Universoul Circus kicks off opening week in Charlotte with tent raising

May 5, 2025

Deeandra Michel,

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. – UniverSoul Circus returns to the Charlotte area this week with its jaw-dropping stunts, aerialists, fire breathers, stilt dancers and the coolest clowns around!

The internationally acclaimed circus – which opens Thursday (May 8) at 7 p.m. under the big top at Route 29 Pavilion (across from Charlotte Motor Speedway) – brings together world-class talent in a high-energy, interactive cultural celebration filled with vibrant music, dance, costumes, comedy and more.

The show will run through May 18.

Two days prior to opening night, UniverSoul Circus will hold a festive tent raising on Tuesday (May 6) at 5 p.m. Open to the public, the pep-rally-type event will feature sneak peek acts and meet-and-greets with the UniverSoul Circus talent plus performances by local community groups.

Opening night kicks off Thursday with a “City of Charlotte Night” featuring Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles and fellow councilmembers plus a pre-show performance by the West Charlotte High School Marching Lions.

Featured performers include the soul-stirring African Dream hoop divers from Addis Abba, Ethiopia; an exciting, styled teeterboard act from Ethiopia; a tantalizing strong-man hand-balance duo from the Dominican Republic; a high-flying acrobatic act from Russia; and a dynamic twirling Cuban-Caribbean dance party and roller skating-themed spectacular.

New this year is vertigo-inducing, death-defying balance act featuring amazing feats high in the air plus a mesmerizing “love story in the air” silk act. Audience favorites are also returning, including the Caribbean Street Carnival, which features 20-foot dancing puppets, fire-breathing stilt dancers and vibrant folklore characters.

Fresh the Clowns will have the crowd dancing, while the daring Wheel of Death stunt artists will keep everyone on the edge of their seats as they perform heart-stopping flips and dives 60 feet in the air.
UniverSoul Circus will present “Pastors United Night” on Friday (May 9) at 7 p.m.

On Sunday (May 11) at 11:30 a.m., pre-show performances by the Divas Elite and the NC Saints will kick off the fun, followed by “Boots on the Ground” night featuring a pre-show performance by the beloved TNT Steppers at 6 p.m.

Tickets start at $25 at Ticketmaster.com. Performance times are 7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, noon, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon, 3 and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, visit universoulcircus.com.

About UniverSoul

Rated as a Ticketmaster “top 10 most requested family event” and seen by more than 25 million people, UniverSoul is a highly interactive combination of circus arts, theater, and music that spans genres including World Music, Hip Hop, Classic R&B, Latin, Jazz, Gospel, and Pop.

It embraces and celebrates the unique and familiar aspects of global urban culture by bringing them center stage with a cast of international performers. UniverSoul was created 31 years ago as the brainchild of Atlanta concert and theater producer Cedric Walker whose desire was to create a family experience – promoting love, respect, and unity – to be enjoyed by people of all ages, ethnicities and background.

The UniverSoul Circus is a product of the storied legacy of Atlanta, Georgia, famous for gifting the world with innovative, multicultural entertainment created by world-renowned artists and stage, film, music, and event producers.