Black-owned UniverSoul Circus returns to Atlanta under the big top

A Black circus — rooted in the rhythms, traditions and global reach of the African diaspora — returned to Atlanta this week as the UniverSoul Circus opened Wednesday under the big top at the former Turner Field Grey Lot.

Known for blending circus arts with music, dance and theater, the show brings together performers from five continents in a mix of acrobatics, comedy and culturally rooted performances, fusing traditional circus acts with Black musical traditions — including jazz and blues, as well as hip-hop and gospel.

UniverSoul Circus. (Courtesy of EiSPIELBERG)

For Cedric Walker, the circus’s creator and producer, Wednesday’s opening was a homecoming.

In 1994, a decade after launching Fresh Fest — the first rap arena tour, which helped introduce a young Jermaine Dupri — he created UniverSoul Circus in Atlanta to reflect the diversity, creativity and cultural contributions of Black communities.

He also wanted to create a counternarrative to the type of Black entertainment that he was seeing and producing, like gospel plays that dealt with heavy social issues in our community — with a sometimes light touch of humor.

“We needed entertainment that wasn’t so heavy that reflected the positive side of Black culture and the whole family could enjoy together,” Walker said. “We had jazz, blues, R&B, hip-hop, theater, dance, gospel — all these forms — but nothing really centered on family entertainment for us. There was a void. Our culture has always led in music, dance, style, so we wanted to create something that authentically celebrates that.”

Since its inception, UniverSoul Circus has been seen by more than 25 million people worldwide and last visited Atlanta in 2024.

“Atlanta is home,” Walker said. “There’s something about the culture that brings out the best in us. I consider it an honor that the circus was born here and that we can always bring it back home.”

The all-new production runs through June 14 at the Turner Field Grey Lot at 150 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd.

The circus with then move to the Gwinnett Place Mall for a run from June 18 through July 12.

UniverSoul Circus. (Courtesy of EiSPIELBERG)

This year’s homecoming includes several opening-week events and community-focused activities.

On Monday, performers visited the Atlanta University Center, where they engaged students and highlighted the circus’s first-ever HBCU scholarship initiative.

That emphasis on education and community reflects Walker’s long-standing vision of the circus as a space where young people can see themselves represented and imagine broader possibilities.

Opening night will include a pre-show performance by the KIPP Collegiate School marching band. On Thursday, the circus will host Community and Creator Night, featuring DeKalb County School Night and Collab Studio Night, welcoming students and Atlanta-based content creators.

Atiya Manning and Kayla Fulks, both 12, were awestruck by the things the acrobats could do. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Saturday will spotlight HBCU Night, when the circus will award five $2,500 scholarships to HBCU students. The day will also include a pre-show performance by the Diadem Dance Company.

The opening week concludes with a Mother’s Day celebration on Sunday, featuring performances by Phenomenal Moms of the ATL.

The production features a range of acts, such as an Ethiopian pole performance, an aerial lyra duo known as the Morning Doves from Mongolia and Ethiopia and a ballerina act titled “Power of Love.”

Performers from Beijing take their act to great heights during China Soul Acrobat. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Other featured performers include a roller-skating troupe from Cuba and the United States, the Dominican Republic-based hand-balance duo Double Vision, the Zhukau Swing acrobatic act from Russia and the Troupe Nomuuna Acrobatic from Mongolia.