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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 11, NUMBER 5 May 2011 ISSUE #88e
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CONTENTS
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o) Cirque Buzz -- News, Rumours & Sightings
o) Itinéraire -- Tour/Show Information
* Arena Shows -- In Stadium-like venues
* BigTop Shows -- Under the Grand Chapiteau
* Resident Shows -- Performed en Le Théâtre
* Venue Shows -- Venue & Seasonal Productions
o) Outreach -- Updates from Cirque's Social Widgets
* Club Cirque -- This Month at CirqueClub
* Networking -- Cirque on Facebook, YouTube & Flickr
o) Compartments -- A Peek Behind the Curtain
* Didyaknow? -- Facts About Cirque
* Historia -- Cirque du Soleil's History
o) Fascination! Features
* "Cirque Announces Michael Jackson at Mandalay Bay!"
By: Cirque du Soleil, Press Room Materials
* "Download Cirque Music - Free - Legally!"
By: Keith Johnson - Seattle, Washington (USA)
* "Elvis Presley Lives On Through The Mind [EXPANDED]
Of Erich Van Tourneau"
By: April Savoie - Rockstar Weekly (Special)
o) Subscription Information
o) Copyright & Disclaimer
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CIRQUE BUZZ -- NEWS, RUMOURS & SIGHTINGS
=======================================================================
Check Out Dralion's New Image!
{Apr.12.2011}
-------------------------------------------------
Cirque du Soleil Marketing worked overtime recently to
produce Dralion's new poster image. Check it out here:
< http://www.cirquefascination.com/?p=2452 >
{SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil}
Check Out ZED's New Image!
{Apr.13.2011}
-------------------------------------------------
Yesterday Cirque du Soleil released the new poster image for
Dralion, now touring arenas across the United States. And now,
after digging through some materials on Cirque du Soleils press
site, we find theres also a new poster image for ZED Cirque
du Soleils resident show at Tokyo Disneyland.
< http://www.cirquefascination.com/?p=2455 >
{SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil}
And IRIS!
{Apr.14.2011}
-------------------------------------------------
Cirque du Soleil IRIS at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood
California also released its new image:
< http://www.cirquefascination.com/?p=2458 >
{SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil}
Cirque's Stunt Woman in Chief [EXPANDED]
{Apr.15.2011}
---------------------------------------------
In a large industrial building on the outskirts of Montreal, 14
Russian trapeze artists and six aerialists gathered for
rehearsal in a studio the size of an airplane hangar. They were
in the final months of choreographing "Zarkana," Debra Brown's
11th creation for the circus company Cirque du Soleil. The show
cost $50 million and opens in June at Radio City Music Hall.
"I can't wait to see this," Ms. Brown said as three young
acrobats climbed into metal rings suspended from the 75-foot-
high ceiling. Frantic drum and piano music blared. The rings
spun rapidly, rising and plunging like yo-yos. The women flipped
upside down and arched their backs, as agile as spider monkeys.
They scissored their legs into full splits, pretzeled themselves
into cross-legged positions and dangled by their arms, their
bodies whirling like ceiling fan blades.
Ms. Brown specializes in creating bizarre, hair-raising stunts
that seem physically impossible. In her 25 years with the
company, she has helped transform the circus into an art form.
She developed a routine with four contortionists who twist their
bodies into a single, 16-limbed vehicle. For "O," she
choreographed a wild water ballet with a giant tank of water
serving as a stage, featuring 85 synchronized swimmers, high
divers and acrobats. She discovered that a performer in the show
"On Air" could bounce on a trampoline and play the electric
guitar at the same time; within hours, they had a routine where
he strums and does multiple back flips in a row (his record is
39).
"It was in the show the next day," said performer Dominic
Dagenais, who declined to give his age because "I don't believe
in time."
At 56, Ms. Brown shares her performers' energy. On a recent
morning, she bounded around Cirque du Soleil's international
headquarters, dressed in black yoga pants and a long black scarf
that dragged on the floor. She rehearsed with Mr. Dagenais,
bouncing and dancing on the trampoline and nearly tumbling into
a giant pit of yellow foam cubes. Later, she coached performers
on aerial rings, led a dance workshop for 14 Russian trapeze
artists and worked on a floor routine with two acrobats.
* * *
In her nearly 25 years at Cirque, Debra Brown has had to find
ways to re-imagine familiar circus tricks. Occasionally, she
breaks new ground by developing routines on new or retooled
acrobatic equipment. For an act in "Zarkana," Ms. Brown
choreographed a routine for a new aerial apparatus a ring,
similar to an aerial hoop, that has two smaller loops forming a
distorted figure eight at the top. The extra loops allow
acrobats to dangle more easily from the top of the ring by
hooking an arm or leg through the smaller loop, and to do more
elaborate tricks inside the circle.
During rehearsal, one young woman hung upside down from the
crook of her knee as the ring spun rapidly. Later, she balanced
inside the ring and stretched her legs into splits, tucking her
head behind one leg.
Ms. Brown sparks her creativity by setting limitations. Often,
she'll confine routines to a single prop or apparatus. For a
while, she was obsessed with dance routines that incorporated a
chair. Then it was a wall, then a trampoline an idea that led
her to choreograph "Apoge," a 50-minute trampoline ballet.
"Freedom is having no choice," she said.
Ms. Brown lists Apple co-founder Steve Jobs among the thinkers
that inspire her. She said she lives by his advice delivered
during his 2005 Stanford commencement speech to stay hungry and
stay foolish.
* * *
An Ontario native, Ms. Brown took up gymnastics when she was 9.
After getting degrees in physical education and fine art, she
spent eight years training gymnasts for Canada's national team
and performed as a dancer and choreographer, blending acrobatics
and dance. In her early 30s, Ms. Brown decided to join Cirque du
Soleil, which was then just two years old. Today, the company
employs 5,000 people, including more than 1,300 performers from
nearly 50 countries, and has annual revenues of more than $800
million.
When she's creating a new act, Ms. Brown begins by leading the
acrobats in improvisation sessions to see what they can do.
Often, new tricks emerge. Each morning, she watches video of the
previous day's rehearsal. Once there's an "acrobatic skeleton"
in place, she works on transitions to turn the series of stunts
into a fluid routine. Rehearsal days can last 12 or 13 hours.
Routines can come together in as little as a week or take as
long as a month or two to finalize. Putting an entire new show
together often takes a year. Ms. Brown has been working on
"Zarkana" since last November.
Shows often continue to evolve once they hit the stage. After a
show debuts, the creative team reconvenes to edit numbers and
adjust the tricks and choreography. "Improvisation is part of
our blood," Ms. Brown said.
Ms. Brown generates routines that fit the theme and storyline
developed by each show's creator. She sometimes builds entire
acts based on a single word or phrase, such as "simplicity" or
"heroes." For "Mystere," a permanent Las Vegas-based show about
the origins of life, director Franco Dragone asked for an act
based on the idea of mating birds. Ms. Brown developed a duet
with two dancers in nude-colored bikinis, who perform atop a
dome.
"Zarkana" is more scripted. The plot centers on Zark, a magician
who lost his powers. The creative team has 14 people, including
another choreographer working on different routines.
Uncertainty plays a big role in Ms. Brown's creative process.
Some of the most impressive stunts in a Cirque show come from
unscripted moments in rehearsal, when the acrobats are playing
around on the equipment.
On a recent gray morning, Ms. Brown coached acrobats performing
on aerial rings, trapeze and in a floor routine. The aerialists
ran through their dizzying sequence on the rings three times
before collapsing limply on the mat. "It's definitely really
growing," Ms. Brown said cryptically.
Later, she coached two young acrobats "circus babies" whose
parents are Cirque performers in a routine, guiding them into
different improvised contortions. One of the young women stood
up and took a wide stance, leaned forward with her torso hanging
between her legs, then flipped her torso so that her face and
chest faced the audience. "I want to see it fluid," Ms. Brown
said. "That's rocking." The other acrobat tried the same
contortion, and they practiced it over and over.
"It's all about the questions you ask is this possible?" said
Ms. Brown.
{ SOURCE: Wall Street Journal }
Backstage at KA [EXPANDED]
{Apr.17.2011}
-------------------------------------------------
What happens in Vegas no longer stays in Vegas.
Where once it was possible to fly to the middle of the desert,
get absolutely wrecked on frozen margaritas and warm hookers and
then return to civilization as if nothing had happened, today
its impossible to so much as open a minibar here without
someone taking a photo and broadcasting it on Facebook. Savvy to
this new reality, even the most shitty hotel on the strip
which is to say, The Riviera has a Twitter account.
And yet, despite the millions of tweets and status updates that
flow in and out of Sin City every weekend, Vegas remains a town
to which technology simply cannot do justice.
For a start, the hotels are temples to physical spectacle,
filled with gigantic fountains, exploding pirate ships, gondola
rides, showgirls, lions and tigers and reproductions of
Michelangelos David (oh my). Every bar and casino has a theme
from Jimmy Buffets Margaretaville to the preposterous Pussycat
Dolls lounge in Caesars Palace. You could spend all day watching
clips of this stuff online without even starting to understand
what its like to be here.
Even at the seediest end of the market which is to say, the
sex end where, traditionally, analogue pleasures; strip shows,
adult theaters, even hookers have lost market share to
Internet porn viewed in the comfort of ones own home, the Vegas
sex industry continues to thrive. Passers commission-paid
workers handing out flyers for escort services line the strip,
sometime three deep. Every casino worth its salt has a topless
review and, of course, Nevada is the only state to offer
legalized brothels.
To paraphrase a travel-writing cliche, Las Vegas is a city of
technological contrasts. Nowhere else on planet earth
understands more effectively how to harness technology in order
to deliver overwhelmingly physical experiences. And in Las
Vegas, no experience better demonstrates that tech-reality
hybrid than Cirque du Soleils KÀ.
Its incredible: two giant movable stages move above a gaping
void; the main stage (the sandcliff deck) rotating from level
to vertical and back again while a cast of characters jump and
dance and spin and fly on, below and above it. The Los Angeles
Times said the show may well be the most lavish production in
the history of Western theater. It is surely the most
technologically advanced. Jim Hutchison has some amazing photos
of the sandcliff deck, and the rest of the set, here.
But nothing on YouTube can possibly do justice to how it feels
sitting in the audience during a performance. Each seat has two
speakers built into the back to provide the deeply eerie effect
of being surrounded by voices and noise throughout the
performance. The entire auditorium is ringed by towering metal
gantries, columns and walkways on which, before and during the
show, characters stand, shrieking, yelling and playing drums.
None of that, though, distracts from the sheer balls-out
awesomeness of seeing the giant mechanical stages doing their
thing.
For a start they move silently it really is as if they are
floating in space. And the physical changes they undergo through
the show flat and covered in sand one moment; a vertical cliff
face the next (hence sandcliff deck) is more magical than
anything David Copperfield ever managed to pull off. At one
point in the show just because it can the entire stage turns
into a kind of gigantic Microsoft Surface, on which still
vertical the cast perform a fierce battle scene with
horizontal and vertical running, jumping and flying. Each time a
character lands, the stage explodes with light and colour. Oh,
and then theres an arrow scene, where archers standing on a
gantry fire arrows into the vertical stage; arrows which then
act as climbing pegs for characters to scale the wall, before
jumping 70 feet into the void.
Two years ago, I described seeing ELEW playing piano live on
stage in San Francisco, and how it underscored for me the thrill
of live experiences and how those experiences will never, ever
be replaced by technology. KÀ gave me the same thrill, but with
the added bonus of seeing the amazing potential for technology
to augment live performance. The technology in KÀ delivers real-
world experiences that would have made our theatre-going
grandparents heads explode.
And then things got way, way more interesting.
I guess someone at Cirque du Soleil is a fan of TechCrunch
because, a few days after I arrived in Vegas, an email arrived
from KÀs publicist, Jeff Lovari, inviting me to take a TD
tour of the show. Which is to say, a backstage tour, during an
actual performance, lead by KÀs technical director, Erik
Walstad.
Hell fucking yes.
And so it was on Wednesday of this week, I found myself standing
several stories below seating level, watching a succession of
the worlds most talented acrobats jumping 70 feet from the top
of a floating stage and landing on giant airbags not two feet in
front of me. To explain everything I saw during Eriks 90 minute
tour would probably take me a dozen posts. Instead Im going to
try to cram it all into two: starting here will a few of the raw
facts, and then followed up next week (schedules permitting)
with a video interview with Erik in which Ill ask him to
explain exactly how everything works.
Ok? Ok. Here we go
KÀ took almost a decade from conception to completion. Prior to
the shows opening, the stage from the previous show (EFX) was
torn out and then the entire inside of the MGM Grands theatre
was demolished, leaving just the walls standing. Then diggers
excavated a pit deep into the ground to make way for the shows
main void, and the years-long task of constructing KÀs
enormous set could begin. The distance from the lowest depth of
the void to the highest point of the grid from which acrobats
jump, fly and bungee, is 98 feet.
The main sandcliff deck stage weighs 50 tons and can rotate 360
degrees and tilt from flat to 100 degrees. Watching the stage
move from backstage, youre struck by the amount of noise it
makes: its virtually silent, a feat achieved by housing all of
the hydraulic machinery on the roof of the building.
