A solitary young man parachutes into a magical forest at the summit of a volcano. He then sets off on an adventure that is both absurd and extraordinary in a kaleidoscopic world populated by fantastical creatures in the latest of Cirque du Soleil’s extravaganzas, Varekai, which is making its exclusive Orange County appearance Jan. 16- Feb. 8 at the Orange County Fair & Exposition Center.

With a company of 50 magnificently costumed artists from 14 countries including contortionists, clowns, trapeze artists, acrobats, dancers, musicians and other performers, Varekai is a world where something else is possible, a place of pure and undiluted possibilities.

The word Varekai means “wherever” in the Romany language of the Gypsies. The show pays tribute to the nomadic soul of these universal wanderers, to the spirit and art of the circus tradition, and to the passion of those whose quest takes them to Varekai.

“Varekai is a furious, flamboyant celebration inspired by those artists who, every single day, no matter where the wind takes them, risk their life to challenge the laws of gravity, to jump and dance over the volcano,” says writer and director Dominic Champange.“To tell the old world that something else is possible.”

Performances will be at 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; 4 and 8 p..m. on Fridays and Saturdays; and 1 and 5 p.m. on Sundays. There are no shows on Monday.

Centennial Farm Foundation will have its annual fundraising event at 4 p.m. on Jan. 24. Farm supporters will enjoy a matinee performance of Cirque du Soleil’s Varekei and other activities.

Cirque du Soleil was born in 1984 in Quebec as part of the celebrations for the 450th anniversary of Jacques Cartier’s arrival in Canada, mixing the arts of the circus and street performers and featuring original music, light effects and costumes. Since its debut, Cirque du Soleil has dazzled more than 37 million people in 130 cities throughout the world with 14 different award winning productions including Alegria, Dralion, Saltimbanco and Quidam.

Tickets may be ordered by calling (800) 678-5440 or online at cirquedusoleil.com.