by Sharm | Jan 28, 2017 | Entertainment, Events, Lifestyle & Technology, Wichita
Cirque du Soleil’s Toruk- The First Flight recently had a run at Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita, Kansas as part of its North American tour.
I had the chance to attend a show and was amazed at this theatrical production. This visually stunning performance takes over 25 semi trucks full of props and equipment to put things together. After watching the performance I know why. As you read other reviews, I am sure everyone will be different as to how they interpreted the show. One thing I am sure we will all will agree on is the splendor of the scenery and special effects.
Set thousands of years before AVATAR on the planet Pandora, the story follows two young Omatikaya boys who have to find Toruk to help save the Sacred Tree of Souls, after the Shaman has a vision of molten lava threatening to destroy it.
As the boys travel in search of the great bird Toruk, they encounter various tribes along the way. Each scene is full of color and brilliance and include the talented Cirque du Soliel acrobats performing mesmerizing stunts indigenous to their tribe.
The visual effects include whimsical creatures, earthquakes, waterfalls, lava, oceans, forests and more.
The added addition of the story teller helps to narrate what is happening as the show as it is spoken in the Na’Vi language.
The option of downloading the TORUK app allows the audience to interact at certain times during the show. A notification from the app gives instructions on what to do. Avid fans of James Cameron’s AVATAR will certainly enjoy the detail costuming of the Na’Vi people and culture as he helped with the production of this show.
Although having the narrator helped, at times I found it a little hard to follow. However, I thoroughly enjoyed the magnificent talent of the acrobats and performers. The costumes, scenery and visual effects are like nothing I have ever seen and certainly up to par in comparison to the their flamboyant and extravagant Vegas style shows.
In addition to all of the props and equipment, this show is literally a traveling city with mobile kitchens and more including doctors on staff to assist the cast and crew when medical care is required.
For more behind the scenes look at what it takes to put on this show you can read this behind the scenes post.
For a list of city and tour dates for the show visit the Cirque du Soleil website.
by Sharm | Jun 29, 2016 | Events, Farming, Food & Drink, Kansas City, Restaurants, What You're Missing KC!
On Saturday, July 23, Chipotle’s Cultivate Festival is returning to KC’s Penn Valley Park to celebrate music, food and ideas. Chipotle Mexican Grill’s annual summer event series brings together chefs (locally and nationally renowned), brewers, wine makers and musicians to create an engaging environment and inspire conversation about food and sustainability. To learn more about this FREE festival, check out this video.
Celebrity Chefs – Musician talent will be announced in early summer. Chefs include Andrew Zimmern (three-time James Beard Award-winning TV personality, chef, writer and teacher); Carla Hall (Chef and Co-Host of ABC’s Emmy Award-winning “The Chew,” chef at Carla Hall’s Southern Kitchen and author); Colby Garrelts (Chef/Co-owner of Bluestem and rye Restaurants, co-author of “Made in America” and “Bluestem” cookbooks); Gerard Craft (chef/owner of Niche Food Group: Niche, Pastaria, Porano Pasta, Brasserie by Niche and Taste Bar); and Michael Corvino (executive chef and general manager, The American Restaurant).
Eat – Chipotle will serve freshly-made burritos and tacos – including the return of Chorizo! – plus, ShopHouse Kitchen and Pizzeria Locale will serve up delicious food.
Drink – Chipotle has partnered with Boulevard Brewing Company of Kansas City, Mo.; Arizona Wilderness Brewing Company of Gilbert, Ariz.; and Cigar City Brewing from Tampa, Fla., to brew an original Mexican Lager that will be served exclusively at each of the Cultivate Festivals.
by Sharm | Jul 12, 2014 | Cocktails & Wine, Events, Restaurants
The Generous Pour wine event returns to The Capital Grille and runs from July 7 to August 31.
The Stoli Doli at the The Capital Grille is just about the best thing on earth, but once a year I give up my precious cocktail and partake in The Generous Pour.
For only $25 you can enjoy five highly acclaimed wines and two exclusive premieres to compliment your dinner. All wines are selected by The Capital Grilles’s Master Sommelier George Miliotes.
I had the chance to attend last years event and have to say Mr. Miliotes does an amazing job at picking the wines.
The wines available for the 2014 Generous Pour event are:
Carmel Road “Liberated,” Monterey, 2012 Riesling
Atalon, Napa Valley, 2012 Sauvignon Blanc
Byron, Santa Barbara, 2012 Chardonnay
La Crema, Willamette Valley, 2012 Pinot Noir
Freemark Abbey, Napa Valley, 2011 Merlot
Arrowood “Catchwire,” Sonoma, 2011 Bordeaux Blend
Kendall-Jackson “Winemaker Selection,” Sonoma, 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon
