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There are a couple of reasons to not go see Cavalia, the newest entertainment show to hit Atlanta. 

1. It sets such a high standard that it’ll likely ruin one’s enjoyment of any other kind of performance involving animals.
2.  It’s so effective in transporting audiences to a dreamlike world that returning to reality after the three-hour show might result in post-traumatic-stress disorder.

Suffice it to say, I absolutely fell in love with Cavalia even though I initially thought it sounded like a cross between Medieval Times and a second-rate Cirque du Soleil. Gee, was I ever wrong.

Cavalia is an extraordinary celebration of the “bond between man and horse” and this celebration is enhanced by an over-the-top set design, an extraordinary team of aerialists, acrobats, dancers and a few performers who easily put what we know as horse whispering to shame. However it is the 59 horses—meticulously groomed Spanish Pure Breeds, Quarter Horses, Paints, Luistanos, Appaloosas and Arabians to name a few—that are the stars of the show. At times they run free—without saddles, bridles and riders—across the stage and at other times they exhibit playful movements—nuzzling and cavorting with each other.

When paired with riders, their feats are mind-boggling. Imagine a rider standing with one foot on the back on one horse and the other foot on the back of another horse–now picture several riders this way all racing each other at breakneck speed.

These are just a few of the magical moments in a show that seems to take audiences to a parallel universe where beauty and grace are combined with strength and feats that seem to defy reality.

For anyone who has been to a Cirque du Soleil performance, it may come as no surprise that the show is the brainchild of Norman Latourelle, one of the founders and the artistic director of the immensely popular Cirque du Soleil.

Cavalia may be new to Atlanta, but it’s not new to the world. Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, the show has been around for six years and, according to a news release, been viewed by 2.5 million people worldwide.

Those who are interested in experiencing Cavalia in Atlanta have until Nov. 22 to catch the action, beauty, grace and power under the giant white top at Atlantic Station. Tickets range from $34 to $109. For more information, visit www.cavalia.net.