Nom de Cirque

Cirque du Soleil shows are known for their dazzling acrobatics, magnificent costumes… and wacky names. Ever wonder wha t those monikers mean?

SALTIMBANCO TAMPA, FL • JUNE 25 THROUGH JULY 5
Celebrating the hustle and bustle of city living, this colorful urban fantasy was inspired by the Italian phrase saltare in banco, which means "to jump on a bench."

O BELLAGIO, LAS VEGAS
Performed in and above a 1.5-million gallon pool, O was inspired by the letter itself; like a water droplet, it forms an unbroken circle. When pronounced, it is a homophone for the French word for water.

LA NOUBA WALT DISNEY WORLD RESORT, ORLANDO
This lively spectacle was named after the French phrase faire la nouba, which means " to party" or "to live it up."

KÀ MGM GRAND, LAS VEGAS
This 80-person spectacle tells the tale of majestic twins who go on a mysterious journey to fulfill their destinies. The title refers
to the ancient Egyptian concept of "Ka," the body's spiritual "twin."

MORE MEANINGS REVEALED

• QUIDAM: LATIN FOR PASSERBY
• VAREKAI: "WHEREVER" IN THE ROMANY LANGUAGE
• ALEGRÍA: SPANISH WORD FOR JOY AND JUBILATION
• DRALION: DRAGON + LION, MELDING EASTERN AND WESTERN AESTHETICS

Clown Colleges

WANT TO TAKE YOUR BIG-TOP EXPERIENCE TO THE NEXT LEVEL? TRY ENROLLING IN ONE OF THESE CIRCUS-FRIENDLY SCHOOLS:

FOR FLYING TRAPEZE
Trapeze School New York
Daredevils learn how to swing, execute knee-hangs and fly with a "catcher" at this outdoor trapeze school in Hudson River Park. Observers are welcome. www.newyork.trapeze school.com

FOR CLOWNING
The Clown Conservatory at Circus Center San Francisco
This is the only comprehensive professional clown-training program in North America. If the year-long program is too much, try a weekend workshop. www.clownconservatory.org

FOR ACROBATICS
École Nationale de Cirque Montreal, QC (104 miles from Burlington, VT)
This prestigious school offers the equivalent of a Bachelor's degree in circus skills. Its graduates routinely land jobs with Cirque du Soleil. www.enc.qc.ca