Zephyr

Zephyr

A Whirlwind of Circus by Cirque Mechanics. An emotive and exhilarating tale about human ingenuity and our natural resources.

Event Details

About Cirque Mechanics

Cirque Mechanics was founded in 2004 by Boston native and German Wheel artist, Chris Lashua, after the success of a collaborative project with the Circus Center of San Francisco entitled Birdhouse Factory. Cirque Mechanics quickly established itself as a premiere American circus, with its unique approach to performance, inspiring storytelling, and innovative mechanical staging. Spectacle Magazine hailed it as “the greatest contribution to the American circus since Cirque du Soleil.” 

Cirque Mechanics, although inspired by modern circus, finds its roots in the mechanical and its heart in the stories of American ingenuity. The shows, rooted in realism, display a raw quality, rarely found in modern circus, that makes their message timeless and relevant.  The stories are wrapped in circus acrobatics, mechanical wonders, and a bit of clowning around. The troupe has created five extraordinary productions; Birdhouse Factory, Boomtown, Pedal Punk, 42FT- A Menagerie of Mechanical Marvels, and, most recently, the wind-inspired Zephyr. 

Fun Facts about Zephyr

Did you know?

A family trip to a working grist mill in central England, a place where the mills grind cereal grain into flour and middlings, and a tour of the inside of the windmill inspired the circus Zephyr. A windmill is a type of working engine. It converts wind power into energy.

Windmills may be powerful, but a zephyr is a gentle breeze! The word comes from the name of the Greek god Zephyrus, who ruled the west wind and heralded spring.

Cirque Mechanics has produced four other shows - Birdhouse Factory, Boom Town, Pedal Punk, and 42FT - and Zephyr includes several new acts for them, including foot juggling and group bicycle! 

A Few Facts about Windmills

In case you need more spinning, Zephyr's 20-foot-tall windmill will be mounted on a giant turntable, enabling the performers to change the scenery in real-time.

The largest wind turbine in the world is in Hawaii. It is 20 stories high and has rotors that have the length of an entire football field.

Modern wind turbines are complicated machines. One wind turbine can have as many as 8,000 different components.

Most wind turbines have 3 blades that can reach up to a speed of 200 miles per hour. 

 

Upcoming Events

Sunday | Apr 13, 2025

Detroit's Hockey Evolution with Keith Gave

From The Russian Five to The Grind Line — A Legacy of Grit and Glory. Join us for an afternoon of cinema and conversation.

Event Starts 1:00 PM
Tuesday | Apr 15, 2025

Aftersun

Led by Frankie Corio's tremendous performance, Aftersun deftly ushers audiences to the intersection between our memories of loved ones and who they really are.

Event Starts 7:00 PM
Wednesday | Apr 23, 2025

An Evening with Author Leif Enger

Bestselling Author & Master Storyteller of Peace Like a River, Virgil Wander, and I Cheerfully Refuse.

Event Starts 6:00 PM
Tuesday | Apr 29, 2025

Arsenic & Old Lace

Cary Grant stars as the one sane member of a charmingly lunatic family in director Frank Capra's classic comedy.

Event Starts 7:00 PM
May 3 - 4, 2025

Musical Mosaic

Directed by Hannah Hoffman, Accompanied by Cynda Coleman.

Tuesday | May 6, 2025

Stop Making Sense

Director Jonathan Demme's collaboration with David Byrne captured the essence of the band's music visually, making it a standout concert film.

Event Starts 7:00 PM
Friday | May 9, 2025

Black Violin: Full Circle Tour

GRAMMY-nominated duo Wil Baptiste and Kev Marcus redefine the possibilities of music by merging classical depth with hip-hop’s pulse.

Event Starts 7:00 PM
Sunday | May 25, 2025

The Doo Wop Project

From Street Corner Harmonies to Chart-Topping Hits—A Journey Through the Heart of American Music.

Event Starts 7:00 PM
Friday | June 13, 2025

Deana Carter

A Timeless Voice, Crafting Songs that Speak to the Heart.

Event Starts 7:00 PM
Saturday | June 14, 2025

From Boston to Bay Harbor, A Night at the Ballet

A one night only gala performance featuring leading dancers of Boston Ballet.

Event Starts 7:30 PM
Saturday | June 21, 2025

Infinity

Classic To Current: The Ultimate Arena Rock Experience

Event Starts 8:00 PM
Friday | June 27, 2025

The Broadway Tenors

Three leading men. Three unbelievable voices. They’ll leave you breathless, recreating the roles they’ve played on Broadway and on stages all over the world.

Event Starts 7:00 PM
Sunday | June 29, 2025

Comedian Dustin Nickerson

Clean, Relatable, and Hilarious—Winning Over Audiences Everywhere with His Unique Brand of Comedy.

Event Starts 7:00 PM
Saturday | July 5, 2025

Lonestar

Pure Country. Pure Heart.

Event Starts 8:00 PM
Saturday | July 12, 2025

Disco Paradise

Boogie Down with KC and The Sunshine Band: the Legendary Group that Defined the Disco Era Headlines the Celebration of the Season!

Event Starts 8:30 PM
July 30 - 31, 2025

Bizet's Carmen

The Record-Smashing Operatic Sensation

Sunday | Aug 3, 2025

Straight No Chaser

Summer: The ‘90s Part 2 – New Show, New Music, Same Great Vibes

Event Starts 7:00 PM
Saturday | Aug 9, 2025

The Landsharks Band

The Original and Premier Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band!

Event Starts 7:30 PM
Friday | Aug 15, 2025

Ashes & Arrows

Ashes & Arrows gift us a thoughtfully crafted folk fusion you definitely won’t forget.

Event Starts 7:30 PM

Apr 2025