Cirque du Soleil

I am waiting on history books to write Cirque du Soleil as the quintessential marketing strategy via creating a new marketplace. It is a "dramatic mix of circus art and street entertainment" but, for me, it is so much more. By mixing elements of circus, broadway, film and stand-up comedy, Cirque du Soleil reaches out to a whole new genre of entertainment and followers.

Almost a misnomer, Cirque du Soleil (Circus of the Sun) is not about the sun but of everything under the sun. It showcases moves, figures, humor and culture from all over the world. The man on the left, for example, depicts the Chinese art of balancing and maneuvering a path to the top through deconstructed chair patterns. Along the way, he demonstrates figures from martial arts.

There is, indeed, a gamut of styles to feast upon from acrobatics, gymnastics, dance, magic down to comedy and new media- all in for your dollars' worth. The excessive flamboyance of the decorations and the talented cast make the show even more appealing. It is not just circus, it's a whole new experience altogether.

Most importantly, unlike any other acrobatics show, it has a storyline. That which celebrates the diversity of people and, contrary to reality, that which ends in harmony and hope. And I think that's the reason why it sells. It takes your imagination to a place where art and peace can co-exist, it makes you feel good. It encourages taking up many a different masks of personalities yet celebrates the uniqueness of every individual as the bottomline of every pretention. And then it leads you all the way to a circumspect end: beauty that is beyond what your eyes had seen, it touches your soul all the same. I'm a huge fan!


Tip for the Indio: For cheaper deals, make sure to book your tickets way ahead of the show dates. Also, avoid Disneyland or Universal Studios Cirque du Soleil slates; they are much more expensive. Instead, check out the cast's regular tours. And no cameras allowed; I was breaking the rule on that one.