The BIG TOP Is All Ready For Cirque Du Soleil's TOTEM In Singapore

Hi Huneybees, 

If you were around the Marina Bay Sands' vicinity, you would have noticed that a huge canvas tent has been erected beside the open grass field next to the open public car park. But if you missed it, there's much a catch up for you to do on the Art Scene as this is the Cirque Du Soleil's iconic tent also known as the BIG TOP. It is easily identified by its blue and yellow stripes, you can never miss it!

The poles are all ready on standby.

Huney'Z World, with me donned in safety shoe, hard helmet and reflective vest, was privileged to be invited to witness the raising of the BIG TOP on last Saturday as part of the media preview to the unfolding of the much anticipated show, TOTEM. This awe-inspiring production will be performed in Singapore from 28th October to 6th December 2015.

According to the General Manager, the whole setup of the venue would take 8-10 days to complete and the raising of the BIG TOP alone would take 1 whole day! 

As much a tradition as the speed and accuracy of the whole exercise, 100 muscular men were deployed to work as a team, moving in unison in one direction to physically position all poles upright that help raise the iconic blue and yellow canvas tent, where the performance will be staged, come 28th October. 

About the Big Top and the Cirque du Soleil village:

• The big top seats more than 2,600 people.
• The entire site set-up takes 8 days. This includes installation of entrance, hospitality and rehearsal tents, box office, administrative offices and kitchen.
• The big top stands 19 metres high and is 51 metres in diameter.
• The 4 masts each stand at 25 metres tall.
• 550 pegs are required to hold the big top firmly to 4,506 square metres of asphalt.
• TOTEM travels via 85 containers carrying close to 2,000 tons of equipment

Before, with just two main poles supporting the canvas tent.

Here's one of the two poles...

After...

Huney'Z World is the accredited social media outlet for Cirque Du Soleil - TOTEM in Singapore.

Do look out for our media coverage of the show soon!

Meantime tickets are selling fast and you could get yours through either any SISTIC Authorised Agents or Marina Bay Sands counters. TOTEM opens in Singapore on 28 October 2015 for a limited engagement. For more information, visit www.cirquedusoleil.com/totem.

Have a great week ahead!

Don’t forget to stay tuned to my blog / like my blog’s Facebook page / follow me @huney_84 on Twitter & Instagram  for the latest updates!

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Catching The Breathtaking Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Man and Horse On Its Opening Night In Singapore

Hi Huneybees,

It was great joy as I caught Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Man and Horse on its opening day. It was beyond my imagination with its beautiful play on fast and slow beat action with an affectionate play on human and horse interaction. Although there was not much story between each scene, the picturesque setting was enough to take my breath away....

From the moment the lights come on, the pair of white horses come running out amidst the multiple horse toys on the ground, you are already on a visual journey to see how human interact with horses through the countries and era. 

This hybrid cross show of acrobats/aerialists in spectacular costumes, a live band, a vocal powerhouse female singer together with 50 horses with beautifully choreographed story against a constantly changing digital background projected onto a 60 metre-wide screen, seduced me and kept me on the edge of my seat. 

It was exhilarating as everyone cheered the acrobats on as they challenged gravity defying stunts, as well as for the horses as they galloped like the wind and  responding to their riders. One interesting fact is that the show revolves around the horses, even the music played by the live band reacts with the horses actions. 

They are free to express themselves and being trained through the Liberty style, their riders can communicate with them through body language, leading and positioning them in a creative and bonding way. No 2 shows are the same and each experience is unique. 

I have a few favourite scenes, one being the one performed by Fairland Ferguson.  She stole the show as she performed daredevil acts while balancing on the backs of horses multiple galloping at full speed. Little known is that this inspiration behind the animation Brave’s Princes Merida was told that she couldn't walk again when she broke 46 of her bones (including 23 to her face, eight ribs, both arms and both legs) on break from university falling 25m from the top of a cliff at Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia.

This scene was nerve wrecking as different horses come out from 2 opposite directions as their riders play a games of scarf throwing and picking up. The riders would get down whilst riding their horses in different positions to pick up the scarves on the floor, giving the term fast and furious a whole new meaning!

Another favourite has got to be the last few moments when the sun sets and the mountain comes into play, the white horses, ridden by riders dressed in soft flowing costumes, lined up on the stage and gallop around as though it’s a walk into J.R. Tolkien's world of Elves on their playful break with their horses, as a pool of water magically fills up to sand pit, creating such a surreal visual sensation....

It was such a spectacular show and the connection between Man and horse is simply magical. I shall leave you with a short snippet of what to expect during the show. Do come on down to this White Theatre Tent soon to catch Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Man and Horse!

Cavalia: A Magical Encounter Between Man and Horse

Venue: Under the White Theatre Tent, at Bayfront Avenue beside Marina Bay Sands

Dates: 12 Aug - 14 Sep 2014

Times: Tue - Fri: 7.30pm | Sat: 2pm & 7.30pm | Sun: 12pm & 5.30pm

*No performances on 13,19 and 26 August 2014

Duration: 2.5 hours (including 20 minutes intermission)

Tickets: $58, $88, $98, $148, $188, $208, $248 & $288 (excluding booking fees)

*To buy tickets, visit www.sistic.com.sg/events/cavalia0914

Discounts: 

- 10% discount for MasterCard Cardholders [Valid from 1 Jul 2014 till 31 Jul 2014] 

Applicable for Cat 5 - 9 only and for Tue - Thu & Sun Matinee only

- S$141 (Cat 5), S$111 (Cat 6), S$73.50 (Cat 7) for Family Pack - Buy 3 Get 1 Free! 

[Valid from 4 Jul 2014 till 31 Jul 2014]  Applicable for Cat 5 - 7 only and for Tue - Thu & Sun Matinee only

Website: www.cavalia.sg

Founder Norman Latourelle together with his team of Cavalia Performers

Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd is the Presenting Sponsor of Cavalia and you can read more about it here ---  http://huneyzworld.blogspot.sg/2014/06/fuji-xerox-launches-versant-2100-and.html.

My close up experience with the stars of Cavalia can also be found here ---http://huneyzworld.blogspot.sg/2014/08/horsing-around-with-stars-of-cavalia.html..

Don’t forget to stay tuned to my blog / like my blog’s Facebook page / follow me @huney_84 on Twitter & Instagram  for the latest updates!

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