Cirque du Soleil: Ovo

“Nature will bear the closest inspection. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain.” – Henry David Thoreau
“Nature will bear the closest inspection. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain.” – Henry David Thoreau

Henry David Thoreau was fascinated by nature, and many of his works focused on the wonders of the wilderness and the need for a balance between civilization and the wild. As a result, Thoreau was always attempting to look at the world around him (both the natural world and the civilized world) in a very different way from the rest of society. In fact, if you share Thoreau’s passion for the natural world and the balance between humans and the wild, you may be looking for a way to enjoy the world from a new perspective yourself. Fortunately, if you have always wanted to see what the world might look like if you were an insect, there is a show in Manchester, NH that may be exactly what you’re looking for.

This is because Cirque du Soleil’s touring production Ovo, which will end its run in the Northeast this weekend at the Verizon Wireless Arena, gives new meaning to the idea of a “flea” circus. This show features an incredible cast of talented performers balancing, bouncing, crawling, dancing, jumping, juggling, and flying across the stage in a series of acts with an insect theme. However, the show’s focus is not actually on the insects themselves but is instead on the way they move. This means that Ovo will not only give you the opportunity to see what the world might look like to an ant, a flea, or a spider but will also allow you to witness a dazzling display of all of the incredible ways that humans and other creatures move. For more information on Ovo and/or to order tickets for the show, please visit the Cirque du Soleil website.

Photo credit: nakashi via Visual Hunt / CC BY-SA

Cirque du Soleil Boston: Kurios

Cirque du Soleil - Kurios
“Curiouser and Curiouser!” The famous phrase from Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland certainly sums up the fantastic world that Alice falls into in the story. However, Wonderland is not the only world that the phrase could be used to describe (and no, I’m not talking about our own world even though the phrase probably does apply.) In fact, these well-known words could probably be applied to any number of incredible realms that appear in artwork, books, movies, television, stage performances, and other artistic works. Yet, the one show that these words probably fit better than any other is Cirque du Soleil’s touring production “KURIOS: Cabinet of Curiosities.”

KURIOS: Cabinet of Curiosities, which will have its final performance in the Boston area this weekend at Suffolk Downs, is a circus like none you have seen before. This show features some of the most amazing acrobats, dancers, jugglers, percussionists, and other performers that you will ever see performing a series of acts with a steampunk theme. The element that truly makes the show amazing, however, is the huge number of curious objects or, in other words, curios that the performers will display and use throughout each of their acts. This combination of incredible performances and mechanical marvels will give you a chance to see (and, in some cases, not see) a world that is very different from our own. And, if you would like the chance to feel like Alice, you can always take the T from Wonderland to get to the show. For more information on KURIOS: Cabinet of Curiosities and/or to order tickets, please visit the Cirque du Soleil website.

Photo credit: fabola via VisualHunt / CC BY-SA

Move Your Body This Summer

Zumba Crowd
Dancing has existed as a form of expression since prehistoric times, and while the form of popular dance has certainly changed over the millennia, there is no sign that the desire to move our bodies to the sound of music will ever truly fade. However, as the old saying goes, “it takes two to tango”, and there’s really no doubt that it can be truly lonely and depressing to spend all of your time dancing by yourself. In fact, unless you dance in a fashion that you really don’t want anyone else to see (in which case you should get out on the dance floor and take Susanna Clark and Richard Leigh’s advice and “Dance like nobody’s watching”), it’s pretty hard to keep up the motivation to improve your dancing skills and improve your body without other people. As a result, if you’re looking for a way to find some people that you can move your body with, you may want to check out some of these events.

First, if you’re looking for a way to not only learn some of the basics of dancing but also to see skilled dancers demonstrate their abilities, the Dance for World Community Festival may be exactly what you’re looking for. This is because the Dance for World Community Festival, which is scheduled to take place at the Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre in Cambridge from 12:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. tomorrow (Saturday, June 13, 2015), is designed to expose newcomers to the world of dance and show everyone how dance can truly connect us all. This festival will feature activities for kids, a dance party that will allow you to dance in the streets, introductory dance classes, food, over 80 dance performances, and more. For more information on the Dance for World Community Festival, which is completely free and open to the public, please visit the Dance for World Community website.

