Touring circus adds soulful flair to performances under the big top

This weekend, under the big top, trapeze artists will soar and elephants will circle the ring.

But this still isn’t your runof-the-mill circus — this show has soul.

When Atlanta-based promoter Cedric Walker founded UniverSoul Circus in 1994, he intended to create an attraction that integrates musical genres spanning jazz, hip-hop, Latin and gospel. Twenty-four years later, music and dancing remain an essential part of UniverSoul.

“When you come to our show, you are dancing, singing, clapping, and laughing com 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday; noon, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 12:30, 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday $16 to $40

— there’s never a dull moment,” Walker said via email. “We connect with our audience in a way no other circus has or does.”

Central Ohioans can see UniverSoul’s “Big Top Christmas” show in a big-top tent erected in the Eastland Mall parking lot. The four-day run begins on Thursday. The run marks at least the fifth time the circus has stopped in Columbus since 2000, Walker said.

A celebration of diversity and worldwide cultures is at the heart of the circus’s mission. Each act includes performers from all over the United States, as well as from Africa, Asia, Cuba, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

“We are all one family,” said Atlanta resident Zanda Charles, who performs as Zeke, the sidekick to ringmaster Lucky Malatsi, a South African. “We bring all ethnic groups together for something in common that we have, which is entertainment and music.”

The slate of 11 shows (each lasts about 2 hours) includes motocross stunt riders from Chicago and upstate New York, the hiphop dance troupe Fresh the Clowns from Detroit, and contortionists from Guinea.

Animals from around the world, including elephants, apes, zebras and camels, will also dazzle the crowd.

Lucky and Zeke focus on keeping the audience engaged with the show and even get them into the center ring for dance numbers and more.

Said Walker: “We want people to get a sense of connectivity, togetherness and, of course, fun.”