Cirque bows out of Pasadena
visit
December 04, 2001
By Elizabeth Lee
Staff Writer
PASADENA -- The French-Canadian acrobatic show Cirque du Soleil,
which had been making plans to visit Pasadena this spring, decided
to cancel last week due to neighbors' concerns over noise.
The decision was disappointing to city
officials who have been courting the event for years.
"We came so very close," said
City Manager Cynthia Kurtz.
Cirque had planned to pitch its signature
"Big Top" tent in Brookside Park, in the shadow of the
Rose Bowl, from mid-February to early April. It would have hosted
more than 40 shows from March 6 to April 7, on Tuesdays through
Sundays. Officials expected a sellout crowd of about 2,500 at each
show.
The world-famous troupe had wanted to
bring its North American "Dralion" tour to Pasadena. The
show has already visited Santa Monica and Irvine.
But circus executives got nervous after
discussions involving neighbors over the possibility the shows
could violate the city's ordinance.
"There had been discussions that if
something had happened, if the noise level was exceeded, we would
be forced to shut them down," Kurtz said.
A city staff report stated that noise
tests in the Arroyo Seco, where Brookside is located, showed that
"the amplified noise of the sound track could not be heard
from the nearest residents on both the east and west side (of the
site)."
Nevertheless, "They said, 'We want
to be good neighbors,' " Kurtz said, adding they also said,
" 'When we come to the city, we like it to be a happy time.
If there's any kind of animosity ... it's just not for us.' "
Cirque du Soleil officials were not
available for comment.
The president of a homeowners'
association near the Rose Bowl said neighbors were concerned the
event would be more trouble than it was worth, though it was
projected to net the city $335,000.
"We from the (Linda Vista Annandale
Association) were always opposed to it unless or until they could
meet the sound and parking requirements," said Norm Parker.
City officials have been discussing a
possible visit with Cirque du Soleil on and off since 1995.
The Montreal-based company was founded in
1984 with the goal of "reinventing" the circus -- that
was even the name of one of its shows -- and it employs athletes
and performers from around the world.
-- Elizabeth Lee can be reached at (626)
578-6300, Ext. 4461, or by e-mail at elizabeth.lee@sgvn.com.