Cirque May Shift to O.C. Fairgrounds

Cirque du Soleil, which has performed at the South Coast Plaza mall biannually since 1991, may be moving to the Orange County Fairgrounds for its next appearances here.

Even though the location is not yet nailed down, tickets for the shows--Jan. 29 through March 2--will go on sale Sunday.

Jacques Marois, associate producer of the French Canadian circus’ North American tour, said the move was suggested by South Coast Plaza officials, who “had some [unspecified] projects and could not commit to the section of the [mall] parking lot” where the Cirque has pitched its big top in the past.

Mall officials could not be reached.

A spokeswoman for the fairgrounds said she expects a contract with the Cirque to be signed within two weeks.

Cirque du Soleil (“the circus of the sun”) has performed three times at the mall. Tickets for the upcoming production, “Quidnam” (pronounced key-dham), are $8.25 to $45.50 and can be purchased starting Sunday at Tempo Music & Video stores, or by calling (800) 678-5440.