Cirque du Soleil made the North American debut of its COVID-19-delayed new show “Bazzar,” loosely based on the colorful energy of market bazaars in the Middle East, at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, writes Peter Crimmins for the WHYY.

Philadelphia represents a great spot for the start of the North American tour due to its strong, homegrown circus scene. In fact, Cirque du Soleil was setting up its tents just as the annual Fringe Festival was in full swing with an especially strong selection of independent circus and clowning artists.

Ava Gowanloch, a student at the Circadium Circus School in Mount Airy who is training to become a contortionist, performed in one of the Fringe Festival shows. For her, Cirque du Soleil is the Holy Grail of circus jobs.

“As a kid, before I got into circus, I was at the dentist office or something and it was just on the TV,” she said. “I remember being so curious about it. Now that I’m here training, that is like the end-all, be-all dream. That would be amazing to be a part of that company.”

Read more about Cirque du Soleil in the WHYY.

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