Considering the whole slightly-out-of-synch-with-re ality vibe of Cirque du Soleil performance troupe, it is no surprise that it is staged in the Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas Nevada. For folks unaware of Cirque, this troupe blends acrobatics, interpretive dance, outlandish costumes, and theatrical orchestration with a European flair.
Shunning their tradition of building their performances around music written specifically for the show, Cirque du Soleil based music from the Beatles' catalogue, for their newest show, Love. Twenty-six tracks mixed together under George Martin's supervision combining various elements from more than one hundred thirty Beatles songs, blended seamlessly into recordings from the band's different eras. The results are at once immediately familiar and surprisingly new due to some very innovative edits and layering of songs.
The show opens with a cast of familiar characters marchng around the stage in a stylized, slow-motion parade. Sergeant Pepper, the Fool on the Hill, Lady Madonna, Mr. Kite, Father Mckenzie, the Walrus, Her Majesty, the Nowhere Man, Mean Mr. Mustard, Lovely Rita, Dr. Robert, the Sun King. None of them are ever addressed by name, considering that there's no dialogue at all from any of the performers, but between the highly detailed costumes and the fact that the song lyrics have become a solid part of our collective consciousness over the years, the characters are all instantly recognizable.
A handful of the songs are staged as historical interpretations of the forties, fifties, and sixties from the bombing of London in World War Two to the rise of rock 'n roll to the peace-and-love hippie movements - but these scenes are few and far between, scattered throughout the show. The show comes across as a tribute dedicated to John, Paul, George, and Ringo themselves, with video footage of the fab four projected on curtains flown in from above and archived recordings of in-studio banter, but there's no mention of the band itself, focusing instead on the choreography.
The acrobats and dancers put on a top-notch show. Although I was a little put off by the cheesiness of the main character meandering around the set holding a bouquet of flowers “looking for love” and being turned down during every act, you don't have to be a die-hard Beatles fan to appreciate the show. The performers’ artistry and athleticism were second-to-none.
When children discover the excitement of uncovering and happening upon an idea, a feeling, an event, or a circumstance it is a magical moment. They are brought inside a community of their own curiousity. Imagining is the possibility which turns their whole body around from where it might be standing.
Children invite mystery, they invite opportunities for the incongruous, the unexplained, the half revealed, the not knowing, the impending moment, the rear of the hidden, the tension of waiting, the anticipation of surprise, the possibility of danger, the savoring of darkness, the games of guessing, the condition of secrecy. And like explorers on a perilous cliff they lean over its edge looking for what will appear, hanging onto every surge of suspense, frozen in their gaze, as the unexpected slowly takes their breath away.
Magic to the child is what can be believed and not believed, the denying of awe and the accidently accepting of awe, the capacity to judge without judging, to commit without committing, to feel momentarily, a movement luminous in being. It is breathtaking and as adults we need need to hold onto childhood magic and be made vulnerable by the whims of the unknown striking us.
Picture VIA Flickr Caitlin Marie licensed by creative commons
Recently, I read that Six Flags Over Texas will be able to start beer sales for the 2009 season after a judge issued his ruling the park should be allowed to sell alcohol. This gave me some cause for pause. Having worked at this amusement park industry in the late seventies and early eighties, I was reminded of all the teenaged "hijinks" that ensued and am wondering if adding alcohol is such a good idea....
Here are some random memories of employee or guest shenigans that support my concern
At the BBQ joint, there was a chopper that had a spinning blade and a rotating stainless steel bowl for cutting brisket. This implement was used to torture new employees. The "old timers" would take the blade out, reach in there pretending to clean inside, then "accidentally" hit the power and commence to screaming. A ketchup-covered piece of hot dog would complete the effect. One unsuspecting newbie fainted dead away while most would scream like little girls.
At the Fried Chicken cafe, the manager made a bet with the assistant manager that he could open the restaurant blindfolded for a case of beer. He did everything he normally did including cutting up, preparing, frying the chcken, making biscuits, and cutting potatoes and frying potatoes. When he took the blindfold off the kitchen was full of people including the park general manager who complained about the safety issues but watched the whole thing without stopping him or saying a word.
Park employees would body surf after hours in the Flume ride(clothing optional....rivets hurt...so I heard)
During this time there was a ride called The Rotoriculous. At the beginning of the ride, as it slowly rolled forwards, you would hear this spiel; "Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the renowned inventor and scientist, Professor Cyrus Cosmo, speaking to you from Master Control. The Rotoriculous will soon lurch forward, onward, into the reaches of the stratosphere!" Then it would slow down, the lights would turn off and the ride would start going backwards faster and faster. Colorful (and weird) images would be projected on the screens all around the room, and at the end a strobe light would flash to a soundtrack alternating between "Love Roller Coaster" and "Teenaged Wasteland." After hours, folks would get s**t faced drunk or totally baked and ride it over and over.
The souvenier shops sold real leather bullwhips. Often guests who purchased them would spend the rest of the day walking along snapping the whips in front of them. This would lead to some unpleasantness as often the whip would strike other unsuspecting guests.
Strolling photographers working for the Photo shop would encounter all kinds of guest behavior. Usually good, but many times guests would expose themselves or perform inappropriate activities for the cameras. Photographers were forbidden to keep inappropriate pictures for themselves or sell them to guests. They were instructed to give these pictures to management where they kept them locked up. Employees were not supposed to look at them or keep them, although sometimes the cabinet where they were kept was accidentally left unlocked...
