[Thriving Despite Us] Multicultural Monday....Universoul Circus
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Kate
Mar 19, 2012, 10:47:06 PM3/19/12
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A few weeks ago we took the kids to the Universoul Circus. This has been an annual tradition for the past 5 years.
Universoul rocks….literally. Loud, bumping music, a kids dance contest on stage, lots of folks dancing in the aisles, a beach ball toss…and all that happens between the international performers which include circus staples like contortionists, tiger tamers and elephants . This interactive show, with the ringmaster’s refrain, “I say Big Top, you say Circus…BIIIIIGGG TOOOOP,” is sure to be a hit.
Why do we go to every year?
Universoul is predominantly black. The vast majority of the audience is African American and almost all of the performers are people of color. It is odd to think of a circus as a cultural experience but this circus is most definitely cultural and an experience. It is amazing and extremely entertaining. I still haven’t recovered from the Bone Breakers who I think were from West Africa. These guys were clearly made of rubber and could move their bodies in ways that are just wrong. – Don’t believe me? Check out this Youtube video I found of them - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ky8T_fUXBI – It’s a little scary to watch and like a train wreck, impossible to turn away.
What I really like about the Universoul is that it is one of those times that the roles are reversed in my family. My husband, daughters and I are most definitely in the minority in the audience and my boys are in the majority. I think it is good for the kids to see that Jeff and I are comfortable when we are in the minority and I also like that we purposely find times and places to go where they can be in the majority.
The first year we went I was worried people would say things to us or not accept our family but that has never happened. Our family has always been well received. Even the first year we went when 6 year old Elyse exclaimed, “Mommy, this is a black people place. I want to go home!” The folks around us chuckled as I turned numerous shades of purple.
We have always talked to, joked with and pathetically tried to dance along with the people sitting around us. And they have always received us warmly, even when we bring our racially insensitive first grader and her two black brothers.
Really, I have not been asked by Universoul to write a review. I just love this circus. I love the show itself because it’s so much fun. I love the experience for my family so much that I take them every year. I love the whole thing so much that I am compelled to share it with others. This is one of those experiences that make me thankful I have opened my family up to another culture. I doubt that we would have ever would have known about the Universoul Circus if we didn’t have our sons and that truly would have been our loss.
You can link here to find out if it’s coming near you anytime soon. http://www.universoulcircus.com/schedule and if it is, buy your tickets, no matter the racial make up of your family. This circus is sure to be a hit. And if your kids complain about going, twist their arms like the Bone Breakers do…they’ll stop complaining ASAP.
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Posted By Kate to Thriving Despite Us at 3/19/2012 10:47:00 PM
Universoul rocks….literally. Loud, bumping music, a kids dance contest on stage, lots of folks dancing in the aisles, a beach ball toss…and all that happens between the international performers which include circus staples like contortionists, tiger tamers and elephants . This interactive show, with the ringmaster’s refrain, “I say Big Top, you say Circus…BIIIIIGGG TOOOOP,” is sure to be a hit.
Why do we go to every year?
Universoul is predominantly black. The vast majority of the audience is African American and almost all of the performers are people of color. It is odd to think of a circus as a cultural experience but this circus is most definitely cultural and an experience. It is amazing and extremely entertaining. I still haven’t recovered from the Bone Breakers who I think were from West Africa. These guys were clearly made of rubber and could move their bodies in ways that are just wrong. – Don’t believe me? Check out this Youtube video I found of them - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ky8T_fUXBI – It’s a little scary to watch and like a train wreck, impossible to turn away.
What I really like about the Universoul is that it is one of those times that the roles are reversed in my family. My husband, daughters and I are most definitely in the minority in the audience and my boys are in the majority. I think it is good for the kids to see that Jeff and I are comfortable when we are in the minority and I also like that we purposely find times and places to go where they can be in the majority.
The first year we went I was worried people would say things to us or not accept our family but that has never happened. Our family has always been well received. Even the first year we went when 6 year old Elyse exclaimed, “Mommy, this is a black people place. I want to go home!” The folks around us chuckled as I turned numerous shades of purple.
We have always talked to, joked with and pathetically tried to dance along with the people sitting around us. And they have always received us warmly, even when we bring our racially insensitive first grader and her two black brothers.
Really, I have not been asked by Universoul to write a review. I just love this circus. I love the show itself because it’s so much fun. I love the experience for my family so much that I take them every year. I love the whole thing so much that I am compelled to share it with others. This is one of those experiences that make me thankful I have opened my family up to another culture. I doubt that we would have ever would have known about the Universoul Circus if we didn’t have our sons and that truly would have been our loss.
You can link here to find out if it’s coming near you anytime soon. http://www.universoulcircus.com/schedule and if it is, buy your tickets, no matter the racial make up of your family. This circus is sure to be a hit. And if your kids complain about going, twist their arms like the Bone Breakers do…they’ll stop complaining ASAP.
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Posted By Kate to Thriving Despite Us at 3/19/2012 10:47:00 PM
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