Two very different circus-y videos

[flexagon]

DAMN. This woman is my new hero. Yes, it's true that she's pole-dancing in a bikini, but the props hardly matter -- I look at her and see an athlete and an artist.

Watch on YouTube

Annnnd, then there's this lyra act. Stumbled on it through another site, where someone said:

This. This is what I want to do. When people say "Oh, I guess you want to get into Cirque du Soleil," I want to have this on hand to show them exactly what else is possible, how much more intimate and expressive and subtle circus arts can be.

Watch on YouTube

But um... I find a lot of that to be pretty boring, although parts of it are quite accomplished and parts are pretty. I certainly wasn't moved to tears, as two commenters were, though I did feel my eyeballs rolling a bit.

Me? Today for the first time I managed to press a headstand with my head up on aerobics step and three risers, so that's progress. If I could do four, my arms would be almost straight and then I'd probably be able to practice against the wall.

Comments

[nevers.livejournal.com]

one of my friends sent me a pole dancing video a few days ago. very cool stuff. and i'm with you on the 7 fingers video. i mean, i get impatient watching videos online 90% of the time anyway, but — boring and eye-rolling. i'm tired of the “life is so hard and i'm so sad, in this pretty romantic way” aerial act

[flexagon]

Ha, I was wondering what you'd think! You sometimes find artistic value in stuff that I might call "boring and dance-y", but yeah, this one was pretty floppy. Floppy costume, floppy choreography.

Still, I always find it interesting to see what others idealize.

[nevers.livejournal.com]

yeah, i think i might like the act -- or at least be excited and interested in it -- if it were on trapeze (so i could appreciate particular skills and transitions on a technical level) and if i saw it without the context you gave in your post. which is an interesting thing for me to note about my preferences. but as is, i just don't care about it.

[apfelsingail.livejournal.com]

Eh. I'm with you. That isn't the best lyra ever choreographed, although she is pretty solid technically. Beyond where I am, but... yeah, just not the most exciting routine ever.

[godream.livejournal.com]

There are moments there where it's hard to believe she's not on wires or something. *Wow*.

[rifmeister.livejournal.com]

And I love that she's not afraid to do the whole routine in stripper shoes. Now *that's* empowerment.

[flexagon]

I'd be terrified on a purely physical level, doing that kind of thing in stripper shoes.

[islenskr.livejournal.com]

Cool videos! Yes, I totally agree with you about the pole dancer. I would *love* to be that strong and flexible.

But, more importantly, congratulations on the press up handstand!! I'm only slightly jealous, but I know I'll get there eventually. :)

[flexagon]

Heh... thanks, though it was just an incremental step closer -- I still sometimes doubt I'll ever press a real handstand (though I'll keep working toward it anyway).

I must've done something developmental though, because my upper back and my quads are really sore today. :)

[dr-alycat.livejournal.com]

aaaahh! now i feel extra bad for not getting off my duff and telling you about this awesome show we saw last night: http://quicksilvercabaret.wordpress.com/ belly dancing, acrobatics, etc... it was so cool and it totally made me think of you. I am sorry I forgot to tell you about it ahead of time! :(

[flexagon]

It's okay! I knew about it (even know at least one of the folks who was performing) and couldn't go because of the mother-in-law visit. I'm glad to hear it was fun and went well. :-)

[sparklyfabulous]

wow. the pole dancer video is unbelievable.

[bluechromis.livejournal.com]

Wow, I totally agree with you.

And congrats on the pressup. :)