From our Winter 2005 Newsletter:
Dream Camp Visits Cirque du Soleil On September 21st, Dream Campers and their families were treated to a special performance of the Cirque du Soleil show Varekai, in Hartford, CT. Cirque du Soleil generously donated 75 tickets to Dream Camp as part of their ongoing efforts to engage youth in the performing arts, particularly in cities where they are touring.
Cirque du Soleil is well-known for its unique shows that astound audiences. Balancing acrobatics and contortionists with hilarious entertainment, anyone who has seen a Cirque du Soleil performance is amazed not only by the athletic feats of the performers but the perfection in its presentation. Cirque du Soleil travels the world to find the best talent possible, and their efforts are rewarded by loyal audiences and outstanding reviews.
Cirque du Soleil is also highly regarded for its commitment to underserved youth throughout the globe. They believe in engaging communities where they have a business presence and are committed to providing opportunities for at-risk youth to experience the arts. As a result, they identify organizations that are in consonance with their mission and provide them with complimentary tickets and/or fundraising opportunities. Dream Camp became involved with this effort during ESF’s initial visit to the Cirque du Soleil headquarters in Montreal, Quebec, where Dream Camp had the opportunity to introduce its program to Cirque’s social action department. As a result, when Cirque du Soleil came to town, they contacted Dream Camp and donated tickets to Varekai.
The Dream Camp families had a terrific time at the show. Joined by Dream Camp directors Cari Salisbury and Melissa Soroka, the families and members of the Dream Camp Team were amazed by the performance. Children between the ages of 6 to 15 were invited, and all were equally captivated by the show, which included performers swinging by the rafters on sheets of cloth, climbing poles hundreds of feet high, and juggling plates, balls, and hats (all at the same time!). The outstanding performances and enthusiasm of the families created a truly memorable night for everyone involved.
For pictures of this event, and to view our newsletter in its entirety, please download the PDF from the Newsletter link!