Toruk
Cirque du Soleil returns to Portland in December with Toruk The First Flight, inspired by James Camerons hit movie Avatar.
The show transports you to the world of Pandora set thousands of years before the events depicted in Avatar, before human exploration of the planet in a visually stunning live setting, with cutting-edge visuals, puppetry, stagecraft and soaring cinematic score.
Its written and directed by Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon, and tabbed as a living ode to the Navis symbiotic existence with nature and their belief in the basic interconnectedness of all living things. The show is narrated by a Navi storyteller. The tale focuses on a natural catastrophe that threatens to destroy the Tree of Souls, and two Omaticaya boys decide to do something about it.
The First Flight is Cirque du Soleils 37th production since 1984, several of which have been staged in Portland.
Itll be presented Dec. 7-11 at Moda Center; tickets are on sale at www.cirquedusoleil.com/toruk.
Odysseo extended
Cavalias Odysseo has enjoyed a lengthy stay in Portland, and the theater/equestrian extravaganza has been extended again for its run under the white big top at Zidell Yards. Itll show through Aug. 28 meaning it will have been here since July 7, or 52 days, before it heads to San Jose, California.
For tickets: www.cavalia.net.
OHS exhibit
The Oregon Historical Society, 1200 S.W. Park Ave. (www.ohs.org), continues its string of really cool exhibits.
Oregon has been front and center in the comic book industry, namely Dark Horse Comics, and OHS features exhibit Comic City, USA, profiling 15 of the most iconic artists through Jan. 31, 2017.
There are displays on comic artists, writers and cartoonists, including Carl Banks, Anina Bennett and Paul Guinan, John Callahan, Colleen Coover, Homer Davenport, Jan Eliot, Cat Farris, Dylan Meconis, Jack Ohman, Bill Plympton, Mike Richardson (of Dark Horse), Joe Sacco, Alex Schomburg, and Basil Wolverton. There are interactive experiences a comic book store-style living room for flipping through comics, a station where people can design and print their own comic book and a photo booth with superhero-inspired props.
New polar bear
With the memory of beloved Conrad still fresh, the Oregon Zoo has brought in polar bear Nora to keep Conrads sister, Tasul, company.
Nora, born at the Columbus Zoo in November, likely will be relocated here in mid-October. After her mother left Nora unattended, Columbus Zoo personnel hand-reared the cub. She weighed 1 pound at the time of care, and now weighs more than 150.
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan recommended Noras move to Portland, mostly to give the Columbus Zoo room to rear future cubs. At the same time, Tasul is likely to befriend Nora and can serve as a mentor.
Black Sabbath
The legendary metal band, with longtime members Ozzy Osbourne, Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler, is on its The End tour no, theyre not dying, theyre just finishing touring.
Black Sabbath has announced itll play at Sunlight Supply Amphitheater in Ridgefield, Washington, Tuesday, Sept. 13, as part of the bands North American leg of the tour.
Tickets are available at www.LiveNation.com.
Doman photos
From the West Linn Tidings:
West Linn dancer Mika Doman, 16, was photographed dancing at Crater Lake National Park for a national book showcasing dancers in national parks in each of the 50 states.
The project, titled Dance Across the USA, is the brainchild of photographer Jonathan Givens, who is using his artistic magic to capture the talents of regional dancers within the nations most unique and majestic landscapes.
Givens is on an unprecedented 90-day, 22,000-mile, 56-location road trip across the United States. From a pool of nearly 2,800 applicants, 150 national finalists, including Doman, were selected to be photographed in national parks, national historic locations and state parks.
The National Park Service turns 100 on Aug. 25, and Givens plans to create a photography book with all the images captured during the project. Once published, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the national parks as well as the National Endowment for the Arts.
