Jul.07.1987 -- Cirque Réinventé opened Québec
* Jul.08.2004 -- Alegría opened Philadelphia
* Jul.09.2009 -- Quidam opened Recife, Brazil
* Jul.09.2009 -- Varekai opened Gijon, Spain
* Jul.10.2002 -- Saltimbanco opened Vienna
* Jul.10.2003 -- Alegría opened Vancouver
* Jul.10.2009 -- Dralion opened Auckland
* Jul.11.1990 -- Cirque Réinventé opened Montréal
* Jul.11.1997 -- Alegría opened Berlin
* Jul.11.2008 -- LOVE celebrated 1000th performance [Friday]
* Jul.11.2009 -- La Nouba celebrated 5000th performance
* Jul.12.1984 -- 1984 Tour opened Saint-Jean-Port-Joli
* Jul.12.1994 -- Alegría opened San Francisco
* Jul.13.2003 -- Cirque nominated for 1 Emmy - 55th Emmy Awards:
Outstanding Nonfiction Program Alternate
Fire Within
* Jul.14.1992 -- Fascination opened Osaka
* Jul.14.1992 -- Saltimbanco opened San Francisco
* Jul.14.2006 -- Alegría opened Amsterdam
* Jul.14.2006 -- Corteo opened Chicago
* Jul.16.2003 -- Varekai opened Chicago
* Jul.17.2008 -- Dralion opened Sydney, Australia
* Jul.18.2002 -- Cirque nominated for 2 Emmys in 54th Emmy Awards:
Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special
Alegría
Outstanding Choreography for 74th Academy Awards
Debra Brown
* Jul.19.1984 -- 1984 Tour opened Baie-Saint-Paul
* Jul.19.2003 -- Quidam opened Osaka
* Jul.20.2004 -- Varekai CD released in Canada (CDS Musique)
* Jul.20.2004 -- Alegría CD released in Canada (CDS Musique)
* Jul.20.2007 -- Corteo Nominated for Emmys
o) Category 6: Art Direction for a Variety,
Music Program or Special
o) Category 28: Picture Editing for a Special
(Single of Multi-Camera)
* Jul.21.1995 -- Saltimbanco opened Berlin
* Jul.21.1999 -- Saltimbanco opened Adelaide
* Jul.21.2005 -- Dralion opened Oostenede
* Jul.22.1998 -- Alegría opened Antwerp
* Jul.22.1998 -- Quidam opened Chicago
* Jul.23.1988 -- Cirque Réinventé opened Toronto
* Jul.23.2006 -- Varekai NAT 1 Ends (2002-2006)
* Jul.24.1992 -- Fascination opened Sapporo
* Jul.24.2003 -- Saltimbanco opened Oostenede
* Jul.24.2003 -- Dralion opened Columbus
* Jul.24.2008 -- Quidam opened Alicante, Spain
* Jul.25.2002 -- Quidam opened Boston
* Jul.25.2007 -- Dralion opened Osaka, Japan
* Jul.26.1984 -- 1984 Tour opened Québec
* Jul.26.1985 -- 1985 Tour opened Toronto [Harbour Front]
* Jul.26.1991 -- Nouvelle Expérience opened Toronto
* Jul.26.1995 -- Alegría opened Chicago
* Jul.26.1996 -- Saltimbanco opened Angers
* Jul.26.2001 -- Quidam opened Copenhagen
* Jul.26.2007 -- Alegría opened Gijon, Spain
* Jul.27.2004 -- Varekai opened Boston
* Jul.27.2004 -- Varekai CD released in US (CDS Musique)
* Jul.28.1993 -- Saltimbanco opened Chicago
* Jul.29.1999 -- Dralion opened Toronto
* Jul.29.2009 -- Corteo opened Osaka
* Jul.30.2009 -- OVO opened Quebec, QC.
* Jul.31.1990 -- Cirque Réinventé opened London
* Jul.31.1997 -- Quidam opened San Jose
* Jul.31.2003 -- Zumanity Begins Preview Performances
* Jul.31.2004 -- Quidam celebrated 3000th performance
[Sat, 1:00pm/Calgary]
* Jul.31.2008 -- Corteo opened Calgary, AB, Canada
* Jul.31.2008 -- Varekai opened Oberhausen
=======================================================================
FASCINATION! FEATURES
=======================================================================
Within...
o) "'25' - The Ultimate Cirque Mixtape?"
By: Keith Johnson - Seattle, Washington (USA)
{Issue Exclusive}""
o) "Working for a Cirque du Soleil Touring Show"
By: Anonymous Cirqueador
Edited by: Keith Johnson & Ricky Russo
{Issue Exclusive}
o) "Guy Laliberté: Rocket Man"
A Special Collection of Articles From The Press
{Expanded Selection}
o) "How to Party Like a Cirque Star"
A Special Excerpt from Ian Halperin's New Book
{Expanded Selection}
-------------------------------------------------------
"'25' - The Ultimate Cirque Mixtape?"
By: Keith Johnson - Seattle, Washington (USA)
{Issue Exclusive}
-------------------------------------------------------
What songs would you put in a Cirque du Soleil mixtape, one you would
give to a friend as an introduction to the world of Cirque musique?
Would you pick just one track from each of Cirque's creations to serve
as an introduction and a history, and if so what would you pick? We
all have our favorite pieces. Different moments of Cirque music have
their home in our hearts, and are able to move simply by hearing their
first few bars. When I've had the opportunity to come up with two
"Cirque Samplers" (the last in 2003), here's what I included:
"Jeux D'Eau" from O - a moving, evocative start
"Ouverture" from the first Cirque du Soleil album
"Eclipse" from Nouvelle Experience
"Saltimbanco" from Saltimbanco
"Alegría" from Alegría
"Let Love Live" from Alegría Le Film
"Quidam" from Quidam
"Kamande" from Dralion
"Journey of Man" from Journey of Man
"Kalimondo" from Mystère
"Svecounia" from O
"Jardin Chinois" from La Nouba
"Vocea" from Varekai
"O" from O - the perfect quiet ending
Cirque itself took on this challenge when for it's 20th Anniversary it
produced what it called "Le Best of Cirque du Soleil". The down-tempo
(Cirque might call it "Poetique") playlist included:
"Egypte" from Mystère
"Alegría" from Alegría
"Pokinoi" from Saltimbanco
"Querer" from Alegría
"Kumbalawe" from Saltimbanco
"Ombra" from Dralion
"Reveil" from Quidam
"Nostalgie" from O
"Vocea" from Varekai
"Stella Errans" from Dralion
"Gamelan" from O
"Liama" from La Nouba
The trend to this set was slower songs from then-current creations. I
don't know that I agree with the moniker "Best of," but as a
replacement for the prior "Collection" compilation CD (and including
nearly half of that disks songs) it was a marked improvement.
Now, for their 25th Anniversary Cirque has again taken on the
challenge, expanding their scope and timeline from their beginnings to
their just debuted productions. And this just-released set proves not
only a better statement of their musical history, but also a much
better introduction into their musical world than any compilation
before it. The set is "Cirque du Soleil 25" (Cirque du Soleil
Musique CDSMCD-10030-2, 2009)
The creative team includes:
Executive Producer: Jacques Méthé
Associate Producer: Mathieu-Gilles Lanciault
Musical Director: Alain Vinet
Mastered by Harris Newman at Harris Graymarket Mastering in Montréal
Art Direction: Pierre Desmarais
Graphic Design: Michel Dalpé
Production Coordinators: Eric Y. Lapointe, Lise Dubois
In keeping with their corporate mantra of recycling, the CD comes in a
recycled paper CD case. Even the plastic wrapper is made of recycled
material! (Fortunately, no plastic CD trays are included that might
become detached from the packaging.) The front cover is die cut with
the numbers "25" which allows the yellow of the interior booklet to
shine through. Opening the three-panel package reveals booklet
storage and a message from Guy Laliberté on the left panel, the
storage packet for the Poetique disk (which is open at the top causing
Disk 1 to fall out often - an annoyance) in the blue-hued center
panel, and the Dynamique disk in the red-hued right panel. Cirque
characters are present throughout. In an interesting turn the
complete interior of each of the pockets has graphics covering every
square inch, completely covering the interior as well as the exterior
of the pockets - in most other sets using this packaging the design
only extends part way into the pocket.
