UniverSoul Circus Returns to the Greater Washington, D.C. Region With the Rhythm of The World Show Opening Friday, June 27, at National Harbor
NEW OPENING DATE! A Ticketmaster “top 10 most requested family event,” UniverSoul Circus has captivated over 25 million fans worldwide, blending jaw-dropping stunts, music, dance and cultural performances for an unforgettable family-fun experience
By PRESS OFFICER
UniverSoul
WASHINGTON (June 9, 2025)—Flying acrobats, gravity-defying stunts, fire breathers, stilt dancers and the coolest clowns around! UniverSoul Circus returns to the greater Washington, D.C. region with its new Rhythm of the World production from Friday, June 27, through Sunday, Aug. 10, under the iconic big top tent at National Harbor (268 Waterfront St., National Harbor, MD 20745). (Please note new opening date.)
Celebrating 31 years as one of America’s top family events, UniverSoul Circus brings together the best international performers in a high-energy, interactive spectacle featuring world-class talent, vibrant costumes and music from across the globe. Audiences will experience a cultural celebration filled with rhythm, soul and extraordinary performances.
A family favorite with global appeal
Rated as one of Ticketmaster’s “Top 10 Most Requested Family Events,” UniverSoul Circus has entertained over 25 million people with its unique blend of circus arts, theater and live music. The show spans genres including R&B, Latin, hip hop, jazz, gospel, pop and the infectious beats of world music. The diverse cast of performers, representing five continents, promises to dazzle and entertain with their acrobatic feats, comedic antics and cultural displays.
More than a performance, UniverSoul is a shared experience— an exhilarating, all-ages celebration where audiences from every background come together and feel like one big global family.
“Our Rhythm of the World production celebrates not only the world’s top circus performers, but also the unity of people from all walks of life. It’s a powerful reminder of the universal values of love, respect and togetherness,” said Cedric Walker, founder and CEO of UniverSoul Circus.
A beloved, budget-friendly, interactive experience
Described as “not your grandfather’s circus,” UniverSoul is known for its engaging and interactive experience, where audience members of all ages become part of the show. Whether it’s participating in a game of Simon Says, showing off dance moves during the Swag Surf or joining the Soul Karaoke spotlight, the crowd is always in the spotlight. Kids are invited to join Fresh the Clowns in the Big Top Kids Dance contest, while everyone enjoys the high-energy music and playful atmosphere.
With themes of unity and understanding, UniverSoul Circus fosters valuable lessons, encouraging children to honor their parents, be good students, and embrace love and tolerance.
Additionally, last year’s circus attendees praised the event for its affordability (“money well spent!”), the variety of performers and the educational experience of showcasing flags from the performers' home countries. Many also referred to it as one of the "best family events ever" and urged organizers to "return next year!" This year, circus goers are raving about the well-rounded talent and fun vibe, noting, “Its beautiful to see different cultures and people come together,” and “We were all BIG KIDS under the BIG TOP.”
A global stage combining thrills and culture
This year’s show features over a dozen new acts from around the world, all showcasing their skills under a brand-new, state-of-the-art big top tent from Italy. The tent is equipped with a dynamic audio and lighting system that adds a new layer to the spectacular performances.
Featured performers include the soul-stirring African Dream hoop divers from Addis Abba, Ethiopia; an exciting, stylized teeterboard act from Ethiopia; a tantalizing strong-man hand-balance duo called Double Vision from the Dominican Republic; a high-flying acrobatic act from Russia called Zhukau Swing; and a dynamic twirling Cuban-Caribbean dance party and roller skating-themed spectacular.
New this year is a vertigo-inducing, electrifying Ethiopian Pole Act featuring dizzying spins and poses on a towering vertical pole plus a mesmerizing aerial silk act that blends beauty, emotion and daring skill to tell a love story that flirts with gravity and captivates audiences with its heart-stopping suspense.
Audience favorites are also returning, including the Caribbean Street Carnival, which features 20-foot dancing puppets, fire-breathing stilt dancers and vibrant folklore characters. The hip-hop dancing Fresh the Clowns (with hundreds of thousands of social media followers) will have the crowd dancing, while the daring Wheel of Death stunt artists will keep everyone on the edge of their seats as they perform heart-stopping flips and dives 60 feet in the air.
