Tons to do in Trenton, get out and find it
As Cirque Us completed a two-hour performance under the Big Top, uh, well, four metal poles that served as stanchions for rope and other tricks, guests moved around the Roebling Wire Works factory. When what did my wondering eyes, should appear? Yes, borrowed that line but seeing my neighbors in attendance delivered a proud personal moment that it seemed like Christmas in June.
Darrick and Tametra Williams showed up with their brood of Darrick Jr., Malik and Dajah. Cirque Us had waived all costs for their performance and many residents set aside fear of the Art All Night mass shooting to watch this traveling group of twirlers, tumblers, jugglers and show people, deliver a fantastic evening out on the town.
Cirque Us, a semi-professional traveling circus troupe touring East Coat venues, they perform Tuesday night in Hillsborough, delivered “Starstruck: A Cosmic Circus that ratcheted laughter and even rocketed into outer space for a David Bowie-like romance between cosmos traveler and space alien.
Cirque Us noted that “We look to the stars for inspiration. We look to the stars for guidance. Each one twinkles in the dark, vast sky holding a secret wish.”
Personal inspiration develops when a neighbor sweeps a sidewalk or picks up after their pooch. And when a family like the Williams heads out for a night on the town? Well, that underscored a consistent message here that there’s plenty of activities in Trenton for families to attend.
Yes, I know, some journalists deliver that constant no-daddy, baby mama, drug and alcohol drama frequently. The plot plays well in suburbia where many residents have a skewed opinion about urban life. Most of my African-American and Latino friends have a father, mother and children who head off to school, engage in kid activities and desire good lives.
Many stories being told about urban life involve the standard drug, violence and single-mother household lines as standard backdrops for Horatio Alger-like stories about impoverished children who unshackle themselves from The Hood then claim middle-class vantage points.
The Williams Family are not the Huxtables, Jeffersons or Evans but they enjoy the good times that come with heading off to work daily, eating dinner together and being part of a Franklin St. community that faces challenges as neighbors.
A suggestion for all Trenton residents involves turning off your televisions and other devices then starting a search and discovery for free activities or low-cost events in the city.
For starters, come out to the Levitt AMP Music Series each Thursday night until August 30 for fantastic music and community L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist.