Photo courtesy of Circus EVO
Bardo Arts Center at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee will host a performance of Solstice: A Winter Circus Experience by the North Carolina-based company Circus EVO on Thursday, February 27, at 7:30 p.m. The production tells the story of a character who has lost their inner light, journeying through a surreal world where memories come to life. “Solstice is one big poem, an expression of something that almost can’t be placed into words,” says Houston Odum, artistic director of Circus EVO. “The name reflects the shortest day of the year, and it’s on this day that our show takes place. While the show omits any spoken language, it relies on visual and musical poetry to capture us and create images.”
Odum describes Solstice as a “contemporary circus show, far different from what one might think of from a traditional circus. There are no animals, and rather than acts being presented to showcase human ability, a story is created with characters, lights, music, costumes and more.”
The performance features more than eight acrobatic acts, including newly reworked acts such as a duet between a B-boy dancer and a ballet dancer and a 21-foot Chinese Pole act. Music is also central to the performance. “This year, we are lucky to have some new music composed by North Carolina local Bella Nona,” says Odum. “The entire show is weaved together with music, not just acrobatic acts but transitions and scenes.”
Odum hopes that viewers will be able to place themselves in the story and feel immersed by the performance. “Audiences will be taken on a journey; serious moments and humorous moments are balanced,” he says. “The characters react to the audience, and take the energy from the audience in real time. We want to give the audience more than just something impressive, something that will last in the memory forever. We want audiences to leave Solstice feeling like a kid.”
The WCU Bardo Arts Center is located at 199 Centennial Drive, Cullowhee. For more information or to purchase tickets to the show, call 828.227.2787 or visit BardoArtsCenter.wcu.edu. Learn more about Circus EVO at CircusEVO.com.
