Zarkana - Cirque de Soleil

We saw it Sunday. My hubby did some artwork from them and so they comped our tickets at Radio City and arranged for us to go backstage before the show - I guess they liked what he did for them!!! As a textile person I was amazed at the costume department of course, and more on that another time, but the whole thing was fantastic. Radio City is not the usual venue for them and all the rigging, lighting, projections and movable sections of the stage had to be built specially. Apparently the only other theater that can use this exact setup is in Moscow. Radio City is on the Historic register so they had to be very careful what they did.

I can tell you they did a great job. This show was different that other Cirque performances I have seen - since it was in a theater and not a tent in the round, Radio City seats almost six thousand, so it was a bigger audience, and the lyrics were in English. They rose to the changes in grand fashion. I wont spoil it for you all, but it was stunning, they achieved some amazing effects using the projection capabilities of a theater setting, the acrobatics were death defying, I held my breath through several. The cast includes a world record holder on the Russian Bar, two Olympic gold medal winners, and several multi generational circus families. -- Isn' t it amazing what you can find out backstage? It was an unforgettable evening.

A busy Exciting time

Well, I am exhausted. First, at the Bicentennial meeting yesterday, Eleven block kits were handed out to be appliqued and embroidered. I have one left that is made up, and four more applique pieces to finish designing and hand out.

Then let me tell you about the wedding. Last time I gave a quilt at a family wedding, the family made me open it at the reception and show everyone. I was a bit awkward. So this time, knowing that there might be a few tears ( and there were ) I decided to present it to them the night before. Several family members were there and she couldn't read the inscription on the back to us without a sob. Then she unfolded it and there wasn't a dry eye in the room as I told her about the fabrics in it that I had used in other projects for her, and then she noticed the starfish and hearts, and declared that it was so beautiful she might hang it on the wall so the dogs wouldn't shed on it. She laughed and thanked me for putting washing instructions in it. She has a black lab mix, and a white Eskimo dog mix, so dog hair is always an issue.

I also saw a niece who now lives in Ohio, who I don't get to see very often. She told me that the quilt I made for her when she was born 10 years ago, is her favorite, and that she brings it whenever she travels. She travels between Ohio, Florida and New York frequently due to a family divided be divorce. I am happy that something I did brings her warmth, comfort and happiness. That is why we give quilts. You may remember my post a few weeks ago about giving quilts as gifts, and I was feeling a bit jaded and cynical, but this and my sisters reaction have restored my enthusiasm for sharing.