Hunky Daddy Balances Life As Performer & Father

Wayne Skivington, Cirque du Soleil artist in Zumanity here in Las Vegas, shares a compilation of some of his most popular Instagram clips from 2016.

He's a hunky super-dad who features his adorable son in balancing tricks. That little boy has the best sense of center I've ever seen.

Oh, and he makes a pretty sexy Santa, too :)

Here is a few of my popular videos from 2016! Looking forward to the new year and new adventures with my boy! I'll post a link soon for the full video! #cirqueitfit #fatherson #2016 #zumanity #parenting #meandmyboy #goodyear #goodmemories #fitfam #fitnessfamily #fitdad #gymlife #planche #playtime #bestofday #musclevideos #peopleareawesome #instavideo #memories2016 #fitnesslifestyle #singledad #homegymlife #cutekids #circusinspiration #endof2016 #happynewyear #yogainspiration #motivation #dadgoals #fitspiration

A video posted by Wayne Skivington (@wayne_skiv04) on Dec 31, 2016 at 12:50am PST

Christmas Music: Ruby Lewis "Somewhere In My Memory"

Ruby Lewis, currently starring on Broadway in Cirque du Soleil's first Great White Way extravaganza, Paramour, has released a holiday single cover of John William’s classic “Somewhere in my Memory.”

All proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.

From Ms. Lewis: “I jumped at the opportunity to collaborate with producer David Wise and Engineer Rick Mckee on this project because I’ve always wanted to find a way to lend my voice for a cause. My grandmother and namesake, “Miss Ruby,” has suffered from Dementia and Alzheimer’s for years now, and it’s been my deep desire to do everything I can to help eradicate the disease in my lifetime. I’m hoping the release of this single will move people, as well as raise awareness and make a big step toward a cure.”

The track is now available on iTunes.

Cirque du Soleil Dad's Morning Workout With Son

Morning training by the pool! And yes that's is a cookie in his hand! #sunsoutgunsout #training #trainingpartner #cookie #gymnasticshoutouts #handstand #planche #workout #fitfam #fitness #yoga #barstarzz #acrobat #acroyoga #cirquedusoleil #motivation #parenting #meandmyboy #pushuporshutup #calisthenics #best_today

A video posted by Wayne Skivington (@wayne_skiv04) on Apr 26, 2016 at 3:48pm PDT

Will never need for a ladder here! #myeverything #myextention #acrodad #acrobatics #pool #playtime #son #parenting #fitfam #meandmyboy #handtohand #gymnasticsshoutouts #best_today #vegas #fun #love

A video posted by Wayne Skivington (@wayne_skiv04) on Apr 27, 2016 at 1:02pm PDT

(h/t Boy Culture)

News Round-Up: April 15, 2016

Some news stories you may have missed:

• Pharmacist, model and underwear designer Todd Sanfield talks on (and models) his new collection

• Hillary Clinton to meet with HIV/AIDS activists on May 13th

• The mayor of Washington, D.C. calls for a vote to grant statehood to the nation's capital

• Cirque du Soleil joins the list of cancelled performances in North Carolina cities over anti-LGBT law HB2

• The NBA says that while North Carolina's HB2 is "problematic," they won't be moving next year's scheduled All-Star game because that would be "grandstanding."

• Sen. Ted Cruz attacks Donald Trump for former praise of New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio

Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil performer dies from 50 foot fall

Final fight scene from KA at the MGM Grand

A terrible tragedy has occurred at one of Cirque du Soleil's premiere productions in Las Vegas.

A performer in the show KA accidentally fell over 50 feet to her death.

From the Las Vegas Sun:

According to reports from audience members, the incident occurred Saturday night during the latter stages of the production at MGM Grand. Guyard-Guillot was one of the artists suspended by a wire from the show’s vertical stage in the show-closing Final Battle scene. As she ascended to the top of the stage, she slipped free of her safety wire and dropped to the open, unseen pit below the performers.

After the incident, one eyewitness seated in the middle of the audience and just a few rows from the lip of the stage said Guyard-Guillot dropped from the left side of the set (or on the right side, as audience members face the production) over a distance of at least 50 feet. The show momentarily continued, but then the music halted, and the performer’s screams and groans could be heard from below the stage. One source close to the production said she died on the way to a hospital.

“(The artist) was being hoisted up the side of the stage and then just plummeted down,” said Dan Mosqueda, visiting with his wife and 10-year-old son from Colorado Springs, Colo. “Initially, a lot of people in the audience thought it was part of the choreographed fight. But you could hear screaming, then groaning, and we could hear a female artist crying from the stage.” Mosqueda’s wife, Annie, has a background in theater and tweeted about the incident soon after it occurred.