The text is in French and English, meaning half as much space for text
than if one language was used. The message from Laliberté talks about
how music must "provide the same rich and moving experience as what
unfolds on stage." The booklet, which carries on the character-heavy
artwork of the CD package, includes the standard list of song
information along with a message from Alain Vinet, Cirque's "Musical
Director." Nowhere on the cover or in the booklet are songs lengths
noted, an oversight in my opinion. The booklet also includes a
chronology of Cirque focusing on the music. I would have preferred a
more detailed text, which, while chronological, could have also
commented on what acts a song, accompanies and perhaps some quotes
from the composers. But I suppose when you have to accommodate two
languages space is at a premium.
One show - The Beatles LOVE - is missing from this collection, likely
due to musical rights reasons. This makes little difference here; the
inclusion of any Beatles tune would have interrupted the musical flow,
and the music of the mop tops isn't really Cirque music. There are
also no remixes from the Solarium/Delirium set or the "Journey of Man"
soundtrack. The current Mystère disk ("Live in Las Vegas") is not
represented here; the creators have chosen a track from the first
studio release instead (noted below). The disks are sequenced in
roughly chronological order allowing one to hear the evolution of the
music. There are five songs that have not been previously released on
CD: The first vinyl 45 from La Fanfafonie, "Le Cirque du Soleil" and
"La Funambule", as well as selections from Believe, ZED, and OVO whose
soundtracks have not been released yet. Care has been taken to keep
the songs "whole" as some of the endings which on the official disks
are overlapped are clear here.
What might the criterion for creating such a set be? It seems one
prerequisite was to not repeat any tunes from the "Le Best of" CD,
which has its positives and negatives (see below). Another seems to
be to keep the tempos and moods more separate, with "Poetique" being
slow and moody and "Dynamique" possessing energy. There is also the
question of which piece of music might be the best choice to express a
show's overall mood. Selecting a slow tune for an otherwise fast and
up-tempo show may not be the best choice, for example. But that
doesn't seem to be a consideration here; rather the emphasis has been
on sequencing and flow, creating a mood within the disks theme that
flows easily from beginning to end.
Below are descriptions of each disk and their contents, with comments
on their technical presentation included. We noted that as can
sometimes be the case with compilations, there are no differences in
pitch between these selections and their original disks. We do note a
slight loss of high end and boosting of the lows for all tracks up to
and including Quidam. This was likely done to bring the sounds of
these pre-digital tracks to be more like later Cirque tracks.
DISK ONE - Poetique - total time 55:19
The first sounds on the disk are the sounds of children playing.
This, along with the first: 20 of music are bathed in spacey echo.
This represents the idea of "going to the circus" and venturing into
the tent as the first notes of music are heard.
1. "Ouverature" (1:42) - representing the Cirque Réinventé show -
Actually the first track from the very first self-distributed Cirque
du Soleil CD. One could consider this track "unreleased" since the LP
and CD were never distributed beyond limited quantities available in
Canada.
A slight scratching sound, like the end of a side of a vinyl record
takes us back in time to...
2. "Le Funambule" (3:37) - La Magie Continue - For the first time, the
B-side of the first La Fanfafonie Cirque-produced 45 appears
officially on CD! This slow saxophone piece is the first piece of
music heard in the "Le MagieContinue" show (and DVD). High-end
equalization is applied to this track subduing the drums a bit. There
is also some top-end distortion particularly evident in the last: 30,
which may be why this track is cut off :04 from it's total time.
3. "Meandres" (6:54) - representing the Fascination! Show - This track
is actually from the "Nouvelle Experience" CD.
4. "Have Vahlia" (4:39) - Nouvelle Experience - This cute accordion-
dominated piece accompanies the chair-stacking act from Nouvelle and
comes complete with tempo changes and vocal exclamations at its
conclusion.
5. "Vai Verdrai" (4:32) - Alegría - Here is an interesting choice.
While a quite appropriate tune to present the overall mood of Alegría,
the shows' "Greatest Hit" is arguably the title song. However, later
on in the play list it is included, in a departure from the normal
chronological order, which we shall discuss further down. Note that
the channels continue to be reversed from the original RCA Victor
issue.
6. "A Tale" (4:19) - La Nouba - The rap that makes up part of this
track (which is not part of the show) remains here for this taste of
La Nouba. Here is a nice groove piece, with a fine improvisational-
sounding vocal by Dessy DiLauro. The overlap from the next track on
the La Nouba CD, Porte, has been removed here. Following very closely
on is the next track...
7. "Piece of Heaven" (4:58) - Zumanity - From the "inspired by"
soundtrack era this track, while keeping with the Poetique theme,
could really have been abandoned in favor of something actually
included in the show. It is, however, representative of the flavor of
the CD. Again, the overlap from the next track on the Zumanity disk,
Zum Astra, has been removed here.
8. "Volo Volando" (4:30) - Corteo - From the chandelier act in Act I.
A beautiful waltz with an Italian flavor.
9. "Beyond the Clouds" (3:26) - Wintuk - A laid back track from this
seasonal New York show. Since I haven't had the opportunity to see
the show, I don't know where it fits or if it is representative of the
show's feel.
10. "Sexy Pet" (2:48) - Criss Angel BeLIEve - Another show I haven't
seen so can't judge its feel. Unreleased to this point, the track
reaches for sensuality with a bit of a Nine Inch Nails distortion-
tinged sound mixed with hip-hop sensibility. This track wouldn't be
out of place on the Zumanity CD. It is credited as being "performed"
by composer Eric Serra, though there is a female vocal I don't think
he's responsible for.
11. "The World's Meet" (6:35) - ZED - Having seen the show during
CirqueCon 2008: Tokyo! my wife and I were very anxious to hear a full
version of this song, one of the most beautiful from the wonderful
Dupéré score. And we were not disappointed! Starting much the same
as the Singer Audition Kit version we had already heard, this version
adds both vocalists a longer middle and haunting final choruses. With
instruments slowing building throughout the song, after almost five
minutes of beauty come breathtaking final choruses that left my wife
teary. It truly evokes the moment in the show when, as the hand-to-
hand act reaches its crescendo, most of the artist descend from the
rafters or appear from the winds singing the chorus. We can't wait to
hear the rest of this soundtrack; this first taste is very promising.
12. "Banquette" (2:47) - OVO - Latin rhythms! Almost deserving a
place on the Dynamique disk. If this finale song is representative of
the show (I haven't seen it, but have been told there is more techno-
pop influence to the rest of the music) it moves away from the
cultural blender of most Cirque music and lands it squarely in Brazil.
13. "Alegría" (4:20) - Alegría Le Film - With the stricture to not
repeat any song from "Le Best of" Cirque has chosen to include this
down tempo version of Alegría from the Franco Dragone-directed film
inspired by the show. This version isn't really representative of the
show or song to me. And not of the movie either, as none of the "pop"
songs on the CD appear in the film. It also doesn't help that
although Alegría is a currently touring show the film soundtrack has
been deleted and is no longer available, so that even if you were
interested in further exploring the mood suggested by this song you
would be unable.
DISK TWO - Dynamique - total time 54:50
1. "Le Cirque du Soleil" (3:21) - Cirque du Soleil - With a flourish
the second disk starts off with the A-side of the La Fanfafonie vinyl
45. Of all the songs on this disk it could be said this is the one
most musically "out of place;" its brass-band marching style harking
back to the roots of circus music that Cirque eschewed early on. As
with the prior La Fanfonfonie track the highs have been rolled off).
2. "Les Pingouins" (3:25) - Cirque du Soleil - A fun track for the
Korean plank act but interesting in that it seems to be the second
track from the original show "Cirque du Soleil." These must represent
the first two summers of touring. (NOTE: Erstwhile Editor Ricky
comments this was used in Cirque Réinventé.)
3. "Barock" (3:59) - Saltimbanco - Not from the original CD but from
the re-recorded and re-mixed "Take 2" of Saltimbanco (and not victim
to the treble roll-off and bass boost of other early tracks). A nice
chugging tune, well representative of the show and the Russian Swing
act that opens Act II.
