Review: Cirque du Soleil Alegria - A family or date night to remember

As the crowd settles into their seats and the lights slowly begin to fade, uniquely costumed clowns begin wandering into the audience, titillating the kids, and kids-at-heart, of unbelievable things to come, in the next couple of hours, during Cirque du Soleil Alegria. Alegria, a Spanish word that loosely translates to joy and jubilation, aptly describes the sense of well-being that wafts from the troupe and fans alike in the almost filled to capacity Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

The lights burn out as a strolling band, armed with musical instruments begin to glide across the stage and out onto the floor, to the strains of Alegria, a tune that combines a tango rhythm with a touch of jazz. The band is dressed impeccably in jewel studded stylish white tuxedoes and fitted with white face and long, pointy noses, 

Soon, the intensity begins to build, as acts like the Synchronized Trapeze, Russian Bars, Cyr Wheel and Fire-Knife Dance perform one breathtaking feat after another. Your eyes are constantly moving, your ears always engaged and your breath catching, as one performance seamlessly blends into the next.

One of my favorite parts of the show, was when the lights went black and a motorcycle came onto the stage. All you could see was the headlight, but you could hear the noise of the engine, loud, proud and roaring. It spun around the stage, at some points looking as if it might run straight into the audience, making you catch your breath at the wonder of how the driver could see on that dark stage. Then, suddenly, the lights came up, and there was a lone clown, holding a flashlight, running around the stage to motorcycle noises! It was the beginning a a hilarious routine. The crowd was in stitches, and not really a word was spoken the entire time.

There are about 10 acts, not counting the clowns or the beautiful  and very talented singer who accompanies the acts, who is known simply as “The White Singer”.  The singer performs songs that are somewhat new age and fit the mood for each act. There is also, at times, “The Black Singer”, who is The White Singer's alter ego or dark side; both have exquisite voices.

The show ends with the Aerial High Bars, three bars that are more than 40 feet above the stage to form an aerial “playground” from which the daredevil acrobats will astound you by flying back and forth from the arms of catchers who are suspended from their knees on cradle swings. The act was done with the rhythm and timing that reminded me of the most precise clockworks, the movements harmonious with one another, in perfect tempo.  The night closed with the aerialists plunging into the net, one at a time, to take their bows to a standing ovation that lasted as all the performers were brought out onto the stage for last call. It was, indeed, a night to remember.

¡A Bailar! Let's Dance! (Spanish learning songs for kids/Canciones ...

Both of the Spanish appeal videos starting Whistlefritz — Los Animales and Vamos a Jugar — were huge hits with my two kids (ages 4 and 6). So I bought a copy of this Spanish song bring collectively right with it was released. My kids like listening to the CD at home and in the car. They have elected up a ton of Spanish starting the eclectic mix of songs, which includes songs about parts of the body, in rank, animals, sign, and that. The songs are memorable and now and again with dropping my kids off at lecture I learn I’m soothe listening to the composition without realizing it. I vastly recommend this CD!

Singing the target foreign language is such a skilled road to gather a nameless foreign language, and this CD is a skilled addendum to anyone’s foreign language learning store. Starting tongue twisters such as “Hora De Limpiar” to the all-must-gather “Las Mañanitas,” all song is a small example in itself. The words are plainly sung, and the composition is lovely enough for an adult. I recommend this for both children 2+ to adults.

The composition is fantastic! My 4 time ancient wants to pocket see of it over and over again. It’s a fantastic store for playing games with your kids to lecture them body parts, for develop. The composition is extremely apposite, excessively, so you won’t be banging your head against the roadblock. Even though I don’t have the booklet (I bought the CD in mp3 format), I’ve had no tribulations in understanding the lyrics. I was looking for a enjoyable and memorable CD to use in choice me lecture my kids Spanish, and this is it! As a bilingual person, I vastly recommend “appeal” category materials everywhere the children gather the foreign language without a translation. This CD is 100% in Spanish and would also be just as enjoyable and just as appropriate for native Spanish language children.

Spanish Songs for Children

Spanish Children's Songs, 12 Favorites to Play and Sing (Spanish, English Language Edition)

De Colores and Other Latin-american Folk Songs for Children

Play and Learn Spanish

Niñez, Spanish songs, games, and stories of childhood