Festival Cirque de Demain 2014 - Live Stream!

Hey folks!

I know I said I was taking a hiatus, but I would be doing the global circus community a great disservice if I didn't post this!

This year you will be able to watch Show B of the festival streamed live! Watch it here Saturday January 25th (that's tomorrow) at 20h30 Paris time!

Enjoy!

Blast from the Past

Surfing the internet randomly, as I am wont to do, I came upon a wonderful collection of photos from the Paris' Fesitval de Cirque de Demain from the early 90s. There are some pretty fabulous photos there, and not only because of the outfits. There were a number of familiar faces and, much to my surprise, a few people that I've worked for! It's a great little taste of circus history. I've included some of my favourite pictures below, and you can view the full collection here.

 Trio Impacto

Trio Impacto

Christian Schwandt & Sven Rauhe

 Duo Borcani

Sharkov Brothers

Les Reflejo Hermanos

Cirque de Demain: The Results!

GOLD:

-Trio Anneaux
 -Lewie West
-Sarah Tessier et Guilhem Cauchois
-Ba Jianguo

SILVER:

-Angelica Bongiovonni

BRONZE:

-Duo XY
-Eric Bates
-Papin Khachatryan
-Robert Muraine

Congratulations to all the winners!

Gold Medal Winners

The winners of this year's Festival du Cirque de Demain have yet to be announced, but I can tell you the names of the gold medal winners!

They are:

Duo trapeze: Guillhem and Sarah Trio

Chinese Hoops: Maya, Mika and Ian

Straps: Lewie West

Top/Diabolo: Ba Jianguo

Now, I'm super happy for the winners and everything, but seriously?  Four gold medals? Pretty soon you'll be able to find one in your box of Wheaties...

UPDATE:

A silver medal for Angelica Bongiovonni on Cyr wheel.

Laureate Gala

The list for the laureate gala has been announced and the show will begin at 15h. Who will the big winners be? We'll soon find out!

Click to enlarge

Cirque de Demain 2013

The 34th Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain is happening as we speak. As usual, I have a number of friends competing and wish them all good luck! You can find the list of those competing on the official website!

Sadly, ARTE is not broadcasting the festival online this year. The best I have been able to find is this video talking a little bit about the festival with highlights of the artists practicing.

Cirque de Demain is notoriously political, so I can't help but feel that the likelihood of the acts being highlighted in this video winning medals is pretty high. I suppose we'll find out tomorrow!

To all the artists competing: May your landings be stuck, your juggling accessories go undropped, and all other flips and twists be executed to perfection!

Merde!

MCC 2012 - Carrousel et Corde à Linge

Due to the frustrating limitations of the circus passport, I was unable to see LEO tonight and had to see Carrousel et Corde à Linge instead. As it turns out, I couldn't have hoped for a better stroke of luck!

Created by Îles-de-la-Madeleine company Vague de Cirque, Carrousel et Corde à Linge is two hours of circus that will not only make you smile, but is bound to impress even the toughest of circus critics. This show packs some seriously big circus into a seriously small space. The result is an intimate evening that guarantees that the audience is right in the heart of the action.

This show is silly. It is delightfully, wonderfully silly. And what makes their silliness so wonderful is that it isn't forced. No one is playing the buffoon. The absurdity comes from within and so even the most 'serious' of characters will still leave you laughing. It's a remarkable balance that leaves the audience completely under the artists' silly spell.

Where to begin? Part of me wants to ramble on like a five-year-old and mention every captivating detail. But the rest of me really wants you to have a chance to see the show yourself, so I don't want to give away all the surprises.

I can say this though, the cast is impressive. I've learned that the show came together in only two weeks! And one artist was only integrated into the show yesterday! That recent integration can be felt, however. While the rest of the troupe appears on stage as one, this new addition seems to come out of nowhere and disappear just as quickly, making you wonder what she's doing there at all. Not that she isn't skilled. There's just more serious integration work that needs to be done. Aside from that and a few first performance kinks, the show was a smash.

I particularly liked Yohann Trépanier's character. What could have been your clichéed nerdy clown quickly became my coup de coeur. And this boy is skilled. Aside from a duo juggling act (the weirdest, most ridiculous juggling act I have ever seen, and loved), and a hat juggling act, not to mention all the group stuff, Yohann managed to do a technically impressive acrobatic bicycle act on a stage that was only 16 feet in diameter! For those who aren't in the know, usually the double is required for such an act!

Pauline Bonnani won me over with her absurd character and impressive acrobatic skills. We all know I love to see a woman represent when it comes to acro, and Pauline did just that. Banquine, acro solo, and teeterboard flyer, she left no doubt that she was there to execute some serious skills. And her character... her character! Forget the girly girl, or the bitch. Pauline's character wasn't a tomboy, but wasn't trying to be terribly feminine either. It seemed like an endearing if not socially awkward girl just trying to do some backflips, damnit. And it was awesome.