A whooshing noise, not part of this or the next track, takes us to...
4. "Rivage" (4:09) - Quidam - A fun rocking vocal by Mathieu Lavoie.
The last 1:15 of the original track has been removed, an ehru solo
that is out of place with the rest of the track.
5. "Birimbau" (6:09) - Mystère - Here is a strange selection, which is
not from the currently available "Live In Las Vegas" soundtrack for
Mystère. Not only that, but this track is one of three on the now-
deleted studio version of the soundtrack to not make it onto the
currently available disk. The song did play a major role in the early
part of "Midnight Sun" the street celebration organized for Cirque's
20th Anniversary, which might explain its inclusion. Has a fun scat
from Luis Perez.
6. "Svecounia" (5:00) - "O" - My personal favorite Cirque music track
and one I never expected to appear on an "official" Cirque
compilation. The first 40 seconds, which have little to do musically
with the rest of the track, have been excised here so the track begins
with the singers call for celebration. There is nearly double the
low-bass introduction time, created by repeating the tone in mono -
you can hear the edit as it goes from mono to stereo.
7. "Ravendhi" (4:38) - Dralion - An Indian-influenced track featuring
Eric Karol on countertenor vocals.
8. "Lubia Dobarstan" (4:28) - Varekai - A vocal intro from Mathieu
Lavoie overlaps with the end of Ravendhi, but it isn't from the
beginning of this tune as it appears on the official CD. It is said
to be an outtake form the recording sessions. This makes this version
an interesting rarity.
9. "Pursuit" (5:52) - KA - A fast-paced chase scene from the most
orchestral of all Cirque soundtracks. The last few seconds are cut
off.
10. "One Love" (3:10) - Delirium - With a music track based upon the
remixed version of "Pokinoi" from Saltimbanco (by Sasha), this track
adds lyrics and is representative of Cirques first arena show.
Remixer Sasha was also involved in the arena show version.
11. "Hum Jaisa Na Dekha" (3:44) - KOOZÅ - The shows sitar and horn
section rock together. This track provides a great ending to the
Koozå CD, but there is more yet to come on this compilation. Cuts off
the last 8 seconds of the fadeout.
12. "Utinam" (6:46) - ZAIA - Similar sounding to the track from
Dralion (not surprising since they both come from Violaine Corradi).
An extra verse of the tinkling bells at the end of the track has been
removed, shortening the track by: 20.
So what do I think? Splitting the collection into two "moods" was a
good idea - you have your choice depending on your mood. Musically
and as a retrospective it's a great collection, better than the
compilations that have come before it which haven't been as all
encompassing as this. You could feel confident when presenting this
to an interested friend they would come away with a much better idea
of the width and depth of Cirque music and the power of it's beauty.
Where I might criticize is on pickier technical issues and with some
song choices.
Is it a value for your money? Retailing at USD $22.00 is a pretty
good price for a 2-disk set. I have always felt, however, that
compilation or "greatest hit" disks should always take full advantage
of a CD's 80-minute maximum playing time, so for me to speak highly of
any disk as far as value goes both disks would have to clock in at
between 70-80 minutes each. At 55 minutes per disk, these earn a "C"
(average) from me. (It should be noted that limiting the collection
to 25 tunes (one for each year of Cirque's existence and for each of
it's 25 creations) is mostly the reason why the disks are only 55
minutes each.)
The concept of one song for each year and for each show is a nice
idea, but one I would not have strictly followed. Cirque could have
easily added to the number of tracks and filled out both disks to
above 70 minutes each without treading too much on the over-
representation of any one show. Music not released on the "official"
albums could easily have been added for nearly every show, not to
mention Saltimbanco, Alegría, Quidam, or Varekai, which has had "bonus
tracks" added in prior re-releases. These could have been justified
as additional "unreleased tracks." Also one of the remixes from
Solarium/Delirium could also have been added to the Dynamique disk
easily. I also would have seriously considered the vocal title track
from the IMAX Cirque film "Journey of Man," a splendid song as well as
an adaptation of a melody from "O" that hasn't been otherwise
available.
It is also unfortunate that what could be considered Cirque's two
"biggest" hits are not included here. You can make the argument that
"Let Me Fall" from Quidam is well known to the public benefiting from
a cover version and concert performances by Josh Groban, as well as
its inclusion in the Delirium show. And the title track from Alegría,
in its original Francesca Gagnon version is to me one of Cirque's top
tunes, and its replacement by the now-unavailable film version is a
mystery.
This isn't to say the set isn't good. To their credit Cirque has
reached back to their roots to present a holistic view of their entire
musical history when it doesn't really benefit them financially to do
so (since their oldest show CDs are out-of-print). They could have
continued with their philosophy of only making CD's of shows currently
in production but they resisted that temptation here. This plunge
into their musical past is most welcome.
The music flows nicely from selection to selection. Occasional
overlapping of tunes shows care in the mastering. The packaging
reflects the Cirque ethos. Overall it would be a perfect gift to give
someone who deserves to be enlightened to the variety and wonder of
the music of Cirque du Soleil.
Thanks to Lise Dubois for help with this article.
-------------------------------------------------------
"Working for a Cirque du Soleil Touring Show"
By: Anonymous Cirqueador
Edited by: Keith Johnson & Ricky Russo
{Issue Exclusive}
-------------------------------------------------------
Earlier this year I had the great pleasure of working for Cirque du
Soleil whilst their show Koozå was in Atlanta, Ga. It turned out to
be an experience I wasn't ready for; by that I mean I wasn't ready to
have so much fun! If you are fortunate enough to be in a city their
tents visit and have been wondering about working for them in a
temporary capacity there are only three words I can say - go for it!
It will be an experience you'll never forget. I will forever cherish
my Cirque work experience and hope I can do it again when Cirque
returns.
What would make me want to work for Cirque? My next door neighbor,
who had worked with them the last three times Cirque had come through
Atlanta (with Varekai, Alegría, and Corteo), raved about the
experience. Every time they came to Atlanta she was saying I should
work the show. Since I tend to consider myself a little crazy, a
little mixed up and not the most dependable person going I always
hedged on her suggestion - thinking I didn't really want to waste
Cirque's time. But when Koozå came to town I thought, why not?
What's the worst that could happen? If I found I didn't like it I
could simply quit. So I applied locally with Manpower, the company
that handles Cirque's temporary workers in the U.S.
In each city they visit Cirque needs to hire around two hundred locals
to help in various areas. Areas that need the most local workers are
Ushers, Merchandising and Food concessions. There are other jobs
available in custodial, kitchen, wardrobe, box office, and day runner
departments as well. Anyone with a love of Cirque and a desire to
work for them can find something they could do.
After a couple of paperwork-filled trips to the local Manpower office
I was finally called for my interview with the Cirque folks. But this
so-called "interview" wasn't like any interview I had had before. It
wasn't even an interview really; I'm not even sure what to call it!
It turned out to be a group meeting with the guy who was in charge of
hiring for the local group here. He was a great guy and very funny.
As the meeting ended we were told we would receive a phone call about
training. We were also told to make sure we got our photos taken for
the I.D. badges we would need. But there was never any formal
declaration of whether we were hired or not! So we had to wait and
see what would happen.
During the group "interview" we were asked what areas we wanted to
work in. With the number of people wanting to be ushers you'd think
the meeting was just for them! I have a lengthy background in retail
(what better place for me than the onsite boutique), so I said I
wanted to be in merchandising / customer service. I even said
something about how well I could fold shirts, only to find out later
they no longer fold shirts, everything is on hangers.
After not receiving a follow-up call for some time I figured it wasn't
going to happen, until one evening when my neighbor called excitedly
saying she had just been scheduled for her training. So the next day
I phoned the local Manpower office and asked if all local hiring had
been done. No, I was told, I should be receiving a call later. Two
days before training day I finally got the phone call! Not the most
organized folks in the world, I thought. Putting together the
required all-black wardrobe in two days can be a challenge unless you
are really into black clothes. So take it from me, if you ever want
to work a Cirque show make sure you have lots of black clothing to
wear!
Training day finally arrived two days later. I was freaking out about
so many things but still managed to arrive on time dressed all in
black. During our short four-hour training there was a lot of info to
take in. Added to that was that December in Atlanta can be quite cold
and that Cirque wasn't fully set up that evening, even though the show
would be opening in three days! With no heating we sort of froze our
rear ends off. Little did we know we would freeze them off even more
down the road once the show opened; the weather was not kind to
Cirque, Koozå or us locals during the two months the show ran here.
Training went well other than a few people complaining they were
freezing to death. I found it chilly but not to the point I was
freezing - those days, I would find, would come later.
The training session involved touring the entire site, which was most
interesting. We got to see numerous places, that we were also
immediately told we were never to step foot in or we would be fired
immediately! One such off-limits location was inside the Grand
Chapiteau (only for ushers); another was the Artistic Tent (only for
Artists). We got a tour of both but I don't think anyone would want
to have ventured into the Artistic Tent after the fact; it actually
was very boring any only something the artists themselves would find
of value. By the end of the evening we had a good look at what is
provided for artists on the road, not bad but not great (looking
somewhat small) considering how many people make up a Cirque show cast
and crew. This is their home-away-from-home, even if they do high-
tail it off the site the minute the show is over for the evening.
I left that Tuesday evening training session with a great deal of awe
at just the brief glimpse I was given into the world of Cirque. I also
left that evening thrilled with the idea that our group had been
invited back the next evening for a dress rehearsal performance of the
show, a really special treat that just so happened to be on New Years
Eve! The troupe was coming back from their holiday break and needed an
audience to perform for (to make sure the show was still at top
performance standards) and we were it! And the only difference between
this and normal performances are the acrobats' lack of makeup
(apparently the performers like to avoid putting it on if they can -
and who can blame them!), but it in no way took away from the show.
That dress rehearsal was flawless and felt so special. Imagine seeing
a Cirque show with less than two hundred people being there and the
cast putting everything they had into their performance just for you,
just as if the Grand Chapiteau were filled to capacity. Furthermore,
imagine having a front row seat for the festivities! I thought front
row wasn't anything special, but, boy was I wrong! Having those
skeletons right in your face for the dance opening the second-half of
the show was so much fun, not to mention the cast and character
interactions. That evening proved how dedicated the Koozå cast was in
giving the audience all they can each performance. But it's not just
the folks directly on stage; the musicians too were superb, and the
vocalist hit it right out of the ballpark. It was perfect!
If there was one thing, besides the awesome performance, that
impressed me the most was the idea that the costumes, so close up,
looked as if they were shiny and new, just brought from the costume
department in Montréal. They were so beautiful and extremely rich in
detail I swear you could actually see areas that were sewn by hand.
Since I sew for a living I couldn't help but look at the quality of
the stitching - it was top notch! As always, all good things must come
to an end and our preview performance came to an end a couple of hours
later. It was time to depart and prepare for the first day on the job.
It was still two days away from the official local opening, but there
were still a number of things yet to accomplish.
Koozå held another dress rehearsal the following night but under a
completely different set of circumstances: the audience members in the
house this night were specially invited to the performance. So not
only were they VIPs, but the store, food concessions, ushers and all
the front-house works would be up and running. Unfortunately I wasn't
on the schedule to work that night, or the following week (except for
opening night standby status), and I was beginning to wonder what I
had done wrong. All I could do, though, was show up on my appointed
night - a Friday - and wonder if I would be called to work or not.
And this is where I began to comprehend the ins and outs of what
working for a Cirque touring show is really like...
To be continued...
-------------------------------------------------------
"Guy Laliberté: Rocket Man"
A Special Collection of Articles From The Press
-------------------------------------------------------
"Travelling has always been my way of life and I have been researching
the possibilities of space travel with Space Adventures since 2004.
But I needed it to be the right time and for the right purpose. This
is the time. And the purpose is clear: to raise awareness on water
issues to humankind on planet earth. My mission is dedicated to making
a difference on this vital resource by using what I know best:
artistry."
Yesterday, Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte spoke those words as
he was announced to be the next space tourist, taking up residence on
the International Space Station for twelve days this coming September.
His mission: to raise awareness about our planet Earth for One Drop, a
foundation he created to highlight the need for clean water. And, as
expected, he's hit the newswires! Check out all these articles about
the upcoming spaceflight!:
"Laliberte Says Space Trip Worth Every Penny"
From: SPACE.com
--------------------------------------------------
Canadian billionaire Guy Laliberte, an acrobat-turned-space tourist,
is getting used to floating in weightlessness on the International
Space Station and said Tuesday that the trip was more than worth the
multimillion-dollar price tag.
"Yes, it's worth every penny," a smiling Laliberte told reporters via
a video link, adding that weightlessness has been a joy even though he
did smack his head on the ceiling three times in one day.
Laliberte, the founder of the Cirque du Soleil, paid a reported $35
million for his 12-day trip to space, arrived at the orbital lab
Friday. Since then he has been settling into his new home 220 miles
(354 km) above Earth and making friends with the other eight
spaceflyers aboard the station.
"What I've been experiencing here has been an amazing journey so far,
from takeoff to arrival to adaptation," Laliberte said during Tuesday?
s press conference.. "There's so much to learn, there's so much to
discover, there's so much to look at."
His trip is not just a vacation, though. Laliberte has planned an
ambitious performance event for Oct. 9 to communicate the importance
of water conservation, an issue he campaigns for through the ONE DROP
non-profit organization he started.
Laliberte plans to use all his circus-staging skills to coordinate a
simultaneous webcast featuring himself and other artists broadcasting
from 14 cities around the world. He and the performers will recite a
poetic story about water written by Canadian author Yann Martel.
"This [is] a moment to create awareness toward the situation of water
in the world," Laliberte said. "I don't have 25 years, the world don't
have 25 years to address the situation of water."
In addition to preparing for the event, Laliberte has been
familiarizing himself with the space station and getting to know his
crewmates.
"There's so much equipment here and it's very impressive and I just
don't want to knock any of those computers out," he said. "But day
after day I get more comfortable. Plus I'm meeting some great people
here. I'm spending the time to learn a little bit more about space
exploration and I'm very fascinated about it."
For their part, the professional astronauts working at the station
seem to enjoy the company of a space clown.
"I don?t think that Guy Laliberte is here just for fun," said Belgian
astronaut Frank De Winne of the European Space Agency. "He's spreading
a lot of awareness that water is a scarce resource. I think
spaceflight for citizens in general should become more and more
common. The more people that could travel to space and see also how
vulnerable our planet could be the better it would be for our entire
planet. I encourage very much people like Guy Laliberte joining us on
these missions."
Laliberte launched on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft Sept. 30 on a trip
booked with the Russian Federal Space Agency through the American
company Space Adventures, which has brokered seven previous tourist
flights. Laliberte is set to return to Earth aboard a Soyuz Oct. 11.
Laliberte is chronicling his Poetic Social Mission using Twitter
("ONEDROPdotorg"), Facebook and the Web site: OneDrop.org.
SPACE.com is providing full coverage of the launch of Laliberte and
the Expedition 21 crew with Staff Writer Clara Moskowitz in New York.
Click here for mission updates and live mission coverage.
"Billionaire to see Earth from Space"
From: The Orilla Packet
--------------------------------------------------
Billionaire Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte yesterday confirmed
his widely-anticipated upcoming voyage into space. Due to blast off
Sept. 30 on a 12-day visit to the International Space Station, he will
become the first Canadian space tourist and the world's seventh non-
astronaut to go into orbit.
Laliberte confirmed the news yesterday morning from Moscow where he
will begin several weeks of training for the trip, dubbed "Expedition
21", which comes with a $30-million price tag.
After officially passing his physical exam last week, Laliberte
confirmed he will blast off in a Russian Soyuz TMA-16 rocket.
"Everything happened fast, I didn't the time to prepare myself for
this exam," he said. "It's not just a few blood samples. They assess
you top to bottom. But I successfully passed my exam. They told me I
have the heart of an astronaut."
