Cirque Italia's Paranormal Cirque will be in Lethbridge from June 13-16, 2024. (Photo: Sweet Bear Photography)

By Justin Goulet

Under the big top: Paranormal Cirque coming to Lethbridge

Jun 9, 2024 | 8:00 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Prepare to be spooked and amazed as Cirque Italia brings its Paranormal Cirque show to Lethbridge this month.

Performances will be held in a big top tent in the parking lot of the ENMAX Centre from June 13 to 16, 2024. Benjamin Holland is a contortionist and part of the show.

He also serves as the event’s general manager.

Holland says, “It’s kind of a mix of that spooky, scary, horror, Halloween-type thing, but then also with all this acrobatic talent from around the world.”

“Be prepared to see a wide variety of things that you’ve never seen before [and] a wide variety of things you’ve probably never imagined seeing before.”

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The show features acts like a magician and a motorcycle balancing on a high wire. Holland explains that high wire acts are standard in a circus show, but when putting Paranormal Cirque together, organizers thought about how they could take that “to the next level”.

Paranormal Cirque features a variety of acts, including a motorcycle riding high above attendees on a wire. (Photo: Studio 34 Photography)

The performance comes with an ‘R’ rating, with those under 17 required to be accompanied by a parent or adult guardian over 21. No one under the age of 13 is allowed.

Although it is catered to an adult audience and will provide audience members with scares, Holland says, “It’s a whole bunch of fun.”

The performer has been involved in the industry for almost a decade, working for various circus companies across the United States. He says he has been with the Florida-based Cirque Italia for five years. His interest in the circus world goes back to his childhood.

Holland has some advice for any budding performers, saying there’s a lot of training and rehearsing that goes into the craft. He adds it’s important to believe in yourself, but the biggest term that comes to mind for the contortionist is ‘sacrifice’.

Benjamin Holland showcasing his skills on stage. (Photo: Joshua Davis)

Holland says you have to be “willing to make sacrifices to get to where you want and to do what you [want to] do.”

Holland encourages everyone to check out the show in Lethbridge. He says watching something on a screen is great, but there is nothing like seeing performers live in front of you.

“So if anybody’s out there and is even thinking about wanting to come and check it out, come out, check us out, it’s gonna be a great time.”

Cirque Italia’s Paranormal Cirque is in Lethbridge June 13 to 16. Tickets can be purchased online.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

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