The lengths taken to ensure the safety of performers are so
extreme that theyre almost comical. At the start of the show
theres a brief scene where a cast members walks from one end of
the stage to the other. To the audience, it appears like the
safest feat in the world the front of the stage is maybe two
feet from the ground. If, however, they could see behind the
performer, theyd realize that the drop on the other side of the
stage is closer to 20 feet. As a result, as the performer walks,
a series of hidden airbags, like those used by stuntmen, inflate
and deflate to provide a cushion should he fall. Its kind of
amazing to watch, a bit like Penn and Tellers classic Sleight
of Hand Explained routine.
Whenever performers are on any of the gigantic floating stages,
an array of airbags supported by two giant nets sits up to
70 feet below them, ready to catch them when they land, either
deliberately or (rarely) accidentally. Traditional safety nets
cant be used on their own because the performers are falling so
fast, theyd simply bounce right back out again.
Due to the large number of performers jumping and landing in
quick succession, each airbag consists of a number of separate
cells, each of which can inflate and deflate independently. When
a performer lands, air is forced out of their target cell, which
is then instantly re-inflated allowing the performer to stand up
and walk away. At some points in the show, this happens several
times a minute.
In case the power should fail during a show, each of the airback
pumps has its own uninterruptible power supply, good for half an
hour, ensuring a safe landing even if all else fails. Half an
hour is probably enough time for someone to land says Erik
dryly.
The arrow scene, where the sandcliff stage becomes a vertical
climbing wall, is a variation of the old carvinal knife throwing
trick. When each archer fires his dummy arrow, a matching
arrow is propelled out of the wallss surface, giving the
illusion that it has hit its target. A little puff of dust
completes the illusion. After that, though, things get more
complicated as performers climb up and down the arrows while
more arrows land and others disappear. To ensure the performers
safety, each arrow (or peg as theyre called) contains a
sensor which prevents it from shooting outwards if someone is
standing or laying on top of it (otherwise theyd be impaled,
which would be bad). Likewise, the pegs can only contract with
less than 20lbs of pressure, so if a performer is still hanging
off one, it stays put. And if all that wasnt enough, the wall
also contains a bank of emergency pegs which can be shot out
to form an escape ladder/bridge if anything goes wrong.
Meanwhile, high about the stage, the technical team has come up
with some other neat safety innovations. In the event that a
wire or harness malfunctions, leaving a performer swinging above
the audience, a fail-safe device automatically lowers them down
over an aisle. Otherwise wed have to evacuate the whole
auditorium to rescue one performer.
Each second of the show is perfectly choreographed, with a stage
manager calling every cue: every inflated and deflated airbag,
every jumper, every movement of the stages. I wore an earpiece
during the show and the level of calmness in her voice as
theatrical chaos reigned on stage was impressive. Even more
impressive was hearing cues being given to performers who were
in the middle of stunts: many of them wear earpieces too, so
they know when its safe to perform certain jumps or falls. If
youve ever watched air traffic controllers at work at a busy
airport, youll have some idea of the concentration and
coordination it takes to call a Cirque show.
The KÀ Theatre seems like a world of its own, but its still
connected in to the MGM fire detection system. Before every
pyrotechnic stunt, the stage manager requests that MGMs fire
officer temporarily override the fire detection equipment in the
theatre for the duration of the stunt; then its switched back
on. This happens three or four times in every show. Because fire
detection can only be overridden before a fire is detected, if
someone actives a fire alarm anywhere in the shops or
restaurants surrounding the theatre then all of KAs pyrotechnic
effects have to stop. Given that the closing of the show is a
huge firework display, this can be something of a problem.
For all the years of technical planning that went in to building
the KA theatre, the designers only thought to include one stage
elevator. As a result, technical staff and performers alike have
to share the same elevator during the show. At one point of the
tour, Erik and I shared an elevator up to the aerial grid with a
gigantic man dressed as a warrior. It was a little weird.
{SOURCE: TechCrunch}
C|Net Q&A [EXPANDED]
{Apr.17.2011}
-------------------------------------------------
If youre looking for powerful brands in the entertainment
business, youd be hard-pressed to find two with more influence
than "Avatar" creator James Cameron and Cirque du Soleil.
So the marriage of the two, on a forthcoming movie project
Cameron is executive-producing (and thats helmed by Shrek and
Chronicles of Narnia director Andew Adamson) promises to offer
fans a compelling mixture of the Cirques unique hybrid of
artistry, acrobatics, music, and showmanship and Camerons
mastery of the latest filmmaking technologies.
This partnership is just one of the latest coups Cirque
President and CEO Daniel Lamarre can boast of, along with recent
collaborations resulting in Beatles-, Elvis-, and Michael
Jackson-themed shows.
The Cirque has come a long way from its humble roots on the
streets of Montreal. These days, it is very, very big business,
with 2010 revenues of $800 million and an expected haul of $1
billion this year. From founder Guy LaLiberte's street troupe to
today's behemoth that has 22 shows around the world including an
amazing seven permanent shows in Las Vegas alone, Cirque du
Soleil is clearly one of the most respected brands in showbiz.
Look at the Beatles-themed "Love," or the Elvis or upcoming
Michael Jackson shows. Some powerful people have made it clear
they trust this band of French-Canadians with some of the most
valuable content in the history of entertainment.
Behind the scenes, Laliberte has transitioned out of day-to-day
management, and that responsibility has become the purview of
Lamarre. And with new shows opening soon in Los Angeles, New
York, and elsewhere, there's never been a more important time
for the Cirque to have a steady hand on the wheel.
Last week, CNET caught up with Lamarre as he swung through San
Francisco on his annual Presidents Tourduring which he visits
each and every show and all the companys employeesfor a
viewing of Quidam, one of Cirques oldest shows. Quidam is
also one of three Cirque shows that have been transformed in
recent years from traveling with the companys iconic big top
tents to a new-style arena show. And with the shows rousing
music playing in the background as the performers rehearsed,
Lamarre explained why he tours the world each year checking in
on his empire, and how technology and expansion are taking
Cirque du Soleil to the next level, even as it has repackaged
some of its oldest hits.
Q. Could you start off by telling me a bit about the partnership
with James Cameron and Andrew Adamson?
Daniel Lamarre: It started with a modest project that we wanted
to do. I had the privilege of meeting with James Cameron three
months prior to the opening of "Avatar," and I invited him to
come to Montreal to visit our studio. By the time he came to
Montreal, we were planning to do this 3D movie with Andrew
Adamson, and James decided he wanted to join as executive
producer. We were flattered that he would accept to get
involved, and so here we are, producing a show in partnership
with James, and having the privilege of having Andrew Adamson as
the director. So it's quite a 5-star team to have James and
Andrew working together.
Q. This is a movie?
Lamarre: This is a 3D movie. The story is very simple. It's a
couple falling in love in a traditional circus, and then they
fall into a surreal world and they're running after each other
and keep losing each other, but they're running from one surreal
world to another surreal world, and all those worlds are the
seven Cirque du Soleil shows in Las Vegas.
Q. What does Cameron bring to it besides his name?
Lamarre: He brings his knowledge of technology. Also, James is
an adventurer, so we couldn't resist the temptation of shooting
from the roof of "Ka" when he was there with his camera, or
shooting from the water in "O." He really brought his expertise,
because everybody agreed that he is by far the best man in the
industry right now in terms of 3D technology. So he's bringing
his experience, and he's more involved than we thought he would
be, because he's passionate about everything he does. He was
with Andrew most of the time that we were shooting this movie.
And we were really, really impressed to see how dedicated he
was.
Q. Is he bringing any of the technology he developed for
"Avatar" or his underwater projects to the film?
Lamarre: He has his own production company, and that's the
technology he's bringing, and we hope it's a beginning of a
collaboration with him, because he's so advanced in new
technologies that we want to really capitalize on his expertise.
I truly believe that one day you will see a merger between [3D
film and live shows], or at least you will see 3D technologies
influence live shows. And we want to be among the first to use
3D technology in live shows.
Q. What would that look like?
Lamarre: Let's look at the show we're developing right now for
Michael Jackson. As you know, Michael had a huge visual
component in his shows, so just imagine a trapeze artist right
in front of you, but behind her there are some 3D special
effects that will merge with her performance, and give a lot of
depth to what she's doing. Maybe you have one trapeze which is
live, and maybe you have 1,000 trapezes behind her in 3D. So
that's what I mean by merging the 3D technology with the live
performance, and that's what we're exploring now.
Q. Tell me about the President's Tour.
Lamarre: My objective is this. Those people are the people that
are in the trenches: the technicians, the artists--they're the
ones making the miracle happen every night. And I don't want to
be in my office in Montreal gauging what's going on in the
world, so that's why I do this annual tour, where I meet all the
employees, first to inform them about where we are as an
organization, what are our objectives, here's the new projects.
And more importantly, I'm here to listen to them. I always say
the best benefit of the tour is that if there are some things
going wrong somewhere, I'm able to go back to Montreal and fix
it. It's very important for me to see all the shows. Are they in
good shape, are people happy, is the spirit good, how does the
audience react in each market? I cannot manage an organization
that is so organic as Cirque du Soleil from my office in
Montreal. I have to be where the action is, and the action is
happening onstage.
Imagine a trapeze artist right in front of you, but behind her
there are some 3D special effects that will merge with her
performance, and give a lot of depth to what she's doing. Maybe
you have one trapeze which is live, and maybe you have 1,000
trapezes behind her in 3D.
Q. Cirque du Soleil is going through some big transformations,
adding different kinds of shows. What do you think Cirque du
Soleil will be like in three years or five years? Will we
recognize it?
Lamarre: When I joined the Cirque 10 years ago, we had 4 touring
shows and 3 permanent shows. Today we have 10 permanent shows, 9
touring shows, and we're adding 3 more touring shows in the next
few months, so next year, we'll have 22 shows. We said to
ourselves, we'll do content diversification, and we did that
with shows like the Beatles show and the Elvis show, and now the
two Michael Jackson shows--one touring and one permanent. We
also did a cabaret show with "Zumanity," and an epic show with
"Ka," and a magic show with Chriss Angel. So we diversified the
content. And with the Elvis, Michael Jackson, and Beatles shows,
we created a new category of show, a hybrid between a musical
and a Cirque show, and I think there is still potential for us
to grow that segment with other famous artists' catalogues.
Q. How "Hollywood" is the new L.A. show, "Iris?"
Lamarre: It's more like the history of the movie business than
Hollywood, because we didn't want to fall in the trap of, "Why
are you using this movie and not this other movie?" and then
after two years, your show is outdated. So we decided to go the
way of the history of movies first, and then pay tribute to some
genres of movies. So in 10 years it will still be accurate
because it's not tied into a specific moment in the history of
movies.
Q. And you're taking over the Kodak Theater, former home of the
Oscars?
Lamarre: It's amazing. Just in front of the Kodak Theater, there
are 18 million tourists just walking by on the Walk of Fame, so
we believe there is really a market to be captured there,
because people go there, walk on the Walk of Fame, and then
there's nothing to do. Now, hopefully, they will walk into the
theater and see a show that has the potential of becoming a
flagship. I never in the past had so much support from a city
and a community. The Hollywood community is behind us. The Los
Angeles community is behind us. Because there's never been a
permanent show in Los Angeles. So everybody hopes we will become
the flagship of the city.
Q. You've got 22 shows, including 7 in Las Vegas, and you're
adding more. But the world economy is not in good shape. Is
this sustainable?
Lamarre: We took a very gutsy position: right in the middle of
the economic crisis, we decided to continue to grow. And we
think that this is going to work, because we had the financial
solidity to do that, and we could pick the best markets when it
was tougher. But we don't think that we're at maturity yet as a
product. Because there are still a lot of countries that we have
not visited yet.
Q. What about Las Vegas, which has been hammered by the
recession?
Lamarre: We've been very lucky that we have such a dominant
presence in Las Vegas. It means that we have a huge power
position when it comes to ticket sales. If you try to buy a
ticket for "O" tonight, we may say, "We're sorry, 'O' is sold
out, but we can sell you a ticket for 'Ka' or 'Mystere.'" The
group effect played in our favor and despite the financial
crisis, we sold over 4 million tickets in Las Vegas last year,
so we're still in very good shape there.
Q. Tell me about the idea to do the arena shows, to do
"Alegria," "Quidam," and "Saltimbanco" in arenas instead of
the big top.
Lamarre: The idea came from our frustration with not being able
to visit secondary markets. Because for a big top show, you have
to sell at least 100,000 to 120,000 tickets, so you need to be
in big cities, otherwise it won't work. And we keep receiving
comments from people in smaller cities saying, "You never visit
us, we would love to see Cirque to Soleil." And by adding arena
shows, we have added close to 175 new cities around the world
where we've never been before. And what's happening is that
those cities sometimes will develop so much of a fan base that
it will then justify going back with a big top show.
Q. So what would you say is the difference between the Cirque
and other circuses?
Lamarre: I like to think that we have created a new category of
show. Because, try to describe to a friend that has never seen a
Cirque show, how do you describe it? You will start by saying,
"Oh, by the way, it's not a circus show." But there are
acrobats, and there are dancers, and the music is important, and
the costumes are different, and the scenography is different. So
I like to sum that up by saying, "You know what? It's Cirque du
Soleil.
Q. I read that Cirque du Soleil brought in $800 million in
revenue last year, and you're hoping for $1 billion this
year. Is that right?
Lamarre: Yes. And I think the three new shows might change our
life, because if they're successful, just adding one permanent
show, like Los Angeles, if it's successful, it would change our
profitability. And Michael Jackson, I just don't know how great
it's going to be, but we sold 200,000 tickets in 24 hours, so
it's an amazing success ahead of us. And each individual show
can change our life dramatically.
