Experience Hollywood at the Hollywood Block Party

This Saturday, May 19 from 10AM-1PM, Hollywood is taking it to the streets with a block party. The event offers local residents* a rare opportunity to experience Hollywood like never before. Staff from L.A.'s own permanent Cirque du Soleil show, IRIS, will be on hand to demonstrate the magic of make-up. Visitors will have a chance to tour the iconic Grauman's Chinese Theatre for free. Madame Tussaud's Hollywood is offering free admission. There will also be opportunities to enter to win, with prizes including a one-night stay at the  Renaissance Hollywood Hotel.

Save 30% on tickets to OVO from Cirque du Soleil

For those of you who have yet to see OVO, or if you simply want to go see it again, here's some good news from our friends at Cirque du Soleil. Now through the remainder of the show's run (March 25), price level 1 seats are available at 30% off (reg. $110.50 for adults and $82.50 for kids 2-12)!

Revisiting my childhood with OVO

Ants: Foot juggling/icarian games from "OVO"
Image courtesy of Cirque du Soleil

They never cease to amaze. OVO is the latest Cirque du Soleil show to come through the Santa Monica Pier under the Grand Chapiteau. It is, by far, the most whimsical show I've seen in the Cirque du Soleil repertoire, with beautiful, brightly colored costumes and playful characters.

OVO is a journey into the world of bugs. It is part love story, part adventure, and pure imagination. The initial thought of "insects" doesn't necessarily scream "beauty" for many of us. Leave it to the talented people at Cirque du Soleil, however, to change your mind. For a brief moment, I imagined myself as a young child again, and one who happened to stumble upon a secret world of insects trying to figure out this mysterious egg which has entered their realm.

Remaining #Cirque Truck appearances

Photo courtesy of Cirque du Soleil

Hoping to see IRIS or OVO by Cirque du Soleil, but think you can't because tickets are too expensive? Pish posh! Visit the #Cirque Truck to get exclusive ticket discounts, win Cirque du Soleil prizes and much more. Check out these upcoming appearances:

Upcoming Cirque du Soleil Truck stops

Photo courtesy of Cirque du Soleil

You may have already spotted the Cirque du Soleil Truck at various locations around town, but if not, we've got some of the remaining dates to help you plan your visit. The truck is an opportunity for fans to interact, take photos, receive free Cirque gifts, purchase tickets to "OVO" and "IRIS" at an exclusive discount offer, win prizes and celebrate 25 years of Cirque du Soleil performing in Los Angeles.

The Cirque du Soleil Truck will make various stops at shopping centers, business districts, and attractions all over Southern California now through January. Keep up with the truck's scheduled appearances and updates by visiting their Facebook pages (www.facebook.com/OVOCirque or www.facebook.com/IRISCirque) or on Twitter (use #CirqueTruck). Or, you can also follow XLA's Facebook and Twitter pages and we'll give you updates as we receive them.

Cirque du Soleil: IRIS at the Kodak Theatre - Fantastic Fantasy in Reel-ity

Acrobatic feats with special effects live camera feed in
the background are what make this show stand out!

I’ve been a long-time Cirque du Soleil fan, but always seem to miss the touring shows. Now that IRIS – the Los Angeles resident Cirque du Soleil show at the Kodak theatre – is in town, I jumped at the chance to see it. This time, I brought a friend, and newbie to Cirque du Soleil shows, and we had a blast.

Acrobats and Performance Art at Cirque du Soleil IRIS and Lucent Dossier Experience

The ExperienceLA blog recently covered the press previews for the opening of Cirque du Soleil IRIS at the Hollywood Kodak Theatre and Lucent Dossier Experience at the Downtown LA Palace Theatre on Broadway. Over the last two weeks, I had the chance to see both of their complete performances. Both are must see acrobatic and performance art creations for both residents and visitors alike. Cirque du Soleil is in for a long run at the Kodak Theatre, while Lucent Dossier at this time was a single sold out performance at the recently renovated Palace Theatre.

The performance of Lucent Dossier Experience reminded me of the rawness of Cirque du Soleil when they first came to Los Angeles in 1986 for their North American premiere as a legacy of the 1984 Olympic Arts Festival. If my memory serves me correctly, they set up their tent in the City of LA owned parking lot near what is now the Geffen Contemporary, and then their next visit to Los Angeles was a tent in the parking lot adjacent to the Santa Monica pier. Is it a coincidence that the Trapeze School of New York's Los Angeles location is on Santa Monica Pier? Cirque du Soleil has created an entire industry for acrobats, gymnasts, trapeze artists, and dancers. In fact the number of jobs being created at the Kodak Theater most likely exceeds any original estimate when the facility was built as part of the original Hollywood and Highland Project. The overall economic impact for Hollywood is significant with Cirque du Soleil now in residence.

