A high-energy dance act – part Cirque du Soleil, part Harlem Globetrotters – is bringing its fast pace and acrobatic ingenuity to West Chester University on Friday.

Courtesy of WCU Live!, a division of the Department of Cultural and Community Affairs that hosts professional entertainers as part of its performing arts series, Cirque Zuma Zuma will hit the stage at the Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall on Feb. 17 at 7:30 PM.

The African-style Cirque du Soleil, which critics claim is unlike anything they’ve ever seen before, appeared on Season Six of America’s Got Talent. Its non-stop action and incredible features are guaranteed to keep audience members on the edge of their seat.

After sell-out seasons in Europe and an extended debut run in Australia, Cirque Zuma Zuma and its dazzling ensemble of African dancers, acrobats, contortionists, and jugglers are now on American soil. Cirque Zuma Zuma’s performers are trained in Kenya and Tanzania, and they showcase some of the best of African variety arts, including pole and aerial acts, Egyptian limbo dances, South African gumboot dances, Gabonese tumbling, and South African contortionist feats.

“The minute I saw them, I knew we had to bring them to West Chester,” said Madeline Bell, the Program Coordinator for WCU Live! “As part of my job, I go to a lot of regional conferences where booking agencies give you a 15-minute sample of their talent, so you can get an idea of what type of performers they are.

“Cirque Zuma Zuma is a full audio-visual experience. It engages so much of your senses at one time.”

The tradition of dance and acrobatics in Africa goes back more than 2,500 years. The African Acrobats International Academy, founded in East Africa as a private school with a goal of providing entertainment to the tourist hotels on the continent, upholds this centuries-old tradition through its training, artistry, and touring performances.

Cirque Zuma Zuma was established in 2005 as a touring arm of the organization with a mission of teaching the world about African cultures.

“We mix acrobatics with music and comedy, making the show exciting and funny,” said show producer John Jacob. “We travel with congas, limbo sticks, African flags, juggling equipment, and, of course, our self-contained pole routine used when the theatre can accommodate over a 19-foot ceiling.”

“The strength of the performers, the exciting performance elements, and the culture they bring to the stage all make the show so appealing,” said Wendy Kay, who manages the troupe. “The cast is wonderful, and the audience reactions are so great and appreciative. That is very satisfying for everyone involved with the show.”

Tickets range from $13-$20 and can be purchased here.

Click here to see what other entertainment WCU Live! has in store for the community.