Cirque du Soleil has saddled up with Universal Music Group Nashville to bring a country twist to its theatrical acrobatics, revealing a new show aptly titled "Songblazers." Set to park its caravan at Bass Concert Hall in Austin this August, from the 14th to the 18th, the performance will have a total of eight showings according to Austin Culture Map.
This isn't the famed troupe's first rodeo in the city, marking their sixth visit. They're promising a tip of the hat to the icons and innovators of country music as viewers follow the tale of two protagonists aiming for the spotlight. And, of course, the Cirque's signature death-defying flips and spins will be on full display. Tickets went on sale for Club Cirque members on March 25 and will be available for the general public on March 28 at the Cirque du Soleil's website.
In the heart of the act, a new song destined for the spotlight, "Carnival Heart," penned by Sam Williams, the grandson of trailblazing Hank Williams and son to Hank Williams Jr., will echo the show's spirit. "Where I come from, most people don’t get to go to the circus. We go to county fairs and carnivals, and the carnival in a small town is filled with joy, excitement, mystery,, euphoria, you name it," Williams said through a statement obtained by Austin Culture Map.
The resurgence of Cirque in Austin follows a tough spell for the entertainment world. After nearly two years, they've bounced back from a pandemic-forced hiatus that saw them lay off 95% of their workforce. Now, performers like Kyle Cragle, a Houston hand-balancing contortionist, relish their return to the stage. "Now that we’re back, it honestly doesn’t feel real. I’m still pinching myself. We’re all super excited, and really, really grateful to be stage," Cragle told CBS Austin during an interview as Cirque du Soleil set up its "Ovo" colony once again in the city.
Shows like "Ovo" and "Songblazers" signify more than just entertainment rebirth; they are proof of the resiliency within the arts community, a sector that's seen its fair share of dark stages and silent applause over the recent years. With Austin spotlighting Cirque's latest homage to country music, the city continues to embrace the varied spectrum of performance art that has long made it a cultural hub.