{SOURCE: C|Net Blogs}
Vote on NEW Zumanity Posters
{Apr.19.2011}
-------------------------------------------------
Cirque du Soleil, through its Zumanity Facebook page, released
concepts for new images for Cirques more sensual show:
Zumanity. So what do you think?
Check out the new posters here! (Facebook):
< http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?
fbid=10150166050298847&set=a.
10150166050123847.307047.13931088846 >
Cirque MJ at Mandalay Bay! [EXPANDED]
{Apr.20.2011}
-------------------------------------------------
Cirque du Soleil, Mandalay Bay and the estate of Michael Jackson
announced Wednesday that an unparalleled and extensive
relationship will be unveiled at a press conference next
Wednesday.
A permanent celebration to The King of Pop in Las Vegas will
be announced, according to a press release.
The three parties announced last November that The Immortal
world tour would include a Dec. 3-11 engagement at Mandalay Bay.
Wednesdays press conference will open with comments from Jerry
Nadel, Cirques senior vice president of resident shows division
before a panel of four representatives fields media questions.
The panel participants will be Daniel Lamarre, President and
Chief Operating Officer of Cirque du Soleil; John Branca, co-
executor of The Michael Jackson Estate; Jamie King, writer and
director of "The Immortal" world tour; and Chuck Bowling,
president and chief operating officer of Mandalay Bay Resort
& Casino.
The tour will begin in Montreal in October and travel to select
North American cities for the first leg. It is anticipated the
rest of the schedule and other cities will be announced at the
press conference next week, along with details of the "permanent
relationship" with Mandalay Bay.
{SOURCE: Norm! Las Vegas Review Journal}
Cirque at Old Amway Arena [EXPANDED]
{Apr.21.2011}
-------------------------------------------------
Cirque du Soleil rehearses ZARKANA inside the old Amway Arena in
Downtown Orlando...
# # #
Gymnasts hurtle through the air where concertgoers used to wait
for beer and nachos.
Peering from an Orlando Magic poster, Dwight Howards face
stares over rows of colorful costumes, while women intently work
at sewing machines.
Where basketball players once worked out, makeup artists apply
eye shadow to acrobats.
For the past few weeks, Cirque du Soleil has taken over the
discarded Amway Arena, and the corridors are once again humming
with energy.
It is absolutely wonderful, said Alan Johnson, Orlando venues
executive.
Not only was Johnson pleased to see the building in use again,
the city has received a financial windfall through the deal.
Cirque du Soleil pays $2,500 per day plus expenses to rent the
arena, Johnson said, but that isnt the full financial impact.
Two hundred employees and contractors from out of town are
staying in our hotels, eating in our restaurants, said Johnson.
About 100 Central Floridians have worked on the project as well.
Considering we didnt count on revenue from that space during
this time, its a great economic boost, Johnson sai
Cirque du Soleil executives were thrilled to find the space.
They are developing Zarkana, a show that will debut at New
Yorks Radio City Music Hall in June. But filling Radio Citys
giant stage meant creating a set too big to fit in Cirques
facilities in Montreal.
We put it all together here for the first time, said the
productions technical director, David Churchill. We needed
somewhere with high ceilings and no support beams in the way.
Cirque, which began loading its equipment into the arena Feb.
28, also needed a space that would be available for two months.
It was not an easy combination of factors.
There was a big search, said artistic director Ann-Marie
Corbeil. At one point, an airplane hangar in Canada was
considered. I thought, in the middle of winter? Thats going
to be fun, she said.
Corbeil had personal reasons for favoring Orlando: She spent
nearly a decade working at the Downtown Disney resident Cirque
show, La Nouba, as the original general stage manager and
later artistic director.
I was really happy to go back to my old home, she said.
Churchill was pleased that because of the arenas impending
demolition, his team was allowed more leeway in adapting the
facility for Cirques use. For added stability, the rigging
constructed to practice aerial stunts was sunk into holes
drilled into the floor.
That caused a surprise when the drills ran into the pipes that
carried glycol to freeze the floor for hockey and skating shows.
Workers patched the pipes and carried on. After an engineering
study, Cirque also reinforced the roof so it could support
hanging 300,000 pounds of scenery.
It has been perfect, Churchill said. Theres plenty of space;
the facilities here are fantastic.
The arena will be demolished by December to make way for the
Creative Village, a 20-year project to develop housing,
educational institutions and high-tech businesses on the site.
For now, though, creativity of a different sort is on display.
Men walk a high wire on scaffolding erected on the old arena
floor. On the concourse, a woman delicately applies paint to a
pair of shoes, while another costumer dyes fabric.
Friday, Cirque will begin packing up more than 40 tractor-
trailers to head north.
We will finish here with an idea of what the show exactly will
be, Corbeil said. Its always exciting.
{SOURCE: Orlando Sentinel}
O Tour Enhances Appreciation of Cirque's
Creativity [EXPANDED]
{Apr.22.2011}
---------------------------------------------------
Thats gotta be one of the biggest O(h)
no moments in Las
Vegas show history, right there.
Its down in what they call the light tunnel of Cirque du
Soleils O. Victor Rybushkin is sharing a view of the liquid
stage from underwater, through submarine-type portals in the
depths of Bellagio. The portals are made of 4-inch composition
glass, he tells a small tour group. Four is a key number,
because they almost settled for 2.
Then he shows the group why its good they didnt. They were
working in the pool and somebody put a light in there, he
explains. But someone went home and left the light floating
underwater.
The next day, they come in and they smell something. They cant
find it, so they came down here, and they find out the light
burned about 2 inches of this glass, he says, pointing to a big
blister in the window.
The 2 remaining inches kept 1.5 million gallons of water from
flooding the room and the electrical panels in it, and perhaps
other backstage areas.
* * *
O lived to tell the tale, at least through the mouth of
Rybushkin, who spent 11 years prowling these corridors as an
original cast member.
Cirques superstar Las Vegas title is said to be a show with no
stars, but thats not true. The star is the stage itself. You
can even book some quality time with it, thanks to these
backstage tours on Fridays and Saturdays.
The tours are run by Entertainment Benefits Group, a third-party
ticket vender operating outlets around town as Tickets & Tours.
The $260 upgraded ticket about $88 more than the show alone,
but including perks beyond the tour is also available for
Cirques other steady hit, Love.
But its O that serves as a constant reminder of the skys-
the-limit imagination that fueled the Strip back in 1998. The
theater went up at the same time as Bellagio itself. The grand
plan was a shape-shifting liquid stage with a giant, automated
revolving wheel overhead; details of the actual content were
fine-tuned on the fly.
The first thing I remember when they brought us all in on one
of the first days, and they turned on the lights in the pool.
Nothing was ready yet, recalls Rybushkin, a competitive diver
from Volgograd, Russia.
They just kind of played with the lifts and showed us the
colors in the pool. We were like, Wow. They could do the show
with just the pool. They dont even need us.
That turned out to be a modest assessment from a guy who learned
how to jump off a 60-foot high dive several times per week,
before giving it up in 2009.
During the show were not just jumping from here, he says from
the backstage deck where the tour group gets to peer down from
the same height as a busy crew of technicians. We run and climb
the ladder first. And when youve got 60 feet of climbing and
turn around and have to jump off, that makes it even more
difficult.
What went through his mind before each plummet?
I have my little prayer before I go.
* * *
Rybushkin has a safer gig now, offering tours of the place where
he sat on the green rooms waterproof furniture between shows,
and where he met his wife, Anna, who still performs in the show
as a trapeze artist who balances on her head and swings.
He trades bursts of information in his Russian accent with
congenial American co-guide Trinity Price. She has never dived
60 feet, but juggles a classroom of first-graders at Matt Kelly
Elementary School.
Peeking backstage can drain the magic out of many a show. Props
fold into storage areas. Costumes are always more garish in
normal light. And the hallways with sign-in sheets and time
clocks are always
well, as Brad Pitt quipped in Oceans
Eleven: They say taupe is very soothing.
But the O tour only seems to enhance appreciation of the
nightly clockwork involving 85 performers who speak at least 16
languages.
You see their training room and the wing space of the stage
where they stand under shower heads or space heaters to stay
warm. You see costumes drying under giant blasters; each
performer runs through at least four per show. Everyone comes on
to the set dry, and everyone leaves wet.
You learn that the pieces of the stage had to be hand-drilled
with thousands of holes, because nobody made one that way. The
water from the pool is not going anywhere. Its the actual stage
that has so many holes, thats why the water goes through the
holes. The water just stays in the pool. It doesnt drain
anywhere, Rybushkin explains.
You see where scuba divers hover underwater to steer performers
clear of the hydraulic lifts when the pool is full of bubbles,
and the ropes they sometimes use to steer themselves.
But everyone knows the show so perfectly that even with closed
eyes, you can find where you go, Rybushkin says.
Its an amazing place to visitors, but just like home to him.
{ SOURCE: Mike Weatherford, Las Vegas Review Journal }
ÉQUIFOLIA at TOHU 2011!
{Apr.27.2011}
-------------------------------------------------
800 children from the Saint-Michel neighbourhood to be
introduced to equestrian circus at TOHU this summer!
A partnership between Cirque du Soleil, the Fédération équestre
du Québec via its Équi-Qualité-certified members and TOHU will
introduce children of the Saint-Michel neighbourhoodamong the
most at-risk in Canadato equestrian circus. ÉQUIFOLIA, an
activity aimed at Saint-Michel day camps, will be offered at
TOHU in July.
ÉQUIFOLIA is a series of Cirque-style equestrian games that will
allow participants to learn while having fun. The project aims
to achieve psychomotor, social and relational objectives via a
safe, fun experience filled with humour, creativity and poetry.
Gaétan Morency, Vice-President of Global Citizenship, explains:
The project is in line with continuing efforts to develop the
Cité des arts du cirque and its spinoffs for the community by
seeking to make Montreal an international circus arts capital.
Respect, discipline, cooperation, attention, patience, self-
confidence, the ability to be assertive but tactful, physical
fitness and sense of responsibility are just some of the
benefits to be gained by spending time with horses.
Since horse-riding is at the root of circus arts, and in the
broader aim of eventually incorporating equestrian art into the
Cité des arts du cirque, this pilot project is a perfect fit
with TOHUs threefold mission of Circus, Earth and People.
{SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil}
=======================================================================
ITINÉRAIRE -- TOUR/SHOW INFORMATION
=======================================================================
o) BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau
{Corteo, Koozå, OVO, Totem & Varekai}
o) ARENA - In Stadium-like venues
{Saltimbanco, Alegría, Quidam, Dralion
& Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour}
o) RESIDENT - Performed en Le Théâtre
{Mystère, "O", La Nouba, Zumanity, KÀ, LOVE,
ZAIA, ZED, Believe & VIVA Elvis}
o) VENUE - Venue & Seasonal productions
{Iris & Zarkana}
NOTE:
.) While we make every effort to provide complete and accurate
touring dates and locations available, the information in
this section is subject to change without notice. As such,
the Fascination! Newsletter does not accept responsibility
for the accuracy of these listings.
.) Dates so marked (*) are not official until released by Cirque
du Soleil.
For current, up-to-the-moment information on Cirque's whereabouts,
please visit our website: < http://www.CirqueFascination.com/ >.
------------------------------------
BIGTOP - Under the Grand Chapiteau
------------------------------------
Online at: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?page_id=39 >
Corteo:
Madrid, ES -- Apr 2, 2011 to Jun 5, 2011
Valencia, ES -- Jun 16, 2011 to Jul 10, 2011
Alicante, ES -- Jul 28, 2011 to Aug 28, 2011
Sevilla, ES -- Sep 8, 2011 to Oct 9, 2011
Paris, FR -- Nov 4, 2011 to Dec 30, 2011
Barcelona, ES -- Jan 19, 2012 to Mar 18, 2012
Koozå:
Tokyo, JPN -- Feb 2, 2011 to July 18, 2011
Osaka, JPN -- Aug 4, 2011 to Oct 10, 2011
Nagoya, JPN -- Nov 23, 2011 to Jan 22, 2012
Fukuoka, JPN -- Feb 9, 2012 to Apr 1, 2012
Sendai, JPN -- Apr 19, 2012 to Jun 3, 2012
Ovo:
Cincinnati, OH -- Apr 21, 2011 to May 15, 2011
Minneapolis, MN -- May 26, 2011 to Jun 12, 2011
Chicago, IL -- Jun 30, 2011 to Jul 31, 2011
Calgary, AB -- Sep 7, 2011 to Sep 25, 2011
Seattle, WA -- Nov 17, 2011 to Dec 22, 2011
Santa Monica, CA -- Jan 20, 2012 to Mar 25, 2012
Mexico City, MX -- TBA
Totem:
Pittsburgh, PA -- May 12, 2011 to Jun 5, 2011
Montreal, QC -- Jun 16, 2011 to Jul 17, 2011
Toronto, ON -- Aug 11, 2011 to Sep 4, 2011
San Francisco, CA -- Oct 21, 2011 to Dec 18, 2011
London, UK -- Jan 6, 2010 to Jan 29, 2012
Varekai:
Seoul, SKR -- Apr 6, 2011 to May 29, 2011
Manila, PH -- Jun 22, 2011 to Jul 10, 2011
São Paulo, BR -- Sep 15, 2011 to Nov 27, 2011
Rio De Janeiro, BR -- TBA
Belo Horizonte, BR -- TBA
Brasilia, BR -- TBA
Recife, BR -- TBA
Salvador, BR -- TBA
Curitiba, BR -- TBA
Porto Alegre, BR -- TBA
------------------------------------
ARENA - In Stadium-Like Venues
------------------------------------
Online at: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?page_id=1831 >
Saltimbanco:
Asia-Pacific
------------
Perth, AU -- Apr 21, 2011 to May 8, 2011
Adelaide, AU -- May 12, 2011 to May 22, 2011
Melbourne, AU -- May 25, 2011 to Jun 5, 2011
Hobart, AU -- Jun 15, 2011 to Jun 19, 2011
Brisbane, AU -- Jul 8, 2011 to Jul 17, 2011
Newcastle, AU -- Jul 20, 2011 to Jul 24, 2011
Sydney, AU -- Jul 27, 2011 to Aug 7, 2011
Wollongong, AU -- Aug 17, 2011 to Aug 21, 2011
Auckland, NZ -- Aug 25, 2011 to Sep 4, 2011
Russian Tour
------------
Ekaterinburg, RU -- Oct 15, 2011 to Oct 23, 2011
Kazan, RU -- Oct 26, 2011 to TBA
Moscow, RU -- Nov 2, 2011 to TBA
St. Petersburg, RU -- Nov 16, 2011 to TBA
Alegría:
North American Tour
-------------------
Southaver, MS -- Apr 27, 2011 to May 1, 2011
Roanoke, VA -- May 4, 2011 to May 8, 2011
Columbia, SC -- May 11, 2011 to May 15, 2011
Toledo, OH - May 18, 2011 to May 22, 2011
Louisville, KY -- Jun 9, 2011 to Jun 12, 2011
Nashville, TN -- Jun 15, 2011 to Jun 19, 2011
Tampa, FL -- Jun 22, 2011 to Jun 26, 2011
Jacksonville, FL -- Jun 29, 2011 to Jul 3, 2011
Raleigh, NC -- Jul 6, 2011 to Jul 10, 2011
Florence, SC -- Jul 13, 2011 to Jul 17
Sunrise, FL -- Jul 20, 2011 to Jul 31, 2011
Charlotte, NC -- Aug 3, 2011 to Aug 7, 2011
Estero, FL -- Aug 10, 2011 to Aug 14, 2011
European Tour
-------------
Oberhausen, DE -- Sep 7, 2011 to Sep 11, 2011
Leipzig, DE -- Sep 14, 2011 to Sep 18, 2011
Stuttgart, DE -- Sep 21, 2011 to Sep 25, 2011
Munich, DE -- Sep 28, 2011 to Oct 2, 2011
Salzburg, AT -- Oct 5, 2011 to Oct 9, 2011
Berlin, DE -- Oct 12, 2011 to Oct 16, 2011
Bremen, DE -- Oct 19, 2011 to Oct 23, 2011
cologne, DE -- Oct 26, 2011 to Oct 30, 2011
Frankfurt, DE -- Nov 2, 2011 to Nov 6, 2011
Mannheim, DE -- Nov 9, 2011 to Nov 13, 2011
Quidam:
Ontario, CA -- Apr 27, 2011 to May 1, 2011
Reno, NV -- May 4, 2011 to May 8, 2011
Sacramento, CA -- May 11, 2011 to May 15, 2011
London, ON -- Jun 2, 2011 to Jun 5, 2011
Hamilton, ON -- Jun 8, 2011 to Jun 12, 2011
Wilkes-Barre, PA -- Jun 15, 2011 to Jun 19, 2011
Ottawa, ON -- Jun 22, 2011 to Jun 30, 2011
St. John's, NL -- Jul 6, 2011 to Jul 10, 2011
Saint John, NB -- Jul 13, 2011 to Jul 17, 2011
Halifax, NS -- Jul 20, 2011 to Jul 24, 2011
Providence, RI -- Jul 27, 2011 to Jul 31, 2011
Hershey, PA -- Aug 18, 2011 to Aug 21, 2011
Baltimore, MD -- Aug 24, 2011 to Aug 28, 2011
Amherst, MA -- Sep 7, 2011 to TBA
State College, PA -- Sep 14, 2011 to Sep 18, 2011
Fort Wayne, IN -- Sep 21, 2011 to Sep 25, 2011
Hartford, CT -- Sep 28, 2011 to TBA
Reading, PA -- Oct 5, 2011 to TBA
Pittsburgh, PA -- Oct 12, 2011 to TBA
Milwaukee, WI -- Oct 19, 2011 to TBA
Washington, DC -- Nov 16, 2011 to TBA
Fayetteville, NC -- Nov 23, 2011 to TBA
Greenville, SC -- Nov 30, 2011 to TBA
Hampton, VA -- Dec 7, 2011 to TBA
Worcester, MA -- Dec 14, 2011 to TBA
Toronto, ON -- Dec 20, 2011 to TBA
Dralion:
Green Bay, WI -- Apr 29, 2011 to May 1, 2011
Rockford, IL -- May 4, 2011 to May 8, 2011
Kansas City, MO -- May 11, 2011 to May 15, 2011
Abbotsford, BC -- Jun 2, 2011 to Jun 5, 2011
Eugene, OR -- Jun 8, 2011 to Jun 12, 2011
Portland, OR -- Jun 15, 2011 to Jun 19, 2011
Victoria, BC -- Jun 22, 2011 to Jun 26, 2011
Penticon, BC -- Jun 29, 2011 to Jul 3, 2011
Edmonton, AB -- Jul 6, 2011 to Jul 10, 2011
Saskatoon, SK -- Jul 13, 2011 to Jul 17, 2011
Winnipeg, MB -- Jul 20, 2011 to Jul 24, 2011
Frisco, TX -- Jul 27, 2011 to Jul 31, 2011
Indianapolis, IN -- Aug 3, 2011 to Aug 7, 2011
Atlanta, GA -- Aug 25, 2011 to Aug 28, 2011
Duluth, GA -- Aug 31, 2011 to Sep 4, 2011
Albany, NY -- Sep 7, 2011 to TBA
Syracuse, NY -- Sep 14, 2011 to TBA
Binghampton, NY -- Sep 20, 2011 to TBA
Glens Falls, NY -- Sep 24, 2011 to TBA
Portland, ME -- Sep 28, 2011 to TBA
Cypress, TX -- Nov 17, 2011 to TBA
Beaumont, TX -- Nov 23, 2011 to TBA
Springfield, IL -- Nov 30, 2011 to Dec 4, 2011
Richmond, VA -- Dec 7, 2011 to TBA
Montreal, QC -- Dec 19, 2011 to TBA
Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour:
Montreal, QC -- Oct 2, 2011 & Oct 3, 2011
Ottawa, ON -- Oct 7, 2011 to Oct 8, 2011
Hamilton, ON -- Oct 12 & Oct 13, 2011
Detroit, MI -- Oct 15, 2011
London, ON -- Oct 18, 2011
Toronto, ON -- Oct 21, 2011 to Oct 23, 2011
Winnipeg, MB -- Oct 26, 2011
Saskatoon, SK -- Oct 29, 2011
Edmonton, AB -- Nov 1 & Nov 2, 2011
Vancouver, BC -- Nov 4, 2011 to Nov 6, 2011
Seattle, WA -- Nov 9 & Nov 10, 2011
Spokane, WA -- Nov 12, 2011
Portland, OR -- Nov 18, 2011
Salt Lake City, UT -- Nov 29, 2011
Las Vegas, NV -- Dec 3, 2011 to Dec 27, 2011
Phoenix, AZ -- Dec 30, 2011
Boise, ID -- Jan 3, 2012
Denver, CO -- Jan 6 & Jan 7, 2012
Sacramento, CA -- Jan 10 & Jan 11, 2012
San Jose, CA -- Jan 13, 2012
Oakland, CA -- Jan 18, 2012
San Diego, CA -- Jan 21, 2012
Anaheim, CA -- Jan 24, 2012
Los Angeles, CA -- Jan 27 & Jan 28, 2012
St. Louis, MO -- Feb 7, 2012
Houston, TX -- Feb 10 & Feb 11, 2012
New Orleans, LA -- Feb 15, 2012
Tulsa, OK -- Feb 18, 2012
Kansas City, MO -- Feb 21, 2012
Indianapolis, IN -- Feb 24, 2012
Miami, FL -- Mar 2, 2012
Milwaukee, WI -- Mar 16, 2012
Montreal -- Mar 20, 2012 to Mar 22, 2012
Quebec City, QC -- Mar 24 & Mar 25, 2012
Minneapolis, MN -- Mar 27, 2012
Newark, NJ -- Mar 30, 2012
New York City, NY -- Apr 3, 2012 to Apr 5, 2012
Uniondale, NY -- Apr 7, 2012
Philadelphia, PA -- Apr 10 & Apr 11, 2012
Pittsburg, PA -- Apr 13 & Apr 14, 2012
State College, PA -- Apr 24, 2012
Worcester, MA -- May 16, 2012
Dayton, OH -- Jun 6, 2012
Columbus, OH -- Jun 9, 2012
Atlanta, GA -- Jun 29, 2012
Montreal, QC -- Jul 6 & Jul 7, 2012
Washington, DC -- Jul 13, 2012
Cleveland, OH -- Jul 17, 2012
---------------------------------
RESIDENT - en Le Théâtre
---------------------------------
NOTE: (*) Prices are in United States Dollars (USD) unless otherwise
noted.
(*) Ticket prices exclude the 10% Live Entertainment Tax, the
$7.50 per-ticket processing fee, and sales tax where
applicable.
Online at: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?page_id=40 >
Mystère:
Location: Treasure Island, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Saturday through Wednesday, Dark: Thursday/Friday
Two shows Nightly - 7:00pm & 9:30pm
2011 Ticket Prices (adult) / (child 5-12):
o Category 1: $109.00 / $54.50
o Category 2: $99.00 / $49.50
o Category 3: $79.00 / $39.50
o Category 4: $69.00 / $34.50
o Category 5: $60.00 / $30.00 (Limited View)
2011 Dark Dates:
o May 8-11
o July 6
o September 3-7
o November 2
2011 Added Performances:
o July 14th
o December 30th
"O":
Location: Bellagio, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Wednesday through Sunday, Dark: Monday/Tuesday
Two shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:00pm
2011 Ticket Prices:
o Orchestra: $150.00
o Loggia: $130.00
o Balcony: $99.00
o Limited View: $93.50
2011 Dark Dates:
o June 12
o August 10-14
o October 9
o December 5-18
La Nouba:
Location: Walt Disney World, Orlando (USA)
Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday
Two shows Nightly - 6:00pm and 9:00pm
2011 Ticket Prices (adults) / (child 3-9):
o Category 0: $120.00 / $97.00
o Category 1: $105.00 / $85.00
o Category 2: $85.00 / $69.00
o Category 3: $69.00 / $56.00
o Category 4: $55.00 / $45.00
2011 Dark Dates:
o May 17-28
o July 26
o September 20-24
o November 22
Zumanity:
Location: New York-New York, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Friday through Tuesday
Dark: Wednesday & Thursday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:30pm and 10:00pm
2011 Ticket Prices (18+ Only!):
o Duo Sofas: $129.00
o Orchestra Seats: $105.00
o Upper Orchestra Seats: $79.00
o Balcony Seats: $69.00
o Cabaret Stools: $69.00
2011 Dark Dates:
o June 21
o August 26-30
o Septembre 2-6
o October 17-18
o December 16-20
2011 Added Performances:
o November 23rd
o December 31st
KÀ:
Location: MGM Grand, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark Sunday/Monday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
2011 Ticket Prices (adult) / (child 5-12):
o Category 1: $150.00 / $75.00
o Category 2: $130.00 / $65.00
o Category 3: $99.00 / $49.50
o Category 4: $69.00 / $34.50
2011 Dark Dates:
o May 31 - June 4
o July 12
o August 30 - September 7
o November 15-16
2011 Added Performances:
o May 29
o November 27
o December 26
o December 31
LOVE:
Location: Mirage, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Thursday through Monday, Dark: Tuesday/Wednesday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
2011 Ticket Prices:
o Lower Orchestra: $150.00
o Upper Orchestra: $130.00
o Lower Balcony: $99.00
o Middle Balcony: $93.50
2011 Dark Dates:
o May 16
o June 6
o August 4-8
o October 3
o December 1-12
2011 Added Performances:
o May 18th
o December 28th
o December 31st
ZAIA:
Location: Venetian, Macao (China)
Performs: Every Day, Dark: Wednesday
One to Two Shows Daily - Times Vary
2011 Ticket Prices (adult) / (child 2-11):
o VIP Seating: MOP$ 1288 / MOP$ 1288
o Reserve A: MOP$ 788 / MOP$ 394
o Reserve B: MOP$ 588 / MOP$ 294
o Reserve C: MOP$ 388 / MOP$ 194
ZED:
Location: Tokyo Disneyland, Tokyo (Japan)
Performs: Varies
One to Two Shows Daily - Showtimes vary
2011 Ticket Prices (Non-Peek / Peek Time):
o Category 1 ("Premium"): ¥15,000 / ¥16,000
o Category 2 ("Stage-Side"): ¥12,500 / ¥13,500
o Category 2 ("Center"): ¥12,500 / ¥13,500
o Category 3 ("Wide View"): ¥9,500 / ¥10,500
o Category 4 ("Value"): ¥7,500 / ¥8,500
BELIEVE:
Location: Luxor, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Friday through Tuesday, Dark: Wednesday/Thursday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 10:00pm
NOTE: Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by
an adult. Children under the age of five are not permitted
into the theater.
