I know I’m not alone when I say I have a fear of clowns.

Growing up, the Ringling Bros. would descend upon our middle school gymnasium for a night or two in our sleepy little town on the Erie Canal. Masses of children and adults alike would emerge from their homes and like ants, file into a space transformed for magic.  As a child, I remember marveling at the acrobatics, cringing at the idea of caged animals, and wondering how in the world people could live a traveling life.

And then I saw Disney’s Something Wicked this Way Comes and carnivals and circus life terrified me for good.

A circus girl, I am not. But the magic of the big top and the theatrics live in my memory happily, and the recollection of contortionists and gymnasts on a high rope I still hold dear.  As long as I have known what Cirque du Soleil is, it’s been firmly situated at the top of my bucket list. This past Sunday, a dream of mine was realized as Scott and I were invited to attend the newest of the Cirque shows, Amaluna, at National Harbor in Maryland.

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Cirque du Soleil, in my eyes, is the thrill of the big top married to the magic of live theater. There are no whips and lions, but a few dozen performers whose commitment to their body and their act is beyond my comprehension. Lights, live music, enchanting costumes all bring the show to life, and for two hours I was transported to the Island they created in the middle of that big top.

Amaluna was designed around the female capacity, and the show is 70% women.  Though a story is woven throughout the acts, it was the range of performances that left me breathless. Scott and I spent more time grabbing each others’ knee in excitement, and locking eyes in amazement when the human body pushed past limits we have always set for our own.  A week later and I am still reliving the Balance Goddess, the Amazons, and the feature Waterbowl act. Every moment of the show was incredible, and I would see it over and over again if I could.

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The lucky winner of the Amaluna tickets is….Lindsay! Thank you to all who entered! We have several more giveaways planned in the coming weeks, so keep your eyes peeled :)

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-Al