Social Event: Cirque du Soleil's "La Nouba"

Time: Seating—5:30pm; Show—6:00–7:30pm
Cost: $70  DISCOUNT TICKETS SOLD OUT
Location: Cirque de Soleil Theater in Downtown Disney (across the street from Buena Vista Palace)

Join us on Friday evening for a unique entertainment experience that you definitely won't want to miss — Cirque du Soleil's La Nouba™. The name comes from the French phrase, "faire la nouba", which means to party or to live it up. The live show is conveniently located in the Walt Disney World Resort in Downtown Disney West Side, across the street from the Buena Vista Palace. The show begins at 6:00 pm and we have secured a small number of discounted group tickets priced at $70. Tickets must be purchased at last 30 days in advance so attendees are encouraged to register for the event early to secure a seat.

La Nouba™ transforms the ordinary into the extraordinary and stimulates the imagination from beginning to end with daring acrobatics, dazzling choreography, vibrant music and whimsical characters. Since its location is so close to the conference hotel and is in the early evening, take advantage of the opportunity to explore Downtown Disney in the afternoon, and all the restaurants and unique shops available there. Enjoy a late lunch or early dinner before the show, do some holiday or souvenir shopping and then arrive at the theater by 5:30 pm when the doors open so everyone can be seated in a timely manner. The show starts at 6pm and lasts 1 1/2 hours with no intermission. The theater address is 1478 East Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32836. The show's reviews have been excellent; this theater is the only location in the U.S. for this particular Cirque du Soleil show and the permanent theater has been built specifically for this show.

La Nouba™ is the meeting of two worlds: the fantastic world of the circus artists, "the Cirques", who wear bright fluorescent colors, and the urbanites ("the Urbains"), who wear dark monochromatic outfits. When these two worlds make contact, the magic and amazing feats of one set fire to the pale and mundane world of the other. There are dazzling costumes, dramatic lighting, bizarre choreography and wonderful music for the amazing acrobatic acts.

La Nouba™ presents 9 different acts: a Juggler, High Wire, Diabolos, Cycles, Aerial Cradle, Aerial Ballet in silk, Flying Trapeze, Power Track/Trampoline and Skipping Ropes. The show's characters include, Clowns, the "Nuts", the Dancers, the Titan, the Cleaning Lady, the Acrobatic Pierrot, the Green Bird and the Walker. The show's music is a youthful mix of urban sounds, hip-hop and electronica blended with the classic sound of Cirque du Soleil.

Cirque de Soleil photos by Ed Schipul