2011 Ticket Prices (all):
o Category 1: $160.00
o Category 2: $130.00
o Category 3: $109.00
o Category 4: $89.00
o Category 5: $59.00
2011 Dark Dates:
o June 7-14
o September 6-10
o December 6-17
VIVA ELVIS:
Location: Aria, Las Vegas (USA)
Performs: Tuesday through Saturday, Dark: Sunday/Monday
Two Shows Nightly - 7:00pm and 9:30pm
2011 Ticket Prices
o Category 1: $175.00
o Category 2: $150.00
o Category 3: $125.00
o Category 4: $99.00
2011 Dark Dates:
o May 10-11
o July 5-16
o September 13-14
o November 8-12
2011 Added Performances:
o May 29th
o November 27th
o December 26, 31
--------------------------------------
VENUE - Venue & Seasonal Productions
--------------------------------------
Online at: < http://www.cirquefascination.com/?page_id=251 >
IRIS:
Location: Kodak Theatre, Hollywood, CA (USA)
Performs: Opens July 22, 2011
Times: TBA
2011 Ticket Prices
Previews:
Category 0 = $203.00
Category 1 = $100.50
Category 2 = $78.00
Category 3 = $59.25
Category 4 = $33.00
Weekday Matinee:
Category 0: $253.00
Category 1: $123.00
Category 2: $93.00
Category 3: $68.00
Category 4: $43.00
Saturday Matinee:
Category 0: $253.00
Category 1: $133.00
Category 2: $103.00
Category 3: $78.00
Category 4: $43.00
ZARKANA:
Location ///
New York, NY -- Jun 9, 2011 to Sep 4, 2011
Moscow, RU -- Feb 2, 2012 to Apr 26, 2012
Performances ///
2011 Dark Dates:
o June 13-15, 20-22, 27-28
o July 4, 11, 18, 25
o August 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Ticket Prices ///
Previews:
Category 1 = $250.00
Category 2 = $120.00
Category 3 = $70.00
Category 4 = $47.00
Fri Eve, Sat Mat, Sat Eve, Sun Mat:
Category 1: $300.00
Category 2: $130.00
Category 3: $75.00
Category 4: $52.00
Tues Eve, Wed Mat, Wed Eve, Thurs Eve,
Fri Mat, Sun Eve:
Category 1: $250.00
Category 2: $130.00
Category 3: $75.00
Category 4: $52.00
=======================================================================
OUTREACH - UPDATES FROM CIRQUE'S SOCIAL WIDGETS
=======================================================================
o) Club Cirque -- This Month at CirqueClub
o) Networking -- Cirque on Facebook, Youtube & Twitter
---------------------------------------
CLUB CIRQUE: This Month at CirqueClub
---------------------------------------
FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF VIVA ELVIS:
ONE YEAR OF 'HIT MOMENTS'
{Apr.13}
From the very beginning of his career, hearing Elvis sing was an
unforgettable, spectacular experience for millions of people. Viva
ELVISa tribute to his work and lifecontinues to bring those magical
moments to us all. To mark the shows first anniversary on February
19, a few colleagues on the production decided to share their best
memory of Viva ELVIS so fartheir number one moment.
We travelled to the UK to perform on a television show called
Strictly Come Dancing [to promote Viva ELVIS]. This experience was a
highlight for me. When we were presented with the opportunity to go to
England during the casts week long vacation, I wasnt confident that
we could accomplish this feat. However, everyones willingness to give
up their vacation as well as the artistic and technical support was
overwhelming! I am grateful to be part of such an amazing team!
- Ann Paladie, Publicist
The number one moment for me was the night that company management
planned an event after the show for the entire cast and crew, old and
new, to watch the video of the shows very first Lions Den. [This is
when Viva ELVIS was presented in whole for the first time to Guy
Laliberté.]
We sat as a group with a soda and bucket of popcorn to watch what we
had been working on so hard to complete. For once, there were no e-
mails, phone calls or stage announcementswe were able to just sit and
absorb the actual show on the screen. For me, it was the first time
sitting in the house and actually watching the show. Its amazing how
far weve come.
- Charles McCafferty, Assistant Head of Automation
During creation, after a particularly hard week, there was a random
night when the majority of the crew got together at a local bar. It
was the first time that we all hung out and got to know each other
with more than just a nod in the hallway. It was, for me, the night
that we began building this amazing community that we have.
- Dawn Marie Bernhard, Wig and Makeup Technician
One of my favorite memories that marked the first year of Viva ELVIS
was when we went to Los Angeles to perform on the television show
Dancing with the Stars. They flew us to L.A. on our very own private
plane and we didnt even have to check through security! We rehearsed
Blue Suede Shoes on set at the CBS Studios, and it felt surreal to be
where so many great artists and performers had been before. Performing
on the show was truly an adrenaline rush because the studio audience,
especially our friends and family, were extremely energized and loud!
From beginning to the end, this will be an experience I will never
forget.
- Noëlle Ménard, Artist
I have many great memories of our first year here at Viva ELVIS! I am
very proud of the whole team and all we have done to get this show up
and running. I often think of the night the performers first came to
the building. As the lifts were raised to the stage with all of us
technicians on it, we were greeted by the overwhelming applause of the
performers in the house. There was so much excitement and pride in the
air. It was very memorable.
- Stephanie Weiss, Assistant Head of Lighting
I would have to say that my highlight was when rap-artist Snoop Dogg
came with his family to see the show. He is not the typical artist
that you would expect to be influenced by Elvis; but in the elevator
down to his car, he told his son: I take you home and let you listen
to some more. This man started it all. That really put Elvis reach
and importance into perspective. We are caring for a very precious
cargo.
- Tony Ricotta, Company Manager
SHARE WITH US HOW CIRQUE DU SOLEIL
INFLUENCES YOU!
{Apr.14}
We have been collecting letters that you, dear Cirque Club members,
have sent to us over the years. Here as thanks for your kind notes and
to highlight what a few of you shared about how Cirque du Soleil has
inspired your everyday lives:
Cirque Du Soleil is all about moving the body in an artistic and
creative way and it had inspired me to use that creative method to
help my patients increase their functional mobility [by applying]
principles of strength, endurance, and flexibility into the treatments
with my patients.
- Physical therapist, Cirque du Soleil fan since 2000
It has shown me infinite creativity is possible with my own artistic
work. Not to be afraid of trial and error and to lead with the heart
rather than the mind.
- Aspiring magician, Cirque du Soleil fan since 1993
Cirque du Soleil has inspired me to be more creative, to see past the
ordinary, and reach for the extraordinary. Its helped me to find
humor in everyday situation. To see the humanity in others and
appreciate their differences. In a world of conflict and divisiveness,
Cirque du Soleil made the world a bit friendlier.
- Cirque du Soleil fan since 1986
Often, Ive taken the visual cues of Cirque artists as a jumping off
point for my work The colors of their extravagant costumes, the
sounds and rhythms of their music, even the emotions they make me
feel.
- Graphic designer, Cirque du Soleil fan since 2004
It seems like forever that I have been telling my students "Think
outside of the box!" It was not until I saw my first Cirque du Soleil
that I realized that "the box" was within my own mind. Cirque to me is
the embodiment of "I can, and I will." To me, and my clients, the
body with its imperfections is no longer an excuse for not exercising
the extremes of the mind. You have taught me, to teach my people,
that nothing is as it seems, and that they can surpass any disability
by allowing their mind to transcend reality.
- Director of a Disabled Veteran Training Facility,
Cirque du Soleil fan since 2006
Your notes are inspiring and we hope to hear more on how Cirque du
Soleil influences you. Thanks and please continue sharing with us!
MEET GABRIEL DUBE-DUPUIS
GENERAL STAGE MANAGER OF QUIDAM
{Apr.19}
Gabriel Dubé-Dupuis, general stage manager of Quidam, shares some of
his experiences with Cirque du Soleil and previews the show for Fanny
Kiefer on Shaw TV's Studio 4 in Vancouver, Canada.
Watch the Video:
< http://www.youtube.com/embed/zgWpkvMLvtI >
YOUR BEHIND THE SCENES THROUGH
OUR NEW EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS!
{Apr.26}
Your request for more behind the scene footage was heard, Cirque Club
Members! We present to you a series of new exclusive videos in which a
few of our Cirque crew members share about their different roles in
the process of bringing magic to life night after night. See firsthand
what it is like to work backstage on tour.
Alegría invites you behind the scenes with 3 videos...
o) Inside Alegría - Backstage Community:
Meet Alan Parry, General Stage Manager, and Michael G. Smith,
Senior Artistic Director. Hear them talk about the importance of
the collective energy of the cast, and see a glimpse of the
atmosphere backstage before the show begins.
< http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/cirque-club/news/2011/2011-04-26-
exlusive-new-videos/inside-alegria-backstage-community.aspx >
o) Inside Alegría - Make-up:
Meet Natalie Gagné, Make-up Designer, and Elodie Dufau, Power
Track Character. Hear them describe the make-up process artists
go through for every show.
< http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/cirque-club/news/2011/2011-04-26-
exlusive-new-videos/inside-alegria-make-up.aspx >
o) Inside Alegría - Power Track act:
Meet team members of the Power Track act as they talk about
their work as an ensemble on the show.
< http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/cirque-club/news/2011/2011-04-26-
exlusive-new-videos/inside-alegria-power-track.aspx >
And one for Corteo...
o) Head of Wardrobe for Corteo:
Julie de Carufel, Head of wardrobe for Corteo, talks about the
role of the wardrobe team on tour.
< http://www.cirquedusoleil.com/en/cirque-club/news/2011/2011-04-26-
exlusive-new-videos/inside-corteo-head-of-wardrobe.aspx >
---------------------------------------------------
NETWORKING: Cirque on Facebook, YouTube & Twitter
---------------------------------------------------
---[ "O" ]---
{Apr.12}
"If theres one show thats a must-see in Vegas, O is it."
LINK /// < http://jetsetextra.com/the-extra/featured/las-vegas-
g-rated-fun-in-the-city-of-sin.html >
---[ ALEGRIA ]---
{Apr.28}
Live from Memphis! We visited "the King", the Sun Studio, were
special guests @ Redbirds Baseball Game, Red Man invited as the
Honorary Duckmaster at The Peabody... And now, we offer you our
show! Alegria!
LINK /// < http://livefrommemphis.com/theintruder/9061-review-
cirque-du-soliels-qalgeriaq >
{Apr.23}
Happy 17th Birthday Alegria!
FOTO [3] /// < http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?
set=a.10150219797450746.361826.38543815745 >
{Apr.20}
Thanks to your warm welcome Biloxi!
LINK /// < http://www.sunherald.com/2011/04/16/3033396/alegria-
returns-to-coast.html >
{Apr.16}
Sneak Peek into our world, our daily reality!
VIDEO /// < http://vimeo.com/20622375 >
{Apr.12}
Every week we hand paint all the shoes, making sure their
colors are bright and perfect. We count more than 150 pairs
on tour.
FOTO [3] /// < http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?
set=a.10150210432735746.352196.38543815745 >
{Apr.10}
Alegria: "It's like a two-for-one special at a supermarket on
Venus."
LINK /// < http://www.atlanticcityweekly.com/arts-and-
entertainment/features/Witness-Alegria-Before-it-Passes-
Through-Town-Cirque-du-soleil-boardwalk-hall-
119476454.html >
---[ CRISS ANGEL BELIEVE ]---
{Apr.27}
Did you see Criss' new commercial last night?
LINK /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFpKyGZUCyw >
---[ CORTEO ]---
{Apr.20}
Cirque du Soleil cast on ABC.es
VIDEO /// < http://www.abc.es/20110418/cultura/rc-troupe-cirque-
soleil-201104180028.html >
{Apr.10}
Corteo en Informe Semanal: Cirque du soleil desde dentro!
LINK /// < http://www.rtve.es/alacarta/videos/informe-
semanal/informe-semanal-emocion-bajo-carpa/1069698/ >
{Apr.08}
Corteo en Telemadrid....
LINK /// < http://www.telemadrid.es/?q=programas%2Fbuenos-dias-
madrid%2Fel-circo-del-sol-en-madrid >
{Apr.07}
Cirque du Soleil cast on ABC.es
VIDEO /// < http://www.abc.es/20110407/cultura-teatros/abci-
circo-201104070453.html >
---[ DRALION ]---
{Apr.30}
Seen in the Green Bay Press Gazette website this morning!
Dralion has 4 more shows to go at the Resch Center in Green Bay!
LINK /// < http://greenbayhub.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/
20110430/GPG0506/110430009/-Dralion-soars-stunning-
precision?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Cimg%7CFRONTPAGE >
{Apr.29}
Stay tuned for more behind the scenes visuals on Fox 11 in Green
Bay, WI!
LINK /// < http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-
snc6/226410_10150587034610195_39340140194_
18904929_2332992_s.jpg >
LINK /// < http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-
ash4/225736_10150587037635195_39340140194_
18904954_883170_s.jpg >
LINK /// < http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-
snc6/229126_10150587121655195_39340140194_
18905885_1235599_s.jpg >
{Apr.28}
Setting up at the Resch Center in Green Bay!