Holding the show together was comedic character Raymond Raymondson, created and portrayed by artist Gregory Lackovic. Let me tell you, it is very easy to have too much of a clown. It is very easy to wish that the clown would just get off stage already and let the acrobats do their job. In fact, I would say it's very easy to hate the clown. But you would be hard pressed to feel anything but enchantment with Gregory Lackovic. Not only is character really funny and absolutely solid, but he brings a much needed maturity and obvious experience to the entire show. You could feel that that maturity has rubbed off on the other artists and the entire production is better for it.

Vague de Cirque was a wonderful discovery for me and the perfect way to kick off the festival. I really look forward to seeing more from them in the future, and I highly recommend you see them while you can!

Carrousel et Corde à Linge runs in their chapiteau next to the Tohu on Saturday July 7th at 16h and 19h, as well as Sunday July 8th at 19h.

After that, you'll have to make a trip to the Magdalen islands. Which really doesn't sound all that bad if you ask me.

As for LEO? I'm seeing it tomorrow.

Stay tuned for more MCC coverage!

Gold Medal Moment

In case you missed it, here's one of the gold medal winning acts from the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain de Paris 2012, complete with interview. Ladies and gentlemen, Maxim Laurin and Ugo Dario of Baskultoo!

Tuques Off

Being a proud Canadian, I can't resist a special nod to the gold medal winning artists who represented the Great White North at the Festival Cirque de Demain de Paris.

Once again, congratulations to Héloïse Bourgeois and William Underwood, and Maxim Laurin and Ugo Dario!

Photos by Bertrand Guay, courtesy of Burguscircus.

And the Winners Are...

MEDAILLE D'OR

Héloïse Bourgeois and William Underwood
Les 7 Doigts de la Main
Chinese Pole
Canada
PRIX du PRESIDENT DE LA REPUBLIQUE

Tatiana-Mosio Bongonga
Tightwire
Democratic Republic of Congo / France
PRIX FRANCO DRAGONE ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

Baskultoo
Teeterboard
Canada / France
PRIX RINGLING BROS. and BARNUM & BAILEY

Better Late Than Never! Cirque de Demain Edition

Hey there, fans of circus!

This weekend marked the 33rd annual Festival Cirque de Demain de Paris. I, however, am in London, Ontario and until today, have had no access to the internet. As I'm in full on family event mode, I've barely given the festival a second thought.

I'm not too sure what's been going on, though I do know a few of my friends and colleagues made it to the laureate show, so there's some good news on that front. But why read this information light post when you can watch the video online?

Enjoy!

If You're in France...

...click on the link below right now!

It's the 32nd annual Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain a Paris!

Online for a limited time only!

Go! Go! Go!

(Seriously, why haven't you gone yet?)

Afterthought

Um... it just occurred to me that I should perhaps post the promo video for tabú.




I admit, this video makes me want to see the show, and I know three people giving feedback at the end, and trust their judgment. But then I remember that I've already seen the show, didn't particularly care for it, and trust that much more.

And that, is just one of the beauties of art.

One Week Later...

I've been putting this off for almost a week, but I feel it is my duty to comment on tabú.

The beginning of the show seemed quite promising, but it very quickly fell into a pattern of monotony, both musically and in structure. If I had to describe the show using as few words as possible it would be "chaos without content".

The transitions, as well as several scenes, all seemed to consist of yelling while swinging on/hanging off of something, most acts struck me as lacking in both technique and artistic, and while there was definitely an atmosphere, it felt more like they were trying to create a certain universe and didn't quite get there.

The German wheel 'act' was simply insulting. I know I'm a tough crowd when it comes to German wheel, but with the exception of his back salto, all the skills seemed plucked from the first session of the first year of circus school, with about as much form to match.

I did like the trapeze number and the fellow who did Chinese pole. Their acts had a much softer vibe (and music), which I'm sure helped them to stand out, but most importantly, both of these artists showed a maturity that I found the others lacked. While the Chinese pole guy may not have had the greatest technique, he had a beautiful, fluid way of moving and great presence. The fixed trapeze number was definitely worth seeing.

Because it really irked me, I need to add that the effect of lowering the apparatus to make it look like the artist just did a really big drop is effective the first time, but the next 10 times, it just makes me wonder why the artists aren't doing drops themselves?

I like the concept of having the audience move around (there were no seats, and ushers placed the public according to the scene) and I thought the Tohu was used brilliantly, though I find it unfortunate that the space outshone the actual show. There were some nice images and some good moments, but not enough to make the show worthwhile.

What Goes Up...

...must come down.

After the high of Impro Cirque the low that was tabú is simply staggering. Words fail. The experience actually left me angry. It doesn't bode well when the best part of the show was its integration into the venue...

I feel like I shouldn't even bother to write about it right now because I am in such a miserable mood that I have virtually nothing constructive to say. There were, of course, some strong points. But I'm not feeling nearly generous enough to mention them right now. Ripping a show to shreds is a pointless exercise. Even bad shows can teach an artist a great deal.

What I will say is this: If you are in Montreal for the last days of the festival and can't decide whether you should see the 7 doigts' Cabaret or tabú, don't make the mistake I made or you, like me, will be kicking yourself later.

See the Cabaret.

Impro Cirque for the Win!

Where do I start? How do I distill two nights of bursting, toe tingling, belly laugh joy, into words?

