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“CASUAL CAL” THE RINGMASTER

 
For Ringmaster “Casual Cal” Calvin Dupree, the UniverSoul Circus is a mission to preserve the struggle of African-American people and ignite in the hearts of every African-American a burning desire to keep that rich, vibrant history, culture and positive community spirit alive and well for generations to come.
“This is about uplifting people and being one big family,” Dupree said. “My goal is to have a good time and lead by example.”
Cal is the first African-American ringmaster of a touring circus and is currently touring nationwide during the “Popping Soul 2004” show of the circus.
Dupree and the show stopped in Dallas last week and in its own special way continued the tradition of entertaining, teaching and inspiring African-Americans not to give up on dreams, goals, the community or its youth despite the growing challenges facing us as a people.
He especially sets out to capture the interest of youth in an effort to change the current trend that encourages them to get involved in gangs, drugs and other rebellious behavior.
“We must do our best to help teach responsibility, respect and values,’ he said. “We only have ourselves to blame if we do nothing.”
Dupree, who is in his 10th year with the circus, has been bringing down the house using a format sprinkled with R&B, hip-hop and gospel to help predominantly African-American audiences focus on who we are and where we have come from.
The show also offers a powerful glimpse of where we can go when we are united and working together.

“We’re all one and the same, regardless of our clothes or our skin color,” he said. “Soul is not a color – It’s an experience.”
The UniverSoul Circus was started in Atlanta in 1994 its the brainchild of promoter Cedric Walker and Dupree – who had joint goals of starting a multicultural family circus with an emphasis on showcasing African-American talent and uplifting people.
Since its inception, thousands have attended the shows in the United States and internationally in South Africa. HBO has also featured the circus as a television special that aired in 1999.
Prior to becoming “Lord of the Ring”, Dupree spent a number of years as an Atlanta radio personality.
At the early age of 21, he was the youngest morning drive dee-jay in the country. He also was an on air personality at WCLK-FM, WIGO-AM, WAOK-AM, WVEE-FM and WALR-FM. His career also includes work in nightclubs, concert tours, pageants and as a entertainment director and host of Black Expo USA.
He also speaks to youth groups and after school programs nationwide hoping to reach youth develop positive habits, goals, to honor parents and stay away from drugs and other negative influences.

Casual Cal’s career has many other firsts, including being the first ringmaster to full-figured women center ring as showgirls.
He created the Ringmaster’s Road show and Convoy and was instrumental in bringing The Poppin’ Soul Band, Little City Revue featuring sidekick Zeke and three pint-sized Temptation impersonators, the Drum Line and the first circus Giraffe act in 25 years and the UniverSoul version of the Soul Train line to the circus big top.
Each show begins with Dupree entering the big top ring dressed in a gold and white zoot suit and a white top hat leading the audience in hand clapping and chants saying: “Ain’t no party like the Big Top party, ‘cause the Big Top party don’t stop!”
He then sits ringside in a chair and directs the audience through a two-hour adventure that includes an African-American drum line, trapeze artists, four motorcyclists whipping around insides a huge metal ball, a Chinese juggling troupe, a Gabonese African aerobatic troupe, several Latino acts and elephant and dog acts.
“This is too much fun,” he said. “I get the chance to program and listen to music, see people dance, do performances and help describe what they do, watch audiences and make sure people are comfortable … all those things make me happy.”
He also uses his wit and Zeke as acts in between acts to encourage participation from the children and the crowd.
His energy is also inspiring to many on the tour who are motivated by his creative direction and showmanship.

“Cal’s leadership is very inspiring to me,” said Slater Thorpe III, who directs the Drum Line. “He has a way of using the program to encourage people to get the message across to do the right things in life without being boring or preaching.”
Thorpe has been with the circus since February and said he is touched by the reactions of many children and young adults who attend the circus.
“The combination of hip-hop, gospel, history and entertainment gives us a way to communicate hope to communities needing a boost,” he said. “It is a bond that brings us together in one accord to focus on the needs of our communities.”
Gabonese Acrobat leader Alain Mihindou Nino has been with the circus five years and points to the power of the show to create unity and cross racial and ethnic lines.
“This is a show for the people,” he said. I feel that we are doing our part to help the human race become better.”
The Gabonese Troupe has performed in Germany, France, Italy and Belgium, but Nino said the group finds a common link when performing before African-American audiences.
On Cal, Mihindou Nino said he admires his desire and draws from his example and energy he provides at each performance.

“There are a lot of circuses in the world,” he said. “This one is special because it is the only Black show and we have the only ringmaster (Cal) who can reach into the soul and educate and transfer upbeat energy, history and cultural awareness to every man, woman and child in the audience.”
Many famous people have ended up in audiences at UniverSoul Circus, but Dupree added that one of his greatest thrills under the big top was the day Rosa Parks came to a performance.
“I felt like we were her reward for all the things that she went through,” he said. “Without her, none of us would be here doing this.”
In the show finale, Dupree uses his innovative church scene to communicate a powerful social message that remains long after the big top has moved on.
Dupree enters in a robe and using a song and images offers assistance to a homeless man, a crying mother and sick child, an alcoholic and a single mother to demonstrate the power of caring and helping those less fortunate in this world.
According to Dupree, the circus demonstrates that despite differences, all races share a common bond and stake in the future.
“We want people to understand the meaning of character and true peace,” he said. “We appeal to the hearts and souls hoping that God would use us to encourage others to make changes (for the better).”