LINK /// < http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-
snc6/222953_10150586147895195_39340140194_
18895891_6730994_s.jpg >
{Apr.26}
The Alliant Energy Center doors are open for tonight's
performance of Dralion in Madison. See backstage preview!
LINK /// < http://www.nbc15.com/ >
{Apr.25}
Getting ready for 2 performances at the Veterans Memorial
Coliseum at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison!!! Woohoo!
LINK /// < http://host.madison.com/entertainment/arts_and_
theatre/article_77adaab2-3a16-5223-91b4-9c4c6cf87414.html >
{Apr.24}
Behind the scenes at the Peoria Civic Center
LINK /// < http://www.centralillinoisnewscenter.com/news/local/
A-Crash-Course-At-Cirque-Du-Soleil-120524014.html?vid=a >
{Apr.18}
Dralion to perform in Quad Cities and opens on Tuesday at the I
Wireless Center for 2 shows only!!!! Come see us!
LINK /// < http://qctimes.com/entertainment/arts-and-
theatre/theatre/article_88c4a970-661e-11e0-84fd-
001cc4c002e0.html >
{Apr.10}
Amazing show last night at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux
City! Only 2 shows to go!
LINK /// < http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/news/local/
article_c2d20f2b-83aa-5130-846a-951b3e61a759.html >
{Apr.09}
More photos from today's rehearsal at the Tyson Events Center.
Only 2 shows to go in Sioux City, IA
LINK /// < http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/news/collection_
782abfcc-cd74-52b4-8887-f6018dd95792.html >
{Apr.09}
Getting ready for tonight's premiere of Dralion at the Tyson
Events Center in Sioux City, IA.
LINK /// < http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/app/videos/?
id=79420131 >
{Apr.05}
Ready to go in Fargo, ND! Dralion is opening tonight at the
FARGODOME! Three performances only.
LINK /// < http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/
314697/group/Life/ >
{Apr.03}
Dralion by Cirque du Soleil added 8 new photos to the album
Celebrating Dralion 4000th performance.
LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?
set=a.10150515488870195.653621.39340140194 >
---[ IRIS ]---
{Apr.19}
The first video glimpses of IRIS rehearsals in Montréal.
Experience cinema in a whole new light with IRIS! Previews begin
July 21, exclusively at Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles - tickets
on sale here: http://bit.ly/cdsirisst
LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?
v=654778446818&oid=161171830587832&comments >
---[ KOOZA ]---
{Apr.28}
How many of you brought your kids to work for "Take Your Child
to Work" Day? Here at KÀ we played host to kid-at-heart Paul
Carr from TechCrunch. I'm happy to say he plays well in the
"cork"-box with the other kids.
LINK /// < http://techcrunch.com/2011/04/24/backstage-at-cirque-
du-soleil%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98ka%E2%80%99-part-two-our-stage-is-
the-worlds-largest-giant-kitchen-drawer-tctv/ >
{Apr.14}
So we hear there's going to be a big pageant-like wedding soon
in another kingdom far, far away. Here in the world of KÀ we
have our own pageant celebration 10 times each week, and
recently a local writer and martial arts instructor gave us
their take on that opening scene.
LINK /// < http://www.lasvegasweekly.com/blogs/
cleverboy/2011/apr/08/slo/ >
{Apr.08}
Last week we invited KÀ artists and staff to bring their
families and friends to the theatre to see where we work
everyday. Playing in the cork seemed to be the highlight for
children of all ages! Fun fact: After more than 3,000 shows, KÀ
has dumped over 6 million pounds of cork after each beach scene!
LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?
set=a.10150231354636929.352786.31527171928 >
---[ LA NOUBA ]---
{Apr.28}
There are so many fun photos to share! We'll add a few here and
there so you can get an insider's view of life at La Nouba.
LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?
set=a.10150164531974902.304524.16315569901 >
{Apr.15}
It had been a while since I first saw the Cirque du Soleil show
at the Walt Disney World Resort called La Nouba. Okay, it had
been 12 years. But after youve seen a show once, do you really
need to see it again? In the case of La Nouba, the answer is
yes.
LINK /// < http://theorlandoblog.com/2011/04/13/la-nouba-seeing-
it-again-for-the-first-time/?utm_medium=twitter&utm_
source=twitterfeed >
---[ MJ IMMORTAL ]---
{Apr.29}
The first-ever Estate-authorized Michael Jackson Fan Fest will
give fans an up-close look at Michael Jackson memorabilia, items
from Neverland Ranch, a behind the scenes look at the creation
of Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour with Q&A sessions
with members of the creative team, and more!
LINK /// < http://bit.ly/lqHd78 >
{Apr.28}
Catch the first-ever Estate-authorized Michael Jackson Fan
Fest during Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour visit at
Madalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas starting December 3,
2011!
LINK /// < http://bit.ly/kAn4NL >
{Apr.04}
Greg Phillinganes and Kevin Antunes, Musical Director and
Musical Designer for Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour,
talk about Michael's musical dynamics and their excitement to be
working on this show celebrating Michael.
LINK /// < http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4Sh57GRe60 >
---[ MYSTERE ]---
{Apr.14}
Slightly less well-known than Christmas or Thanksgiving is
International Moment of Laughter Day, which is today! We decided
to bring a moment of laughter to some of our friends in Las
Vegas who work hard every day selling tickets to our shows. Tell
us something that made you laugh today!
LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?
set=a.10150210473794919.341252.18155469918 >
---[ OVO ]---
{Apr.27}
Dont give up on 'Ovo' just yet. Assuming the water recedes as
expected, 'Ovo' will resume Tuesday, officials said, with enough
shows to accommodate anyone who had a ticket for a canceled
performance.
LINK /// < http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20110427/
ENT07/304270111/Cirque-du-Soleil-adds-performance?
odyssey=mod >
{Apr.24}
Rain Closes Cirque du Soleil and Racetrack
LINK /// < http://www.local12.com/News/Local/story/Rain-Closes-
Cirque-du-Soleil-and-Racetrack/bKVnca-SSEKe79w2QgijvA.cspx >
{Apr.04}
Opening in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 21, 2011. Some of the
'bugs" from the show stopped by Cincinnati's Opening Day parade
to interact with the crown and teach the Bug Dance.
LINK /// < http://www.vimeo.com/21811587 >
---[ QUIDAM ]---
{Apr.28}
Great behind the scenes pictures from Ontario, CA local
photographer David Bauman
LINK /// < http://www.pe.com/multimedia/slideshow/2011/
20110428_cirque/pages/01CIRQUE28J.html >
{Apr.22}
Backstage with Quidam
LINK /// < http://losangeles.broadwayworld.com/videoplay.php?
colid=229218 >
{Apr.20}
Quidam in Long Beach
FOTO /// < http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?
set=a.10150164357152046.291057.35752277045 >
{Apr.07}
Quidam Food story in the San Francisco Chronicle
LINK /// < http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%
2F2011%2F04%2F07%2FDD3P1IKV1V.DTL >
{Apr.06}
Scene from Rehearsal of Cirque du Soleil's Quidamsfist.com
Before Cirque du Soleil's Quidam opens tonight at the Cow
Palace, this acrobat defies gravity during a taut routine. Kudos
to you, sir.
LINK /// < http://sfist.com/2011/04/06/scene_from_bare-
chested_rehearsal_o.php >
---[ SALTIMBANCO ]---
{Apr.26}
Spectacular circus skills that milk every heart-in-the-mouth
Moment | CIRQUE du Soleil began life in Canada in 1982. It did
away with wild animals, aiming to give buskers the profile they
deserved under the big top, which it did with theatrical flair
LINK /// < http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/arts/
spectacular-circus-skills-that-milk-every-heart-in-the-
mouth-moment/story-e6frg8n6-1226044138858 >
{Apr.23}
Happy 19th birthday Saltimbanco!! It all started on April 23,
1992!! 12million spectators later, Saltimbanco is still going
strong!!
{Apr.20}
Opening tomorrow night in Perth! Forget everything you know
about the Challenge Stadium, the show looks great! Very intimate
venue!
LINK /// < http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/
video/watch/24967812/ >
{Apr.18}
See Saltimbanco's Cyclist!
LINK /// < http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-
ash4/216018_10150217385957959_41245692958_
8580113_1638305_s.jpg >
---[ TOTEM ]---
{Apr.15}
Behind-the-Scenes look with the Crystal Ladies artists in TOTEM
LINK /// < http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/region/
baltimore_city/cirque-du-soleil-comes-to-baltimore >
{Apr.15}
Head of Wardrobe LIVE on Good Morning Maryland!
LINK /// < http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/entertainment/head-of-
wardrobe-shows-off-cirque-du-soleil-totem-costumes >
{Apr.13}
Check out the videos of FOXDC LIVE backstage at TOTEM from
Cirque du Soleil in Baltimore this morning! WATCH the TOTEM
costumes with Publicist Émilie Nadeau, LISTEN to the TOTEM music
with Band Leader Charles Dennard and ENJOY the manipulation act
backstage with artist Greg Kennedy!
LINK /// < http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/mornings/holly_live/holly-
morris-cirque-du-soleil-041311 >
{Apr.09}
Cirque du Soleils TOTEM wows Baltimore City | Dont worry about
the aspirational narrative. Its merely a loose framework for a
colorful, glittery and fast-paced series of acrobat and trapeze
acts performed on a stage so small that just about everybody is
right in front of, and sometimes in, the action.
LINK /// < http://baltimoreguide.com/http:/baltimoreguide.com/
cirque-du-soleils-totem-wows-baltimore-city/ >
{Apr.09}
Cirque du Soleil's 'Totem' opens | Cirque du Soleil's "Totem"
opened April 6 in Baltimore under the trademark blue-and-yellow
Grand Chapiteau at Westport Waterfront.
LINK /// < http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/arts/bal-
cirque-totem-opening-pictures,0,6748514.photogallery >
{Apr.07}
Totem Cake!
< http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=204067022947329&set=
a.111837202170312.12495.111798252174207&type=1&ref=nf >
---[ VIVA ELVIS ]---
{Apr.08}
Check out this video and get to know Kristin & Michael who
perform Suspicious Minds...and are World Champions!
VIDEO /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?
v=10150159978927002&oid=167136344108&comments >
---[ ZARKANA ]---
{Apr.28}
Our new TV spot begins airing in the NYC area on Monday - but
here is an early look just for our Facebook fans!
VIDEO /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?
v=10150163580093640&oid=139797212738843&comments >
{Apr.28}
Zarkana Character Photos
FOTO /// < http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?
set=a.179594145425816.48352.139797212738843 >
{Apr.07}
Discover the delightfully twisted story behind Zarkana and take
in glimpses of the rehearsals of this epic spectacle set out to
take audiences into a highly-acrobatic fantastical and
suspenseful world.
LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?
v=651513549698&oid=139797212738843&comments >
---[ ZED ]---
{Apr.24}
Thank you so much KOOZA, for coming down to our dress rehearsal
and giving us cheer from the house!! We love you!!!
FOTO /// < http://photos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-
snc6/224990_10150274411686164_41326571163_
9419125_5105408_s.jpg >
{Apr.22}
ZED starting from TOMORROW!! April the 23rd!!! We will be
waiting for your at the theater!
FOTO /// < http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?
set=a.10150271618136164.394825.41326571163 >
{Apr.06}
While we are in Macau, one of our family "ZAIA", celebrated
their 1000 performances. We would like to send them our
congratulations and best wishes. After their 1000 performances,
ZAIA, KOOZA and ZED, 3 shows from Cirque du Soleil took a photo
together on the stage. We were pleased to be in part of their
special day.
FOTO /// < http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-
ash4/208492_10150254674086164_41326571163_
9229963_1504003_s.jpg >
---[ ZUMANITY ]---
{Apr.26}
New Zumanity Posters Round 2 | We've added Round 2 of our new
Zumanity creative into this album so you can vote for your
favorite. Leave a comment under your most loved poster, and we
will tally the votes. The poster with the most votes will
compete with the poster selected from Round 1. Why vote? Because
the winning poster will be distributed to fans at a select
showing of Zumanity in the near future. Voting starts now and
ends on Saturday 4/30. Remember, a comment or a like counts so
vote today!
LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?
set=a.10150173172128847.320873.13931088846 >
{Apr.25}
And the winner of Round 1 of the new Zumanity Poster is....
FOTO /// < http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-
snc6/215758_10150172047463847_13931088846_
6786757_1891987_s.jpg >
{Apr.18}
New Zumanity Posters Round 1 | We've added Round 1 of our new
Zumanity creative into this album so you can vote for your
favorite. Leave a comment under your most loved poster, and we
will tally the votes. The poster with the most votes will
compete with the poster selected from Round 2. Why vote? Because
the winning poster will be distributed to fans at a select
showing of Zumanity in the near future. Voting starts now and
ends on Saturday 4/23. Remember, a comment or a like counts so
vote today!
