By Argentinian artist Mariano Villalba
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
I'm Here Now
Only replace that pencil and paper with an apparatus or object of some kind. I know you know what I'm talking about.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Bitterness and Writer's Block
At the moment, I can't write anything for this blog without feeling like a horrible person. I want to write about the experiences I've had on tour recently, but to be perfectly honest, I'm in a bit of a dark and twisty place these days and everything seems tinged with bitterness. Even posts that aren't even about my circus somehow end up about my circus and the angry feelings that have been surfacing lately. I suppose if I went into great detail as to why I feel the way I do, the posts would probably make sense and maybe even seem justified. But they would likely be very long and impossible to read.
Perhaps it's normal to feel this way after three years on the same tour. And I've certainly had to deal with more than my share of drama. Seriously, you can't even imagine. So until I figure out how to lessen these bitter and resentful feelings, I'm afraid this blog may become a little light in written content and focus a bit more on videos and fun pictures.
But if you're an artist and have any advice on how to work through difficult times in a company, I would really love to hear what you have to say. In the meantime, I guess I'll be heading down this road alone.
Enjoy the pics and videos.
Perhaps it's normal to feel this way after three years on the same tour. And I've certainly had to deal with more than my share of drama. Seriously, you can't even imagine. So until I figure out how to lessen these bitter and resentful feelings, I'm afraid this blog may become a little light in written content and focus a bit more on videos and fun pictures.
But if you're an artist and have any advice on how to work through difficult times in a company, I would really love to hear what you have to say. In the meantime, I guess I'll be heading down this road alone.
Enjoy the pics and videos.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Odysséo
Like circus? Like horses? Then you'll be happy to know that the team behind Cavalia has just launched its second show, Odysséo.
With 55 artists and 9 horses, Odysséo is a much larger undertaking than Cavalia. How much larger? The tent is for Odysséo is twice as large as that of Cavalia. The ring alone is 2500 square metres!
If you'd like to catch a glimpse of the new creation, Radio-Canada has the link to the news story about the premiere up on its website for your viewing pleasure. The segment is presented in French, but even if you don't speak the language, there are some clips from the show.
Enjoy!
With 55 artists and 9 horses, Odysséo is a much larger undertaking than Cavalia. How much larger? The tent is for Odysséo is twice as large as that of Cavalia. The ring alone is 2500 square metres!
Enjoy!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Going Dark
Hey folks!
I'm afraid the blog will be taking a bit of a break for the next little while. I'm going to be backpacking for the next couple of weeks, and once the tour resumes, I'm pretty sure we will be without internet. I'm told we're in a nature park a good twenty minutes by car from the nearest public transport stop. I'm going to guess there won't be a cafe nearby whose internet I can mooch. And as it's a long stint with no end in sight (extensions have yet to be confirmed), who knows when I'll be able to share more adventures.
But never fear, we will be back!
Until next time...
UPDATE: I may have some time this evening to get some posts together (I have maybe half a dozen drafts just waiting to be posted), so hopefully I can schedule a couple of posts for the next couple of weeks. But once we hit Lyon, there's no telling when I'll be able to post again as the chances of having internet there will be slim to none.
I'm afraid the blog will be taking a bit of a break for the next little while. I'm going to be backpacking for the next couple of weeks, and once the tour resumes, I'm pretty sure we will be without internet. I'm told we're in a nature park a good twenty minutes by car from the nearest public transport stop. I'm going to guess there won't be a cafe nearby whose internet I can mooch. And as it's a long stint with no end in sight (extensions have yet to be confirmed), who knows when I'll be able to share more adventures.
But never fear, we will be back!
Until next time...
UPDATE: I may have some time this evening to get some posts together (I have maybe half a dozen drafts just waiting to be posted), so hopefully I can schedule a couple of posts for the next couple of weeks. But once we hit Lyon, there's no telling when I'll be able to post again as the chances of having internet there will be slim to none.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
I Think I See a Pattern
Either the cast of Mystere couldn't let itself be outdone by the cast of Quidam (and frankly, I think they were), or Cirque du Soleil has come up with a very clever and free way to publicize the its new show, Micheal Jackson The Immortal World Tour.
Be it a reply, or a company wide challenge, here is Mystere's Micheal Jackson flash mob video!
Be it a reply, or a company wide challenge, here is Mystere's Micheal Jackson flash mob video!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Worst Pep Talk Ever
On the way to my training the other day I ran into my old German wheel coach. I was, of course, met with the usual questions: "What are you up to? Where are you working? What are your projects?" Harmless though they may seem, when these questions don't come with flashy answers (in other words, confirmation of work), it always feels like when your parents or grandparents start pestering you about why you aren't married and when exactly you plan on changing that. Because finding work, like finding a partner and getting hitched, is just that easy.
But I fear I'm getting a little off topic.
For the time being, I still have work, so I was able to produce the right kind of answers. No, my troubles began when I mentioned that I've started static trapeze.
My coach: "Oh, so you're giving up wheel?"
