Cirque du Soleil’s latest show VOLTA continues their winning, if anticipated, format of narrative blended to dazzling physical performances. Cirque du Soleil’s 41st incarnation introduces Waz, portrayed by dancer Joey Arrigo, as a celebrated star of reality talent show Quid Pro Quo, draped in sparkling gold that disguises his latent individuality. Waz is disillusioned with manufactured corporate entertainment (cue unintentional irony) dished out to the “Greys” focused primarily on conformity and screens as he nostalgically harbors memories of a simpler time played out via video screen flashbacks. Unable to resist his “Volta” – dramatic shift in thought – Waz “outs” his eccentric blue-haired discarding fame to pursue individualism, connections and authenticity.
The storyline, truly a narrative only a new-age aficionado could love, serves as the perfect springboard to the cornucopia of sights and sounds for which this Cirque is renown. Thrilling feats of sport and superhuman acrobatic exploits are bread and butter to this operation and they are magnificently and poignantly enhanced by the powerful soundtrack from French electronic music project M83 and the dramatically compelling vocal performances woven in to the on-stage action. As the show unfolds it shifts swiftly to a full-on sensory experience. Without pause, the gathered audience is soon enrapt by a spectacular series of dazzling performances, from trial bikes to ballet and gravity-defying prowess. A skipping competition takes double-dutch to new heights while amazing aerial displays and summersaulting BMX skate-park displays stun.
Providing comic relief is Waz’s co-host Shood Kood Wood, the circus ringmaster and scene-stealing clown. He brings high-spirited skits that feature malfunctioning washing machines and hallucinogenic day-dreams transforming the short, stout performer in to a riotous crowd-pleasing pot-bellied demi-god.
The impressive circus highlights are many. Standouts include a beautiful, suspended lamp acrobatics routine by Waz’s younger self, portrayed by Pawel Walczewski, that marries impossible strength to effortless, elegance as he spins fluidly through a captivating aerial routine. Aptly, as Volta is also the term of a long ago Italian dance, the ballet-cum-contemporary dance performances are mesmerizing interludes to the vigorous Parkour, energetic shape-diving and rollerblading displays. Also, I’d never seen a hair hang suspended by nothing other than her top-knot, but Danila Bim levitated, twirled and gracefully twisted from the dizzying heights of the big top. The transformation of the circular rotating stage – used to great drama and effect – into a full-on BMX park was astounding, nothing beat the heart-stopping bungee and hoop-trapeze number that had us riveted to our seats in the pre-intermission performance.
Cirque du Soleil takes nothing as a given: from musical and physical performances executed with exacting polish and infectious enthusiasm to sets that feature cutting-edge technology and exquisite post-modern stylings and costumes – apart from a featherless headdress that was a shade too close to an indigenous emblem – the exacting production standards of create an experience that is fully immersive and stirring. The adrenaline, execution, finesse and elegance will leave you breathless as Cirque du Soleil delivers a fast-paced evening under the big top that is nothing short of incredible.
You can watch Cirque du Soleil’s VOLTA from August 3-27 under the Big Top on the Zibi Site in Gatineau (at the end of the Portage Bridge, facing 9 rue Laurier). Tickets are available online.
Agriculture and Food Museum in Ottawa are hosting their annual festivities including an Easter egg hunt, chocolate decorating and visits to the newborns: lambs, chick, bunnies and more. Check back to their website for details still to come.
The Easter Bunny is back for another Easter egg hunt at the Diefenbunker. Now in its sixth year the event in the 100,000 square foot facility gets rave reviews from all. Interesting for the older kids and adults and huge chocolatey fun for the wee ones. This year’s hunt is April 15th from 11-4PM.
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goodness blending haute contemporary cuisine to an exquisitely comforting menu. Chef Sands, JUNO Awards CEO and President Allan Reid, and Sam Roberts did a fantastic and entertaining job showcasing the food, drink and the JUNO experience at last week’s media tasting.
Starting us off was a duck and chutney crostini; cured and smoked duck breast hugging a nest of caramelized Macintosh apples. The salty and sweet paired beautifully to the Steam Whistle Pilsner that cut through any potentially heavy duck aftertaste.
County short rib beef nestled with a creamy polenta and butternut puree alongside only just-cooked heirloom carrots and beans. As Chef Sands aptly stated, “Slow and low makes the perfect decadence.” This meal is the foodie equivalent to a heartfelt cuddle. Del Rollo of Jackson-Triggs selected a fruity and warm Merlot 2015 that ignited the savoury depth of the entrée nicely.
It remains to be seen if following that feast JUNO guests will be able to tackle dessert. If they do however they are in for a creamy chocolaty treat as the final course of hot chocolate cheesecake with hidden chocolate ganache hits the table. Let me tell you it is worth it even if all you can manage is a bites of the richness with the beautifully light and refreshing raspberries sat on top. For those that can’t get enough of a good sweet Chef Sands has you covered tucking in a delicious marshmallow meringue shard.
The stylish pane glass store-front of wood and neon adds understated modern elegance to the oft overlooked side street off the pedestrian thoroughfare – a hopeful sign that the Elgin strip may expand to a boutique neighbourhood with off-Elgin options.
dates with my Lato Nord and be fully sated. The rich, gooey fruit wrapped in bacon drizzled in sauce and topped with crisp sliced almonds are luscious: blending sweet to savoury, viscous to crisp to great effect. It is a shame that there are only 3 per $9 serving and I hope the kitchen reconsiders a more respectable 4 or 5 which would only encourage me to order more to my table.
ude is back at the Sandy Hill Community Centre on Sunday!
the discussions that event catapulted in to the mainstream. It’s a simple, pared-down production that hits its mark through verbatim content and steadfast delivery.
d believability were on-point and each shone in their own right. The choreography had highs and lows working most effective when subtlety executed while becoming artificial when overtly athletic. The bilingual contributions by Marc-André Charette and Gabrielle Lalonde were particularly successful in heightening the reality behind the script. A unique piece of theatre, Ruano has created a thought-provoking effective and entertaining production capturing and adding innovatively to a difficult conversation.
The coffee shop at the corner of Wilbrod and Friel has rung in the New Year with an on-trend make over and brand new lease on life thanks to the arrival 
Sandy Hill Seen 