The Cirque Tribune

Banana Shpeel - Chicago, New York - 19 Nov 2009

foobar — 11 March 2010 17:33

These are comments left by people on Banana Shpeel's facebook page as a reaction on the new opening date:

what happens to the tickets i purchased that are for before april 29th? i have not been notified by cirque saying the show has been canceled

I have tkts for march 27th, so wat should I do w/ them? Mmmm

Ticket master will notify you. I got cancelled twice, they dont give back the $5 non-refund fee and they keep pushing it....I will wait a month at least to buy tickets,in fact, till I know that they are performing I wont get them...just in case...

mmmm very very unprofessional!

3 times! I ordered 3 times and cancel me 3 times!!! No more!! Unprofessional, poor management.. It is so not Cirque Du Soleil... Very disappointed.. Not to mention the $3.20 per order non-refundable fee. Although Ticketmaster won't refund the fee, Cirque Du Soleil should refund back to everyone who get cancel!!!!

wishes Cirque du Soleil was as magical as it was a decade ago. It's all about money now and that's why the new shows are so subpar (except for ZED).

What's The Most Beautiful Act in Cirque du Soleil to you?

O Makunde — 11 March 2010 12:25

Out of the shows that I've seen live, I'd have to say the Aerial Ballet in Silks from La Nouba is one of the most beautiful. Other notable acts would include Bungees and Adagio in Saltimbanco.

Now these come from what I've seen on DVDs and recordings:

KA - Batons, Aerial Straps
Varekai - Handbalancing, Straps, Aerial Net (it's hard to pick just one in this show )
Alegria - Flying Man, Contortion
Corteo - Chandeliers
Quidam - Banquine, Aerial Contortion in Silks, Finale/Curtain call

Ms Polina - Hula-hoops, Contortion, Aerial gymnastics

Sandman — 11 March 2010 9:25

In the description, it says that she was in CdS in Montreal. Reminds me a lot of Irina Akimova, from her style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdE4RhUgo5k

Ka Stage

hiraikotsu — 11 March 2010 7:46

With that terminology, the word "system" can refer to anything that involves a controller and a series of inputs/outputs, whether it's a thermometer, the cruise control system in your car, or even one of the world's largest robotic stages. Look up "control theory" for a whole in-depth discussion on this field of engineering.

Simply put, an open-loop system is one that does not use "feedback" to determine whether it has achieved its desired goal. In the case of the KA stage, this implies to me that the current system sent instructions to the stage to move from position A to position B without actively monitoring whether it has achieved its goal.

A closed-loop system is one that provides feedback to the controller so the controller can make adjustments to achieve its goal. In the case of a stage, the sensors would be sending a stream of data back to the computer so the computer knows the position of the stage at all times, and can adjust for any environmental or mechanical changes that might be affecting the performance of the hydraulic and motor systems. This type of system also gives the technicians greater insight into how well the mechanical bits of the show are performing, as the computers can determine performance issues by comparing the live data from the stages with their expected behavior.

Ka Stage

Salix — 11 March 2010 7:11

What do they mean by an open- and a closed-loop system?

Ka Stage

Auskun — 11 March 2010 5:33

So, this year, the Ka stage will be going under some technological changes. It's a really interesting read and I hope you enjoy it!

http://www.entertainmentengineering.com/v7.issue01/16

Banana Shpeel - Chicago, New York - 19 Nov 2009

Evil Jeremy — 11 March 2010 4:26

"A New Shpeel's On Its Way" says the post it note.
Wow, it seems that major changes are in store. Half the BS website is gone, crew and premise and stuff like that. Anyone else think even a title change might be coming? Either way, it looks like this show is going to do a 180 on us.

Banana Shpeel - Chicago, New York - 19 Nov 2009

foobar — 11 March 2010 3:15

There is also a blog at http://schmelky.wordpress.com/ with a look behind the scenes, if you dare

...my newest creation Banana Shpeel still needs more time to ripen. The truth is, my friends, that the bananas are still a little green...

Metaphorically speaking: if they just need time for the green bananas ripen to yellow ones, haven't we got still bananas only when some people were hoping for apples and other fruits, too? I hope this is just a bad quote and instead they're trying to add some other fruits to create a delicious fruit basket, not just a banana only basket because that would be boring.

Banana Shpeel - Chicago, New York - 19 Nov 2009

rodoquidam — 11 March 2010 2:42

They have also added a "post it" on the Banana Shpeel official site that said " UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT".

This is the statement from the producers of the show:

Banana Spheel, from Cirque du Soleil is introducing new elements to the show and the creation process is taking longer than originally planned. Banana Shpeel is in the capable hands of Marty Schmelky, producer extraordinaire of such box-offices smashes as The Phantom of the Banana; Annie Get Your Banana; Fiddler on the Banana; The Best Little Banana in Texas and Bring in da Noise, Bring in da Banana. Schmelky made the following statement “To the good people of New York and the entire tri-state area who have so wonderfully supported my shows for all these decades, my newest creation Banana Shpeel still needs more time to ripen. The truth is, my friends, that the bananas are still a little green,” explains cigar-puffing Schmelky. “We are working to make Banana Shpeel like me: bold, wacky and colorful.”

Sounds like BIG changes are coming to the show! I hope I will see something really great, much better that what I saw in Chicago!

Rodolfo

La Nuit Metisse - Cirque people care for each other

Cirqueling — 11 March 2010 2:08

That is the nicest thing someone could do. Hassan and these artists essentially cured her cancer!

Banana Shpeel - Chicago, New York - 19 Nov 2009

Cirqueling — 11 March 2010 1:58

Banana Shpeel has been delayed again. ISN"T THIS FUN?! The show will now begin preview performances on April 29th. Cirque has also created a Facebook Profile for the Character Marty Schmelky and is using it to advertise the show. WOO! Woo?

