BURBANK, Calif.—Despite pouring rain and chilling winds, Cavalia raised its tent in Burbank this week. The immense white tent was hoisted in less than optimum conditions. Media looked on from under the cover of the partially assembled tent as the crew worked to finish the gigantic task. All this is a prelude to one of the most magnificent equestrian presentations in the world.
Cavalia is not a horse show in the usual meaning of the term. It is more of a horse ballet, with acrobats, an orchestra, and of course the magnificent horses and their riders, all working in unison to create a single all-encompassing artistic experience.
Normand Latourelle, one of the original founders of Cirque du Soleil, is the founder, artistic director, and producer of this unique show. His charming and humorous way of relating brought warmth to an otherwise chilly day.
Setting up the enormous tent is only the beginning, according to Latourelle; it takes almost a month to set up the entire complex that supports the show.
Cavalia is not a horse show in the usual meaning of the term. It is more of a horse ballet, with acrobats, an orchestra, and of course the magnificent horses and their riders, all working in unison to create a single all-encompassing artistic experience.
Normand Latourelle, one of the original founders of Cirque du Soleil, is the founder, artistic director, and producer of this unique show. His charming and humorous way of relating brought warmth to an otherwise chilly day.
Setting up the enormous tent is only the beginning, according to Latourelle; it takes almost a month to set up the entire complex that supports the show.
This tent will be surrounded by eight other tents including the public tent, and what we call the rendezvous VIP tent, and the backstage tent,“ Latourelle said. ”We have an inside area for the horses, we have a stable which is 210 feet long; we have a gymnasium for the acrobats, the artistic tent, the kitchen tent, all connected together.”
To work properly, Cavalia also needs an astounding amount of sand to be put down in its staging area.
“We have put down a lot of dirt—2,500 tons—to level the tent and provide foundation. We will have additional dirt, sand, because the horses and acrobats will be performing on [it],” continued Latourelle.
Larry King Cardiac Foundation Fundraiser
Larry King Jr. was on-hand to represent his father. Larry King Sr. is a staunch supporter of Cavalia. The friendship between Latourelle and King Sr. started after King came to see Cavalia in 2005. He was so impressed with the production that he provided an effusive testimony.“He told me that it was the best show he had ever seen in his life. We stayed in contact since then,” said Latourelle, recounting his conversation with King Sr.
“This show, Cavalia, is about love,” continued Latourelle. “It’s a love message.”
“It’s also a love affair between the people and the horses, and love is all about the heart from my point of view. Without the heart you don’t get love, and the Cardiac Foundation is there to support the real hearts.”
Larry King Jr. acted as spokesperson for his father: “Thank you all for being out here. Sorry [Larry King Sr.] couldn’t be here today; the Governor announced today as Larry King Day in Los Angeles, so he had to do that and couldn’t make this one.”
Larry King Sr. started the Larry King Cardiac Foundation 23 years prior, said King Jr., adding that his father has had quintuple bypass surgery and is still going strong at age 77. The foundation helps people, who don’t have health insurance, pay for cardiac surgery and cardiac care. His whole immediate family will attend Cavalia, King Jr. said.
“Really we’re so proud to be part of this, because it’s something where the money and the proceeds from that night will go to help the people in this community,” added King Jr. “My father will call personally the people we help ... because that’s what it’s all about.”
“This show, Cavalia, is about love,” continued Latourelle. “It’s a love message.”
“It’s also a love affair between the people and the horses, and love is all about the heart from my point of view. Without the heart you don’t get love, and the Cardiac Foundation is there to support the real hearts.”
Larry King Jr. acted as spokesperson for his father: “Thank you all for being out here. Sorry [Larry King Sr.] couldn’t be here today; the Governor announced today as Larry King Day in Los Angeles, so he had to do that and couldn’t make this one.”
Larry King Sr. started the Larry King Cardiac Foundation 23 years prior, said King Jr., adding that his father has had quintuple bypass surgery and is still going strong at age 77. The foundation helps people, who don’t have health insurance, pay for cardiac surgery and cardiac care. His whole immediate family will attend Cavalia, King Jr. said.
“Really we’re so proud to be part of this, because it’s something where the money and the proceeds from that night will go to help the people in this community,” added King Jr. “My father will call personally the people we help ... because that’s what it’s all about.”
Burbank Mayor Welcomes Cavalia
Smiling, Mayor Anja Reinke welcomed Cavalia to Burbank:“This town is all about show biz and show biz-related media, everything supporting the arts. We are so happy to have this kind of art come to our community. There is so much of the arts involved in this Cavalia show,” she said.
“You couldn’t have picked a better site too, because we have a very large equestrian community. It’s unusual to find, in the middle of Los Angeles, an equestrian community.”
Mayor Reinke said she hoped Cavalia would become a regular visitor to Burbank.
“I hope this is the beginning of a very, very long relationship. I am so excited to see your show—welcome to Burbank—and unlike Larry King, I will get on a horse,” she declared.
In closing, Latourelle said that Cavalia also represents human beings’ deep connection with nature and the mystical expression of that relationship. He hinted at a new venture that would begin next year—an offshoot of Cavalia—however, the details are meant to be a surprise!
Cavalia opens in Burbank on January 19, 2011.
For information and tickets: 1-866-999-8111 or visit Cavalia.net.
“You couldn’t have picked a better site too, because we have a very large equestrian community. It’s unusual to find, in the middle of Los Angeles, an equestrian community.”
Mayor Reinke said she hoped Cavalia would become a regular visitor to Burbank.
“I hope this is the beginning of a very, very long relationship. I am so excited to see your show—welcome to Burbank—and unlike Larry King, I will get on a horse,” she declared.
In closing, Latourelle said that Cavalia also represents human beings’ deep connection with nature and the mystical expression of that relationship. He hinted at a new venture that would begin next year—an offshoot of Cavalia—however, the details are meant to be a surprise!
Cavalia opens in Burbank on January 19, 2011.
For information and tickets: 1-866-999-8111 or visit Cavalia.net.
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