Laliberte has had an interest in space since childhood and took steps
to go into orbit in 2007, before withdrawing to deal with some more
earthly tasks. He found out last March that a spot was available for
the September mission.
Even though Laliberte initially dismissed the idea of going into space
this year, he said that in the end 2009 was simply the right time for
some space exploration.
"I said no, it would be for another time," he explained. "But after
spending the night looking at the stars with my children, I understood
I couldn't let this opportunity slip by."
"Cirque Creator Ready for Space Travel"
From: NTD-TV
--------------------------------------------------
Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte is on the countdown to become
the world's seventh, and Canada's first, space tourist.
Laliberte has begun training at the Cosmonaut Training Centre Star
City outside Moscow for his ride on a Russian Soyuz space craft this
September.
The Quebec billionaire was listed as one of the 100 most influential
people in the world by Time magazine in 2004.
[Guy Laliberte, Founder, Cirque Du Soleil]: "This is a really big
moment for me. I have been introduced as many things in the past:
fire-breather, entrepreneur, performer, partier. But today, to be
introduced as a private space explorer is an unbelievable and humbling
feeling."
Laliberte will travel on board the Soyuz TMA-16 spacecraft with a
Russian cosmonaut and a NASA astronaut.
[Guy Laliberte, Founder, Cirque Du Soleil]: "I found that missing
sense of discovery and I rediscovered my sense of adventure, the very
essence of what stimulated me for many years when I lived and worked
on the street. That very special camaraderie and the underlying law of
'I will watch your back and you watch mine'. I found it all over again
at the International Space Community.
During his 12-day stay at the International Space Station, Laliberte
hopes to raise awareness on water issues in the world.
[Guy Laliberte, Founder, Cirque Du Soleil]: "Why water? Because it is
a source of life and there is an urgent need to raise awareness world-
wide of water issues. My theme is Water for all, All for water."
The Russian federal space agency launches a Soyuz spacecraft to the
station every six months to rotate the crew.
16 countries are involved, and this is the time when private citizens
can pay to travel into space.
"Cirque Founder Headed for Space"
From: Florida Today
--------------------------------------------------
THE FIRE-BREATHING FOUNDER of Cirque du Soleil, Guy Laliberté, aims to
become the first Canadian space tourist.
He hopes to visit the International Space Station for twelve days in
September, thanks to arrangements made with the Russian government by
Space Adventures, a private company that provides training and
services for aspiring cosmonauts.
I have been described as many things throughout my 25 years with
Cirque du Soleil. Fire-breather, entrepreneur, street smart,
creative, said Laliberté in a press release. I am honored and
humbled today with my new description: humanitarian space explorer.
He claims that the purpose of his trip is to raise awareness of water
issues on Earth, and calls it the first poetic social mission to space.
Several of the obscenely rich people who have made a journey to the
orbiting laboratory have claimed to have a serious purpose. Anousheh
Ansari, who made a fortune in the telecommunications industry, wrote a
blog while visiting the ISS in 2006 and conducted physiology
experiments for the European Space Agency. Video game designer Richard
Garriott sent ham radio signals from the spacecraft, led educational
outreach activities, took photographs, and conducted protein
crystallization experiments.
Laliberté started the One Drop Foundation in 2007, with the aim of
fighting poverty by increasing sustainably increasing access to
drinking water. But even if his trip does not raise awareness of water
problems on Earth, it will be a great promotion for Cirque du Soleil,
which will appear in Russia for the first time this year.
"Cirque Boss's Space Trip to Have Serious Message"
From: Canadian Press / CTV News
--------------------------------------------------
The founder of the Cirque du Soleil may do some clowning around when
he visits the International Space Station later this month -- even if
his primary goal is serious.
Guy Laliberte says he'll carry an important message about conserving
water and he's enlisting a variety of celebrities, from former U.S.
vice-president Al Gore to pop stars Shakira and U2, to rally around
his cause.
But the man behind the famous circus will find a way to temporarily
transform the space station into a celestial big top. His plan
involves a familiar red face ornament.
"I will probably wear my clown's nose at some moment of that (trip),"
Laliberte told a news conference which was broadcast live from Moscow
on the web.
The Quebec billionaire added that he plans to pack away nine bright
red noses in his space luggage. They'll be shared with his fellow
travellers aboard the space station. Laliberte also plans to do some
juggling in the gravity-free environment.
When Canadian astronaut Julie Payette made her first trip to the space
station in 1999, she brought along a clown's nose given to her by the
Cirque.
"It's quite funny, after all those years, I'm bringing a clown's
nose," Laliberte said. "We're building up to nine and eventually there
may be a million out there!"
Set to become Canada's first space tourist -- for the hefty return-
fare price of $35 million -- Laliberte shared details of his upcoming
mission at a news conference Wednesday. It also happened to be his
50th birthday.
The 12-day mission will launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome aboard a
Russian Soyuz spacecraft.
Laliberte stressed that, clown noses aside, his main focus will be
what he describes as his poetic social mission in space.
He's planning a live webcast of events in 14 cities on five continents
on Oct. 9. Each event will have its own theme related to water.
Laliberte announced that a list of international personalities will
take part, including Gore, several rock stars like U2, Peter Gabriel
and Shakira, and Julie Payette.
"In every one of those 14 cities, there will be a place where there'll
be a stage performance with a big screen and, at the same time, there
will be the presentation of the poetic social mission," he said.
The live performances will take part in a theatre or at an outdoor
venue, starting in Montreal and ending in Moscow. New York City,
Tokyo, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Paris and London are among the
other cities taking part.
Laliberte said that, for two hours, world-renowned figures will pay
tribute to water.
"All these people are with me because they share the same worries we
have about water," he said.
"They also share my belief that through art and emotion we can convey
a universal message."
Laliberte said that, to his great surprise, most of the people
approached "reacted positively" and made room on their agenda to be
part of the event.
Laliberte said he has dreamed about going into space ever since the
first U.S. moon landing in 1969 -- and has been ready to go, at any
opportunity.
"I've always said if ever an alien space ship comes and offers me a
ride I'll go on it."
"From Cirque du Soleil to the Stars"
From: Space Travel.com
--------------------------------------------------
Canadian Guy Laliberte, 49, an eternal dreamer with a keen business
sense, an impish smile and a shaved scalp is said to be as much at
ease walking on stilts as steering his circus dynasty, valued by
Forbes magazine at three billion dollars.
From Auckland to Zurich, the Cirque du Soleil has traveled the world
over, setting up its big tops in vacant city lots for weeks at a time,
as well as permanent installations in Las Vegas, Walt Disney World in
Florida, and next year in Dubai.
Its bold acrobatics set in mystical and colorful scenes have thrilled
more than 80 million people to date. Nineteen shows, including
"Alegria," "O," "The Beatles' Love" and "Zumanity" are currently
touring.
The key to the Cirque's success is arguably its mutation of circus
feats into plot-driven theater, coupled with haunting music.
This simple idea gave rise to a new form of entertainment and made
Laliberte its dominant force. Whether under roving big tops or
specially-built odeums, every show has his special stamp.
Laliberte's winged rise to 261st richest man in the world, with a
personal fortune valued at 2.5 billion dollars, had not been foreseen
in his early life.
At 14 years, he left home.
Four years later, with only 50 dollars in his pocket he headed for
France, where he learned to busk, doing stilt-walking and fire-
breathing for tips on the streets of European cities.
"One day, I was hitchhiking in France, a car stopped. The driver was a
doctor. Not only did he give me a ride all the way to Rennes, he also
invited me to stay with him so that I didn't have to sleep outdoors
overnight," Laliberte told the Figaro newspaper last year.
It was a pivotal moment in his life, he explained.
He stayed there two weeks and took in what would form the foundation
of all he has built: "If you nourish the circle of life, life gives
back," he said.
Back in Canada, Laliberte joined a band of street performers in Baie-
Saint-Paul, Quebec, known as le Club des Talons Hauts (the High Heels
Club).
Two years later, in 1984, he obtained a government grant to organize a
show for the 450th anniversary of French explorer Jacques Cartier's
discovery of Canada.
The Cirque du Soleil was born.
It was an instant success, and Cirque caravans set out for cities
throughout Canada and the United States, its performers drawing
ovations night after night.
