Cirque du Soleil performers entertain at the Santa Monica Pier on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, during a press conference announcing their return to Santa Monica to present the live touring show KOOZA for a limited engagement starting on October 16, 2009. Proudly presented by iShares, KOOZA will perform under the trademark blue and yellow Grand Chapiteau (big top) at the Santa Monica Pier in celebration of the Pier’s Centennial and Cirque du Soleil’s 25th Anniversary.
Cirque du Soleil is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2009. From a group of 20 street performers at its beginnings in 1984, Cirque is now a major Quebec-based organization providing high-quality artistic entertainment. The company has more than 4,000 employees from over 40 different countries, including 1,000 performing artists. Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to almost 90 million spectators in over 200 cities on five continents. In 2009, Cirque du Soleil will present 20 shows simultaneously throughout the world. Cirque du Soleil’s mission is to invoke the imagination, provoke the senses and evoke the emotions of people around the world.