By Lookout Staff
May 14 -- Cirque du Soleil made a short cameo appearance on the pier Tuesday that gave Santa Monica its first glimpse of the world-renowned circus in almost ten years.
The limited engagement – which kicks off on October 16 – will help mark the pier’s 100th anniversary and Cirque’s 25th year mounting unique performances that border more on performance art than the traditional circus.
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| Two Cirque performers give a sneak preview Tuesday on the Santa Monica Pier (Photos by Frank Gruber) |
But the upcoming show is a return to Cirque’s roots, combining two staples of the circus – acrobatic performance and the art of clowning, Cirque officials said.
“The show highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor and fragility, presented in a colorful melange that emphasizes bold slapstick humor,” officials said.
The Cirque returns after the City Council approved a lease for part of the parking lot north of the pier a year ago.
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| Serge Roy, Cirque's director of creation |
The large size of the circus, which led to its exit after its last visit in 2000, will be accommodated by parking in other lots, including vacant land at the Civic Center, City officials said.
In addition to the Civic Center parking across from City Hall, additional spaces will be available at the 2030 South Beach Lot, which will offer a discount incentive and a free shuttle for pier patrons.
Cirque du Soleil was the first venture to be approved under the council’s extended commercial event selection guidelines approved in December 2007 to provide “more flexibility in event selection.”
Cirque du Soleil’s new production, “Kooza,” is expected to generate $953,000 in Special Event revenue to the City’s Beach Fund during its run from October 16 through December 20.
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| Mayor Ken Genser (center) and Misti Kerns, who heads Santa Monica's Convention and Visitors Bureau, join the performers |
Some of the projected revenues will be offset by the loss of parking revenues when the circus pitches its tent on part of the lot north of the pier.
Following the Santa Monica run, Kooza” will move on to the Orange County Great Park in Irvine for performances starting January 7.
Cirque du Soleil members can begin ordering tickets for both venues on www.cirquedusoleil.com through June 15. Membebership is free.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public on June 16.
