Cirque wants to save water

A lot of the decadent, superficial elements that make Las Vegas such a wicked success get harnessed for the powers of good when the city parties for a cause.

It works best when local names are rooted to local good-deed doers: Andre Agassi’s annual star showcase for his own foundation, or the upcoming “Power of Love,” an April 13 blowout to celebrate the 80th birthdays of Quincy Jones and Michael Caine. Everyone from Barbra Streisand to Snoop Dogg is expected at that MGM Grand fund raiser for Keep Memory Alive.

Sorry, the $1,500 seats are gone, but you might still negotiate a $100,000 Platinum table.

But the city’s dominant entertainment player, Cirque du Soleil, is stepping up with a little party of its own. “One Night for One Drop” will close all the regular Las Vegas Cirque shows on March 22 so its artists can stage a one-off performance with unique content at Bellagio.

You can get an obstructed-view seat for $150, but the better ones go for $1,500.

Cirque’s co-founder and head, Guy Laliberte, hopes to create a new Must See (and Be Seen) event at the top of the social calendar, and all for … water.

Yes, this cause is complicated. As complicated as Las Vegas’ own codependent, denial-filled relationship with the clear stuff.

“In French we call it cognitive dissonance,” says Catherine Bachand, the foundation’s director.

In English, too. It’s the difference between being told that within 10 years, two-thirds of the world’s population will live in areas of water scarcity, and not really caring as long as something comes out when we turn on the tap.

“I think we’re a bit lucky because everyone has an interaction in their relationship with water,” Bachand says. “We drink it every day, it’s very much a part of every day life. In that sense, it’s easier than explaining what a ton of carbon is.”

On the other hand, One Drop’s multifaceted reach can’t be summed up in a simple phrase such as “food bank.” The foundation’s website is dense with explanations for the 5-year-old organization’s work in water delivery systems, education and micro finance loans.

So far, that work doesn’t lead back to a funky building by the downtown outlet mall or a charter school by the West Las Vegas Library. Most of One Drop’s efforts have been concentrated for highest effect in Central and Latin America, Western Africa and India.

Yet, Bachand says, “it feels so fitting” that the big show would take place at “Cirque du Soleil’s second home,” which is “now One Drop’s second home as well.”

One Drop runs on a parallel track to Cirque’s entertainment operations. But Bachand says there’s a point of intersection.

“We use art, we use creativity, and that goes right to Guy’s vision at the beginning. He did not want to hammer on people’s heads and use statistics and make them feel bad about themselves. Better to inspire change,” she says.

Laliberte wants to teach people that water isn’t an infinite resource, she adds.

“And I think he wants to do it by touching everyone’s heart.”

Contact reporter Mike Weatherford at
mweatherford@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0288.