Secondly, if you’re interested in actually taking dance classes and you’ve always wanted to learn how to line dance, the Franklin Park Coalition may have the perfect opportunity for you to do exactly that. In fact, the Franklin Park Coalition is hosting a free line dancing class every Wednesday from now until September 16th at Refectory Hill. This class, which runs from 6:30 to 7:30 P.M. (or until it’s too dark and everyone has collapsed from exhaustion), will give novices and experts alike the opportunity to learn and enjoy line dances from around the country. For more information on the Line Dancing classes sponsored by the Franklin Park Coalition and the Boston Rhythm Riders, please visit the Franklin Park Coalition’s Program page.

Finally, if you’re not really into line dancing, but you’d like to learn how to salsa or Zumba, you may want to check out some of the classes offered by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department. The Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Boston Public Health Commission are sponsoring a series of free fitness classes this summer as part of their Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series. These classes include boot camps, High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workouts, line dancing, salsa dancing, tai chi, yoga, and Zumba. For more information on the classes that are being offered this summer by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, including times and locations, please take a look at a copy of the Boston Public Health Commission’s 2015 Summer Fitness Series Brochure.

Photo credit: Cimm / Foter / CC BY

Exploring Your Heritage

The Friendship
When someone mentions the word “heritage,” you probably think of a list of long-gone relatives and all of the places that they were originally from. In fact, you may even know a little bit about the history of some of your more famous or infamous ancestors (depending on how interested you are in your own family’s history.) However, when you stop and think about it, you may know a lot about your own family’s history, but how much do you really know about the history of the city that you’re living in? I mean if someone asked, would you know if your city had once been a major trading port? A breeding ground for smugglers and pirates? The site of a literal witch hunt? Or anything else about the major events that had an impact on the place that you live today?

Well, if you would like to learn more about a city that has been all of these things and more, there’s no better time than now to visit Salem. This is because Salem, MA is hosting its 53rd Annual Heritage Days Celebration, which is a 10-day festival that demonstrates just how much fun Salem can be. This festival, which runs from now until Sunday, August 10th, will feature an antique car show, a bike race, concerts, clowns, dance performances, ice cream samples as part of the Ice Scream Bowl, a kid’s night filled with rides and games, a pizza competition, a street fair, writing and book binding workshops, and a whole lot more. Best of all, most of the events during Heritage Days are completely free, and the events that do include a fee (usually $3 to $5 a person) will typically include food or rides. For more information on Salem’s Heritage Days, including a full schedule, please visit the Official Salem, MA Guide website.

Photo credit: Mr.TinDC / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic (CC BY-ND 2.0)

Great Musicians Through the Ages

Flaming GuitarIf you read my post from last week, you may have noticed that there are a fair number of musical events around this time of year. In fact, this is really the concert season, so if you’re looking for a way to listen to some great music without giving all of your money to the online ticket sellers of the world, then you’ve come to the right place. The only thing to remember is that with no shortage of concerts comes no shortage of choices, so if you’re one of those people that has an awful time making up your mind, it may be a little tough to decide on what to do this weekend. However, there are a few concerts that stand out from the rest, not only for the skill of the musicians involved but also for the limited impact they will have on your wallet.

As a result, if you’re a big fan of guitars and you would love to see the next generation of guitarists before they become the next big thing, you may want to check out Boston GuitarFest. Boston GuitarFest, which is hosted by the New England Conservatory and Northeastern University, is a series of workshops, competitions, and most importantly, concerts that are designed for young guitarists. These concerts not only feature some of the best emerging guitarists (both with acoustic and electric guitars) currently out there but also feature some of the best dancers, drummers, flutists, pianists, violinists, and other performers that you will ever see. Best of all, the price for most of the concerts is pretty reasonable, as each concert will typically fall into the $10 to $40 range. For more information on Boston Guitarfest, which runs until this Sunday (June 29, 2014), please visit the Official Boston GuitarFest website.

