Canada will showcase its musical and hockey-riot skills on the international stage...

Though news that Cirque du Soleil themselves will not be performing at Shanghai Expo 2010 has created a chorus of despair across Canada roughly equal to what you'd get if Canada lost Olympic hockey gold to say, Jamaica (less the riots, possible dissolution of the Canadian Federation and a distinctly pot-like odor remaining after Vancouver burns to the ground), details of the Cirque-organized program have begun to emerge, creating new hope among Canucks at the revelation of a list that looks as creatively diverse as it is long. 

The 150 artists being featured range from musical groups, to contemporary dance troups, slam poets, comedians and multi-media artists. Though big-name Canadian artists like Celine Dion, Bryan Adams and Alanis Morissette (Alanis appeared at Canada's Pavilion at the Expo in Aichi, Japan in 2005) were not approached for this Expo, it shouldn't stop the 30,000 or so visitors expected daily at the Canadian pavilion from queuing up for hours to take in one of a plethora of performances. (There will be so many in fact that the Canadian pavilion won't even be able to house them all, so some will take place in the nearby Americas Square.)

Not to worry though, those queuing up to catch one of the 40 performances taking place in the pavilion won't be bereft of entertainment, rather they'll be privy to 45 short films by Canadian filmmakers during the wait. Americas Square will host another 60 performances over the course of Expo.

Cirque du Soleil decided that diversity, not celebrity would reign at the Canada pavilion, a move made to showcase the depth of an eclectic, often eccentric Canadian talent pool.

Among the artists you can expect to see/hear are the punk/reggae fusion sounds of Cutting Edge Music Festival headliners Bedouin Soundclash, the award winning comic/acrobat antics of Jamie Adkin's Circus Incognitus, photo/video installations by award-winning artist Scott Conarroe, critically acclaimed indigenous dance performers Red Sky and Acadian folk-Celtic rockers Grand Dérangement (great disturbance).

So, despite the lack of an actual Cirque du Soleil show (barring a special surprise), the troupe's signature magic touch and effervescent eclecticism will fill the Canadian Pavilion and Americas Square with song, dance, theater, film and art, revealing a breadth and depth of talent from the land of maple syrup and honey brown lager beer. Here's hoping we see you there!

Images from Red Sky, Jamie Adkin and Grand Dérangement websites.

For a longer list of Canadian performers expected at Shanghai Expo 2010, see this article in the Globe and Mail.

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