Printed from the Review
Cirque Niagara packs tents early after poor summer
An underwhelming tourist season and expiring visas have forced Cirque Niagara to shut its season down two weeks early. After gaining a foothold in the Niagara market last year, the made-in-Russia circus endured a slow summer, performing fewer shows before smaller crowds. The show’s $1.3 million tent at Rapids View Park will be dismantled after Sunday’s show.
The season was scheduled to run until Oct. 6.
“We’ve got a lot of overhead, and revenues were not what we expected this year,” said Jana Ray, Cirque Niagara’s director of sales and marketing. “We still did quite well, but at the same time it wasn’t our expectations.” (more…)
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Printed from the Review
Cirque Niagara reopens its big tent
JOHN LAW
Thursday, June 14, 2007 – 12:00
Local News – True to its word, Cirque Niagara has pitched its tent for a second summer in Niagara Falls.
When this high-flying Russian circus was announced last year, naysayers wondered if it would happen. When it opened, there were doubts it would survive. When it wrapped up in October, there were rumours it wouldn’t be back.
From the start, it seems, the show has been trying to convince cynics it’s the real deal. Maybe now they’ll believe. (more…)
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Printed from the Review
Cirque plans return to Niagara
JOHN LAW
Tuesday, April 17, 2007 – 02:00
Local News – Despite a spring fling in Toronto, Cirque Niagara will “definitely” return to Niagara Falls this summer, a spokeswoman for the company said.
The $10-million production of “Avaia,” which debuted to solid reviews and decent box office numbers last year, heads to Woodbine Racetrack in Toronto for a month-long run April 28 to May 27.
But local fans need not fret – the made-in-Russia spectacle is back under the tent at Rapidsview Park, from June 15 to Oct. 6. (more…)
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- Cirque Niagara – Big problem under the big top
Printed from the Niagara Falls Review
Cirque Niagara ‘had a blast,’ will return next summer
JOHN LAW
Friday, October 06, 2006 – 02:00
Local News – A memorable summer comes to a close for Cirque Niagara this weekend.
After five months, the high-flying tourist attraction will pack up and head home to Russia Sunday. But not before making a hefty deposit … and a promise to return.
At 1 p.m. in the Main Tent today, the company will make a $50,000 donation to the Niagara Health System Foundation and the Juravinski Cancer Centre Foundation. After that, it’s four more packed houses to end a spectacular first season.
“We started out with sold-out crowds and we’re finishing with sold-out crowds,” said co-owner Gabe Macaluse, who helped convince Russia’s famed Kantemirov circus family to spend the summer in Niagara Falls.
The $10-million show Avaia opened at Rapidsview Park in May and made an immediate impact. Major media from Toronto and the U.S. caught wind of the show – sort of an equestrian-flavoured Cirque du Soleil – and bus traffic dramatically increased throughout the summer.
Macaluse expects most of the crew and performers to return next summer with a new show. The company has signed a three-year agreement with the Niagara Parks Commission to perform in a tent at Rapidsview Park, but is actively seeking a permanent home.
The Russian performers “had a blast” in Niagara Falls all summer, said Macaluse.
“Everywhere they went, they were recognized.”
The show’s mix of acrobats, contortionists and horse riders quickly grew attached to Canada.
“Everything good!,” said tumbler Alexei Shabunim. “Beautiful country, beautiful falls, beautiful people … I love everything.”
The company’s first season was capped by two National Tourism Award nominations by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, for marketing campaign of the year and employee of the year (vice-president of marketing Justin Joseph).
“It is rare for a brand to become so recognizable in such a short time, but Cirque Niagara’s Avaia has already become a household name,” reads the Awards website.
The awards will be held Oct. 23 in Jasper, Alta. By that time, the Cirque Niagara family will be back in Russia, the tent put in storage and the horses relaxing at a farm near Hamilton.
After a summer in the spotlight, Macaluse said the crew is eager to head home.
“Some are homesick, of course. They miss their relatives, their girlfriends, their boyfriends. Some are happy to get back to school. “They’ve kind of got mixed feelings. They’re happy it’s over, but they’re sad they’re leaving.”
jlaw@nfreview.com
ID- 219751
© 2006 , Osprey Media. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Niagara Falls Review acticles reprinted with permission by the authority of Joe Wallace, City Editor of the Niagara Falls Review
Related posts:
- Cirque Niagara packs tents early after poor summer
- Cirque plans return to Niagara Falls
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- Niagara Parks, Cirque Niagara launch $10 million attraction