If, on the other hand, you’re not really into guitars or you like your musicians to have a little more experience, you may want to check out Pops on the Lawn. Pops on the Lawn is a concert at Sennott Park in Cambridge that will feature the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra. This concert will allow you and your family to listen to classical music, marches, movie themes, patriotic songs, show tunes, and other similar music designed for the whole family. However, the best part of this particular concert is the fact that it is absolutely free. For more information on Pops on the Lawn, please visit the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra’s Event page.

Finally, if you’re one of those people that thinks of a medieval ballad every time someone mentions classical music, you may want to head over to the Waltham Farmer’s Market this weekend. This is because the Waltham Farmer’s Market is hosting a performance by the Solstice Sackbuts from 11:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. tomorrow (June 28, 2014.) The Solstice Sackbuts are a trio of musicians that specialize in classical, medieval, and renaissance music with a little pop and jazz thrown in as well. These musicians, which have appeared at a number of different venues including King Richard’s Faire, will dazzle you with their musical talents while teaching you about composers throughout the ages. For more information on the Solstice Sackbuts Concert at the Waltham Farmer’s Market, which is absolutely free (unless you end up buying something at the market), please visit the Solstice Sackbuts website or the Waltham Farmer’s Market Concert page.

Photo credit: Yuri Samoilov Photo / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Some Interesting Ways to Exercise

Old Picture of Two Men Fencing

As the warmer weather begins to set in, more and more people are beginning to leave the comfort of their homes in search of all of the wonders of the outside world. In fact, a couple weeks ago, I talked about some of the events that might actually help you to get your kids outside. The only problem is that your kids are probably not the only ones in need of some time in the sun, and there’s a pretty good chance, after a long winter of hiding from the cold, ice, and snow, that you may be in need of some exercise as well (trust me, you’re not alone.) Fortunately, if you are looking for a way to eliminate some of the pounds that you put on over the winter, the City of Boston and the surrounding area has several events that are sure to help.

First, if you and/or your kids have watched any version of the Three Musketeers and thought to yourself “Wow, I want to learn how to swordfight like that guy”, you’re in luck. This is because the Olympia Fencing Center in Cambridge, MA is offering a free “Intro to Fencing Class” to anyone that is interested. These classes, which are offered to all ages throughout the year, are a great way to learn the basics of fencing and to teach your kids that it might take a lot more work than they think to fight off an entire army. For more information on the “Intro to Fencing Class” offered by the Olympia Fencing Center, please visit the Olympia Fencing Center website or call the Center at (617) 945-9448.

Secondly, if you’re really not too keen on the idea of your kids screaming “Have at thee” while they jab a long, pointy thing at other people or you’re just a big fan of bowling, the Kids Bowl Free program may be more up your alley (if you’ll excuse the pun.) This program consists of a collection of bowling alleys and schools throughout the United States that actually allow kids to bowl for free. In fact, every kid below the age limit set by each individual bowling alley or school will be allowed to play 2 free games a day every day all summer long. Best of all, if you want to join your kids, you can even purchase a family pass that will allow you and up to 3 other adults to play 2 games a day every day for one low price. For more information on the program and/or to find a participating bowling alley near you, please visit the Official Kids Bowl Free website.

Finally, if you would rather watch other people perform physical activities than perform those activities yourself, you may want to check out Cirque du Soleil’s Amaluna. Amaluna, which is now appearing at the Marine Industrial Park in Boston, is a love story told through a series of circus acts performed by some of the best acrobats, dancers, jugglers, and other performers that you will ever see. For more information on the show, which runs until July 6, 2014, please visit the Official Cirque Du Soleil website.

Photo credit: Powerhouse Museum Collection / Foter / No known copyright restrictions

The Finer Things in Life

The Vacuum of Space

We’ve all heard the old expression, “stop and smell the roses”, but how many people actually take the time to follow through on that advice? I mean, if you stop and think about it, there’s no way around the fact that we live in a really busy world. A world in which school, work, family, unexpected disasters, and a whole list of other similar issues and responsibilities suck up our time faster than an overpowered vacuum cleaner. As a result, it’s often a wonder that anyone has the time to actually sit back, relax, and take in all of the finer things in life. However, it’s still important for everyone, not only for themselves but also for the sanity of the people around them, to find the time to enjoy the little things. Fortunately, if you’re looking for a way to enjoy the finer things in life this weekend, there are several events that are sure to help you relax and put your mind at ease.

