While I found all of the acts to be highly entertaining, it wouldn’t be a Cirque performance without some particularly stunning displays of gravity defying, jaw dropping athleticism, effortlessly blended with elegance . Those vignettes that stand out the most in my mind are the ring trio, the foot juggling pair, the fixed trapeze duo and the roller skating pair.  I don’t want to give away all the details so I will post some scene pictures as soon as I resolve some tech issues.

My first grader seemed to thoroughly appreciate the shifts from drama to comedy as her gasps switched to belly laughs throughout the show.  The eclectically ordered time lines that illustrated a conceptual walk through evolution was superbly reflected by the musical components thanks to composers Dubuc and Lessard. This multi-culti experience included rhythms from around the world; with predominant elements from Bollywood, Native American and Flamenco music.

Perhaps, for me, the most dynamic component of the set on stage was the application of an interactive projection system. I was instantly drawn-in to the kinetic images of nature projected onto an elevated backdrop, and marveled as it appeared to be highly interactive with the artists’ movements throughout the performance. Such scenes like the amphibians darting across a shore to avoid the crashing waves as they disappeared into the marsh reeds in the distance. Another very memorable projection was a series of pre-recorded sequences of the amphibians swimming and as each of them reached land, their bodies seamlessly appeared onto the stage.

Our night began on a high note of excitement and ended on an even higher note… I couldn’t wait to attend another show. Fortunately for me, a dear friend whom I hadn’t seen in 18 years, just happened to be visiting from Russia and he made it a priority to see Totem with me. To my surprise (though I really shouldn’t have been…), I enjoyed Totem even more the second time around.  I think much of this enhanced perspective was due to the fact that my first viewing was from seats way back in the theatre.  At the time I thought my visibility was fantastic but then my friend got us premium tickets for the lower section, close to the stage, and I was absolutely blown-away by the number of details that I just couldn’t perceive from those seats further back. Now I’m thinking that I wish I had another opportunity to see the show once more…I bet I’d enjoy it even more because I would notice and appreciate even more.

I know I’m not alone in my struggles with prioritization and more often than not, I don’t mean to put my self at the bottom of the list but that’s where I end up.  Thankfully, I haven’t neglected those blatant opportunities to hoist myself back at the top of that list; after the kids are tucked into bed…and the day is over…and maybe I’ll get just a little work done first, just one more thing. Oh wait, I forgot another thing… sigh… HA!  At least I’m aware of when I’m doing this  Looking towards self-preservation; I’m excited that I’ll soon have the opportunity to enjoy one of my most favorite performances, Cirque du Soleil, on Friday, 28th October.  This got me thinking about the performers; I’ve often wondered about these cosmically designed creatures on the stage: What must it be like to actually live life in a circus? Are any of them parents? Do the daily challenges of my life remotely compare to theirs? What do THEY do for self-preservation?  Then I got the chance to see these interesting videos which I found to be so moving and really gives me a different perspective on those difficult days:  

I was really touched by this video and in comparison, my life is not as crazy as it can seem at times.  Here’s another:                                      

These are not just UBER talented and extraordinary performers, but they are extraordinary individuals and parents like us!  Now, I’m even more excited to see TOTEM and will enjoy a far deeper appreciation for the outstanding efforts and talents that goes into this production.  I will take my now seven-year old daughter with me to see TOTEM.  I plan to share these videos with her now and I’m so curious to see how this impacts her appreciation of the show. She’s been working on a gratitude journal since she was 3.5 years old and I find it helpful to expose her different perspectives while learning how to appreciate each moment in life. I’m certainly a more grateful and appreciative person from viewing these videos!

For more information on TOTEM and to also get 20% off the performance click through this link :

]]> http://sustaining-life.org/2011/10/20/the-circus-of-life/feed/ 2 seathedeep http://sustaining-life.org/2011/08/15/hello-cirque/ http://sustaining-life.org/2011/08/15/hello-cirque/#comments Mon, 15 Aug 2011 05:24:17 +0000 seadeeper http://sustaininglifedotorg.wordpress.com/?p=1 Continue reading →]]>

 If you’re like me, you’re eagerly awaiting the latest Cirque du Soleil show. And now, in just a matter of weeks, we’ll get to see Robert Lepage and his creative team work their magic to delight us with another original, awe-inspiring show. It’s hard to believe that it’s been 21 years since my very first Cirque experience; “Nouvelle Expérience.” As with every Cirque performance I’ve seen since then, I’m anticipating dramatic eye-catching visuals with jaw-dropping displays of athleticism against a backdrop of exotic chants and multi-culti music.  As a matter of fact, I did find the collection of TOTEM’s soundtracks, online, and was delighted with a good listen (see site listed below). I’m told that TOTEM is not quite an apparent, linear examination of human evolution but rather a series of vignettes that seamlessly shifts from comedy to drama, with eclectically ordered time lines, places and possibilities to illustrate a conceptual walk through the ties that binds all life.  I plan to take my first-grader to see the show. This will be her second Cirque experience and I can’t wait to hear her take on the show – she still raves about OVO and shares my anticipation to see TOTEM.

Cirque du Soleil has this enticing offer for 15% off select performances! Fun for the whole family! Please follow this link to enjoy this offer:  https://tickets.cirquedusoleil.com/zope/webshop/walkin?channel=8&seriesCode=TOTSFO&language=en&lfMix=CDSGP&promoCode=HAD15&utm_medium=email&utm_source=none&utm_campaign=082411^had^_sanfran-golden-gate-mothers-group&utm_content=email-cds-external_partners&utm_term=enewsletter1&type=email&cid=tot_edm_non_ec9_tks_had_082411_sanfran-golden-gate-mothers-group_enewsletter1

And to sample or purchase TOTEM’s soundtrack, visit this page: http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/store/artist/album/0,,8464796,00.html

“TOTEM will perform for a limited engagement, starting Friday, October 28th, 2011, under the trademark blue-and-yellow Grand Chapiteau (Big Top) at AT&T Park.

TOTEM traces the fascinating journey of the human species from its original amphibian state to its ultimate desire to fly. TOTEM illustrates, through a visual and acrobatic language, the evolutionary progress of species. Somewhere between science and legend TOTEM explores the ties that bind Man to other species, his dreams and his infinite potential.”