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VOL 3. NO. 19 Friday, May 18 - Thursday, May 24, 2001

AFRICA
AGAINST THE GRAIN
BUSINESS/NETWORKING
CARIBBEAN CONNECTION
CONSCIOUSLY SPEAKING
FOR THE FAMILY
GET YOUR LAUGH ON
GO GO GROOVES
HEALTH/LIVING WHOLE
HIP HOP/R&B
JAZZ/CLASSICAL
JUST CLUBBING
MORE MUSIC
PRAISE & WORSHIP
SOULFUL CUISINE
SPORTING ACTION
STAGE
THE WORD
FOR THE FAMILY
Soul Under the Big Top
By Louise BOSWELL

Courtesy Photo

Since 1994 Cedric Walker, founder of UniverSoul Big Top Circus, has been operating the nation's only black-owned, operated and performed circus. Walker admits that when he and co-founder Cal Dupree, who doubles as ringmaster Casual Cal, began many people told them they were crazy.

Skeptics insisted that blacks did not attend circuses so the venture would be a "white elephant." The circus not only debuted to sold out crowds in Atlanta, it has survived all the negativity and has received acclaim for its artistic and technical strength.

The Soul circus features a troupe of international performers personally recruited by Walker from some of the best known circuses worldwide. As always this year's troupe will feature traditional circus acts all set to an African-American beat. Headliners include South African bone and body twister Lunga, Cuban heartthrob Ricardo and the popular Gabonese Acrobatic Troupe audience and favorite Jean Claude. As always the cavalcade of talent is led by ringmaster "Casual Cal" and his sidekick Zeke. When Casual Cal greets the crowd with "Yo, yo, yo, yo" and does his James Brown-inspired dance moves, audiences very quickly realize they are in for a unique entertainment experience.

But Walker and company are committed to more than making us laugh. He explained that it is equally important for his circus to be located in African-American communities that are typical underserved by mainstream entertainment. And all personnel in the maintenance of the circus--from raising the big top to providing on-site security--are contracted from the communities where the circus touches down.

UniverSoul will make this and international affair when they performance in Johannesburg, South Africa, July 13 - July 29, 2001. This first international performance will benefit the Nelson Mandela Fund, Streetwise and Education Africa. HBO will be on hand to document this special performance for airing at a later date. The first UniverSoul Circus HBO Special premiered in 1999 on the HBO Family Channel. It was one of cable outlet's top rated programs and even received an Emmy nomination.

But you need not wait for the television program to truly enjoy this uniquely wonderful family spectacle. The theme of this year's show is "Unexpected Soul 2001." UniverSoul Big Top Circus sets up its tent at Capital Plaza in Landover, MD from May 20-June 3, 2001. They then head on up the Parkway to Mondawmin Mall in Baltimore, MD from June 5-10. For tickets and information call 202-432-SEAT.

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