Cavalia comes to Atlanta

The big white tent rising next to Atlantic Station is bound to pique your curiosity. No, it’s not another Cirque – but it was conceived by Cirque du Soleil co-founder, Normand Latourelle. This is Cavalia — not a circus, or a horse show, but theater with horses as performers.

In fact there are 60 equine artists in this show and 40 human acrobats, aerialists, riders, musicians and dancers. The horses are from 12 different breeds, among them Arabians, Lusitanos, Spanish Pure Breeds, Quarter Horses and Paint Horses from France, Canada, Spain and the United States – and the humans are from around the world.

It’s also a multi-media extravaganza  – set to create the dream-like beauty that every little girl has imagined when she went through the horse-love stage. That tent that’s been beckoning to passers-by on the connector was specially made to accommodate the extra-heavy 4-legged acrobats and put the audience close enough to see every tail-flick and ear quiver.

I, for one, can’t wait to see it. As an adult, I finally achieved my little girl dream of having horses — just long enough to learn the difference in “experienced” and not when it comes to riding. When it came time to sell the horses, one was advertised “for experienced riders only.” It was hilarious watching the people who told me they were “experienced” try to ride ol’ Buck. (One asked, how do you make him go faster? Buck was an old barrel-racer. All you had to do was think about it and he was breaking into a run.) I had them long enough to appreciate how difficult horses are to train — and I can’t wait to see what these special horses, some of which have trained for years, do without riders or halters and bits.

The show will be in Atlanta from October 27 until Nov. 15. (see map) Tickets are from $34 up.

(Photos courtesy Cavalia. Used with permission.)