Cirque du solstice: Wise Fool New Mexico

The night of winter solstice is the longest and darkest of the year — and it is often celebrated with spiritual and mystical ritual and much feasting and revelry. In honor of the solstice, Wise Fool New Mexico presents Dark Is the Night Circus at 7 p. m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, at Skylight ( 139 W. San Francisco St., 505-982-0775). The cabaretstyle event features aerial and ground acrobatics, juggling, stilt-walking, and Balkan music by the group Rumelia. Amy Christian, the artistic director of Wise Fool — the organization that produces the annual Circus Luminous — said that Dark Is the Night Circus is not only a seasonal celebration but a pilot performance to test local interest in a monthly circus cabaret at Skylight. Santa Feans who would appreciate this recurring event are encouraged to make their interest known by attending on Dec. 20. Admission is $15 to $25, and all ages are welcome. Tickets are available at www.holdmyticket. com. Apollo Garcia pictured. — J.L.