Universoul Circus

UniverSoul Circus, the first circus wholly owned by African-Americans, heads to Security Square Mall for a string of shows, Tuesday through June 8. The show, titled Jabulani, includes a silk aerial ballet, mixed-animal act "Noah's Ark," Guinean contortionists, trapeze artists, a trick horse-riding squad and more. The acts are set to a soundtrack of hip-hop, R&B, funk, gospel, salsa and jazz. Show times vary. The mall is at 6901 Security Blvd., Woodlawn. Tickets are $10-$25. Call 410-547-7328 or go to ticketmaster.

Long before the throngs of audience members generate "oohs" and "ahhs," the staff of the UniverSoul Circus begins to craft its unusual performances, spending months combing the globe for fresh acts. The result includes performers such as the Shaolin Kung Fu acrobats from China and hip-hop contortionists from Guinea. With this array of international talent, it's fitting that this year's tour has been entitled "US. " "In our mind, when you come to UniverSoul, you see a culture that really mirrors society," said Paula Murphy, executive vice president of the traveling circus, which performs at Security Square Mall through Sunday.

Long before the throngs of audience members generate "oohs" and "ahhs," the staff of the UniverSoul Circus begins to craft its unusual performances, spending months combing the globe for fresh acts. The result includes performers such as the Shaolin Kung Fu acrobats from China and hip-hop contortionists from Guinea. With this array of international talent, it's fitting that this year's tour has been entitled "US. " "In our mind, when you come to UniverSoul, you see a culture that really mirrors society," said Paula Murphy, executive vice president of the traveling circus, which performs at Security Square Mall through Sunday.

UniverSoul Circus, the first circus wholly owned by African-Americans, heads to Security Square Mall for a string of shows, Tuesday through June 8. The show, titled Jabulani, includes a silk aerial ballet, mixed-animal act "Noah's Ark," Guinean contortionists, trapeze artists, a trick horse-riding squad and more. The acts are set to a soundtrack of hip-hop, R&B, funk, gospel, salsa and jazz. Show times vary. The mall is at 6901 Security Blvd., Woodlawn. Tickets are $10-$25. Call 410-547-7328 or go to ticketmaster.

Under a huge blue tent -- where the air conditioner is no match for the heat of the summer sun -- the audience is restless, waiting for the clowns, lions, tigers and elephants that make a circus worthy of its name. But the UniverSoul Circus is not your average big top.The circus, founded in 1994 by Baltimore native Cedric Walker, is the first one in nearly a hundred years to be owned and operated completely by African-Americans. The two-hour show includes performers representing almost every continent on the globe, from countries including Colombia, France, Ghana and Kenya.

Anthony Luewellyn is dressed in a black three-piece suit and black-checkered brim hat. It is an unusually conservative outfit for a man with a job that is decidedly unconventional. He is center stage, and all around him are children screaming with joy, smiling parents, trapeze artists and circus animals, all waiting for the UniverSoul Circus to begin. Luewellyn, who goes by the stage name Tony Tone, is in his first year as the ringmaster for the African-American big top, developed by Baltimorean Cedric Walker in 1994.

Burnett King,77, who protested racial segregation at a movie house in 1944, starting a case that ended in the integration of Pittsburgh-area theaters, died of cancer Thursday in Pittsburgh.Russell Lark Brown,66, a Baltimore native and professional clown, died Thursday of a heart attack at home in Brooklyn, N.Y. He performed as the clown "Russell B" most recently for UniverSoul Circus, the nation's only black-owned circus.Pub Date: 6/30/98

Father's Day at Ladew Celebrate Father's Day on Tuesday with a "Hooray for Daddies" storytime session at Ladew Topiary Gardens. Fathers and their small children can relax on their blankets and enjoy the lush gardens as they listen to stories about all kinds of fathers. Families can picnic or buy lunch at the cafe, take a nature walk to see turtles and ducks or browse the gift shop. "Hooray for Daddies" is Tuesday at Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton. Sessions start at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Space is limited.

If you thought the circus and hip-hop couldn't mix, you're in for a surprise. The UniverSoul Circus promises "a special blend of circus, live concert and tent revival" in Soul in the City. America's only African-American-owned and -operated circus will stop in Security Square Mall tomorrow through May 11 as part of its 10th-anniversary tour. The show features a light show, clowns, aerialists, dancers and other acts from around the world. Three actors lead the show, performing everything from stunts to James Brown impressions.