First, if you’re an art fan looking for an inexpensive way to see a wide assortment of great artwork, you may want to head on over to the Museum of Fine Arts on Monday. This is because the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) is holding an open house on Monday (May 26, 2014) from 10:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. This event will allow you and your family to enjoy the Museum’s artwork, hear music from several different live bands, see live dancers and other performers, try your hand at making your own artwork, watch Technicolor films, and do a whole lot more for free. For more information on the Memorial Day Open House at the Museum of Fine Arts, please visit the Museum of Fine Arts Programs page.

Secondly, if your passion is more geared towards the culinary arts than the art you would typically find in a museum, Watson Adventures may have a scavenger hunt that’s more up your alley. This is because Watson Adventures is hosting the Munch Around Cambridge Scavenger Hunt at 2:00 P.M. tomorrow (Saturday, May 24, 2014.) This adults-only scavenger hunt will allow you and your friends to search the city of Cambridge for some of the best ice cream, hot chocolate, pizza, sandwiches, and other foods around. For more information on the Munch Around Cambridge Scavenger Hunt and/or to reserve your spot, please visit the Watson Adventures website.

Finally, if you’re more interested in spending time with someone rather than something, you may want to grab your significant other and head over to the Boston Public Garden Lagoon. This is because the Lagoon is the home of the Swan Boats, which are a great way for you and your loved one to enjoy some quality time together on a pleasant, romantic ride around the water. For more information on the Swan Boats, which currently operate daily from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., please visit the Official Swan Boats website.

Photo credit: JD Hancock / Foter / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)

Friday Fun: The Circus is in Town

If you’re a fan of the circus or a fan of really old cartoons, you’ve probably heard the line “He’d fly through the air with the greatest of ease, that daring young man on the flying trapeze” somewhere. However, chances are, unless you’re really into 19th century music, you probably don’t know where the line actually comes from. Well, if you’re wondering, the line is actually from a hit song that was written by George Leybourne in the mid 1800’s. Leybourne wrote the song to honor the impressive skills of a trapeze artist that was well-known throughout the world at the time, Jules Leotard.

Now, if you’re sitting at your screen thinking “well, that’s interesting and all, but I would like to hear something slightly more current” or “I quite frankly couldn’t care less about a couple of guys who are long since dead,” it might pique your interest to know that there are other circus performers out there who aren’t quite dead yet. In fact, spring marks the beginning of the circus season, and if you’re looking for a way to entertain your kids, your significant other, or yourself, you may want to check out some of these shows:

1. The Big Apple Circus tours the states of Massachusetts and New York from March 26th to July 28th with stops in Boston, Queens, Charlestown, and Lake George. This troupe features acrobats, clowns, dancers, jugglers, performing animals, trapeze artists, and more. For more information on the Big Apple Circus, visit their website.

2. The Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus is a lot larger than some of the other shows that are around and it tours over half of the country. This circus, which actually stops in cities year round, features acrobats, comedy acts, clowns, dancers, jugglers, knife-throwers, performing animals, strongmen, trapeze artists, and a whole lot more. In fact, the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus has so many performers that they actually have them divided into four different tour groups. If you’re interested in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus, check out their website.

3. The Piccadilly Circus tours the country from March 27th to June 2nd. This troupe features acrobats, clowns, dancers, jugglers, motorcycles, performing animals, trapeze artists, and more. For more information on the Piccadilly Circus, visit their website.

4. Cirque Du Soleil, which literally translates to “Circus of the Sun”, is one of the largest circuses in existence, and they not only have troupes performing shows in the United States, but the rest of the world as well. Cirque Du Soleil’s shows are a little more unusual than your typical circus, but they always feature some of the world’s most skilled acrobats, clowns, jugglers, and other performers. If you want to find out more about Cirque Du Soleil, check out their website.