WHO WE ARE
Spawned from the depths of the Bay Area’s thriving dance and circus subcultures, Vau de Vire Society has ravaged and titillated live entertainment for more than 20 years, causing jaws to drop in awe and admiration around the world. This avant-cabaret community consists of some of the nations most acclaimed acrobats, aerial artists and contortionists, an array of unique circus sideshow and fire-performers, a handful of thespians, and a barrage of the most enticing classically-trained dancers. The group has been cross-pollinating genres by collaborating with an eclectic variety of world-renowned musicians and DJs in creating original stage shows and festival productions spanning social barriers.
Attending a Vau de Vire Society event is akin to stepping into an interactive circus where all layers of pretension are discarded at the door. The common two-dimensional wall between audience and performer is shattered by VdV artists emerging within the crowd, performing thematic roaming vignettes. The audience and performer become a single force, creating an art-filled environment providing all in attendance a safe haven to indulge fantasies of running away with the circus…if even for the night. No matter the genre they infiltrate with their unique brand of circus theatrics, the Vau de Vire Society creates a live choreographed explosion of all that is beautifully talented.
Vau de Vire Society offers a variety of entertainment scenarios, including:
- Customized/thematic ensemble stage shows with accompanying live orchestra
- Cutting edge nightclub entertainment unsurpassed in quality
- Atmospheric circus specialty acts, living-art installations, or a series of circus solos w/ accompanying dance choreography
- Curation and production of large-scale festival environments and entertainment
COLLABORATIONS
ARTISTS
Cirque du Soleil
Tiesto
James Brown
50 Cent
Wyclef Jean
Velvet Revolver
The Cure
The Crystal Method
San Francisco Symphony
Paul Oakenfold
Moby
Paul Van Dyke
The Dresden Dolls
Peaches
The Alkaline Trio
Fishbone
The Madd Vibe Orchestra
PERFORMERS & CREW
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PERFORMERS
Anastasia Sauvage
Angela Mae Thompson
Anngela Burt
Becca Feller
Chloe Axelrod
Chrissy
Jon Dutch
Dwoira Galilea
Eka Boo Button
Elliot Gittelson
Elena Sanders
Gemiah Kurzfeld
Ismael Acosta
Jacob Doyle
Jain Dowe
Jamie DeWolf
Jasper Patterson
JoBeth Locklear
Juliano Wade
Kelsy Hiyakumoto
Kirsten Gerding
Kitty Oaks
Leah Marie
Maggie Powers
Natalie Rhae
Prinz Xzist
Sandia DeLavibora
Shannon Gaines
Stefania
Stephanie Bailey
TT Robson
Victoria Nicholson
Janelle Slavik
Jessica Adams
Matthew James
Mike Gaines
Shannon Gaines
Ty Bourne
BUILDERS, RIGGERS & SHOW CREW
Conan Mattisson
Dave Clay
Dave Jones
Denny Pallenberg
Eddie Ochoa
Isaac Blackwood
Janelle Slavik
Janella Slaga
Lichen White
Matthew James
Michael Greco
Mike Gaines
Nathan Krieger
Nick Brently
PK
Tracee
TreeJ
COSTUMING
Becca Feller
Janelle Slavik
Pamela Een
Shannon Gaines
BODY MAKEUP
Cory Couch
STILL PHOTOGRAPHY
Cody Molica
Eric Gillet
Leori Gill
Marco Sanchez
VIDEOGRAPHERS
Kenny Hoff
Mark Day
Nick Kasimatis
VISUALS / SOUND / LIGHTING
Bryan Lovett
Dustin Edwards
William Marion
Mike & Shannon Gaines
THE EDWARDIAN BALL
Well it certainly has been a most peculiar year. We are ever so grateful that we were able to celebrate Edwardian Ball’s 20th anniversary in January of 2020 before the world as we have known it ground to a halt. And while it is nearly certain that we will not be gathering in January 2021 in our typical fashion, we will most definitely not let a year slip by without some measure of Edwardian revelry. Please stay in touch on our mailing list and on our social channels as updates emerge!
ALL’S FAIRE IN LOVE AND GOREY
Nigh impossible to describe, but absolutely delightful to experience. The Edwardian Ball is an elegant and whimsical celebration of art, music, theatre, fashion, technology, circus, and the beloved creations of the late, great author and illustrator Edward Gorey.
Set in a re-imagined “Edwardian Era,” this multi-city, multi-media extravaganza has grown over the past TWENTY years from an underground club party into an internationally recognized festival of the arts, now operating with the blessing of The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust.
The Vau de Vire Society has co-produced the Ball for the past 15 years alongside Paradox Media and the founders, Rosin Coven.
The Soiled Dove
From The Vau de Vire Society, co-creators of the world renowned Edwardian Ball, Lagunitas Beer Circus, Phantasm Halloween, New Bohemia NYE and a decade of The Bay Area’s most creatively outrageous nightlife events, comes an immersive, circus-infused, scandalous and historic dinner-theater experience that will titillate your every sense. The Soiled Dove is a one-of-a-kind touring show that takes place under Vau de Vire’s massive 12,000 sq. ft. circus tent, the Tortona Big Top!
To enter The Soiled Dove, is to step back into another world, inspired by the Bay Area’s notorious Gold Rush & Barbary Coast era. A fully built-out 19th century outpost of decadence and delights, a replica of a 19th century Oakland saloon and dancehall, replete with all its characters and misfits. An evening filled, with decadent culinary creations served alongside world-renowned performances accompanied by a 10 piece live orchestra with surprise musical-guest cameos each evening.
In 2019, The Soiled Dove graced Downtown Oakland with shows every Friday and Saturday evening…under Vau de Vire’s massive 12,000 sq. ft. circus tent, the Tortona Big Top! Thank you to all who helped make it a circus! Stay tuned for details on our next season!
NEW BOHEMIA NYE
Postponed until the end of 2021…Until then stay safe and love each other.
New Bohemia NYE is an adventure co-created by the Vau de Vire Society & Opel Productions to bring SF’s favorite mix of music and avant-garde performance. Within the landscape of the San Francisco Mint, there are specially curated environments and vignettes, where you can find poets and performers, aerialists and DJ’s, burlesque dancers and live painters, acrobats and absinthe hawkers; galleries full of art and visual treats, crimson busts and decadent costumes; experiential, playful and interactive opportunities, and surprises; all to be found in the different corners, courtyards, chambers and titillating dark corners and pathways of this unique venue.
Lagunitas Beer Circus
A jubilant, international touring event, Lagunitas Beer Circus features 100s of performers performing acts you can’t un-see, with Vau de Vire as resident performance host, entertainment curator, and co-producer.
Dusk to Dawn
Dusk to Dawn is a Halloween venture brought to you by Opel Productions, The Midway & The Vau de Vire Society, the producers of Phantasm : Halloween at the Armory, one of the most raved about, diverse, eclectic, premiere Halloween parties in SF’s illustrious history. Now we’re joined by Deep Blue to round it out!
TORTONA BIG TOP
Home to The Soiled Dove, other Vau de Vire adventures, and a wide range of other events, Vau de Vire’s Tortona big top is 12,000 square feet of spectacular, complete with state-of-the-art lighting, projection, and sound — capable of making up to 1,000 people very Very giddy.
MAILING LIST
Once you’ve joined our mailing list, we’ll keep you in the loop on our collective adventure by way of a monthly newsletter, with occasional additional special editions, special members-only offers and promotions, and whatnot.