Cult bands by definition have uniquely strong and loyal fan bases and are not necessarily well known. They seem to be just below the mainstream radar that people either love or hate with a passion. Many of these band's catalogues have songs that are serious, silly, or experimental with a fan network of people trading live tapes of shows; and a palpably deep love for their band's music and performances. Many of these bands enjoy a steady turn out for record sales that may have never broke out into the mainstream.
Fathers have a profound impact on their daughters, shaping their abilities to love and ultimately to venture forth, physically and emotionally. At the same time, daughters both inadvertently and purposefully break down the artificial walls of masculinity that men sometimes build with a purity and power that mothers, wives, and girlfriends cannot.
Regardless of their age, daughters who have meaningful, comfortable relationships with their fathers are generally more self-confident and independent, have better relationships with men, are less depressed, have fewer eating disorders and drug or alcohol problems and achieve more in school and at work. And the easier it is for a daughter to communicate with her father, the more she enjoys being with him and the more she gets out of their relationship
I am intrigued by the Before I Die I Want To project. The concept is compelling. In the author's words:
The Before I die I want to... project was inspired by a combination of factors: (1) the “death” of the Polaroid, (2) a psychologist’s tool called safety contracts, and (3) a passion to get people to think about (and act upon) what is really important in their lives through this simple, very straight-forward question.
Friends I fully recognize that controversy arises in music when its content touches on issues of religion. Heavy metal has historically been targeted as anti-religious, while the Satanic, image of arists such as Marilyn Manson, and bands whose political viewpoint are diametrically opposed to the religious right, or artists who sing lyrics that are considered indecent. Objecting parties attempt to curtail the spread of these allegedly dangerous ideas or images to vulnerable listeners by posting websites like these Devil Music. Really? Seriously? Can't we all just get along
MNG
We certainly live in exciting times. Who would have thunk it? I have read a lot about this and think this is a great opportunity for creative minds.
My camera pooped out a year ago and I still haven't replaced it. When I come to your site, I miss it even more. With the economic downturn, I will be waiting a little longer...
Cheyl
Great idea. I am THAT absent minded reader who sometimes forgets to sign in and is anonymous. Then I feel like crap for not helping others with the Karma points as (I do try to follow the Orble and lbog etiquette).
The bottom line is. Folks are going to read our blogs or not. I know that some of our blogs may have been bookmarked on del.icio.us, or appear on Technorati and some of of our posts have been digged, furled or saved.
I don't think I have ever clicked on the "Orble popular blog" link. I look around on my friends blogs and click on comments to find "new" and "interesting" authors/blogs. I have enjoyed many diverse posts and authors this way.
Thanks Cheryl for taking the time to create this post. I like the idea of a single weighted system.
The Unbearable Being of Meaness ehh? This post got me to thinking.
Many of us don’t blog because we need other’s validation. We don’t blog because we want others to tear us apart. Many of us don’t need the attention. We don’t blog because we think we are perfect or because we think we are always right.
We blog because we love to write. Blogging is tricky business. If we didn’t want to be read, we wouldn’t publish this on the Internet, right? But being read isn’t the only reason we do it. Many folks LOVE that people read our blogs (but I admit that I have been a slacker of late). I love that readers sometime see a little piece of themselves in the writing. I have blogs that I read in the morning as a break from my mundane existence. The peek into someone’s life makes me happy. I have made many friends through blogging and for that I am grateful.
But that is just a side effect of blogging, really. If you do love to write and you do open your blog up to comments, you’re bound to get unsavory remarks from time to time. You come to expect them. Negative comments on your blog can feel like some intruder has stormed into your home and taken a dump on your carpet. And I guess you could say that bloggers open the door. But there is a difference between constructive criticism and outright meanness Maybe, we need to shut the door from time to time.
I’d remind readers that many of us don’t really “know” one another. We haven’t had lunch and cocktails. We know only what bloggers let readers know about themselves. As bloggers we must care about ourselves and our readers. Desiring to do so doesn’t make us a weak people. So cheers friend! I heartily support your efforts and your decision to draw a line in the proverbial sand.
Mrs. M
I am sure that you have risen above your raising. Looks like you really learned a lesson regarding how important a father is to his daughter! Thanks for your insight!
Kylie
When my son was young, I was subject to watching the Power Rangers. I am not surprised one bit. Thought it would be a viewer however going on some killing spree. Cultish, scary, dumbass show if you ask me.
Mis
Ash
It is always so interesting to read comments of a certain work. When I read this piece, the idea of graffitti did not even cross my mind. This imagery:
There was this man who,
as he stood against the cold brick wall,
cleared the tickle from his throat
with a grunt.
He shook the spray can
in his hand, hearing the ball smash
through the liquid colours,
fusing them.
The mist was fine as it spat
Reminded me of summers having Silly string wars with my Dad and my sister. We would all aim the cans of various colors in the air and watch as the colors mingled. We would "write words" in the sky and on the cement and as quickly as they were created, they disappeared.
Thanks dear friend for reminding me of that innocent time. Well done!
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on What Does It All Mean? Watch This!
Killer Beats
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Hipnotherapy
We certainly live in exciting times. Who would have thunk it? I have read a lot about this and think this is a great opportunity for creative minds.
Mis