Cirque Du Soleil

The circus was in town Thursday night as Cirque du Soleil returned to Orange County after a four-year absence to premiere “Corteo” inside the Grand Chapiteau, its trademark blue and yellow big top. Blending Italian opera with drama and sensational acrobatics, “Corteo,” or “ceremonious procession” in Italian, tells the story of a clown picturing his own funeral, which takes place in a carnival atmosphere watched...

The fantastic Cirque du Soleil production, which pays homage to the nomadic spirit, has found a temporary home in Costa Mesa -- a city reputed for its all-inclusive, live-and-let-live outlook. It is in that tradition that we say "welcome back" to the French-Canadian company and its host of talented performers and production team members, responsible for the dazzling creation, "Varekai." It is a bittersweet homecoming for some, as residents recall painfully loud memories of the 1997 production of "Quidam."

In a last-minute Valentine’s Day frenzy? Worry not. Cirque du Soleil has come to your rescue, with a Sunday special: Buy one ticket to their spectacular “KOOZA” show at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, and get the second one free; this offer is good for Valentine’s Day only. For more information or tickets, visit cirquedusoleil.com and click on “Americas” and “USA.” Sad but true ShopGirl by Lisa & Helen, a boutique at 69 E. 17th St. No. 4, Costa Mesa, is shuttering.

Christian Laveau laments the cinematic representation of Native Americans. In many Hollywood movies, they live in teepees on the periphery of modernity, ride horses, dress in swatches of animal skin and plumed headdresses, and are armed with spears and brute force. "It makes me sad, as we are true cultures that are still alive and deserve respect as any other," said the resident of Wendake, a reservation in northwest Quebec, Canada, about the cliches in popular culture. Laveau, 40, is one of three indigenous performers - the other two are from the United States - in Cirque du Soleil's production "Totem.

I must say the only time I felt embarrassed to be a Costa Mesan was when the Cirque du Soleil was banished from the Orange County Fairgrounds for being too loud. My pride came back when I saw the first ad for "Varekai." I surely hope that the residents of our wonderful town, who live near the fairgrounds, would open there collective eyes, hearts, minds and creative souls. And perhaps, for the short time that this world class gem is in our midst that they might, turn a genteel ear. DAVE RIGGLE Costa Mesa I definitely cannot see how the Cirque du Soleil performance could cause any problems.

It was a simple idea presented here last week, one meant to start a discussion about how to help make the Orange County Fair more family friendly. The reactions, however, exposed a tremendous amount of bitterness. To recap, the fair has been at its location for 50 years. During that time, attendance has risen dramatically, with the last 10 years showing an increase of 40%. In an effort to accommodate the growing throng, fair officials have expanded operating hours so much that the 2010 fair will last a month.

Marisa O'Neil Running away with the circus isn't what it used to be. Gone are the days of train cars packed with elephants, horses and bearded ladies, of performers living in rickety trailers, huddling over a glowing campfire at night. Performers for Cirque du Soleil, whose production "Varekai" is in town until March 7, live in corporate apartments. They don't have to wash down any livestock and are just as likely to come from a national athletic team as from a family of roving performers.

Tom Titus It's been far too long since Cirque du Soleil pitched its extraordinary tent in our neck of the woods, and its current incarnation on the Orange County Fairgrounds offers an eye-popping glimpse of some astonishing circus artisans. They may or may not speak English, but they're fluent in the universal language of showmanship. Now on its first leg of a North American tour, the new production -- entitled "Varekai," or "whenever" in the Romany language of the gypsies -- is billed as a tribute to the nomadic soul and to the spirit and art of the circus tradition.

Christian Laveau laments the cinematic representation of Native Americans. In many Hollywood movies, they live in teepees on the periphery of modernity, ride horses, dress in swatches of animal skin and plumed headdresses, and are armed with spears and brute force. "It makes me sad, as we are true cultures that are still alive and deserve respect as any other," said the resident of Wendake, a reservation in northwest Quebec, Canada, about the cliches in popular culture. Laveau, 40, is one of three indigenous performers - the other two are from the United States - in Cirque du Soleil's production "Totem.

. FOR THE RECORD: Contrary to what was reported in Friday?s The O.C. Bargainista shopping column about the Beverly Hills Mattress Co., at 435 E. 17th St. in Costa Mesa, the store is ?absolutely? staying in business, said owner Mark Trudell.. . In a last-minute Valentine?s Day frenzy? Worry not. Cirque du Soleil has come to your rescue, with a Sunday special: Buy one ticket to their spectacular ?KOOZA? show at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, and get the second one free; this offer is good for Valentine?

It was a simple idea presented here last week, one meant to start a discussion about how to help make the Orange County Fair more family friendly. The reactions, however, exposed a tremendous amount of bitterness. To recap, the fair has been at its location for 50 years. During that time, attendance has risen dramatically, with the last 10 years showing an increase of 40%. In an effort to accommodate the growing throng, fair officials have expanded operating hours so much that the 2010 fair will last a month.

The gala launch of the Ancient Paths, Modern Voices festival of Chinese culture Wednesday night at South Coast Plaza featured a special appearance by Cirque du Soleil performers from the show “Ka.” Artistic Director Marie-Helene Gagnon described the show as an Asian-inspired visual and auditory feast about two twins seeking to regain their thrones. It is currently presented at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. “I think it just underscores what an international destination South Coast Plaza is,” said Debra Gunn Downing, South Coast Plaza’s executive marketing director.

Gyrating upside down and side-to-side inside giant metal rings at Corona del Mar State Beach, members of Sam Tribble’s weekly, open spinning class turn heads as well as tricks while they work out. “Do you have insurance? What if someone gets hurt?” a volleyball player practicing nearby scolded Tuesday as one spinner practiced an upside-down move called a “coin drop.” Tribble, a Corona del Mar resident, assured the man that, yes, he does have insurance.

The circus was in town Thursday night as Cirque du Soleil returned to Orange County after a four-year absence to premiere “Corteo” inside the Grand Chapiteau at the Orange County Fairgrounds, its trademark blue and yellow big top. Blending Italian opera with drama and sensational acrobatics, “Corteo,” or “ceremonious procession” in Italian, tells the story of a clown picturing his own funeral, which takes place...

The signature blue and yellow big top rose over the Orange County Fairgrounds Wednesday, telling all who passed by that Cirque du Soleil is back in town. After a four-year absence, the Canadian extravaganza returns to Costa Mesa with “Corteo,” the visions of a dead clown as he imagines his own funeral. The show opens Nov. 8 on the fairgrounds and will be in town for the next two months. The name Corteo means “joyous procession,” and the parade dreamed up by the clown proves festive and tragic as the audience travels through memory and fantasy with him. A number of daring feats make the show a wonder to both adults and children: a high-wire act that ascends to the ceiling; performers that spin out of control, seemingly against gravity inside Cyr wheels (hula hoop-style metal circles)

Cirque du Soleil’s blue and yellow big top, the Grand Chapiteau, will be pitched Wednesday at the Orange County Fairgrounds, in preparation for its upcoming production of “Corteo,” premiering Nov. 8. The Grand Chapiteau is 66 feet tall, 167 feet in diameter, is supported by four 80-foot masts, requires approximately 80 workers to assist in the setup and will seat 2,700 in a climate-controlled environment. “Corteo,” from the Italian, “cortege,” meaning “ceremonious procession,” depicts a clown as he envisions his own funeral, which takes place in a carnival atmosphere watched over by angels.