Cirque du Soleil
We drove to Milwaukee, the traffic enveloped in a miasma of salt and soot laced snow-melt spray. The bone chilling sub-zero cold has passed. Our objective was the Fiserve Forum where we had tickets for a performance of Cirque du Soleil Crystal.
Words cannot be easily found to describe the unfolding of figure skating, gymnastic demonstrations requiring years of training, of discipline, strength, and heart stopping circus-like stunts upon which the life of the performer is in the balance. The experience was a visual and auditory feast, much like an old fashioned circus. The circus at the height of Barnum and Baily’s success never had the assist of computer programmed laser and LED lighting, the ability to project defined images upon any surface–thus to create illusion at will.
The Milwaukee trip concluded with a fine meal of German food at Maders. I took satisfaction to know that the elements of our dinner were the same entres and taste sensations experienced by generations of our European ancestors, who immigrated to the Milwaukee Wisconsin area. After all Maders has been in business since 1902. I was delighted when our server pointed out the table where Bernie Sanders dined. She proudly showed a framed Christmas card received from Bill and Hillary Clinton when he was President of our country. Many notable Americans have dined at Maders over the years.
“Are you not entertained?”
—Maximus, Gladiator movie by Ridley Scott