Ticket and other information
Tickets start at $25 and are available at Ticketmaster.com. Performance times are 7 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays; noon, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays; and noon, 3 and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays. Note: On Friday, July 4, performances will be held at noon and 4 p.m.
For more information, ticket prices, show times, and schedules, visit universoulcircus.com. Follow UniverSoul Circus on Facebook (@UniverSoulCircus), X (@UniverSoulCirc), TikTok (@UniverSoulCircus) and Instagram (@UniverSoulCircus).
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Hoyer Announces New Appointments to the U.S. Service Academies
By PRESS OFFICER
Congressman Steny Hoyer’s Office
WASHINGTON (June 11, 2025)—Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) announced the names of 17 Fifth District students appointed to the United States Service Academies. The students, nominated by Congressman Hoyer, received appointments to the Air Force Academy, the Naval Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, and the Military Academy at West Point. All of the service academies require a nomination from an authorized nominating source.
“I am pleased to congratulate 17 students from Maryland’s Fifth District for their appointments to the United States Service Academies this year,” said Congressman Hoyer. “These students embody the character we expect from our men and women in uniform—a sense of duty, moral devotion, and principled conviction. I am thankful to their families for raising such bright leaders, and I join in wishing them the best of luck in their future military careers.”
The following Fifth District students received appointments:
U.S. Military Academy (West Point)
Campbell Gelineau, Anne Arundel County
Makenzie Brewer, Anne Arundel County
Mackenzie Tokar, Charles County
Chase Clark, Prince George’s County
Nelson Deandrade, Prince George’s County
U.S. Air Force Academy
Luke Dipietro, Anne Arundel County
Lauren Grace Compton, Charles County
Alanna Francis, Prince George’s County
Chikamdi Okeakpu, Prince George’s County
U.S. Naval Academy
Morgan Bujac, Anne Arundel County
Chloe Haseltine, Anne Arundel County
Michael Sohn, Anne Arundel County
Clint Newnam, Calvert County
Saunette Sanderson, Charles County
Hunter-Robins Mann, St. Mary’s County
Emily Maury, St. Mary’s County
U.S. Coast Guard Academy
William Clay, St. Mary’s County
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Springdale Resident Qualifies as a State Finalist in the National American Miss Maryland Pageant
By PRESS OFFICER
National American Miss
Miss Virginia Star Bates, age 21, qualifies as a State Finalist in the National American Miss Maryland Pageant to be held August 15–17, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency in Reston, Va. The pageant is held for girls four through twenty-four in six different age divisions.
The newly crowned Miss Maryland 19–24 will receive the official crown and banner, a bouquet of roses, and an invitation to compete at the national pageant in Orlando, Fla. She has the chance to represent the state of Maryland for the entire year.
Contestants will compete in four overall categories including Formal Wear Modeling, Personal Introduction, Interview, and Community Service Project. National American Miss also offers optional contests such as the Top Model Search, Talent, Actress, and so much more!
National American Miss is dedicated to celebrating America’s greatness and encouraging its future leaders. Each year, the pageant awards thousands in cash and prizes to recognize and assist in the development of young ladies nationwide. All activities are age-appropriate and family-oriented.
The National American Miss Pageant System is the largest in the nation. The focus of this organization is to create future leaders and to equip them with real-world skills to make their dreams a reality. The program is based on inner beauty, as well as poise and presentation, and offers an “All-American spirit of fun for family and friends.” Emphasis is placed on the importance of gaining self-confidence and learning new skills, such as good attitudes about competition, as well as setting and achieving personal goals.
Miss Bates’ activities include training 30+ dogs of various breeds, mentoring youth to pursue their passions with confidence, using journalism skills to advocate for change, volunteering at Prince George’s County Animal Shelter and Charles Herbert Flowers High School. She also enjoys weekly movie/game nights with her friends, swimming and soccer, and meditating with monks. She hopes to pursue a career in Veterinarian science and wildlife rehabilitation.
Miss Bates’ sponsors include Thomas Family Catering LLC, T’s Divine Sweets & More LLC, The Bates Family, and the Borders Family.
Families interested in learning more about this unique and outstanding youth program may visit www.namiss.com. Sponsorship fees for each age division are $650. It is tax deductible for businesses. Anyone interested in supporting Miss Bates on her journey can send money via Venmo (@freshbiva) or Cashapp ($freshbiva), or they can donate online at the Pageant Portal at https://iam.buzz/1k6n7h.
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