Minutes after the artist’s fall, a recorded announcement was played on the theater’s sound system informing ticket-buyers that refunds or vouchers to future shows would be offered to those in the audience, and the crowd was dismissed.

Cirque released a statement this early afternoon: “The entire Cirque du Soleil family is deeply saddened by the accidental death of Sarah (Sassoon) Guyard, artist on the production ‘Ka,’ that happened on Saturday, June 29, in Las Vegas. The artist’s immediate family has been informed of the accident. Our thoughts are with her family and the entire Cirque du Soleil family.”

It is the first reported death from an accident onstage in Cirque's 30-year history.

My sincerest condolences to the family of Guyard-Guillot and to the cast of KA.

Cirque du Soleil's "Michael Jackson ONE" opens in Las Vegas

Last night was the opening of the new Cirque du Soleil show Michael Jackson ONE at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. And when Cirque named this show "ONE" with capital letters, they meant it. This is 'The ONE.'

From Cirque du Soliel's press release:

Michael Jackson ONE is a sonic, tonic fusion of acrobatics, dance and visuals that takes the audience on an immersive journey through the music and spirit of Michael Jackson.

Driven by Michael's powerful, multi-layered music – heard like never before in a riveting, state-of-the-art surround-sound environment – ONE takes the audience through a series of seamless visual and musical tableaux, at the heart of a world that is in turn majestic, playful, magical and heart-warming.

In Michael Jackson ONE, Michael's artistry and spirit are expressed through the vibrant energy of the cast of 63 dancers and performers, underscored by aerial performance, driving acrobatics, and vivid choreographies that use the urban/hip hop idiom as a springboard for exploration.

ONE is a heartfelt tribute to the work, innovative spirit, and legacy of Michael Jackson – the King of Pop, the genius, the visionary, the One.

The world premiere attracted celebrities including  Justin Bieber, Neil Patrick Harris, Ryan Kwanten, Allison Janney and Alfre Woodard. Also in attendance were Michael Jackson's brothers Marlon, Tito and Jackie.

From beat one the audience in immersed in the world and music of Michael Jackson. Where Cirque's first tribute to Jackson, Immortal, was a huge stadium-sized event that left some critics lukewarm - not enough MJ, not enough Cirque - this is all Cirque and all Jackson.

The acts are spectacular and each has it's own relationship to Michael's music videos, dance moves and life. "Michael Jackson ONE" gets it right taking the audience on an amazing journey.

This is easily one of the best shows Cirque has created that takes a known entity and brings that to life in the fabulous world that can only be Cirque.

In addition, the opening night gala was a great time on the Mandalay Beach. Food and drink were everywhere, and I met two of my FAVORITE actors, Alfre Woodard (who sat behind me during the show and hugged me during the curtain call as we all danced) and Ryan Kwanten (of True Blood).  Michael and I spent a long time with Ryan and his girlfriend Ashley at the party, and both could not have been more down to earth and fun.

Great night.

With Ryan Kwanten of True Blood

With the FAB Alfre Woodard (True Blood, Desperate Housewives, Passion Fish, Miss Evers Boys)

Show Schedule for Michael Jackson ONE:

Starting July 1, performances are Saturday to Wednesday at 7:00pm and 10:00pm.
Starting September 3, performances are Saturday to Wednesday at 7:00pm and 9:30pm.
There are no performances on Thursdays and Fridays.

Tickets:

Call 877.632.7400 or 800-745-3000
Go to www.cirquedusoleil.com/mjone or www.mandalaybay.com

DVD: Cirque du Soleil "Worlds Away"

Unless you travel to Las Vegas or a major city where Cirque may sit one of their shows down for a run, it's possible you've never experienced the magic of Cirque du Soleil live.

Worlds Away is a gorgeous compilation of acts from seven Las Vegas shows: O, Kà, Mystère, Criss Angel Believe, Zumanity, Viva Elvis, and The Beatles Love.

Executive produced by James Cameron and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Andrew Adamson.

Available at Amazon.com

Las Vegas: Zumanity adds new "sexy Scot" to the line-up

From the Zumanity Facebook page: Zumanity is ringing in 2013 by adding a new character! Check out the pics below as we go behind the scenes at the final costume and make up fitting for "Scottish Fantasy!"

Artist: Alex Stabler
Costumes: Thierry Mugler
Makeup: Nathalie Gagné

Zumanity is easily one of my favorite shows on the Las Vegas Strip. Gorgeous production, gorgeous cast and always something new to appreciate. Like Mr. Stabler...

If you come to Vegas, don't miss Zumanity.