Lucent Dossier's offices and rehearsal facility is located in the downtown Los Angeles Fashion District. Los Angeles itself has a long history of acrobatics and showcasing champion gymnasts at the original Muscle Beach near the Santa Monica pier. Thus, in watching those flying through the air for both of these cirques, I remember before there was a Cirque du Soleil, seeing amazing acrobatic stunts at a 1970 (approximate date) Pasadena City College sponsored gymnastics open competition that encouraged the best gymnasts of the area to compete. Word was out that Mark Davis from Southern Illinois University would be the first one in the world to throw a triple from the high bar in an official competition. Comments in the crowd was that this was like bringing the circus into a gymnastics competition. Speaking of a circus, Mark Davis later surprised the audience while on the rings with his clown routine. With gasps of concern from the crowd before they realized it was a comedy stunt, Mark Davis entertained the crowd, once they realized it was comedy. Mark Davis would continue to do the clown ring routine at other competitions. Little did people realize that the development of these skills in competitive gymnastics and acrobatics that would form the basis for what now entertains us from Cirque du Soleil and even Lucent Dossier, and even the use of humor folded into acrobatics.

I was even surprised to find that you can see Mark Davis doing his clown ring routine on this YouTube video from 1977 near the end of the sequence. With regard to the building of human pyramids, which is a major feature to the Hollywood Cirque IRIS show, again the original Muscle Beach near the Santa Monica Pier has a long history of such feats, including this rather modest one when compared to Cirque du Soleil that I captured several years back. And you can even find this clip of Mark Davis throwing a a quad from the swinging rings at Muscle Beach from the late 1960s. The Venice historical books and those of Muscle Beach show some of the Muscle Beach acrobatic pictures from the 1940s onwards including those with Jack Lalanne participating in the human pyramids.

Up until the Palace Theatre performance, Lucent Dossier had earned its reputation performing at Burning Man and Coachella, although many had seen them perform at the Edison in Downtown LA. Neither of which I had attended, and thus it took the Palace Theatre performance to showcase these local talented performers so that I and I suspect hundereds of others could also discover them. With people still talking about Lucent Dossier on social media channels, I would hope that Dream Rockwell who runs (and performs in) Lucent Dossier is working on the possibility of a return engagement at the Palace Theatre.

Here is a link to the pictures that I previously took at the Cirque du Soleil IRIS press event, and below are embedded links to my latest picture sets as skude shows for Lucent Dossier that will have to hold you over until their next performance. Due to the swift movement and lighting conditions, these are not the easiest images to capture.

This first set are pictures taken outside and inside the Palace Theatre before the show began:






The second set is the first half of Lucent Dossier Experience:






And then the second half of the show, including the curtain call, and Dream Rockwell thanking the audience:

Cirque du Soleil takes over Kodak Theatre

Cirque du Soleil celebrated its 27th anniversary this past Thursday at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. Scores of journalists were invited to a sneak peak of Cirque's most recent creation, IRIS, A Journey Through The World Of Cinema. The ExperienceLA team was present to capture all the excitement and see why IRIS could be the next major attraction in Los Angeles.

The show, which opens September 25th and previews starting July 21st, is expected to bring in waves of spectators from around the world as it begins its residency at the iconic Kodak Theatre. During the press conference Cirque's president and CEO Daniel Lamarre reminisced about the first time his company performed at the Kodak and unexpectedly received a standing ovation during the Academy Awards ceremony.

Within the preview was a truly spectacular aerial performance. Twin dancers left the audience in awe as they soared over us, holding only each others arms while spinning in midair. While such acrobatics are expected of Cirque du Soleil, IRIS tells a new story of the history of cinema staged appropriately in the heart of America's film industry.

Another funtastic scene was that of an airborne fight between policemen and gangsters. Danny Elfman's score added to its 1920's feel with growling trumpets and mambo percussion. The set was designed to look like the tops of buildings in what could be historic downtown Los Angeles, hiding the trampolines used to catapult the performers high in the air.

Leaving us with a nostalgia for 1920's decadence and a craving for more, IRIS is sure to be a hit among diverse audiences when it hits early this fall.

Written by Marlon Fuentes for ExperienceLA

jazzcatlbc@gmail.com

#CirqueDayLA at Paseo Colorado in Pasadena until 6PM

With Cirque du Soleil Day more than half over, Pasadena's Paseo Colorado features an interactive photo experience with A Little Scene, and live music and prizes from Hot 92.3 FM.

Westfield Mall Century City celebrates Cirque du Soleil Day

Diners on the Westfield Mall dining plaza in Century City today were treated to some music and free goodies, as the city joined in celebration of Cirque du Soleil Day in Los Angeles. "A Little Scene" provided a fun, interactive twist to the standard photobooth. Guests could record themselves in front of a video camera for a few seconds and have that video turned into a personal flip book branded with Cirque du Soleil's "IRIS" as a keepsake.

