zondag 1 juni 2008

CIRCUS AFRIKA! AFRIKA!

DECEMBER 2007 – MAY 2008
CIRCUS AFRIKA! AFRIKA!
In November 2007 Michael visited the show “Circus AFRIKA! AFRIKA!” in Amsterdam with his mother. He was amazed what the african performers brought on stage, and after seeing the Unicycle Basketball KCT’s (King Charles Troupe) from the USA, he was 100% positive that he can bring his discipline into the circus world.
Michael went back to the venue and got in touch with the company manager. After a good conversation about his experience on stage, a few day’s later Michael received a audition invitation. Michael’s talent was seen by choreographer George Momboye. Michael passed the audition, but had to bring 1 more basketball freestyler to make it happen. He contact his partner Paly Odimboleko from Antwerp, Belgium if he was interested for the job. Paly came to Amsterdam to do his audition, and after approval of George Momboye and Andre Heller the duo act was booked for the show!!
They have performed for 6 months with near 200 shows and entertained close to 500.000 visitors in “Circus AFRIKA! AFRIKA!”. Worldwide celebirties such as Mick Jagger, Kelly Rowland, Uma Thurman and Queen Latifah enjoyed the show and gave their standing ovation.
Circus AFRIKA! AFRIKA!
More than a hundred amazing artists, dancers, singers and musicians from many different regions of Africa present an enthralling mixture of breathtaking acrobatics, infectious rhythms and enchanting visual beauty.
Since the show's world premiere in December 2005 more than 2 million visitors have enjoyed this unique and spectacular event. Don't miss the opportunity to experience the extraordinary and varied facets of this distant continent, its sheer life-affirming exuberance and its inexhaustible reserves of artistic creativity.
There are dancers from Senegal, Guinea, Ivory Coast and South Africa that brings their amazing traditional dances on stage. The South African dancers do what they do best with their known gumboots.
Human pyramid and polo acrobats by the amazing Hakuna Matata’s from Tanzania. A ball juggling act from Ethiopia with 8 balls! Two women lie on their back and juggle huge vases and tables with their feet. A basketball duo act that whirl basketballs, spinning and juggling them with lively timing. A basketball unicycle group playing a short game and jumps over ropes with their unicycle.
Dickson Oppong, a big, burly and humerous guy from Ghana that brings water out of his stomach like a fontain. Also juggling 8 huge pots at the same time. Nokulunga Buthelezi from South Africa is also very beautiful, she gets her body into such extraordinary and deformed positions that the audience groans loudly and many were averting their eyes.
The show’s dynanism, its frenzied, relentless and inexhaustible energy, its breathtaking speed, its virtuosity, its precision, its flexibility, its sheer zest and good humour, is a knockout and great fun for the whole family.