Cirque Mechanics is a circus like you've never seen before

When you go to a circus, you would normally expect to see acrobats, daredevil acts, people defying death on the tightrope and clowns that make you smile.

But what happens when you add gears, pulleys and mechanical horses to the equation?

You get Cirque Mechanics, masters of theatrical engineering and innovators of the American circus today.

Inspired by the modern circus, Cirque Mechanics is a one-of-a-kind show called that celebrates all things mechanical with fun, frolic and stories of American ingenuity. Cirque Mechanics will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at Escher Auditorium, College of Saint Benedict. The show is part of the Fine Arts Series at CSB and Saint John’s University.

Called “42FT – A Menagerie of Mechanical Marvels,” the show is the latest invention from Cirque Mechanics. Inspired by the modern circus, it dares us to jump into the circus ring – but with a twist (or two).

The show finds its roots in the mechanical and its heart in the stories of American industrial ingenuity, showcasing a galloping mechanical horse and a rotating tent frame for strongmen, acrobats and aerialists. It’s signature style is wrapped in acrobatics, mechanical marvels and just a bit of clowning around, according to the Baylin Artists Management website.

The group was founded in 2004 by Boston native and German Wheel artist Chris Lashua, following his success of his collaborative project “Birdhouse Factory” with the Circus Center of San Francisco. The group quickly established itself as a premiere American circus, with its unique approach to performance, inspiring storytelling and innovative mechanical staging.

This is the fourth show Cirque Mechanics has produced, including “Boomtown” and “Pedal Punk.”

Spectacle Magazine hailed Cirque Mechanics as “the greatest contribution to the American circus since Cirque du Soleil.” The New York Times newspaper said the group is “engrossingly entertaining” and “intelligently conceived and expertly executed.”

So step right up, ladies and gentlemen and boys and girls of all ages, to see this uniquely brilliant performance that promises a fast-paced ride to catapult your senses. From daredevil antics to mechanical marvels, this performance reinvents the American circus with a little timber, steel and ingenuity.

This performance will have two acts, each approximately 45 minutes long. There will be one 15-minute intermission between acts.

Tickets are $35 for adults, $32 for seniors and $28 for CSB/SJU staff. Youth and students (with ID) get in for $15, and CSB/SJU student tickets are $10.

For tickets, call the Benedicta Arts Center Box Office at 320-363-5777 or order online.

The Cirque Mechanics performance is sponsored in part by Bernick’s, Gearbox Functional Creative and Woodcrest of Country Manor.

The activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.