La Nuit Metisse - Cirque people care for each other

foobar — 10 March 2010 18:48

Haspop aka Hassan El Hajjami from The Beatles LOVE organized a benefit show called "La Nuit Metisse" for Anya, an artist from "O" and Zumanity, to raise money for her cancer treatment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWq3qlsgqUo

I like this quote:

I presume if everybody today can think like all the artists and myself, if we lock together hand by hand, we can help the people next to us. It's just a question of... helping someone next to you.

Well said, Hassan, especially in these times! Thank you to everyone who made this possible. This is a wonderful example of how the world should be.

Macau 2 - 2010?

Sandman — 10 March 2010 8:39

Hmm, so the Macau II show has changed maybe to a multi-residence show in either NY, Paris or London?

Cirque Musician Auditions

Sandman — 10 March 2010 8:10

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUjfK-GrHpY

Cirque 2010: Raising the GC

Sandman — 10 March 2010 8:04

Hmm, so I guess a new singer, that like Andre. Just one singer or two, does anyone know?

What are you thinking...

Damien — 10 March 2010 6:50

I firmly believe all the new 3D tv's won't catch on very quickly.

Samsung just released the prices for their tv's, while the cheapest one is just $2,000...the main kicker is the glasses. The glasses are $150 each. Not to mention that if you want to watch a 3D Blu Ray film, you'll need a 3D Blu Ray player. I have one word for this, OUCH!

Macau 2 - 2010?

MSam — 10 March 2010 2:37

It's likely that the show will not be opening in Macau. But there has been talk that the show could move venues, looking for a more appropriate city to have a resident show in like New York, Paris or London. Like Eyrk said, Simard is the confirmed director of Cirque's new saturation movement in New York, with the show rumored to be opening in Radio City Music Hall (New York) during half the time, with the other half spent in either London or Paris.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/29/theat ... 1&ref=arts

Although, I'm not sure if it's even the same show anymore.

Cirque 2010: Raising the GC

sfogviper — 10 March 2010 1:57

Dang, it's not André. But it sounds a lot like him so at least that's promising!

Jeff

Cirque 2010: Raising the GC

Vralion — 10 March 2010 1:33

I like the beginning part of the song very much, but then it goes a tad Ovo for my liking. Very promising though, I really do love it up until about 0:48. I just hope there are string instruments in the show...I'm sure there will be. Correct me if I'd wrong but Saltimbanco and Kooza are the only two touring shows without violin, right?

Varekai - Interview with Irina Naumenko & Atherton twins

Vralion — 10 March 2010 1:24

Stella performed in London on January 9th. She wasn't in for Triple Trapeze that particular performance, but I certainly saw her during Georgian Dance, I think in Slippery Surface, and although I can't remember I assume she was in the kidnapping scene.

Corteo - footage

Wingman — 10 March 2010 0:51

New Paradise >>> Old Paradise

I've seen the act performed to both the new and the old music. The new song is much better for the act in terms of flow and pacing and it also gives the act a sense of drama that was missing with the original music.

I still prefer the original Tournik music to the new song (although the new song isn't bad).

KA Accident

No One — 9 March 2010 23:17

Um... I saw a Russian Swing performance in Varekai - live...I was there.... where one flyer just missed the swing completely and landed head first into an audience member's crotch. His headpiece fell off on to the floor, the next audience member next to the crash site picked it up and handed it to another performer, two other performers helped the injured dude up (asked him if he was okay in a mumbled tone) and they just picked up where they left off. Except the guy that fell made a purposeful looking exist rather artistically offstage and was not seen for the rest of the show. The drums kept going the whole time. :/

(and yes, he had a minor concussion but was otherwise fine.)

Macau 2 - 2010?

No One — 9 March 2010 23:02

I heard it was canned (at least Macau as a location for another show) because Zaia wasn't doing well in attendance... and that wasn't due to Zaia being a bad show but people are just more concerned with gambling then watching shows. It's not Vegas and really, who do you know goes all the way to China to gamble when they can do it so easily in the U.S.

Personally I'd fly to Monte Carlo before China... Cirque or not.

What's The Most Beautiful Act in Cirque du Soleil to you?

No One — 9 March 2010 22:56

The strap act for 'A Day In The Life' from LOVE.

(and anything from 'O')

Just a handful of white GC pics...

JugglerUK — 9 March 2010 19:29

Ha, what are the chances of that and I do remember seeing you - the Cirque jacket caught my eye so assumed you must be cast/crew and add to that there weren't many other folk around the Trafford Centre at that time of day!

Cirque 2010: Raising the GC

Stretchy — 9 March 2010 15:50

mm I just assumed it was posted on some randoms channel, also people seem to like the music so i assumed they would like to know it could actually be the music.

Cirque 2010: Raising the GC

foobar — 9 March 2010 15:37

with the same music

I'm curious. The last video was posted by Cirque on their official YouTube channel so why are you wondering that Cirque didn't change the music for the same video on their official web site?

Oscars 2010 - 82nd Annual Academy Awards

foobar — 9 March 2010 15:26

I thought Ben Stiller's Avatar make-up was great. I wonder what James Cameron was thinking after the show because his ex-wife has won more and more important Oscars than he did with Avatar?

TV Alert - KOOZA - Hoops Manipulation

foobar — 9 March 2010 15:21

Don't miss the KOOZA 3 minutes performance on KSWB-TV (FOX) in San Diego, CA Wednesday, March 10 at 8:50am! KOOZA artist - Irina Akimova - will perform the hoops manipulation act LIVE!