Review: Saltimbanco by Cirque Du Soleil

The current version of Saltimbanco, the oldest show from the Cirque Du Soleil stable, is currently touring Australia. This show is everything that you expect from Cirque Du Soleil’s shows. Acrobats, colors, drama, comedy, and of course, a sense of flight from normal.

Nearing 30 years in existence, Cirque Du Soleil has redefined, and reinvented, the art of the circus performer. Thanks to it, the once dying art of the circus has a new lease on life. Saltimbanco is every bit a manifestation of this art as much as an extension of it.

What is gripping about the show itself is that it grabs you from the start, even before everyone is seated. The comedy acts (calling them jokers in the traditional sense of the word would be a disservice) play with the audience while most of us are still groping about matching seat numbers on our tickets. The official show starts with an introduction and a welcome and then Chinese pole performers perform stunts that leave your jaw hanging.

An artistic cyclist, a juggler, a mime performer (whose act seems to drag unfortunately), and a duo of bola (kind of drums) performers round up act 1. A brief 20 minute interval is followed by more death defying acts, more comedy and more performances that can only be described as .. well impossible for normal human beings.

For locals, Brisbane born performer, 24 year old NATHAN DENNIS, is part of this talented cast. Look out for him in Chinese Poles, Swings and Bungee.

If you have little ones, try attending the shows that are in the afternoon. The night show that starts at 8 doesn’t finish till 10:30. It means you won’t get home till late.

If you are a family of four, it can cost you a bit. The cheapest tickets are $55.00 for a child and $69.00 for an adult (in Brisbane – more in other cities). But what you get is far more than a circus – it is an experience.

What: Saltimbanco by Cirque Du Soleil

When: In Brisbane: Till 17th July, then Newcastle, Sydney and Wollongong.

Where: Brisbane Entertainment Centre. Pay $10 for parking.

TICKETS: Ticketek on 132 849 or the website: http://premier.ticketek.com.au/Shows/Show.aspx?sh=CIRQUEDU11. From $55.

CraftGossip attended the show courtesy of Cirque Du Soleil.

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As the year comes to a close, you might be thinking about things you want to do, or do differently, in your life in the next year, and your crafting life should definitely be part of whatever resolutions or goals you set.

I feel like one of the most common goals for crafters of all varieties, not just cross stitchers, is to be more organized. Earlier this year I shared a post about organizing cross stitch supplies, and in the vault you’ll find ideas for storing embroidery floss in particular, as well as this post about how one cross stitcher uses a Caboodles box to keep her projects contained.

You might also want to finish projects that you’ve started but abandoned in the past, or to let go of some things that you know you’ll never finish (if you need help decluttering your craft supplies, I’ve got an ebook to help!).

Making more time for your crafts is another good goal, and may be especially important if you’re trying to avoid the news or social media. Start small, with scheduling in an extra 10 or 15 minutes a day, or declare that after supper is craft time, or whatever you need to do to hold that time for yourself. Doing something like a 100 day project is an easy way to commit to working on a craft regularly.

Another resolution you might consider is learning new skills or trying more difficult projects. I’m guilty of staying in the beginner zone when it comes to cross stitch for a really long time, but writing about it here has inspired me to try bigger, more colorful and more difficult projects, which is the challenging kind of fun. If there’s a project you’ve always wanted to do but were afraid to try, make this coming year the time you do it.

And if you are still learning the basics of cross stitch, check out my learn to cross stitch guide over at Our Daily Craft.

Do you have a cross stitch related resolution or something you want to learn this year? I’d love to hear about it!

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