American Music and Arts FestivalListen to an eclectic range of music -- including blues, folk, bluegrass and gospel -- when Western Maryland College presents the second American Music and Arts Festival this weekend at the Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St., Westminster. Headlining the festival, which wraps up Common Ground on the Hill, a weeklong summer program, is musical renaissance man Peter Rowan. Other performers include Tom Ware of Blues Nation, an all-Native American blues band; and Sankofa (pictured)

Anthony Luewellyn is dressed in a black three-piece suit and black-checkered brim hat. It is an unusually conservative outfit for a man with a job that is decidedly unconventional. He is center stage, and all around him are children screaming with joy, smiling parents, trapeze artists and circus animals, all waiting for the UniverSoul Circus to begin. Luewellyn, who goes by the stage name Tony Tone, is in his first year as the ringmaster for the African-American big top, developed by Baltimorean Cedric Walker in 1994.

The kids in Mary Haynes' group screamed, yelled, danced and chanted for 45 minutes in a hot, cramped recreation center. Then they rested outside under a tree. Haynes, assistant director of the Fred B. Leidig summer program, was pleased to see that her "mystery trip" - judging by the number of smiles still worn on the faces of some 40 kids - had ended in satisfaction. How could it not? Yesterday, the UniverSoul Circus gave a free show for about 150 youngsters from Baltimore's recreation centers.

Father's Day at Ladew Celebrate Father's Day on Tuesday with a "Hooray for Daddies" storytime session at Ladew Topiary Gardens. Fathers and their small children can relax on their blankets and enjoy the lush gardens as they listen to stories about all kinds of fathers. Families can picnic or buy lunch at the cafe, take a nature walk to see turtles and ducks or browse the gift shop. "Hooray for Daddies" is Tuesday at Ladew Topiary Gardens, 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton. Sessions start at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Space is limited.

Summer is fast approaching, and festivals, concerts and plays abound. There's no need to hop on Interstate 95 and head out of town, you can stay right here in Baltimore. There are many activities that speak to Baltimore's charm - whether you're into charity, education, the arts or just like getting your dance on to a smooth summer groove. So, between family reunions, barbecues and trips to theme parks this summer, take time out to participate in African-American culture, B-more style: 1. Ray's Summer Days.

As the lights go down under the UniverSoul Circus big top and a hush comes over the anxious children in the crowd, a single spotlight breaks through the darkness and all attention is focused on Nichele Mason, clad in a simple black cloak and white gloves. Long before the Chilean stunt dogs, Brazilian showgirls, Gabonese stuntmen or boxing kangaroo come out to wow the audience, all eyes are on Mason, a Baltimore resident who interprets all spoken aspects of the circus into sign language.

SITTING IN the center court of Security Square Mall, the 10 or so tots from the Dunbar Daycare Center looked at the leotard-clad 14-year-old girl standing in front of them. The girl, Lunga Buthelezi, faced the little tykes and then bent over from the waist so that the back of her head was toward them. Then Lunga twisted her torso until she faced the children again, gazing at them upside down. Next she lay flat, face down, and pushed her torso up until it was about at a 90-degree angle with the ground.

SITTING IN the center court of Security Square Mall, the 10 or so tots from the Dunbar Daycare Center looked at the leotard-clad 14-year-old girl standing in front of them. The girl, Lunga Buthelezi, faced the little tykes and then bent over from the waist so that the back of her head was toward them. Then Lunga twisted her torso until she faced the children again, gazing at them upside down. Next she lay flat, face down, and pushed her torso up until it was about at a 90-degree angle with the ground.

IMAGINE BEING 12 years old, going to see the circus with your mother and ending up as a performer in the ring. That's what happened to Harper's Choice resident Christina White when the UniverSoul Circus performed in Hyattsville recently. According to Christina's mother, Frances White, when a young performer got sick a few minutes before show time, Christina was persuaded to take the little girl's place in a skit in which she played a lost child looking for her father. Performers Lisa Pierce and Terri Pace approached Christina and said, "We need a little girl.

If you thought the circus and hip-hop couldn't mix, you're in for a surprise. The UniverSoul Circus promises "a special blend of circus, live concert and tent revival" in Soul in the City. America's only African-American-owned and -operated circus will stop in Security Square Mall tomorrow through May 11 as part of its 10th-anniversary tour. The show features a light show, clowns, aerialists, dancers and other acts from around the world. Three actors lead the show, performing everything from stunts to James Brown impressions.

IMAGINE BEING 12 years old, going to see the circus with your mother and ending up as a performer in the ring. That's what happened to Harper's Choice resident Christina White when the UniverSoul Circus performed in Hyattsville recently. According to Christina's mother, Frances White, when a young performer got sick a few minutes before show time, Christina was persuaded to take the little girl's place in a skit in which she played a lost child looking for her father. Performers Lisa Pierce and Terri Pace approached Christina and said, "We need a little girl.