Fixin' Leaks and Leeks

If fresh animal smells from circuses make you want to be shot from a cannon, you’re in for a treat. The Cirque du Soleil: Echo only features animals that are played by humans with antlers and masks. And they make beautiful “eeyaiya ah ah eeyaiya ooo” sounds as they prance upon the stage. (Also, the whole place smells like popcorn and cotton candy!) The entire production is so incredibly beautiful you’d throw yourself from the Space Needle just to hold a spark of that magic in your hand and watch it burn star-shaped wounds into your smoking flesh for eternity.

Nate surprised me with a trip to the Big Top, Cirque du Soleil style, and I haven’t recovered since. I would love to be permanently transported to that dreamy, dreamy world that’s both strange and beautiful. Of course, the trapeze artists were amazing, along with the singers and musicians, dancers, contortionist, juggler, spring-boarders, and clowns.

The artistry also beats the heck out of any “Craft Alert” that has ended in duct tape and staples on this blog. For instance, there’s a giant cube that turns and moves upon the stage, serving as a stage within a stage and a backdrop for all kinds of mesmerizing projections—and boxes. So many boxes. Boxes were a running theme. Literally, some of the boxes had actors inside them and they ran around laughing while human-creatures chased them playfully. I know that sounds scary, but it wasn’t.

If I had to guess at the theme, it was this: humans and animals must work together to shape the world they live in. And when they do, it’s magical. And also a little weird. In a good, good way. So much to unbox, I think.

So why didn’t I take any pictures of the performers? It was very dark inside the auditorium/tent, and the announcers advised us to turn off the flash for photography. I could have just turned the flash off my camera phone, but I didn’t want to fuss with it during the show—and then accidentally have the flash go off while performers (some of whom were hanging by their hair!) fell. I’m not sure how the human-creatures would have reacted. They might stab me with their horns and drop me into the giant cube, but how would that be punishment? I’d just get to live inside that wonderful, wonderful dream forever.

I did manage to take pictures of the glorious Big Top, and as we left, smiling children danced and played. Nate saw the smile on my face, too. That’s when he took my hand, looked into my eyes, and said, “Tonight, some kids are going to be inspired to do some pretty stupid things. Thank God they’re not our problem.”

But Nate has no idea what plans I have for the next big Craft Alert. So many boxes. So many boxes and tightrope-looking things await in the garage. A pair of antlers could also wash up in our neighborhood soon. Oh, be still my eeyaiya ah ah eeyaiya ooo heart.

Your Turn: What’s the last performance you’ve seen? Did it inspire you? How?