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Canadian stars united in Stronger Together COVID-19 broadcast benefit last night. Stronger Together, Tous Ensemble is a multi-platform event centred around a $150-million campaign to provide support to Food Banks Canada.
As part of this event, we were invited by Cirque du Soleil to create a small performance from home, with the children. It was our goal to bring a little joy and happiness to everyone during these difficult times.
Enjoy!
Last night, Paramour opened the Grand Final of Germany’s Next Top Model with Heidi Klum.
Directed by Sergio Trujillo and Co-Directed & Choreographed by Chelsey Arce.
Here is the performance:
Our last blog update was in June and a lot has happened over these past eight months. We returned to Cirque du Soleil a little earlier than originally planned with a short tour with the show V ⭕️LTA. This was a very personal decision for us and as a result we’ll not share too many details of our time there. What we will say is that V ⭕️LTA is a very strong and passionate show. The artists are incredible! We’d encourage everyone to go and see it.
“Because You’re Still Here.” - For the loving memory of Yann Arnaud.
On V ⭕️LTA, along with the Aerial Straps act, we were given the opportunity to perform a very special number. The Lamp Act, which was created and developed by Pawel Walczewski, an artist on the show. It was the first time either of us had performed alone in a Cirque du Soleil show. It was an honor and a privilege to perform this act. We thank Pawel and the team on V ⭕️LTA for giving us this opportunity.
Our final performance on V ⭕️LTA was on New Years Eve. The very next day, we all flew to Hamburg, Germany to begin the training, rehearsals and remount of our Broadway Musical show Paramour. We’re so happy to be a part of this show again. It was a big hit with the New York audiences, so we look forward to bringing it to Germany. Paramour will open at the Stage Theater Neue Flora on April 14th.
An interesting fact: We’ll be sharing the Paramour stage with two other members of the Atherton Family. Andrew’s wife Gasya will be returning to perform her Hand To Trapeze act, along with and our nephew Jack will also be joining with his own Hand To Trapeze act.
We’ve been given the opportunity to perform a Duo Aerial Straps act in the Cirque du Soleil show Volta. Volta is currently touring North America.
The opportunity was presented to us several weeks ago. After discussing it with each other and with our immediate family members, we felt it would be a symbolic way for us to honor and pay tribute to our friend and colleague Yann Arnaud. Yann tragically lost his life recently during one of his performances on Volta. He was doing what he loved the most. This return to the Big Top stage is with mixed feelings. This horrible accident affected us enormously, along with the circus community as a whole. Each performance we do, we will do in the memory of Yann and for his beautiful family left behind. There was one thing Yann loved more than performing and that was his family. We spoke yesterday with Yann's wife Inna, along with his father Christian and together we decided we'd like to contribute a portion of each of our performances on Volta directly to support his daughters Lilia and Kiana. We all felt that Yann would appreciate this. We can't imagine the pain and heartache felt after losing someone so close to you.
This is for you Yann!
Kev & Andi
We’re defined by the priorities we set ourselves in life. It’s the choices that we make that, ultimately will determine the way we're perceived by others.
What do you want to be remembered for? For most of us, our contributions to this world will be modest ones. We won’t change the world, but we will leave a lasting impression. One that will remain and be remembered by those whose lives we’ve touched along the way.
It's our true hope that we'll continue to look back on our own lives with a deep sense of pride. A pride in our family and friends, along with a pride in our work. We hope and we trust that the decisions made, both personally and professionally have been the good ones. Taken with respect for others and without sacrificing the things that are most important. These really are our core values.
We measure our success not by what we accomplish, but by what we inspire others to accomplish.
Kev & Andi
Thank you Nike, Leiomy Maldonado & Precious Angel Ramirez for the inspirational video campaign, celebrating pride, equality and respect.
Life Really Is Precious!
An average American spends as much as 90% of his or her life indoors. With vast improvements in technology this number will increase, as more children are opting to skip the park for time spent on an iPad, Smartphone or gaming system. With shorter, colder days it can be increasingly difficult to motivate yourself to go outdoors. Venturing outside hasn’t been an easy task for us and our family during our stay here in Calgary. However, it’s a part of our usual daily routine that we simply cannot give up.