Cirque du Soleil Day Kicks Off #CirqueDayLA

Cirque du Soleil Day has officially kicked off in Los Angeles with the first event taking place at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in Hollywood with Manny from KIIS FM broadcasting live.

Enjoy a cup of coffee from the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf at home. Between June 16 and July 3, purchase the CBTL Single Serve Beverage System at www.cbtl.com and receive 15% off when you enter the discount code "IRIS15" at check out. The promotion is all part of the city-wide celebration for Cirque du Soleil's "IRIS, A Journey Through The World Of Cinema" at the Kodak Theatre.

ExperienceLA will be at the press conference later this morning with some sneak previews and photos so be on the look out! For a complete list of today's events and special offers, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/cirquedayla.


-Julie

Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken Restaurants to Promote IRIS on Cirque du Soleil Day LA

Thursday, June 16, 2011, is Cirque du Soleil Day in LA, and you can celebrate at Susan Feniger's STREET and the Border Grill restaurants in Santa Monica and Downtown Los Angeles that are co-owned with Mary Sue Milliken. Each of them are creating a special Cirque-themed menu that help to celebrate the upcoming opening of IRIS, A Journey Through The World of Cinema at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. The picture above was taken at an LA Central Library ALOUD book panel almost five years ago, and it is our copy of a heavily used cookbook that these two Top Chef Master competitors published back in 1989 celebrating the cooking of City Cafe that opened in 1981 and City Restaurant that opened in 1985. Thus, its been 30 years of the Two Hot Tamales in Los Angeles.

Cirque du Soleil Day in L.A.: IRIS from Cirque du Soleil® takes over Los Angeles #CirqueDayLA

This Thursday, June 16 will be known as Cirque du Soleil Day in Los Angeles in celebration of the 27th anniversary of Cirque du Soleil® and the upcoming debut of IRIS, A Journey Through The World Of Cinema™ opening at the Kodak Theatre.

Festivities will take place across Los Angeles in Hollywood, Pasadena, Century City, and Santa Monica, and there will be something for just about everyone. In addition to the FREE (!!!) live events, residents and visitors can participate on Twitter and Foursquare using the #CirqueDayLA hashtag and be entered into a sweepstake for a chance to win IRIS related prizes.

A new year, another year for celebrating the arts

Los Angeles Arts Month officially kicked off today at the Music Center Plaza in Downtown. Mayor Villaraigosa, L.A. County Supervisor Molina, and leading members from the arts community welcomed an audience who took advantage of the sunny afternoon to enjoy free entertainment and be reminded of how great the arts and cultural opportunities are in Los Angeles.

A Cirque du Soleil show to call our own: Tickets to "IRIS" go on sale

Hey Oscar, meet your new roommate! The Kodak Theatre's new resident, the long-awaited, dedicated L.A. Cirque du Soleil show arrives summer of 2011. Though "IRIS - A Journey Through the World of Cinema" debuts next year, eager fans will have a chance to purchase tickets in advance this coming Monday, November 22. Just in time for the holidays...

Win tickets to see Cirque du Soleil

The venerable acrobatic and clown troupe of Cirque du Soleil comes to L.A. starting October 16th under the Grand Chapiteau at the Santa Monica Pier. In honor of this, ExperienceLA wants to send one of our lucky readers to see KOOZA by Cirque du Soleil. Read on for details...

Think you know Los Angeles? Answer some trivia and be entered to win tickets to see KOOZA by Cirque du Soleil. Each Friday, starting today, we will post a new trivia question on our blog. Each correct answer will earn you one additional entry to the drawing. The final question will be posted on Friday, October 30, so check back weekly to increase your chances of winning! The final day to submit your answers is Thursday, November 5. One winner will be randomly drawn and notified by November 6. Good luck!

Friday, October 9 - ExperienceLA Trivia Challenge question 1:

Which theatre in LA County was built in 1920 as the site of the Pilgrimage Play? (hint: check out one of our June 2009 newsletters). Answer: John Anson Ford Ampitheatre

Friday, October 16 - ExperienceLA Trivia Challenge question 2:

How many miles of horse and hiking trails does LA County offer? (hint: visit our County Directory to find out.) Answer: 337 miles (also acceptable is 344 miles)

Friday, October 23 - ExperienceLA Trivia Challenge question 3:

What building is the only remaining example in Los Angeles County of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture? (hint: visit the Figueroa Corridor Itinerary on our Adventures Page.) Answer: Stimson House

Friday, October 30 - ExperienceLA Trivia Challenge question 4:

How old is the Original Farmers Market? (hint: Visit the Original Farmers Market page at ExperienceLA.com). Answer: 75 years

Email your answers to staff at experienceLA.com with the subject heading "KOOZA." Answers can be sent weekly or all at once by November 5. Be sure to include your first and last name along with your answers.


-Julie