By Jaime Travis

As we were making our way to the great circus tent that had risen up high over the Pepsi Center parking lot, I did my best to convince our 8 year old son, Jack, that no run of the mill "scary or creepy clowns" (my apologies to the clown lovers in the crowd) would be allowed to traipse unencumbered amongst the crowd. I did, however, neglect to mention to him that there would in fact be- a whole lot of French-Canadian acrobats decked out in their Steampunk finest- twisting and contorting in only the way a Cirque du Soleil performer can do. Added up, it promised to be a winning afternoon!

And it was. Cirque Du Soleil's newest show, Kurios, is one of the best incarnations of the storied franchise, and is absolutely an enchanting and charming romp. My 5 year old daughter, Lucca, could not contain her enthusiasm and stood and danced along to much of the show.  The music is reminiscent of 1930's French cabaret and the musicians, who perform live, are top-notch.  But, truly any Cirque show is marked by the mind-bogglingly talented acrobats whose death-defying feats never fail to thrill.  In particular, the a host of astonishingly high leapers that open the second act, who seem to defy gravity in their fishing-net like trampoline.  There is also a wonderfully simple "Theater of Hands" which consists of live video, projected onto an old-fashioned hot-air balloon, of the exquisitely adept and dancerly hands of members of the troop performing with props and on an audience member’s head.  Kurios is playing at the Big Top through July 26th.  Tickets start at just $40.  It promises to be a joyful and entertaining show and guarantees to please.