LINK /// < http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?
set=a.10150166050123847.307047.13931088846 >
{Apr.12}
Zumanity Performs at Jeffrey Sanker's White Party
LINK /// < http://www.mydesert.com/article/20110403/
LIFESTYLES0109/104020344/White-Party-draws-performers-
valley-enlists-their-support-gay-issues >
FOTO /// < http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?
set=a.10150160439308847.305596.13931088846 >
======================================================================
COMPARTMENTS -- A PEEK BEHIND THE CURTAIN
=======================================================================
o) DIDYAKNOW - Facts at a Glance about Cirque
o) HISTORIA - Cirque du Soleil History
---------------------------------
DIDYAKNOW? - Facts About Cirque
---------------------------------
o) Didyaknow all of the 150 technicians and 85 cast members at "O"
have scuba certification? 14 technicians work underwater during
every performance.
o) Didyaknow that each of the four carousel horses in the show
weighs 750 pounds (340 kilograms)?
o) Some set pieces in IRIS are 6 stories high!
o) Close to 50 people are part of the costume creation unit
responsible for delivering all 200 costumes needed for the show.
o) Did you know that the heads of the 72 artists in IRIS are scanned
and 3D printed in order to produce all of the hats and wigs in the
show?
o) There are six different body tattoo designs on the unitards worn by
the Archers and Spearmen in KA!
o) Did you know that all KÀ artists apply their own make-up, and it
takes from 45 minutes to two hours to complete.
o) The sound system at KÀ by Cirque du Soleil weighs 43,868 pounds.
o) Did you know? Director and choreographer Jamie King has helped
create some of the hottest touring shows ever for superstars
including Madonna, Rihanna, Celine Dion, Britney Spears and Pink.
o) Is your desk a little cluttered? You could be looking at part of a
Mystère costume! Piano Wire, Fishing line, Urethane and metallic
gift paper are some of the unusual items used in the costume shop!
o) Here's a fun fact to make those of you who may have spilled your
lunch down your shirt feel a bit better: the Chinese Poles unitards
last an average of three weeks.
o) If the show cable in Mystère was laid out end to end, it would
stretch from Treasure Island on Las Vegas Blvd. to the Californian
border. (A Spermato or two would really liven up that drive, don't
you think?)
o) The lighting and electrical grid in our theatre is 80 feet above
the stage. For you baseball fans out there, that's only 10 feet
less than the distance between home and first! What would the
Mystère roster look like? Red Bird on the mound?
o) LOVE fun fact! The Culbutto (Fireman's) Ladder weighs 1,500 lbs.
500lbs for the ladder and wheels, and another 1,000lbs of
counterbalance weight.
o) LOVE fun fact! The VW Bug Crash/Breakaway Car is much more
expensive than a real car. It has no internal parts, is so light
the entire car can be pushed with one finger, and the 11 sections
are all held together with magnets.
o) Viva ELVIS fun fact! The American flag used in the Return to Sender
scene is comprised of 48 boxer shorts, 207 long johns and the
weight of the laundry is 224 lbs!
o) Let's spice up Hump Day with a Zu fun fact: There are more than
5,500 costume pieces worth over $6 million at the fabulous
Zumanity! That's what we call some pricey pieces ;)
------------------------------------
HISTORIA: Cirque du Soleil History
------------------------------------
* May.01.1986 -- Cirque Performs at Expo 86 in Vancouver
* May.01.2003 - Cirque nominated for Drama Desk Awards:
Outstanding Set Design in a Musical Stephane Roy
Outstanding Costume Design Eiko Ishioka
Outstanding Sound Design Francois Bergeron
Unique Theater Experience - Varekai
* May.02.2000 -- Journey of Man (IMAX) premiered in USA
* May.02.2000 -- Journey of Man CD Released in US/Canada (RCA/Victor)
* May.02.2006 - Cirque announced Macau permanent production
* May.02.2007 - Cirque announces Dubai 2010 show
* May.04.2006 - Dralion opened Valencia
* May.04.2006 - Varekai opened Seattle
* May.05.2006 - Saltimbanco opened Buenos Aires
* May.05.2010 - Alegría Arena opened St. Louis, MO
* May.06.2004 - Quidam opened Vancouver
* May.06.2004 - Alegría opened New York City
* May.06.2009 - Saltimbanco Arena opens Gainesville, FL
* May.07.1987 -- Le Cirque Réinventé Premiered in La Salle
* May.08.1990 -- Nouvelle Expérience Premiered in Montréal
* May.08.2006 - Cirque announced Elvis-themed productions
* May.08.2008 - Koozå opened Philadelphia, PA
* May.08.2009 - Cirque Vaudeville Announced/Presale
* May.09.2002 -- Quidam opened Pittsburgh
* May.09.2008 - Koozå CD unofficially Available
* May.10.2007 - Alegría opened Saint-Denis, France
* May.11.1986 -- Cirque leaves Expo 86
* May.11.2000 -- Saltimbanco Pacific-Northwest Tour Began (Portland)
* May.11.2007 - Corteo opened Columbus, Ohio
* May.11.2007 - Cirque Celebrates 20 Years in Los Angeles
* May.12.2005 - Quidam opened Adelaide
* May.12.2010 -- Alegría Arena opened Kansas City, MO
* May.13.2006 - La Nouba celebrated 3500th performance [Saturday, 6:00pm]
* May.13.2006 - Dralion celebrated its 2500th performance [Valencia, Spain]
* May.13.2009 - Saltimbanco Arena opens Tallahassee, FL
* May.13.2010 - Varekai opened Cologne, DE
* May.14.1985 -- 1985 Tour Began in Montréal [Vieux-Port de Montréal]
* May.14.2008 - Saltimbanco Arena opened Albuquerque, NM
* May.15.1997 - Alegría opened Munich
* May.15.2003 - Dralion opened Montreal
* May.15.2008 - Alegría opened Porto Alegre, Brazil
* May.15.2009 - Cirque opened Eurovision Song Contest Finale
* May.17.2005 -- Solarium-Delirium CD Released (CDS Musique)
* May.18.1986 -- Le Magie Continue opened Sherbrooke
* May.18.1987 -- Le Cirque Réinventé opened Sherbrooke
* May.18.1989 -- Le Cirque Réinventé opened Chicago
* May.18.2000 - Quidam opened Bilbao
* May.18.2003 - Cirque loses Drama Desk Awards (nominated 5/1/03)
* May.18.2006 - Quidam opened Ottawa
* May.19.1995 -- Saltimbanco opened Munich
* May.19.2006 - Varekai opened Baltimore
* May.19.2010 -- Alegría Arena opened Salt Lake City, UT
* May.20.1999 -- Alegría premiered permanently in Biloxi, Mississippi.
* May.20.2007 - Quidam opened Seoul, South Korea (first time in Korea!)
* May.20.2009 - Saltimbanco Arena opened Jacksonville, FL
* May.20.2010 - Saltimbanco Arena opened Sheffield, UK
* May.21.2003 - Quidam opened Nagoya
* May.21.2004 - CirqueCon 2004: Vancouver Began (through 5/24)
* May.21.2008 - Saltimbanco Arena opened Boise, ID
* May.21.2009 - Corteo opened Nagoya, Japan
* May.21.2009 - Criss Angel likeness unveiled in wax at Madame
Tussauds Las Vegas
* May.21.2010 - Banana Shpeel official Gala Premiere
* May.22.1992 -- Fascination Premiered in Tokyo (Until Sep.)
* May.22.1998 - Alegría opened Hamburg
* May.23.2007 - Dralion opened Sendai, Japan
* May.24.2002 - Mystère celebrated 4000th performance [Friday, 7:30pm]
* May.25.1988 -- Le Cirque Réinventé opened New York City
* May.26.2009 - ZAIA, Alegría Remastered CDs Released
* May.26.2010 - Saltimbanco Arena opened Liverpool, UK
* May.26.2010 -- Alegría Arena opened Fresno, CA
* May.27.1999 -- Alegría: Le Film premiered in Netherlands
* May.27.2009 - Alegría Arena Tour Beings [Halifax, NS]
* May.27.2009 - Saltimbanco Arena opened Sunrise, FL
* May.28.1987 -- Le Cirque Réinventé opened Montréal
* May.28.1999 -- Saltimbanco opened Brisbane, Australia
* May.28.2003 - BRAVO sneaks Varekai Midnight to 2:00pm
* May.28.2010 - Quidam opened Buenos Aires, BR
* May.29.1986 -- Le Magie Continue opened Montréal
* May.29.1997 - Quidam opened Oakland
* May.29.2001 -- Alegría opened Sydney, Australia
* May.29.2008 - Name of Cirque Macao 2008 Announced - ZAIA
* May.29.2008 - Saltimbanco Arena opened Victoria, BC
* May.30.2006 - Varekai celebrated 1500th performance
[Tues, 8:00pm/Seattle]
* May.31.1996 -- Saltimbanco opened Stuggart
* May.31.2001 -- Quidam opened Hamburg
=======================================================================
FASCINATION! FEATURES
=======================================================================
o) "Cirque Announces Michael Jackson at Mandalay Bay!"
By: Cirque du Soleil, Press Room Materials
o) "Download Cirque Music - Free - Legally!"
By: Keith Johnson - Seattle, Washington (USA)
o) "Elvis Presley Lives On Through The Mind [EXPANDED]
Of Erich Van Tourneau"
By: April Savoie - Rockstar Weekly (Special)
-------------------------------------------------------
"Cirque Announces Michael Jackson at Mandalay Bay!"
By: Cirque du Soleil, Press Room Materials
-------------------------------------------------------
MICHAEL JACKSON CELEBRATED IN LAS VEGAS Mandalay Bay, Cirque du
Soleil and The Estate of Michael Jackson confirm plans
LAS VEGAS Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino President and Chief Operating
Officer, Chuck Bowling, Cirque du Soleil President and CEO, Daniel
Lamarre and Estate of Michael Jackson Co-Executor, John Branca
confirmed the venue for a permanent Michael Jackson production at
Mandalay Bay and announced new aspects of the creative relationship in
a press conference held today at the resort. Production has begun to
evaluate the transformation of the resorts theater and identification
of the creative team for the show, which is slated to open in the
spring of 2013.
Chuck Bowling said: The world may never again know a force in
entertainment of the caliber of Michael Jackson. On behalf of the
entire Mandalay Bay and MGM Resorts International teams, we are deeply
honored and humbled to be home to incredible entertainment celebrating
his legacy for new generations to come.
Daniel Lamarre added: We are excited about creating this new Michael
Jackson production for MandalayBay. Michael Jackson is creatively
inspiring for Cirque du Soleil artisans and creative teams. There are
so many common creative elements between us that it is a pleasure to
imagine this new production. It is also very exciting that we will be
presenting Michael Jackson The IMMORTAL World Tour at >MandalayBay for
an extended run this December and Jamie King and the creative team are
promising us a pop rock spectacular to kick things off grandly.
In addition to the permanent show opening in 2013, the extensive
relationship will include many facets certain to mesmerize new and
lifelong Michael Jackson fans alike:
MICHAEL JACKSON THE IMMORTAL WORLD TOUR
Opening December 3 at Mandalay Bay, Michael Jackson The IMMORTAL World
Tour will perform in Las Vegas for an extended run on its highly
anticipated North American tour. This extended stop will allow fans
from all over the world to converge on Las Vegas, the perfect
international destination for visitors to discover the new home of
Michael Jackson, and experience the pop rock extravaganza imagined by
Jamie King.
THE MICHAEL JACKSON FAN FEST
To kick-off the tour stop in Las Vegas, fans will have the chance to
experience the legacy of Michael Jackson in a whole new way during the
first ever Estate-authorized Michael Jackson Fan Fest taking place for
a limited time only at Mandalay Bay beginning December 3, 2011. This
experience is expected to include a wide variety of elements such as
an up-close look at Michael Jackson memorabilia, items from Neverland
Ranch, photo opportunities in recreated sets from historic Michael
Jackson videos, a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Michael
Jackson The IMMORTAL World Tour, a main stage featuring contests, Q&A
sessions with members of the creative team from Michael Jackson The
IMMORTAL World Tour as well as other associates of Michael Jackson,
giveaways and more. In addition, the Fan Fest will give attendees the
chance to compete against one another in contests centered around the
recently released UBISOFT video game Michael Jackson The Experience.
An interactive, engaging, and immersive design will create a larger-
than-life environment for all Fan Fest goers and promises to be a
unique event. The Fan Fest will be open for 4 hours before Michael
Jackson The IMMORTAL World Tour shows on December 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9,
10, 11, 13, and 14 in Mandalay Bays Bayside Exhibit Halls. In the
case of two-show nights, the Fan Fest will have two sessions open to
the public at separate starting times. Ticket and session information
will be announced in the coming weeks and
www.MichaelJacksonFanFest.com will offer up-to-the-minute updates on
the Fan Fest.
Said John Branca and John McClain, Executors of The Estate of Michael
Jackson: We are thrilled to establish Michaels home away from home
at Mandalay Bay. Because of its remote location, few people will ever
get to visit Michaels Neverland Ranch. But millions of Michaels fans
will be able to hear Michaels music and experience him in tangible
and exciting new ways at Mandalay Bay. We are especially excited that
the Estate has authorized the first Michael Jackson Fan Fest,
something Michaels fans have been calling for and something Michael
always wanted for his fans. We look forward to working with our
partners Mandalay Bay, Cirque du Soleil and MGM Resorts
International in implementing these exciting projects.
MICHAEL JACKSON ALL ACCESS
Mandalay Bay also will be the permanent home of a creative
collaboration from The Estate of Michael Jackson and Cirque du Soleil
aimed at giving fans a unique encounter with Michaels artistic
genius, sense of wonder and humanitarian spirit. Just as Michael
Jackson The IMMORTAL World Tour and the newly announced permanent show
at Mandalay Bay will open the eyes and ears of the world to
experiencing Michaels music in a whole new way, this permanent
exhibit will take fans, new and old, on a journey to the next level by
giving them the opportunity to access Michael Jackson the consummate
performer, the philanthropist and the person in entirely new ways,
in part using the most state-of-the-art interactive technology. This
experience is expected to spark memories, inspire hope and help us
discover new things about Michael and ourselves, engaging minds and
inspiring hearts.