Easy.

I cheat and post a video.

ROLL TAPE!



What you just saw includes: straps in the style of a feathered animal, handstands in the style of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, really bad birthday clown, blind-folded hand to hand, and many other classic improv league themes with a circus twist.

And that was only the first night. The second night saw tissu under the sea, romantic handstand dinner, clown stopped at the border, and more!

Points are awarded at the end of each round as decided by the public's vote.

Don't like the referee's call?

Huck a clown nose at him.

But perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself...

Impro Cirque is based on the Ligue nationale d'improvisation, a competitive, and hilarious, form of improvised theatre. The circus version borrows from the LNI in its format and style but stands on its own as a new kind of circus event. How fitting that both the LNI and Impro Cirque were born in Montreal.

I have never felt so overwhelmingly happy at a show. I was beaming. I was giddy. I was nothing short of euphoric. I think that if you do circus, there's a greater appreciation of the event. The fact that everything is improvised means you're not going to see the kind of death defying feats you normally would expect at a circus show. Not that there aren't spectacular moments. Also, I knew half of the players, so my heart was really quite open to them.

But more than anything, my heart was open to something new, something wildly creative, and something that is nothing short of brilliant. My friend Phil is the mastermind behind the whole event and I cannot begin to explain how proud I am. Not only of him but of the fact that this entire concept has been hatched and nurtured in my city, by so many of my friends, and that I was among the first witnesses... there is no doubt in my mind that this is going to be huge, that it will be copied and that it will spread. It has to. Something this extraordinary simply can't be contained!

Nor should it.

Montreal reinvented circus once with Cirque du Soleil. I think it just got reinvented again.

To cap off the evening, I bought a t-shirt. Only they weren't allowed to sell them as part of the festival so I had sneak out back, under a bridge, and buy it out of a cardboard box in the back if my friends car.

If that doesn't add to the atmosphere and experience of an event, I don't know what does.

Oh, Impro Cirque!

I'm just so smitten with you!

Impro Cirque: An Exerpt

"Will you please rise for the circus national anthem..."

[all rise, hand over heart... music begins]

"Do do do do do do do do do do! Do do do do do do do do do do! Do, do do do do! Do, do do do do! Do do do do do do do do do do do do do do!"

Holy Mother of Wow!

Okay. I shouldn't even be writing this because I have a million (2) doctor's appointments tomorrow and have to get up very early in order to get to them, but something of this magnitude simply cannot wait.

I just saw my first show of Montreal Completement Cirque and it was so utterly amazing that I need to change the ticket for the show I planned on seeing tomorrow night so that I can go see this show again.

It is that good.

What show you ask?

L'Impro Cirque!

If you are in Montreal or, by some miracle, can be here for tomorrow night (Thursday, July 22nd), get your butt down to the old port for 8pm at the old Gare Dalhousie and go see this show. And it is important that you do this tomorrow because it is the last night. If you've ever seen an improv league match, its like that, but with circus. and therefore better. I will write a proper post about this when I have the chance, but something of this level of awesomeness demands immediate attention.

Impro Cirque.

Be there.

Montreal Completement Cirque

Montreal is not only my home, but also a city with a slight addiction to festivals. This summer a new festival has been added to the already overflowing roster and unlike most of the other festivals, I'm really, really excited about this one: Montreal Completement Cirque!

Cirque du Soleil.

Les 7 doigts de la main.

Cirque Eloize.

NoFit State Circus.

Impro Cirque.

Les mains sales.

Les Zyrgomatik.

A4 Circus Ensemble.

Cie EA EO.

The list goes on... and that's just the shows. There are also a number of exhibits from circus inspired jewelery at Montreal's Museum of Fine Arts, to the costumes of Cirque de Soleil at the McCord Museum. Not to mention the Tohu, which, aside from being a major show space, always has some kind of exhibition going on.

Who knew the city could hold so much circus? Often, when I'm on vacation, I don't feel like going to see circus shows. And when I'm in Montreal, I typically feel like I have to, which makes me want to go even less. But with so many shows, its hard to say no.

I begin my foray into this crazy festival tomorrow night with Impro Cirque, followed by tabú on Thursday, and iD the following week.

If you have a chance to come to Montreal in the next few days, the festival runs until the 25th. And if you can't make it to Montreal before then, come anyway. This city is always awesome, but there's no denying that it really comes alive in the summer. And like I said, addiction to festivals. You'll find something to bring joy to your soul. I promise.

Get It While It's Hot!

For a limited time only, half of the 31st edition of the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain de Paris is available online!

Normally, ARTE's online content is only accessible from France, but that doesn't seem to be the case at the moment, so take advantage of this opportunity to see a portion of one of the most famous circus festivals in the world!

Personally, I have some rather strong opinions about this festival that I'm going to keep to myself. I also have a number of friends competing this year, and to that I say "woot woot!"

Will they mop the floor with the competition? Based on the half of the program that's up, I have to say, yes. Yes they most certainly will.

Will scandal arise? Will there be an upset? Will more of my alma mater's alumni walk away with some hardware? We'll find out tomorrow!