UNIVERSOUL CIRCUS IN BALTIMORE (WJZ TV)

UniverSoul Circus Is Back In Town With New Theme

ReportingRon Matz BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―

It was started 17 years ago by a young Baltimore man who had an idea.

Now it's thrilling audiences around the world.

Ron Matz reports the UniverSoul Circus is back in town.Come fly away with the amazing UniverSoul Circus. It's hip hop under the big top. The show is back in Baltimore under the familiar tent at Security Square Mall.

Onionhead, the signature clown, says there's something for everyone."It's a strong show, it's a positive show. When you come here you can bring your children, grandma and grandpa. It's all family entertainment and there's so much excitement," said Onionhead, also known as Robert Dunn.Talk about fun.

How about the pampered pooches and the other animals? It all started right here in Baltimore. Cedric Walker graduated from Edmondson High and started UniverSoul in 1994."I was on the baseball team at Edmondson Village and we won every game, so I learned teamwork, a determination to win. There were a lot of great things I learned in the inner city in Baltimore," said Cedric Walker, founder of the UniverSoul Circus.

UniverSoul's 75 performers come from all over the world. Some acrobats come as far as China And for Onionhead it's a world of making people laugh."I took a job first here as an assistant cook, then Cedric Walker put me on with the tent crew, putting the tent up. I stayed and eventually I started to do a little walk around in the audience. Now I'm the signature clown," said Onionhead. "I have the world in my hands. It's a joy. The first time I walked into that ring it was like the trumpets blowing, the drums beating. It was magical."At UniverSoul, the magic and the fun never stop."To see a grandmother bopping to the latest hip hop song and to see a little kid singing Al Green or Marvin Gaye, it's a tremendous feeling," said Walker.The UniverSoul Circus continues through Sunday night at Security Square Mall.