(January 7, 2002) -- LB City Hall has announced that LB has been selected "as the host City for the internationally acclaimed Cirque du Soleil."

The venue will be next to the Queen Mary. The show will run from March 6 through April 7.

A City Hall-issued press release said Downtown LB Associates' Executive Director Kraig Kojian "was instrumental in talking with Cirque du Soleil's representatives in the initial stags of discussions," adding that Joseph Prevratil, President and CEO of the Queen Mary, "successfully conducted the final negotiations."

City Manager Henry Taboada was quoted as saying "City management is working with the Queen Mary to ensure that any improvements needed for hosting Cirque du Soleil are completed in a timely manner." Mr. Taboada added that Cirque du Soleil "will showcase LB in a very special way."

The release also quoted LB Mayor Beverly O'Neill as saying, "I couldn't be more pleased to hear of Cirque du Soleil's selection of LB. It is a perfect match between an exciting and alluring event and a City known as a special event destination."

Cirque du Soleil has previously appeared in southern California adjacent to Costa Mesa's South Coast Plaza and at the Orange County fairground, as well as other regional sites.