Acrobats will swing from the rafters of Amalie Arena this August as Cirque du Soleil presents its latest spectacle, Varekai.
Varekai (pronounced ver - ay - kie) comes from the Romany word meaning "wherever" and follows the story of Icarus as he descends from the clouds into a bright, colorful new world atop a dormant volcano. Along the way he'll encounter a host of fantastic creatures and embark on an adventure as absurd as it is extraordinary that will change his life in ways he never dreamed before.
Icarus won't be the only one adventuring into the unknown. Witness a woman, suspended high above the stage, perform incredible movements displaying her flexibility and strength. Hold your breath as the performers are propelled by Russian swings high into the air where hopefully their partners will be waiting to catch them. Sit at the edge of your seat as dances and hand balancing acts show off the performers' dexterity. And of course, no circus is complete without some funny clowns and the impressive juggling of virtuoso Octavio Alegria.
A seven-piece band performs music by composer Violane Corradi, drawing inspiration from a vast repertoire around the globe, including Hawaiian ritual, 11th century troubadours from the South of France, traditional American melodies and Gospel music.
Varekai can be seen at the Amalie Arena starting on Aug. 5-9. Tickets are $40-$115.
You won't want to miss a magical performance like this from a company that has dropped the jaws of millions of audience members around the world for the better part of three decades. But don't take my word for it, check out this amazing preview video and see for yourself:
