Watch lumberjacks fly through the air in Gatineau

Canada Travel Tips

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Friday, 27 April 2012 19:58

Some quirky performers will be heading to Gatineau this summer that travellers can see while taking tours of Ottawa. The Cirque Alfonso will present "Timber!" at the Maison de la Culture de Gatineau, a show that will delight audience members of all ages with dancing, acrobatics and death-defying feats.

Cirque Alfonso is a Canadian-based performance troupe that utilizes the "ministry of manipulation," where talented actors and performers use unique props and surroundings to evoke movement and emotion in its shows. Members hail from various countries across the world, including England, Belgium, France, the U.S. and, of course, Canada, with each person specializing in their own form of juggling, miming, illusion and dance. Many of these performers have backgrounds with other alternative theater groups, such as the famous Cirque du Soleil and Cirque Eloize.

The troupe's newest variety show takes place in forests and log cabins. Performers dress as lumberjacks and put a new spin on the perception of this lifestyle, as these circus professionals throw axes through the air, balance on rolling logs and tumble through trees while sporting beards and suspenders. Travellers who attend this celebration of traditional circus and imaginary worlds can see the lumberjacks spin on wagon wheels, toss each other into the air, sing fun French songs and even play with their dinners during a fake food fight. Many of the themes in "Timber" relate to classic Quebecois folklore and traditions.

On June 15 and 16, the Cirque Alfonse will perform two shows at the Salle Odyssee venue at the Mason de la Culture de Gatineau. Although the circus will be in French, the acts are universally enjoyed and can make for a great evening on the town with the whole family. Ticket sales and information can be found on the facility's official website or the Cirque Alfonse Facebook page.

This centre is great for seeing live shows while in Canada's capital, as it is located right across the river and boasts a full calendar of events all year round. Since the Maison de la Culture de Gatineau recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, the array of offerings is more exciting than ever, from comedians and concerts to Parisian variety shows and famous musicals.