A gravity-defying performance aims to entertain, motivate young
The high-flying, gravity-defying tricks of Acrodunk have thrilled crowds and motivated kids at the BMO Kid’s Zone daily during the Calgary Stampede.
The Acrodunk performances combine acrobatics and basketball into a thrilling show of tricks and flips.
Acrodunk was founded in 1995 by Jerry Burrell, known as the Michael Jordan of acrodunking around the world, and is now performing for a fourth year at the Stampede. The group — which participated on the television series America’s Got Talent in 2009 — first performed at the Grandstand Show in 2010 and returned in 2015 and 2016.
“To go out there onstage and do what you love to do and show the world what you do, and you know that 12 million people are watching this, it’s a pretty cool feeling,” said Greg Mueller.
“I like to compare America’s Got Talent to the time we were in the Grandstand Show. We would love to be back in the Grandstand Show.”
However, it’s not all fun and games with the group.
A core value of Acrodunk is doing motivational speeches and touring schools in the United States through their Sport of Thinking program.
“We go into elementary schools and middle schools and we challenge these students to approach school like an athlete approaches their game,” said Mueller.
“When an athlete approaches their game, they have the intent to win.
“So we want students to approach school like a sport, so they have the intent to win at school.”
The group is U.S.-based, but after performing at the BMO Kid’s Zone, Andrew (The Professional) Cyrus said there’s more enthusiasm in Calgary.
“The crowd shows a lot of love, we have a lot of participation in the events,” said Cyrus.
“It’s an overwhelmingly amazing experience and I haven’t had that experience in the States yet.”
Another exciting element here, said Cyrus, is the fact the performers are right among the crowd, as opposed to NBA games where some spectators are high up in the arena rafters.
“They get to see the gravity of how high we get, how hard the stuff is, and it makes it more exciting of a show,” he said.
Acrodunk has already found its biggest fan in Calgary.
Four-year-old Ani Cosby first saw Acrodunk perform a few days ago and has insisted her parents bring her every day to see them perform.
“She has been here every day, watching every show, and her mom has been like, ‘She will not stop talking about you guys!’ ” said Mueller.
“She drew us a picture, so we’ve kept it and it’s going home with us.”
The favourite part of all of this for the guys of Acrodunk is the crowd interaction.
“I love to see kids’ faces light up and you just never know who you’re inspiring,” said Guy (That Guy) Jackson.
“The goal is always to motivate and inspire kids, and if we’re doing that, we’re on the right path, we’re doing our jobs correctly.”
Acrodunk performs daily at the Stampede at the BMO Kids’ Zone at 2:30 and 6:30 p.m.