Many remember the traditional Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, which performed with zany clowns, dazzling trapeze artists and wild animal acts. But three decades ago, a new type of circus has entered the scene.
UniverSoul Circus, described as a more cultural and global entertainment experience, returns to Baltimore County at Security Square Mall for a three-week run starting Aug. 14, this time with a Rhythm of the World theme. In its 31st year, the event features an international blend of circus acts, theatre and live music, and is “not your grandfather’s circus.”
At a pep rally held Aug. 12 on the mall parking lot, a parade of high-stepping dancers, costumed stilt walkers and marching band members marched from the mall entrance to the circus’s location outside the closed Sears building. A branded double-decker bus brought up the rear to the cheers of dozens of waiting community members. In the background, workers had begun the tent-raising of the iconic purple and yellow big top.
UniverSoul Circus is back in town.
WOLB radio host Larry Young, the event’s emcee, reflected on the circus’s 31 years in operation. “I was a fan for 10 of those years and for the last 21 years I’ve [particularly admired] the owners,” he said. “It is wonderful to know that a black man is the owner and has the greatest circus in the country —some people would say even in the world —and he’s a Baltimore man.”
Young said he appreciates that UniverSoul Circus CEO and founder Cedric Walker decided seven years ago to donate “1,500 to 2,000 tickets every time he comes to the city and give them free to young people who cannot afford to come to the circus.” The tickets are distributed through recreation centers, churches, boys and girls clubs, and nonprofit organizations.
Walker said in a statement, “Our Rhythm of the World production celebrates not only the world’s top circus performers, but also the unity of people from all walks of life. It’s a powerful reminder of the universal values of love, respect and togetherness.”
Walker’s plans to participate in the rally were derailed due to a family emergency. But ringmaster Donald N.O. Long, a variety of performers and local musicians pumped up the enthusiastic crowd of several dozens.
Elected officials representing the county were also on hand to help welcome attendees. Speaker of the House Adrienne Jones, State Senator Charles Sydnor, and Delegate Aletheia McCaskill Councilman Julian Jones delivered remarks. In his introduction, Young referenced Jones’ support for the circus, which faced a potential cancelation in the county because of a proposed county ban of animal acts in 2019. The bill was later withdrawn but last year the state of Maryland passed legislation to ban the use of elephants, big cats, bears and other wild animals in performances.
The year’s show features over a dozen new acts from around the world and spans genres including R&B, Latin, hip hop, jazz, gospel, pop and the beats of world music. Audience favorites are also returning, including the Caribbean Street Carnival, which features 20-foot dancing puppets, fire-breathing stilt dancers and hip-hop dancing clowns. Stunt artists will perform acrobatic flips and dives 60 feet in the air.
Performance times are 7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays; noon, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays; and noon, 3 and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays, and the final performances on Labor Day at noon and 4 p.m.
“When I say, ‘big top,’ you say, ‘circus!’ ”
Below: photos from the pep rally held Aug. 12 at Security Square Mall.
Photos: Janet Anderson, Northwest Voice
Photos: Janet Anderson, Northwest Voice