Pan-African Acrobats and Musicians
Cirque Zuma Zuma
Review by Ross Anthony

The raw pounding calls to something very human in all of us. Plus, it's a great way to start a show. Costume changes of bright colors inspired by African design keep the stage flower-fresh through the night. Very little dialogue, and no serious message, just good music, blood-pumping dancing, and fun and amazing acrobatics that increase in intensity until the climax.

As the acrobats twist, tumble, climb, spin, the band plays right behind them attending to your ears, while your eyes are otherwise dazzled. My favorite spots included the tumblers and the duo of fabric spinners. I also liked the pairing of traditional African percussion with a traditional rock drum set. And while I enjoyed the guitar, steel drum, and marimba – I missed a bass player at this particular performance. Nonetheless, we enjoyed Zuma Zuma, and they enjoyed a standing ovation.

The Carpenter is a lovely venue, large and airy, but quite cozy. It's situated on CSULB's campus near the music school. Arrive early and listen to the talent as you stroll passed the practice rooms.

-- Books by Author/Illustrator Ross Anthony --


  • 2015 Copyright ©Cirque Zuma Zuma, Review based on the October 17th, 2015 performance at the Richard and Karen Carpenter Center in Long Beach, CA.
  • Starring Cirque Zuma Zuma. A blend of African performance styles, including Gabonese tumblers, Egyptian limbo dancers, South African vocalists, Ethiopian contortionists and Tanzanian balancing masters.


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Copyright © 1998-2023 Ross Anthony, Author - Speaker - Solo World Circumnavigator In addition to reviewing films and interviewing celebs at HollywoodReportCard.com, traveling the world, composing great music, motivational speaking, Mr. Anthony also runs his own publishing company in the Los Angeles area. While traversing the circumference of the planet writing books and shooting documentaries, Mr. Anthony has taught, presented for, worked &/or played with locals in over 30 countries & 100 cities (Nairobi to Nagasaki). He's bungee-jumped from a bridge near Victoria Falls, wrestled with lions in Zimbabwe, crashed a Vespa off a high mountain road in Taiwan, and ridden a dirt bike across the States (Washington State to Washington DC). To get signed books ("Rodney Appleseed" to "Jinshirou") or schedule Ross to speak check out: www.RossAnthony.com or call 1-800-767-7186. Go into the world and inspire the people you meet with your love, kindness, and whatever it is you're really good at. Check out books by Ross Anthony. Rand() functions, Pho chicken soup, rollerblading, and frozen yogurt (w/ blueberries) also rock! (Btw, rand is short for random. It can also stand for "Really Awkward Nutty Dinosaurs" -- which is quite rand, isn't it?) Being alive is the miracle. Special thanks to Ken Kocanda, HAL, Jodie Keszek, Don Haderlein, Mom and Pops, my family, R. Foss, and many others by Ross Anthony. Galati-FE also deserves a shout out. And thanks to all of you for your interest and optimism. Enjoy great films, read stirring novels, grow.


Last Modified: Friday, 05-Feb-2016 10:31:30 PST