MICHAEL JACKSON LOUNGE
The Michael Jackson Estate and Cirque du Soleil will create the
Michael Jackson Lounge a space that will bring to life Michaels
music in an atmosphere celebrating his career and legacy.
{SOURCE: Cirque du Soleil}
-------------------------------------------------------
"Download Cirque Music Free Legally!"
By: Keith Johnson - Seattle, Washington (USA)
-------------------------------------------------------
For the Cirque music fan who might like to sample tracks from albums
you dont already own, there arent many legal options. Sure, there
are 30-second song samples out there, and the occasional downloadable
free track, but not much else.
But now, for those lucky enough to be members of a participating
public library system, there is www.freegalmusic.com!
Freegal is a service that sells standard MP3 downloads from the Sony
music catalog to library systems, who make them available to their
patrons for free. (Your tax dollars at work!)
We couldnt find a complete listing of all the libraries
participating, but a partial list includes:
o) Birmingham, AL
o) Scottsdale, AZ
o) San Jose, CA
o) Santa Clara, CA
o) Douglas County, CO
o) Orange County, FL
o) Louisiana Libraries, LA
o) Saint Paul, MN
o) Princeton, NJ
o) Las Vegas, NV
o) New York, NY
o) Multnomah, OR
o) Nashville, TN
o) Seattle, WA
o) Eau Claire, WI
There are likely a multitude of others check with your local
library.
Once you have a library card from a participating library you use your
library card number and pin code to log onto the Freegal site at
www.freegalmusic.com. There you can access literally hundreds of
thousands of songs from hundreds of artists. The catch is you can
only download a small number (usually 3) per Monday-Sunday calendar
week.
The site has some peculiarities. It is sorted by first name, so
Cirque du Soleil is under C, as is Charlie Daniels, Carlos Santana
and Crystal Bowersox. And for some mysterious reason the tracks can
be listed quite out of order (not in track or alphabetical order).
Some CDs are also listed more than once.
That doesnt mean there are no current hit tracks though. A Top 10
list on the main page shows the top tracks being downloads from the TV
show GLEE. The new soul singer Adele is also high on the list. The
listings include artists from around the world, old and new, of all
musical genres. Truly something for everyone!
What Cirque du Soleil albums does Freegal have on offer? Virtually
all of them! Nearly all of the Cirque canon is available here, from
the second edition of the first Cirque du Soleil album, through to
Zaia and Zed. The collections are here as well, including Collection,
Solarium/Delirium (which also has the Ian Pooley remix of Lubia
Dobarstan also available on iTunes) , Le Best of, and 25. Also
available are the variations, such as Mystere Studio and Live in Las
Vegas, and both versions of the Saltimbanco CD. It even has the
Journey of Man soundtrack.
There are a couple of notable omissions. The service doesnt include
the first CDS CD (before they signed with RCA and rerecorded it).
There was no CD of Totem when we looked. No Beatles Love or Viva
Elvis. And their version of Alegria strangely only includes three
tracks, Alegria, Vai Verdrai, and Querer the rest of the CD is
missing.
The downloads are 256KBS, perfect for most uses, and have no digital
rights management applied so they can be copied or transferred on a
whim.
If youre within a participating library system, can work with the
weekly download limit, and are patient enough to download a tiny
amount of tracks each week, over time you could have quite the
collection.
A great way to sample the breadth of Cirque music, a little bit at a
time, for free. And legally to boot!
-------------------------------------------------------
"Elvis Presley Lives On Through The Mind [EXPANDED]
Of Erich Van Tourneau"
By: April Savoie - Rockstar Weekly (Special)
-------------------------------------------------------
The King and the circus have pulled all the stops for this one! Cirque
Du Soleil, the world renowned entertainment act, has combined its
talents with the King of Rock n Rolls repertoire to create the stage
production Viva Elvis; the story of Elvis Presley. This
collaboration between the extraordinary human circus act and the voice
that birthed Rock n Roll, can be experienced at the ARIA Resort &
Casino in Las Vegas. If your path is not destined for Vegas, you can
still enjoy the musical highlights with Viva ELVIS- the Album; the
complete and re-worked mix of Elvis chart toppers from the 50s, his
movie soundtracks, live stage acts from the 68 Special, and the
famous Las Vegas performances of Burning Love," "Suspicious Minds,"
"Blue Suede Shoes" and "It's Now or Never".
Cirque du Soleil recruited Canadian producer Erich Van Tourneau, as
the Musical Director and Arranger for both; Viva Elvis on stage and
Viva Elvis the album. He was responsible for modernizing the classic
sounds of the 50s through to the 70s and Rock Star Weekly spoke with
him about the process.
Q. What an honour it must be to be involved in the Elvis Cirque show
and Viva Elvis The Album.
Absolutely, Cirque and Elvis changed the face of music so it was a
total privilege to have worked on this project with these pioneers.
Q. How did you get involved was there a process to be accepted?
I was asked to do a pitch, so I worked on 2 songs; Hound Dog and One
Night with You. They flipped out when they heard One Night with you.
Q. Was it a different process to create music for the show and the
album?
The main difference between the show and the album is really an
esthetic one. The show has a live band, so I wanted to keep some space
for the band on the album. I wasnt limited on that level. I used as
many samples as I could to create that kind of ethereal finish of
Elvis live. I think thats the main difference, on the album you have
way more samples coming from the Elvis world.
Q. What was the first thing you did to get acquainted with Elvis?
First I contacted collectors around the globe because it was
imperative to listen to everything he recorded during his career. I
bought over 900 albums and listened to all of it over 8 months. It was
a gigantic task but that was the first thing I wanted to do was to be
respectful of Elvis Presley who devoted his life to his music.
Q. How long did the whole process take?
I worked on the arrangements for the show for about 2 years. I made
the arrangements for about 35 songs. For the album, I had about 4
months, so it was pretty fast to work on the album.
Q. Did you feel a bond with the King after a while?
It was there before because my parents are hard core fans. Elvis
Presley music was always playing around the house. I remember going to
my Uncles place and the Comeback 68 was playing in loop. Elvis was
in my life before the project. I feel like I have a bond. I was
listening to music from the 30s and the 40s,( the golden gate
quartet) before this project.
Q. Was there a vision or goal when making the album?
The mandate was the same for the show and the album; which was to
bring Elvis back for 2010, to contemporize the repertoire. My
philosophy for working on the songs was to revamp an old black and
white movie from the 50s and try to bring that movie in HD format. I
was adding new colours around Elvis voice, a bit like the Technicolor
technique.
Q. Was there pressure on you to create the first Elvis studio album in
33 years and also on his 75th birthday?
I felt a bit of pressure at the beginning of the project when I was
working on the show, arranging the songs. At the beginning I felt it
was impossible that I was working on that project. It was so big. But
after a few moments, you need to concentrate, get your hands on the
song and try your shot.
Q. When you were listening to all his recordings, you must have heard
some intimate moments on some of those tapes.
Elvis between takes was always jamming different songs and was often
jamming gospel, only the piano and his voice. They were very intimate
moments.
Q. Was there a surprising thing you heard on the tapes that either
made you laugh or surprised you?
I laughed all the way through. Elvis was really, really funny. He had
a unique sense of humour. I never heard him mad, he was always
laughing.
Q. How involved was Elvis Presley Enterprises in the making of the
album?
Elvis Presley Enterprises helped us by giving us access to a lot of
different audio tapes and masters. Its like having access to the holy
grail of Rock N Roll.
Q. It must have been nice to have access to all that?
I was in New York two years ago with Ernst Jorgensen who is almost a
bible himself. We were listening to master vocal tracks from Elvis. I
remember listening to Suspicious Minds; Elvis was almost crying in
this delivery, it was amazing!
Q. Was it hard to try and keep the original vibe and emotion of the
song and change the music style?
The heart of the project is Elvis voice. People are really attached
to Elvis voice, so I try to keep the melodic line and keep his voice
intact and just paint new colours around him.
Q. What do you think it was about Elvis that makes his music so
timeless?
I think Elvis had the best songwriters of his time. He had the best
songs and best songs can stay forever.
* * *
I want to quickly go through the album song by song to find your
inspiration for it and why you chose the music style:
- Opening
The opening was constructed from the song Memphis Tennessee. It was
an Elvis beat, contagious and growing on you and that sound coming
from when he was born in 35. It was the way I saw this piece, the
frantic feel before the show.
- Blue Suede Shoes
I am proud of Blue Suede Shoes. Elvis was eclectic with his taste in
music. I like the Delta feel of the harmonica with the mix of that
urban beat. The vibe comes from a guitar riff from another Elvis song
called Plantation Rock. There is a sample of that song at the end of
Blue Suede Shoes and that was the centerpiece.
- Thats All Right
The rhythm section was my inspiration because the groove is already in
the song. At the time; Elvis had no drummer (in 54), and I was really
hearing that Indie rock groove, so I went for that.
- Heartbreak Hotel
Its very much like the original but its played with a different
attitude. I wanted to pay tribute to a version of Heartbreak Hotel
with the Dorsey Brothers. Elvis was in a white suit and its an
amazing performance. My inspiration was the big band sound.
- Love Me Tender
I wanted to do a type of folk song with it, to keep the feel but bring
a more cinematic feel to the song. Its very theatrical.
- King Creole
I wanted to do a ragga song. It was about the beat. It was constructed
around the beat and I wanted to have a ragga vibe.
- Bossa Nova Baby
The original is so strong. The vocals are so strong and I think it's
one of the best songs vocally of Elvis. Its amazing the groove and
the energy he is bringing into the song, so I constructed around that.
I wanted it to have a lounge feel; groovy and slick, to keep the vibe
of the 60s.
- Burning Love
I wanted to do a rock song with it. My inspiration was to see Elvis on
stage doing this song in 2010. I was picturing him with the band in
Vegas, jamming with big drums, like Keith Moon.
- Memories
When I heard the strings of memories, they were so touching and
beautiful that I wanted to construct an in between with that song
that could bring us into the romance section, because Cant Help
Falling In Love from the show is in the romance section when Elvis
and Priscilla get married.
- Cant Help Falling In Love
I started the song on the guitar in a very soulful way. I wanted to
bring in an R&B beat of Bill Withers, but modern. With the female
voice in the song its really strong and its really nice to have a
duet with this one. The tone of Elvis voice is completely amazing. I
began to play gospel piano at the end while incorporating the song
Love Me. Its one of my favorite moments in the album.
- Youll Never Walk Alone
I wanted to have something intimate. It is an introspective feel. I
was picturing Elvis at Graceland; 5 am jamming on the piano.
- Suspicious Minds
I constructed this song around Elvis voice because his vocal is so
strong. He is almost crying. I tried to keep the original beat. I
wanted to keep a modern and heavy feel to the song.
* * *
Q. As we mentioned before you have some songs as a duet, how did you
pick the female voice to do the duet with Elvis?
The singers on the album are from the show. It was a natural decision
to have them on the album.
Q. What is your personal favourite Elvis song?
I like the songs from the early years; Mystery Train or Lawdy, Miss
Clawdy; the songs with Scotty Moore and Bill Black.
Q. It was mentioned earlier that Elvis was always around you while
growing up, so was Elvis a musical influence for you?
I have a lot of inspiration but there is a lot of stuff in the back of
your head that you are not conscious of. I am sure Elvis is in there
in relation to the way I look at music, for sure.
Q. How did you get involved in sampling?
I started 15 years ago, I bought this old Akai S1000; (a 16-bit
professional stereo digital sampler) and began to play. I immediately
understood there were a lot of things you could do with this thing, so
I was a fan. I still am to this day.
Q. What is it about sampling that is a challenge for you?
You can create an entire world with just a frame or a sound byte or
create another world by adding one second to that sound byte and
playing that very sound byte on the keyboard. Its like creating new
worlds with a tiny sound byte. To me, thats amazing!
Q. What is most satisfying about what you do?
Its not just incorporating a nice tone or a nice sound, but to really
stay true to Elvis roots. Sampling is only a tool. Its not the
conclusion, its only the beginning.
Q. Any chance there will be more Elvis albums or is this it?
For me this album is really a volume one!
Q. How about you. Are there other artists you want to re-image?
Ive worked 3 years on this project and have so many thoughts of my
own. I dont want to work on other artists for the rest of my career.
This was an honor, a privilege and amazing opportunity to work with
the King of Rock n Roll, and if there is another album I would like
to work on that, but I have so many good ideas that I want to explore
on my own and would prefer to go in that direction instead of trying
the same thing with another artist.
# # #
As Erich van Tourneau, claims to be planning some well deserved time
off, he still intends to continue to work on the show. He refers to it
as a work in progress, but his dedication and love for this project
has inspired everyone else to label it a masterpiece. Be sure to
experience the tribute fit for a King!
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COPYRIGHT AND DISCLAIMER
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Fascination! Newsletter
Volume 11, Number 5 (Issue #88) - May 2011
"Fascination! Newsletter" is a concept by Ricky Russo. Copyright (c)
2001-2011 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
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infringement intended.
{ May.10.2011 }
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