Being outdoors gives us the opportunity to be physically active in a continually changing environment. Whether walking, hiking or running, our bodies and minds will learn to adapt. The more challenging the terrain or weather conditions, the harder our body works to sustain an efficient work rate. Effectively burning more calories.
Outdoor exercise, such as jogging or walking can reverse the damage caused by prolonged sitting. The muscle activity and increased blood flow from as little as a 15 minutes jog or walk can reverse the damaged caused to leg arteries from three hours of sitting.
Something to think about...
Kev & Andi
You’ve made getting fit your 2018 New Year’s resolution. Most of you have been thinking about it for months, but is the new year the best time to start?
In January, the gyms will be packed with new, motivated members, determined to transform their bodies. Before you hit the gym running, we recommend you start slowly. If you’ve never worked out before, both your body and mind will need time to adjust. Make the commitment to gradually build fitness into your daily routine. Working out at home is a great beginning. Ten minutes in the morning is all you need. Exercising first thing in the morning will make you less likely to skip your workout. It will boost your metabolism and improve your mood for the day ahead.
Go for long walks in the evening or take your children to the park. The fresh air will clean your lungs, improve digestion, blood pressure and heart rate. It will give you more energy, a sharper mind and overall, will make you feel a happier person. Not to mention the benefits this hour or two will have on your children and your relationship with them.
Regardless of your level, when starting any fitness program, gradual is the way to go. Let your body and mind ease into things. Going all-out will only result in frustrating aches, pains and possible injuries. Have specific goals and accomplish them in a short time. Alternate muscle groups and vary your workout routine. This will give your muscles, joints, and ligaments a chance to rest and recover. The best approach is to try a little of everything and have fun doing it. It may take a little time before you find a workout routine that suits you, but stick at it and you’ll find it.
Combine this new training program with healthier eating habits too. Avoid using the phrases “I’m starting a new diet” or “I’m on a diet”. These phrases imply you’re beginning something that you plan to finish, or you’re on something that you intend to come off. Whether you like it or not, this is how our brains are wired to think. Use the word change instead. Make the change to a more healthier lifestyle. This change should be directional, gradual and sustainable. If you’re wanting to eat healthier, do it slowly. Start by changing one habit in your daily routine. It could be reducing the amount of alcohol you consume or cutting back on your sugar intake altogether. Subtle changes over time will bring significant results.
Finally, don’t wait until next year to start your healthier lifestyle. It’s no secret that the holiday season can be challenging. Poor food choices and increased alcohol consumption will have a negative impact on your health and motivation for the year ahead. Building healthier habits now will help you avoid making unhealthy choices over the holidays. It’s a commitment to yourself, but it’s a commitment that you won’t regret.
Happy Holidays!
Andi & Kev
We're former elite British gymnasts and are now circus artists, performers and fitness advocates.
Over the past forty years we’ve been fortunate to work and train under the guidance of some of the best athletic coaches and medical professionals in their chosen fields. It’s because of these coaches and medical professionals that we’re still able to do what we do today at 42 years old. We credit their knowledge and expertise with our ability to maintain and sustain a balanced, healthy and fit lifestyle. In seventeen years and over 6000 performances we’ve never missed a single show through injury or illness.
Through our competitive and professional careers, as both gymnasts for Great Britain and as artists with the Cirque du Soleil, we realized the importance of basic, targeted exercises, with the goal to correct posture and to help our bodies function in the correct way. We’d like to begin to share that knowledge.
As we work on this project we encourage those interested in learning more about it to subscribe to our newsletter above.
Wishing everyone a happy and healthy Christmas and New Year ahead.
Kev & Andi
"Born of our creativity. The only unique contribution that we will ever make in this world."
Today, we went to take some photographs in one of our favorite spots here in Las Vegas. The shoot was frustratingly unsuccessful. In two hours we probably got about two photographs that we liked. Instead, we were more satisfied with this little video that we took between shots.
Kev & Andi Atherton
A little thank you from us...
