Pyramid of Fun

Cirque du Soleil founder selects Arlington for U.S. premiere of new extravaganza

Arlington is about to be home — for a little while, at least — to a new tech-focused entertainment venue imagined by Guy Laliberté, a co-founder of Cirque Du Soleil.

Called PY1, the 81-foot-tall pyramid-shaped structure set up at Globe Life Park on New Year's Eve 2019 and will stay through the end of February 2020 before continuing on its tour. It had previously played Montreal, Canada, during the summer of 2019 before heading to Arlington for its U.S. premiere.

Put on by Lune Rouge Entertainment, PY1 offers two shows: Through the Echoes and Stella — The Time Machine Journey.

Through the Echoes is the first custom multimedia production for the pyramid that's suitable for guests 12 and up. Featuring lasers, 360-degree projections, kinetic stage elements, special effects, and grandiose lightscapes, this one of-a-kind multimedia show transports you on technological odyssey through space and time.

Stella – The Time Machine Journey is a new show for the entire family (ages 5 and up), and is a participatory multimedia show that encourages kids and their families to move and dance in the biggest time machine ever built.

Tickets for both shows and the themed nights are currently available on Ticketmaster, with corporate and group pricing available.

PY1 Nights has six themed nightlife experiences enhanced by lasers, projections, special effects, spectacular lighting, and the sounds of local and internationally known DJs who will help turn the pyramid into a giant dance floor.

Guests are encouraged to dress up according to the theme, which can be anything from a "kaleidoscope of psychedelia" called Candy World to "a radioactive party for the apocalypse survivors" called Underworld. All attendees of these themed events must be 21 and up.

CultureMap readers can score an extra 20 percent off both peak and non-peak performances of all Through the Echoes shows by using the 20PY1 online, over the phone, or at the box office.

Through the Echoes is a multimedia show with lasers, projections, special effects, and more.

Photo courtesy of Lune Rouge

Through the Echoes is a multimedia show with lasers, projections, special effects, and more.

technology music families nightlife openings promoted

REEL TALK

Evil Dead star Bruce Campbell brings surprising new film to Dallas

Photo courtesy of Ernie & Emma.

Bruce Campbell mourns his wife in 'Ernie & Emma.'

Cult cinema icon Bruce Campbell is making a cross-country trek, but he won’t be screening The Evil Dead. Instead, he is skipping traditional distribution to bring his newest film, Ernie & Emma, directly to the people.

The actor will be in the Dallas area on October 2 for a showing at Alamo Drafthouse Las Colinas (320 W. Las Colinas Blvd., Irving). The tour features a behind-the-scenes conversation with Campbell and a live Q&A.

Ernie & Emma may be a surprise for viewers who are used to his oddball horror comedies like Bubba Ho-Tep. The film — entirely scripted, directed, produced, and funded by Campbell and his wife, Ida Gearon — is billed as a romantic comedy, albeit one with a little edge.

The story follows Ernie Tyler, a rural pear salesman mourning the loss of his beloved wife. Guided by a detailed list of instructions Emma Tyler left before her death, Ernie sets off on a life-changing road trip. You can watch the trailer below.

The story hits close to home for the comic-con legend. It was filmed in Pear Valley near his Oregon home, and he reportedly based Ernie’s character on his dad. Campbell has also had to contemplate his own mortality after a March cancer diagnosis. On X, he described the cancer as “treatable” but not “curable.”

“It’s incredibly special to share this film with audiences across the nation. Getting to bring it directly to communities and experience those conversations in real time is the reason you make something like this in the first place,” said Campbell in a release. “Loss is universal, and so is the challenge of finding your way forward.”

Ticketing information and times for the screening will be announced at a later date. Still, audiences will have several chances to see the star, who canceled his usual convention schedule to focus on the tour and his health. Besides Dallas, Ernie & Emma will screen at the following Texas Alamo Drafthouse locations:

October 3 — Alamo Drafthouse Stone Oak, 22806 US-281 N, San Antonio
October 9 — Alamo Drafthouse Lakeline, 4028 US-183 Bldg F, Austin
October 10 — Alamo Drafthouse Slaughter Lane, 5701 W. Slaughter Lane, Bldg. F, Austin

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