Cavalia: Equine, Equestrian Extravaganza
Cavalia combines aerialists with the horses. Credit: Cavalia
The show, featuring stunt riders, acrobats and aerialists, runs through April 8 under the Big Top in downtown St. Louis.
By Owen Skoler
from: kirkwood.patch.com
March 24, 2012
Cavalia, the equine and equestrian extravaganza being performed in St. Louis through April 8, combines all the flash and spectacle of a circus with the serenity and beauty of a walk in the woods.
The show, called “A Magical Encounter Between Human and Horse,” explores humankind’s longstanding relationship with horses.
A Cavalia stunt rider demonstrates something audience members can only dream about. Credit: Cavalia
Cavalia features 37 highly skilled riders, acrobats, aerialists, dancers and musicians and 49 magnificent horses. During the course of two hours, the horses gambol, trot and gallop across the expansive 160-foot-wide stage, sometimes free to wander, occasionally guided by a trainer through a series of balletic movements, but usually carrying riders executing fantastic, eye-popping stunts.
The cast acknowledges applause after a recent show.
Credit: Doug Kaufman
The riders hang from hurrying horses at seemingly impossible angles, such as off to the side and leaning backwards over the horse’s rear end. They straddle two speeding steeds while standing and leap from a running horse’s back over a bar and back onto the horse. Meanwhile, a troupe of talented tumblers on the ground and suspended in air spin, twirl, flip and pirouette in moves choreographed to the actions of the horses and riders.
The performances are enhanced by a 200-foot-wide screen showing a constantly changing digital background, plus live music. The result is stunning and breathtaking, which is just what Cavalia founder and artistic director Normand Latourelle intended.
Rider Fairland Ferguson, left with Poncho, and Cavalia Founder-Artistic Director Normand Latourelle. Credit: Doug Kaufman
“My goal in life is to please as many people as possible,” he said.
read more at:
http://kirkwood.patch.com/articles/cavalia-equine-equestrian-extravaganza-hits-st-louis#photo-9394167
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