In the early 1990s its iconic striped big tops were erected in Paris,
London and Tokyo, while the company built its first semi-permanent
installation at the Mirage Hotel on the Las Vegas strip.
It was in this desert oasis in 2006, that Laliberte, by now an
influential entertainment tycoon and jet-setter, introduced "Love" --
a tribute to the Beatles.
Its launch brought together for the first time in decades former
Beatles Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono and
George Harrison's widow Olivia.
Now, Laliberte is looking to breach a new frontier -- space.
In September, he will fly aboard a Soyuz rocket to the International
Space Station, as a tourist.
"I've been introduced in a number of different ways in the past as a
fire-eater, an artist, an entrepreneur, an entertainer, and I have to
admit that today being introduced as a space explorer is quite
something for me," he told a news conference Thursday.
"I am profoundly touched by this," he said, recalling a television
interview during the Cirque's early years in which he quipped: "One
day I hope I can take the Cirque du Soleil into space."
"Twenty-five years on, I am realizing that that dream can become a
reality."
"Bargain Blast-Off"
From: The Globe & Mail
--------------------------------------------------
Compared to the going rate for space travel, the $2,200 (U.S.) it cost
Robert Jacobson to fly a plane used to train Russian cosmonauts was
bargain-basement cheap.
Sure, soaring 6,000 feet above the Florida gulf coast in an L-39
military jet is nothing like going into orbit (Mr. Jacobson's ultimate
dream). The 33-year-old investor would have to blast more than 60
miles higher to hit the so-called edge of space, and another 149
miles to reach the International Space Station.
But, at least through Aurora Aerospace, a new astronaut training
centre founded by a Canadian living in Tampa Bay, Mr. Jacobson got a
bird's eye view of Earth without slapping down as much as $35-million
what today's space travellers reportedly pay for a seat on a Russian
rocket.
Yesterday, Quebec billionaire Guy Laliberté confirmed that he will be
the next paying passenger to visit the International Space Station.
When a Soyuz rocket carries him off in September at a price tag of
more than $25-million, the 49-year-old Cirque du Soleil founder will
be the seventh person to become what the Canadian Space Agency calls a
space tourist a title so far held only by dot-com executives and
millionaires.
I am a privileged person and I recognize that, Mr. Laliberté said at
a news conference broadcast live from Moscow yesterday, adding the
purpose of his mission will be to raise awareness about water issues.
Tycoons, however, may not have a monopoly on space tourism for long.
A growing number of companies are vying to bring space travel to the
masses. A half-dozen American companies, all funded by private
investors, are currently developing rockets they say will shuttle
passengers to space, with some predicting those flights will take off
in the next few years.
More than 250 people have put down the full $200,000 (U.S.) fare in
anticipation for the first suborbital flights from Virgin Galactic, a
company founded by Sir Richard Branson. Other companies are also
working on vehicles, including Space Exploration Technologies and XCOR
Aerospace, are planning spacecraft of their own.
About 30 people have paid part or all of the $95,000 (U.S.) fee for
flights on the first working Lynx Suborbital Vehicle, said XCOR chief
operating officer Andrew Nelson. We certainly expect the flights to
go.
Steve McLean, president of the Canadian Space Agency and former
astronaut, says he saw it coming 25 years ago. I saw the
entrepreneurship of people driving that sort of thing: they have
something that's quite possible, he said. And then once you have
that, there are people willing to pay.
The idea of people paying their way into space became a reality in
2001, when Dennis Tito, a financier, flew to the International Space
Station for a reported $20-million aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft.
Since then, seven more people have put money down and strapped in
through Space Adventures, the Virginia-based company that arranges the
trips with the Russian federal space agency. The agency launches taxi
missions to the International Space Station every six months to rotate
the crew, and it is during these missions that paying private citizens
such as Mr. Laliberté, who have undergone months of medical testing
and training, are allowed to travel.
The technology now in development by companies like Virgin Galactic
would be used for suborbital flights, meaning instead of going into
orbit the ships soar about 300,000 feet out of the atmosphere to the
so-called edge of space. Passengers would gaze at the curvature of
the Earth for about 30 minutes before gravity sucks the vehicle back
down.
Other companies may not promise to get their clients to space, but
they do take advantage of the desire of consumers to prove they've got
the right stuff to get there.
Orbital Outfitters, a company co-founded by a Hollywood special
effects executive, is developing space suits they are marketing to
private space travel companies. Their vision, according to the company
website, is a future when people of all sorts
can fly into space in
safety, comfort and style, knowing they are protected by the highest
quality, best looking gear available on planet Earth
or space.
Starting at $4,950 per person, the Seattle-based Zero-G Corporation
offers flights that allow its customers which have included Martha
Stewart and Stephen Hawking to float like an astronaut.
Aurora Aerospace, launched a month ago by Canadian physician Howard
Chipman, offers options including the $8,000 astronaut qualification
package, which includes Hypoxia training, a 45-minute L-39 jet
flight, a zero-gravity flight and a flight suit.
Dr. Chipman, a certified flight instructor, said he decided to sink
over $500,000 into his company because of his enduring love of space,
and belief that it's only a matter of time before regular people
travel there. His plan is to buy a Lynx vehicle and offer suborbital
flights, and envisions a day when ticket prices will be comparable to
a flight from Toronto to Australia.
Will it be in the next five years? No, he says. But it could be in
the next 20.
Industry watchers say that could be too optimistic. Henry Hertzfeld, a
professor at the Space Policy Institute at George Washington
University, said the personal space travel industry has been aided by
favourable U.S. regulatory decisions.
But, he said, with the economy faltering, the biggest hurdle will be
generating the millions of dollars in private investments required to
keep development going.
The bottom line is, the business world is picking up on this, said
Dr. Hertzfeld, a former senior economist at NASA. They haven't
succeeded yet. Some day they might. And they may not be too far off
in the future. But it's not eminent.
People like Mr. Jacobsen, who lives in Los Angeles, are content to
wait for now.
It's lifelong dream, he said. I want to wait until it's tested and
relatively safe to participate.
"Canada's Cirque Chief Headed to the Stars"
From: The Associated Press
--------------------------------------------------
Guy Laliberte, the larger-than-life Canadian entrepreneur behind the
Cirque du Soleil phenomenon, announced Thursday he would fulfil a
childhood dream by becoming the seventh space tourist.
Laliberte, 49, whose dramatic reinvention of the circus has netted him
a 2.5-billion-dollar (1,76 billion-euro) fortune, described his
journey into space, planned for September 30, as a "poetic, social
mission."
Speaking from Star City, in Russia, he said the social dimension would
be represented by his One Drop foundation, which works to improve
access to water resources and to raise awareness of water-related
issues.
As for the poetry -- apart from the simple fact of fulfilling his
childhood dream -- he would be composing a poem in collaboration with
Canadian poet Claude Peloquin, on the theme "a drop, a planet, a
message."
"It is an artistic project with the poet," he said. "We will have to
look at ways of broadcasting it," he added.
Laliberte is to join the crew of a Soyuz space ship for a September
launch to the International Space Station, becoming the seventh space
tourist to rocket into orbit. He will spend 12 days at the station.
While Laliberte did not want to tell reporters how much his space
mission would cost him, he conceded it was not a million light years
away from the 35 million dollars (25 million euros) paid by the last
space tourist, US software pioneer Charles Simonyi.
Private citizens are charged 20 million dollars for such space trips,
plus another 15 million dollars if they wish to step outside their
capsule for a brisk space walk, according to Canadian media.
He will also have the right to perform certain experiments while up
there, but for the moment, he said, he had not decided what they would
be.
Laliberte will travel up to the station in a Russian spacecraft,
accompanied by Russian cosmonaut Maxime Surayev and US astronaut
Jeffery Williams.
Since May 10 he has been following the obligatory pre-flight training
for cosmonauts at Star City and has passed all his medicals. "They
told me I had a heart of a cosmonaut," he said smiling.
Laliberte said he was first inspired by the idea of travelling in
space by the 1967 Universal Exhibition in Montreal: it was the Soviet
space pavilion that captured his imagination, he said.
