Cirque Zuma Zuma blends circus arts with African music and culture on Oct. 20 at the Winthrop Barn.
Cirque Zuma Zuma, often described as an African style Cirque du Soleil, will perform Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Winthrop Red Barn.
The show is filled with non-stop action and African culture, featuring a troupe of 15 artists. The performance will showcase African arts and culture including drumming, juggling, traditional dance, acrobatics, comedy, tumbling and contortionists.
All of the performers were born in Africa and trained by Cirque Zuma Zuma, which has a training center in Kenya. “This show is a high-energy program of dance, drumming, acrobatics, juggling and a whole lot more,” said Eve Kawadza, spokesperson for Cirque Zuma Zuma. “It’s the ultimate African circus.”
Cirque Zuma Zuma has performed across America, Europe and Australia. The show is brought to the Methow Valley by Methow Arts.
“What we like about getting to perform to different cultures is they have a greater appreciation because it is something different that is coming to their area,” Kawadza said. “We’re trying to portray the African culture … in the music that we play, we dance to, the drumming that we have.”
Adding to the experience are colorful costumes, and instruments from various cultures within Africa, which date back to traditions that began 2,500 years ago. Performers in the current tour come all parts of Africa, including Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia and Zimbabwe.
Cirque Zuma Zuma began in 2010 as an offshoot of an African acrobatic company, Kawadza said. Since then, it’s been auditioning and training performers from 16 African nations and touring with an array of performers with different skills.
“This is an ultimate African experience,” Kawadza said. “It will leave the audience breathless and stunned.”
Ticket are $25 for reserved seating, $19 for adults, $10 for youths 5 – 18, and $24 for adults at door. Tickets are available at Riverside Printing in Winthrop, Methow Arts Office in Twisp, and online at brownpapertickets.com/cirquezumazumawinthrop. Cash and check only at the event.
Beer, wine and beverages will be available for purchase. Doors open at 6:15 for ticket holders. For more information, contact info@methowartsalliance.org, or call 997‑4004.
