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Luzia finally got me over my fear of contortionists

I’ve never been comfortable with contortionists. Something about the human body being turned into a pretzel – to seemingly dangerous proportions - made me feel my own limitations, I guess. And then I saw Luzia.
luzia cirque du soleil
A contortionist in Luzia under the bigtop in Vancouver. Contributed photo

I’ve never been comfortable with contortionists.

Something about the human body being turned into a pretzel – to seemingly dangerous proportions - made me feel my own limitations, I guess.

And then I saw Luzia.

This latest Cirque du Soleil production, on now in Vancouver until Dec. 29, features a contortionist who had the audience – myself included – both squirming in our seats and gasping in awe with how they were able to move their body. It was truly spectacular and finally got me over my previous revulsion at this performance art.

That’s the power of Luzia. It is awe-inspiring, funny and even danceable.

It’s also helping improved our environment as Cirque du Soleil and the David Suzuki Foundation teamed up on Thursday night for a special performance to raise awareness and funds for one of today’s most pressing environmental crises - supporting healthy pollinator habitats across Canada.

In a series of grand visual surprises and breathtaking acrobatic performances, Luziatakes audiences on a surrealistic journey through a vibrant world filled with wonders, playfulness and striking artistry.

cirque du soleil
Luzia is the latest Cirque du Soleil production, on now in Vancouver until Dec. 29. Contributed

Smoothly passing from an old movie set to the ocean to a smoky dance hall or an arid desert, Luziacleverly brings to the stage multiple places, faces and sounds of Mexico taken from both tradition and modernity. Rich in awe-inspiring moments, Luziaenchants by incorporating rain into acrobatic and artistic scenes – a first for a Cirque du Soleil touring production.
With mesmerizing and refreshing acrobatic performances, Luziabrings traditional and contemporary circus disciplines to a whole new level. Cyr Wheel artists perform the unprecedented feat of rolling and spinning under the rain, while an aerialist suspended from a Trapeze flies and twirls through pouring showers. Hoop Diving is taken onto gigantic treadmills, expanding exponentially the speed and amount of daring leaps executed. Jaw-dropping highlights include a male contortionist skillfully twisting his body in the world’s most unimaginable positions, a powerful Aerial Straps specialist defying the laws of gravity at the center of a cenote (natural sinkhole), a juggler tossing seven pins at breakneck speed, and two football (soccer) freestylers deftly mixing street dance with mind-blowing ball manipulation.