Like his predecessors, Laliberte's space mission was organised by US-
based space tour operator Space Adventures.
The company had suggested at the beginning of 2009 that Simonyi might
be the last space tourist for some time.
The ISS staff doubled at the end of May to six and the United States
is preparing to take its space shuttles out of service, all of which
left space on board the Soyuz rockets.
But Laliberte has booked his place, and according to Space Adventures,
Google billionaire Sergey Brin has lodged his own request for a
flight.
A former street performer, Laliberte in 1984 turned a small acrobatic
troupe into a global entertainment empire that now employs 4,000
people and generates 800 million dollars in ticket and merchandise
sales annually.
Born in Quebec, he is now ranked the 261st richest man in the world by
Forbes magazine.
Guy Laliberte: From Cirque to the Stars"
From: The Associated Press
--------------------------------------------------
Cirque du Soleil's founder, who will rocket into space in September,
went from pauper to circus mogul by turning a troupe of ragtag street
performers in 1984 into a global entertainment empire.
Canadian Guy Laliberte, 49, an eternal dreamer with a keen business
sense, an impish smile and a shaved scalp is said to be as much at
ease walking on stilts as steering his circus dynasty, valued by
Forbes magazine at three billion dollars.
From Auckland to Zurich, the Cirque du Soleil has traveled the world
over, setting up its big tops in vacant city lots for weeks at a time,
as well as permanent installations in Las Vegas, Walt Disney World in
Florida, and next year in Dubai.
Its bold acrobatics set in mystical and colorful scenes have thrilled
more than 80 million people to date. Nineteen shows, including
"Alegria," "O," "The Beatles' Love" and "Zumanity" are currently
touring.
The key to the Cirque's success is arguably its mutation of circus
feats into plot-driven theater, coupled with haunting music.
This simple idea gave rise to a new form of entertainment and made
Laliberte its dominant force. Whether under roving big tops or
specially-built odeums, every show has his special stamp.
Laliberte's winged rise to 261st richest man in the world, with a
personal fortune valued at 2.5 billion dollars, had not been foreseen
in his early life.
At 14 years, he left home.
Four years later, with only 50 dollars in his pocket he headed for
France, where he learned to busk, doing stilt-walking and fire-
breathing for tips on the streets of European cities.
"One day, I was hitchhiking in France, a car stopped. The driver was a
doctor. Not only did he give me a ride all the way to Rennes, he also
invited me to stay with him so that I didn't have to sleep outdoors
overnight," Laliberte told the Figaro newspaper last year.
It was a pivotal moment in his life, he explained.
He stayed there two weeks and took in what would form the foundation
of all he has built: "If you nourish the circle of life, life gives
back," he said.
Back in Canada, Laliberte joined a band of street performers in Baie-
Saint-Paul, Quebec, known as le Club des Talons Hauts (the High Heels
Club).
Two years later, in 1984, he obtained a government grant to organize a
show for the 450th anniversary of French explorer Jacques Cartier's
discovery of Canada.
The Cirque du Soleil was born.
It was an instant success, and Cirque caravans set out for cities
throughout Canada and the United States, its performers drawing
ovations night after night.
In the early 1990s its iconic striped big tops were erected in Paris,
London and Tokyo, while the company built its first semi-permanent
installation at the Mirage Hotel on the Las Vegas strip.
It was in this desert oasis in 2006, that Laliberte, by now an
influential entertainment tycoon and jet-setter, introduced "Love" --
a tribute to the Beatles.
Its launch brought together for the first time in decades former
Beatles Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, John Lennon's widow Yoko Ono and
George Harrison's widow Olivia.
Now, Laliberte is looking to breach a new frontier -- space.
In September, he will fly aboard a Soyuz rocket to the International
Space Station, as a tourist.
"I've been introduced in a number of different ways in the past as a
fire-eater, an artist, an entrepreneur, an entertainer, and I have to
admit that today being introduced as a space explorer is quite
something for me," he told a news conference Thursday.
"I am profoundly touched by this," he said, recalling a television
interview during the Cirque's early years in which he quipped: "One
day I hope I can take the Cirque du Soleil into space."
"Twenty-five years on, I am realizing that that dream can become a
reality."
-------------------------------------------------------
"How to Party Like a Cirque Star"
A Special Exceprt from Ian Halperin's New Book
-------------------------------------------------------
Everything you wanted was available at Guys parties drugs, the best
music, the wildest sex
Lalibertés annual Grand Prix party in Montreal every June attracted
A-listers from all over the world. The Sunday night after the big
Formula One race, Laliberté would host a bash at his sprawling mansion
in Saint-Bruno that would usually end up lasting a few days. It became
the highlight of the year for the worlds jet set crowd. Years later,
Laliberté had to move the party to an airport base because of
recurring complaints by neighbours about the incredible noise level
and wild partying. Everyone who attended was awed.
I have attended the finest parties all over the world, but nothing
that compares to this, says Myra Jones, a Milan-based fashion model
who experienced several of Lalibertés parties. Everything you wanted
was available at Guys partiesdrugs, the best music spun by famous
DJs flown in from Europe and the U.S.A., and the wildest sex you could
ever imagine.
Many people in Lalibertés inner circle worked for months in advance
to plan his big bash. One of his close friends, Jake, recalls when
Robert De Niro attended in 2001 while in town shooting the film The
Score, which turned out to be legendary star Marlon Brandos last
flick before he died. De Niro was known for dating beautiful black
women. I rounded up the hottest black strippers, prostitutes and
models in Montreal and invited them to Guys party, Jake reveals.
Guy likes to do anything and everything to please his guests. He
wants them to have the time of their lives at his parties. If he knows
a special guest likes Italian wine, hell have the most expensive
bottles flown in. These are bottles youd never be able to get at a
liquor store in Montreal. Guy pays attention to detail in everything
he does. And he spares no expense.
Lalibertés mountainside home in Saint-Bruno was an architectural gem.
Its security system was one of the most sophisticated in the world.
Laliberté had his own private lake and immense gardens filled with
rows of tall, centuries-old trees.
B-list guests at his parties would be asked to sign confidentiality
agreements before being allowed entrance. Gorgeous women from all over
the world were often present, in addition to many of the worlds
leading entertainment, arts, and business moguls. The fun would
usually last several days before Laliberté would instruct his staff to
turn on the grounds sprinkler system, which was the signal that the
party was officially over.
Everything was permitted, says Abby, a stripper from Las Vegas who
was a regular at his parties. I tripped out for four days. There were
tents, campers, and rooms set up for everyone to sleep in. During the
party there were rooms available for people to have sex in. A lot of
orgies took place. We also did lots of drugs. It was quite the experience.
Despite Lalibertés worries about police interference at his parties,
he refused to lock out his close cop friends. But he made them promise
to turn a blind eye to what was happening.
Essentially it was give and take with the police, journalist Esmond
Choueke says. Guy would let them in if they promised to behave and
have a good time. Lots of cops party hard when theyre off duty. It
was a brilliant strategy on Guys part to make sure the place didnt
get busted, since there was so much sex and drugs. He needed to do
something to ensure a SWAT team didnt descend on his home in the
middle of the party. It would have created headlines all over the
world. He managed to avoid that.
Nevertheless, says a close friend of Lalibertés, By 2003, there was
a lot of heat on Guy to tone it down. He moved the party to the Saint-
Hubert airport and in recent years has just had close friends over for
the Grand Prix weekend. He got tired of dealing with all the crap
involved. Because of previous complaints he made sure no drugs were in
the open and he put a tight rein on how things were organized. It was
a far cry from his parties a few years back when everything you can
think of was totally out in the open.
One group Laliberté did keep off limits was Quebecs notorious chapter
of the Hells Angels. Although he casually knew several leading members
of the biker gang, he didnt go out of his way to invite them to his
parties.
Guy wanted to make sure that his parties exuded class and went off
without any trouble, one of Lalibertés close friends says. He was
never one to try to mix with bikers or undesirables. He knew a lot of
them, but in Montreal its rare to find someone on the party scene who
doesnt have some connection to them. I never noticed bikers at his
parties; if they were there, they certainly were not wearing leather
jackets and leather pants. They would have got in by dressing in more
formal attire. The friend adds that around a thousand of the guests
at the main party would leave the grounds of the mansion the following
morning, while several dozen would be invited to stay on and enjoy the
next couple of days.
