Circus Dreams at Cirque du Soleil’s Latest Bay Area Show, Volta

 

Situated behind AT&T Park, Cirque du Soleil has set up their magnificent big tent once again. I’ve been bringing my daughter to see this show for as long as she can remember and I’m sure because of the alluring, twirling female performers, I’ve ended up putting her through circus camp for a few summers. Now at seventeen, I figured she had left her circus dreams behind; however, as soon as we walked into the first big tent, full of flashing merchandise, gold covered gymnasts, unicycles, she dreamily stared into her unknown future: “How do you get a job here?” she asked.

 

Fun fact, not only does this group employ about 4,000 people, Volta will employ about two hundred San Franciscan’s through their production. All for your entertainment. This is why live in a place like the Bay Area, right?

 

Get there early for the pre-show entertainment and goodies. The show starts promptly at eight ‘o  clock. Another fun fact. While the tent is the same size it’s always been, my daughter thought it was much smaller. “We are so close to the performers,” she whispered. Actually we were two rows from the back. The show consists of a series of various plays (mini-shows) broken up by two acts of visually stunning athleticism. Perhaps I’m hyper aware of our current political climate, but it seems Volta is a story of transformation and self love.  As the creators of the show say, “it’s about being true to oneself, fulfilling one’s true potential and recognizing one’s own power to make it possible.”

Throughout the show, my, dare I say, jaded, daughter cheered, clapped and whispered, “how?” right along with the rest of the crowd. While there were the typical aerials, amazing feats on bikes etc., the street sports – as in a super-advanced version of parkour – is what stole the show for us. It doesn’t hurt that the costumes were designed by Emmy Award-winner Zaldy Goco, who has worked with Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears etc.

 

For more on Volta, read we tracked down one of the performers, Bradley Henderson, to hear about his experience with the troupe here.

 

Cirque du Soleil’s latest production, Volta, is playing in San Francisco through Sunday February 3rd. Tickets (starting at $54) for all performances are available now by visiting cirquedusoleil.com/volta or calling 1-877-9CIRQUE (1-877-924-7783). Discover the Hennessy Black VIP Experience package, which includes a cocktail reception with open bar and hors d’oeuvres inspired by the show, access to the best seats for greater comfort, complimentary parking and more.

 


Mimi Towle

Mimi Towle has been the editor of Marin Magazine for over a decade. She lived with her family in Sycamore Park and Strawberry and thoroughly enjoyed raising two daughters in the mayhem of Marin’s youth sports; soccer, swim, volleyball, ballet, hip hop, gymnastics and many many hours spent at Miwok Stables. Her community involvements include volunteering at her daughter’s schools, coaching soccer and volleyball (glorified snack mom), being on the board of both Richardson Bay Audubon Center. Currently residing on a floating home in Sausalito, she enjoys all water activity, including learning how to steer a 6-person canoe for the Tamalpais Outrigger Canoe Club. Born and raised in Hawaii, her fondness for the islands has on occasion made its way into the pages of the magazine.