Cirque Mechanics Performance "Birdhouse Factory"
Venue: Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech, Blacksburg
Organizations: Cirque Mechanics
Date: Friday, February 4, 2022
Time: 7:30 - 9:00 PM
Event Types: Arts & Theatre
Cost:

Description:
The Moss Arts Center at Virginia Tech presents Cirque Mechanics performance "Birdhouse Factory" on Thursday, February 3, 2022 and Friday, February 4, 2022 with performances both nights starting at 7:30 PM.

Cirque Mechanics finds its heart in stories of American ingenuity. In its return to the Moss, Cirque brings a family-favorite, Birdhouse Factory, which follows workers in a “widgets” factory as they break away from the monotony of the assembly-line.

A contortionist performs on a turntable powered by unicyclists, a trapeze artist is propelled by the spins of an acrobat inside a giant wheel, and trampoline wall artists defy the laws of physics.

With Birdhouse Factory, enter the most unlikely setting for a circus: a factory. One where the workers are acrobats and the machines are circus props. Giggle at the antics of the characters, be impressed by the acro-dancing and enchanted by the story of laughter, love, flight, and birdhouses.

In this simple story of daily life in a “widgets” factory circa 1935, workers are brought together by the most unlikely of events, a bird accidentally injured by the main steam boiler. The accident and caring for the bird bring the workers closer together and inspire them to break away from their boring work. They showcase their true inner talents and abilities by using their bodies and machines to build birdhouses in a more joyous and soulful way.

Birdhouse Factory was inspired, in part, by the masterful industry murals of Mexican-born artist Diego Rivera, the outrageous illustrations of cartoonist Rube Goldberg, and the slap-stick humor of Charlie Chaplin’s film Modern Times. While these inspirations make Birdhouse Factory artful, nostalgic, and funny, the true essence of the show comes from the circus.

Cirque Mechanics was founded in 2004 by Boston native and German Wheel artist Chris Lashua. The company quickly established itself as a premiere American circus, with its unique approach to performance, inspiring storytelling, and innovative mechanical staging. Spectacle Magazine hailed it as “the greatest contribution to the American circus since Cirque du Soleil.” Cirque Mechanics shows, rooted in realism, display a raw quality, rarely found in modern circus, that makes its message timeless and relevant. The stories are wrapped in circus acrobatics, mechanical wonders, and a bit of clowning around.

Links:

• https://www.cirquemechanics.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/combinerofcircusmakersofmachines
• https://www.youtube.com/user/CirqueMechanicsVids
• https://www.instagram.com/CirqueMechanics/

Adults tickets range from $25.00-$55.00 depending on seat location. Tickets for students with ID and youth ages 18 & under are $10.00.

To register online, visit: https://tickets.artscenter.vt.edu/Online/mapSelect.asp?doWork::WSmap::loadMap=Load&createBO::WSmap=1&BOparam::WSmap::loadMap::performance_ids=5030DEB6-D92D-4424-975C-5704E1B3DD70.

Please note, strobe lighting effects will be used in this performance.

In accordance with guidance from Virginia Tech, our patrons, artists, and staff are required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result taken within 72 hours of the event before attending public performances and events. This requirement will remain in effect until further notice.

All faculty, staff, students, and visitors at the Moss Arts Center will be required to wear a mask in indoor public spaces.

For more information, visit: https://artscenter.vt.edu/performances/cirque-mechanics.html or https://www.facebook.com/artscenteratvt or call 540-231-5300.