Me: "Of course not! I don't think I could ever just give up wheel."
My coach: "Oh... because most people just quit since there's no work in it."
Far from going the way I thought my trapeze news would go, it quickly became the kind of conversation where your family or friends think you're announcing that you broke up with your partner, start confessing how much they hated the guy, and then he walks into the room to reveal that you're actually announcing your upcoming nuptials... oops.
I'm sure that I'm overreacting to a certain degree. I've got a lot going on and have been having a hard time keeping things in perspective. But I must admit, there's definitely some panic when I think about finding work after my contract is up, and considering how much more slowly my trapeze work is going than I had hoped, I've had some pretty ferocious moments of doubt about the whole endeavour. And knowing how hard it is to find work with wheel, and having struggled for two years to do so in the past, being told by my coach that most people just quit the discipline he taught me doesn't exactly fill me with hope.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, quel vie de cirque!
But I fear I'm getting a little off topic.
For the time being, I still have work, so I was able to produce the right kind of answers. No, my troubles began when I mentioned that I've started static trapeze.
My coach: "Oh, so you're giving up wheel?"
Me: "Of course not! I don't think I could ever just give up wheel."
My coach: "Oh... because most people just quit since there's no work in it."
Far from going the way I thought my trapeze news would go, it quickly became the kind of conversation where your family or friends think you're announcing that you broke up with your partner, start confessing how much they hated the guy, and then he walks into the room to reveal that you're actually announcing your upcoming nuptials... oops.
I'm sure that I'm overreacting to a certain degree. I've got a lot going on and have been having a hard time keeping things in perspective. But I must admit, there's definitely some panic when I think about finding work after my contract is up, and considering how much more slowly my trapeze work is going than I had hoped, I've had some pretty ferocious moments of doubt about the whole endeavour. And knowing how hard it is to find work with wheel, and having struggled for two years to do so in the past, being told by my coach that most people just quit the discipline he taught me doesn't exactly fill me with hope.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, quel vie de cirque!
Monday, October 3, 2011
The Immortal
In honour of the premiere of Micheal Jackson The Immortal World Tour by Cirque du Soleil (held in Montreal last night), the cast and crew of Quidam organized a little Micheal Jackson flash mob! Huge props to project manager Meaghan Wegg. I never thought I'd see the classic characters of Quidam (Zoé, Target, John, Boum Boum...) busting a move to Micheal Jackson. Enjoy!
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Les Journées de la Culture 2011
Holy smokes! How could I forget this?
Ladies and gents, if you're in Montreal this weekend, or anywhere in the province of Quebec for that matter, you need to get your butt into town for the 15th anniversary of Les Journées de la culture! It runs from, um, yesterday, until tomorrow!
What is Les Journées de la culture, exactly? Just what the name suggests. Three days of committed to providing greater access to art and culture to all! There are numerous free activities so that citizens can explore the hidden side of art and culture. There are workshops, demonstrations, guided tours and performances.
So says their website:
"Long considered to be the most important movement for the democratization of culture in North America, the concept of the Journées de la culture was used as inspiration and today extends throughout Canada under the name the Culture Days which will hold its 2nd edition with the same dates as the Journées de la culture."
How awesome is that? Go Quebec!
So if you're looking for something fun to do this weekend, look no further. I know that Cirque du Soleil always participates, and the National Circus School of Montreal opens its doors to the public for tours, and performances by this year's third year students. Eloize usually participates as well, often by offering free 'classes'.
The Journées de la culture website provides a nifty search engine for finding activities based on your interests.
Now get out there and access yourself some art and culture!
By the way, these really awesome images are from Journées de la culture 2008, but they are my all time favourites (I actually have the viking poster at home) and I just had to dig them up so that more people could experience their awesomeness.
Ladies and gents, if you're in Montreal this weekend, or anywhere in the province of Quebec for that matter, you need to get your butt into town for the 15th anniversary of Les Journées de la culture! It runs from, um, yesterday, until tomorrow!
What is Les Journées de la culture, exactly? Just what the name suggests. Three days of committed to providing greater access to art and culture to all! There are numerous free activities so that citizens can explore the hidden side of art and culture. There are workshops, demonstrations, guided tours and performances.
So says their website:
"Long considered to be the most important movement for the democratization of culture in North America, the concept of the Journées de la culture was used as inspiration and today extends throughout Canada under the name the Culture Days which will hold its 2nd edition with the same dates as the Journées de la culture."
How awesome is that? Go Quebec!
So if you're looking for something fun to do this weekend, look no further. I know that Cirque du Soleil always participates, and the National Circus School of Montreal opens its doors to the public for tours, and performances by this year's third year students. Eloize usually participates as well, often by offering free 'classes'.
The Journées de la culture website provides a nifty search engine for finding activities based on your interests.
Now get out there and access yourself some art and culture!
By the way, these really awesome images are from Journées de la culture 2008, but they are my all time favourites (I actually have the viking poster at home) and I just had to dig them up so that more people could experience their awesomeness.
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