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Review Archive/December 2011
Updated January 18, 2019
UniverSoul Circus; Greensboro, NCcont'd.
Non-Stop Entertainment!
 By Jay Whipple/Trend Magazine Online™
The second act
featured three men from Africa and Central America on the high
wire. They did okay but one guy kept falling on the high wire. I am not sure if
that was part of the act but it was a bit disappointing. The ringmaster kept
repeating “There is danger on the high wire.” And I kept repeating “Practice,
practice, practice; makes perfect, perfect, perfect!” The third act
was billed as “Something for the ladies,” and featured a somewhat short
(Maybe 5’ 5’) bald-headed muscular Black guy from Paris, France, named Jean
Claude (Now where have I heard that name before?). He resembled a short, Black
Atlas. His act was performing feats of strength via suspended ropes hanging
from the top of the circus stage. He was indeed a hit with the ladies and
received roses; heck, one lady made it rain up in there! Just kidding!
One of the pluses of this show is their transitioning between acts. They have
that down to a science whereas it detracts most novice attendees from seeing
the different stages being reconfigured. The first transition was the
now-famous Soul Train Line. You young folks have to consult with your
parents or grandparents to get up to speed on that history. This line called
for three female and three male volunteers from the audience who were 30
years old or older. Of course, the women came up quick and first. The men
were slow to volunteer but eventually three were enticed to join the women.
After viewing their performance one could safely abandon the stereotype that
all Black people can indeed dance. It was now time for the fourth act.
Most audience members were a bit puzzled when they noticed a pack of strong men
pushing a giant metal sphere onto the main/only stage. I knew immediately what
it was; motorcycle time! These four bikers from Columbia South America
thrilled the crowd by driving simultaneously up and around that steel sphere at
speeds of up to 55 MPH. It was a heart-pumping and exhilarating
experience. The fifth act was a bit less fast-paced and dangerous and
featured Asian girls from China on bikes. It was their first time
in the U.S.A. These girls were meticulous in their timing and acrobatics
as they rode their bikes backwards, forwards, on one wheel; two and three on a
bike, and even climbing over each other. It was like watching synchronized
swimming on bikes.
The next transition/interlude was sponsored by a local radio station (WNAA) and
was dedicated to honoring a local Unsung Hero named Princess Howell
Johnson of Royal
Expressions Contemporary Ballet. You can tell she practiced, practiced, practiced,
because her speech and message was conveyed quite eloquently. It was now
intermission time! During this time you could have made a trip to the relief
station, purchased souvenirs and/or snacks, taken a smoke break, ridden an
elephant ($10), or taken a picture with a rare white tiger ($15). Guest which
ones I chose? The nachos were six bucks and at that price they tasted
extraordinarily good! Smile!
The first act after intermission (The sixth act) featured that same
white tiger and his six or so buddies being bossed around by a little guy from Mexico
named Chita (Or something like that). Their act was a bit slow and toned
down and the highlight was my white tiger making three jumps on his/her hind
legs. I must admit that I was quite relieved when they put those beasts back
into their cages and carried them away as I was mentally rehearsing my escape
route if they got out. The next transition was quite fun as the entire audience
got a chance to participate in the giant beach ball bonanza (What I call it).
They let us punch these gigantic beach balls around the audience which brought
out the kid in everyone; including myself. The seventh act featured
those 30-foot giant men on stilts again this time they wore very
colorful garbs native to their homeland of Trinidad and Tobago (Home
of the world-famous Carnival celebration). This time they brought a few pretty
gal dancers with them who captivated and mesmerized the men in the audience
with their Caribbean-style gyrations and maneuvers. They were moving so
fast I got dizzy trying to keep up. They were indeed a crowd favorite as
everybody went berserk!
Next up, a bit of politics on the side as the City of Greensboro’s Mayor
Robbie Perkins (Who is white) was recognized and allowed to speak. Way to
get in those brownie points with the Black community Mr. Mayor.
Another of my favorite parts of the show is when the Ringmaster Shucky Ducky
leads the young ones in the UniverSoul Circus Pledge which requires
them to among other positive things stay in school. But for those that don’t,
you can always run away and join the circus like I wanted to – Just kidding! This
next act, the eighth, did immediately thrust the crowd back into a
high-energy mode. Their act featured six Russian dudes who used make-shift
see saws as their props to bounce each other about 40 feet into the air
while performing all sorts of flips and acrobatics. These guys were dressed in
kilts and black leg boots and highly meticulous as well as entertaining; so
much so that I felt the need to join them on stage -- In my imaginative mind of
course (My Paratrooper days are over). The next transition/interlude was my
favorite because it featured my all-time favorite rap tune “Rappers Delight” by the legendary Sugar
Hill Gang, and the hokie pokie dance. Remember that? I still can recite
almost every word of Rapper’s Delight because back then most rappers
spoke plain English as opposed to today’s gibberish and broken Ebonics
spoken by many of them.
The ninth act was kind of strange, weird, and bizarre, but in the end
very entertaining. It featured something that I have seen before but not in the
same form – a fine Black female contortionist. Hmmmmmmmm, I thought,
this is going to be a rip off. Well, I cannot go into the details like I want
to about this act -- and keep this article G rated -- so suffice it to
say that you gotta see this one to believe it! The next transition/interlude
had the audience in stitches and was billed the “Battle of the couples,” and
featured an old school (30+) and new school couple (18-25) acting out a song
from their eras. The old school couple won hands down after this chick snatched
her own wig off and flung it in the direction of the new school chick. I have
never seen a heavy girl move as fast to get out of the way of that wig! The tenth
act featured woman vs. beast as three fine Black show girls –
wearing pink -- entered the ring a top three huge grey pachyderms/elephants. I
believe their names were Crystal, Kimberly and Nika (Gonna
have to check my Blackberry – Just kidding). The eleventh and final act
got the crowd pumped up and in a party mood as a dance crew from Atlanta, GA,
entertained the crowd with moves we only wish we could do on the dance floor of
our favorite night spots.
The finale brought all acts back to the stage for the final curtain call and to
take a bow after providing us with 2 ½ hours of the most enjoyable,
entertaining, and educationally memorable feats from here an abroad. You can’t
miss with the UniverSoul Circus as it is family fun from start to
finish. Hopefully next time I will not be given the run-around or brush-off by
their media relations department.
Find them in CBP's Black Pages Worldwide™!
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