Multimedia equestrian show under the big top starts this week
If you go
“Cavalia”
Where: The White Big Top, South Fern Street and Army Navy Drive, Pentagon City, Arlington
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Performances on Sept. 11-13 will benefit the Pentagon Memorial Fund; show runs Sept. 11-27
Info: $45.50 to $98.50, special pricing for children and seniors. Special packages include visit to the Cavalia stables. 866-999-8111; cavalia.net
Cavalia, the multimedia equestrian extravaganza, first came to Washington in 2005 with acts exceeding expectations. Now the white big top has returned to Pentagon City for a limited stay with spectacular new acts to thrill and amaze.
Cavalia president and artistic director Normand Latourelle burst into prominence as one of the founders of Cirque du Soleil. Throughout the years, he has created eye-popping shows designed to showcase acrobats and artists of extraordinary talents discovered worldwide. The concept of Cavalia came to him by accident when he noticed eyes riveted upon a solitary horse walking across the stage instead of the spotlighted human performers. Realizing that the horse was the star, he went into a study mode and traveled around the world to view examples of dressage, jumping, western, Roman, trick riding and other disciplines.
Along the way, he enlisted the creative team of director Erick Villenueve and French equestrian choreographers, Frederic Pignon and his wife, Magali Delgado, who specialize in training with trust and respect. Together they developed a traveling show in the largest touring tent with theater-style seating, a gigantic stage, music, lighting, costumes and special effects. The stars are 65 horses representing 13 breeds and 30 riders, acrobats, aerialists, dancers and instrumentalists.
“We try to find multitalented riders,” Normand says. “They must know more than trick riding, bareback, jumping and other techniques. We look for versatility, and when they arrive we give them a horse to see if they work well together. If not, they may try another horse.”
Communication between the horses and their trainers is key to their happiness. No horse performs more than seven shows a week. All enjoy being groomed, massaged and showered daily and are given time to train and exercise with their riders. Between cities, they are transported back to their beautiful farm in Quebec to graze with their friends in the green pastures.
“I was very impressed by how spectacular horses are when you let them do what they can without reins and bits,” Latourelle says. “Our riders come from all over the world. To apply, they send a DVD that we study to see how respectful they are to the horses, how well they like them and treat them. Those we choose must follow the rule of patience. Because horses are big, humans have been afraid of them for centuries and so they use too much strength in dealing with them. Cavalia is all about the horse doing what he does for pleasure.”
In recognition of the view from the tent, Latourelle announces that ticket sales the opening weekend, Sept. 11 to 13, will benefit the Pentagon Memorial Fund.
“This is our tribute to humanity and an opportunity to show the world what we are,” he says. “Cavalia’s international cast comes from many countries. They speak Russian, Arabic, Spanish, English and other languages, but we all live together in peace. It wasn’t only Americans who were affected by the events of 9/11. All of us were touched by the tragedy and all our performances are presented with a message of peace and world harmony.”