The guests who stayed on were treated like kings, the friend says.
They were treated to luxury: the best food, the best drink, and a
relaxing time in the sun. The weather in Montreal that time of year is
usually amazing. Everyones in a great mood because the sun is out and
summer is in the air. But then again, Guys timing is usually
impeccable.
Lalibertés trademark grand entrance to his party would be in the
early hours of the next morning, when hed appear high atop a platform
that was visible to the huge crowd. Hed be shirtless, with the huge
tattoo on his back visible to everyone. Within a few seconds hed
start breathing fire out of his mouth, the way he used to when he was
a busker in the early 80s. It was the rallying cry of his old artist
self. The crowd would go wild, and a huge cheer would engulf the
mansions compound.
Before Laliberté performed there would be an array of Cirque du Soleil
type performers strutting their stuff, including acrobats, jugglers,
clowns, masseuses and fortune tellers. But none could spark the pulse
of the crowd with the same intensity and humility as Laliberté. He was
a more vivid and charismatic performer than any other.
A well-known business executive in Montreal says attending Guys party
was one of the highlights of his life. It had taken him three years to
get an invitationfinally a friend he had in common with Laliberté
arranged it. From the moment he arrived, he was impressed with every
detail.
Ive travelled all over the world but had never experienced anything
like Guys party, he says. In fact, if it had not ended in the wee
hours of the next morning, I could have easily stayed another month.
Each direction you turned there was something incredible going on. I
occasionally smoke pot, but that night I must have had 12 joints,
which were being passed around like candy. I also did several lines of
coke. It felt great to be so fked up in such an amazing atmosphere.
It took me several weeks to recuperate, but I didnt have a single
regret. It was the greatest night of my life.
Former swimsuit and Playboy model Angie Everhart attended Lalibertés
party the same summer she was shooting the film Wicked Minds in
Montreal. Everhart, who is a notorious jet setter and former addict
who has dated the likes of Prince Andrew and Sylvester Stallone, says
the moment you walked through the front doors at Lalibertés mansion,
you immediately felt like you belonged and were completely
transformed.
I loved it, Everhart says. It was beyond crazy; it was complete
insanity for hours. Everyone was so beautiful and so free. It was as
if they all dumped their personal baggage at the door and let
themselves go. And when Guy made his grand entrance spitting fire out
of his mouth, it went from being electric to pandemonium. The music
was deafening, which is the way I like it, and the energy was high,
really high. If there was a straight person in the house they must
have freaked out watching everyone else trip. They would have thought
they were the one on drugs.
Many of the guests brought Laliberté gifts, although he didnt like
receiving them and often gave the items away. He got more pleasure out
of giving and watchingpeople enjoy his big gift to themthe party.
I made contacts that Ill keep for life, says Denis, an informant
close to Cirque. I could never figure out how Guy managed to get so
many people from different parts of the world to attend. It completely
blew my mind. One afternoon when we were all sitting around drinking
and relaxing in the sun, I met a woman who had travelled all the way
from Ecuador. She said she met Guy in Las Vegas at a breakfast diner
and they became good friends. Guy is probably the only person in the
world who could be in a room for less than five minutes and get to
know everyone present and remember all their names. He loves people
more than anything. Its one of his greatest qualities.
Laliberté told friends that his lavish parties were a tribute to them.
He wanted people to have a 1960s feeling of freedom but with a modern
twist. He had a calm assurance that whatever happened at his parties
was right.
He took a giant risk with all the sex, booze, and drugs, says Ted,
a friend of Lalibertés. It could have all collapsed in his face so
easily. It would have taken just one incident like a drug overdose or
a woman saying she was raped and he would have been vilified. Yet the
measures he took to avoid anything like this were far from great.
Sure, he had lots of security and staff on site, but they couldnt
monitor everything that was going on; it would have been impossible to
do so. He put his faith in his friends, and they never disappointed
him. I never even saw a fight break out although there were lots of
guys who were there with their wives doing wife swapping or having fun
with other women. It was a real anything-goes atmosphere. No one
seemed to object.
One of the most bizarre stories I came across while researching this
book came from an L.A. model who spent every cent she had to attend
the party. It took her years to make it to Lalibertés guest list, but
she got in after befriending a Hollywood producer whom she knew had
been friends with Laliberté. She said she bought four designer
outfits, got her hair straightened at the same Beverly Hills salon
where Paris Hilton gets her hair done, and bought herself a $6,000
boob job. All that before airfare, hotel, and travel money. She says
she spent over $20,000 in all. She remembers showing up to Lalibertés
party with scars and red marks on her remodelled chest.
I looked at it as an opportunity of a lifetime, she says. I didnt
want to go and not turn heads. I invested all the money I had and
maxed out all my credit cards. When I arrived at the party it was
everything and more than I expected. I met Guy, and he was so
incredibly down to earth. When it was over, reality sank in. I had
just gone broke over this one crazy night. When I returned to L.A., I
couldnt pay off my debts and was just about to declare personal
bankruptcy.
A couple of weeks later, she says, a man I had exchanged business
cards with at the party called me. He had told me that he produced
commercials for a major network, and I talked to him for around an
hour about how I wanted to break into the acting business. When he
called me in L.A. he asked me to audition for a national TV ad for a
new hair product company. I ended up getting the gig and getting paid
enough to clear my debts and then some. A couple of months later I
landed a network TV pilot. My career started taking off because I took
the risk of flying to Montreal to attend the party. What looked like a
potentially disastrous decision turned into the greatest career move I
ever made.
While thousands of people have enjoyed the extravagance of Lalibertés
renowned parties, many others have wondered how much Laliberté doled
out for them. Rumours on the Internet suggest he spends from hundreds
of thousands all the way to $10 million. A former Cirque executive
claims Lalibertés parties were budgeted into Cirques marketing
plans. He claims the parties usually cost $3 million; nevertheless a
wise investment on Lalibertés part.
No matter how amazing the parties were, I know for a fact that they
would never have taken place if Guy did not see a big return on the
investment, the former executive says. Not to say I want to take any
credit away from him. Hes a master party throwerbetter than Hugh
Hefner, better than any Oscar party.
How does he make money off it? Its simple: he invites some of the
most influential and richest people in the world and treats them like
kings. They go back to their countries and spread the word about how
nice and incredible Guy is. When Cirque tours their respective
countries they open every door for Guy, which in turn guarantees
Cirque success there. Its a brilliant marketing and networking plan,
maybe the most elaborate ever in the entertainment business.
Every time Guy has a premiere, he invests a lot in the opening night
party, the former Cirque executive says. Its a brilliant marketing
strategy. Theres no media person who attends one of these events that
will ever dare to write a bad word about Cirque du Soleil. Theyd
never get invited back. Guy makes it a privilege to get into his
private openings, and the people invited must show respect if they
hope to attend the next one. Amazingly, when Guy dies, I dont know if
hell be remembered more for creating Cirque du Soleil or for his
incredible parties. Either way, I dont think anyone will ever match
him on either level.
Excerpted from Guy Laliberté: The Fabulous Story of the Creator of
Cirque du Soleil by permission of Transit Publishing. Copyright (C)
Ian Halperin, 2009.
=======================================================================
NEXT ISSUE
=======================================================================
Along with more on Cirque du Soleil's 25th Anniversary activites
in Orlando, Florida, next month we'll also have an exclusive
interview with Alain Vinet, Cirque's Musical Director and creator
of the "25" set!
=======================================================================
PARTING QUOTE
=======================================================================
"Saltimbanco was highly charged, filled with high energy.
Alegría is like a poem. You don't know what touched you."
-- Gilles Ste Croix (1995)
=======================================================================
SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION
=======================================================================
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COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER
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Fascination! Newsletter
Volume 9, Number 4 (Issue #66) - July 2009
"Fascination! Newsletter" is a concept by Ricky Russo. Copyright (c)
2001-2008 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
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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.
{ Jul.06.2009 }
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