Cirque Zuma Zuma to perform two free shows for UNL students

Cirque Zuma Zuma will perform two free shows for UNL students Sept. 3-4. (Courtesy photo)
Cirque Zuma Zuma will perform two free shows for UNL students Sept. 3-4. (Courtesy photo)

The Lied Center for Performing Arts at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will present African Cirque troupe and America's Got Talent finalist Cirque Zuma Zuma at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 3-4.

Tickets are free for all UNL students and can be reserved through the Lied Center's Arts for All program via UNL Marketplace at http://marketplace.unl.edu. Any remaining tickets can be picked up by UNL students on either performance night. A limited number of tickets will also be available for purchase to the general public at $26 for adults and $13 for students/youths. Visit http://liedcenter.org for more information.

Cirque Zuma Zuma, featuring performers who train in Kenya and Tanzania, has been described as an African-style Cirque du Soleil. The troupe combines the mysticism of Africa with the excitement of a theatrical performance. With live music and percussionists, the cast performs an action-packed show of pole and aerial acts, Egyptian limbo dances, South African gumboot dances, Gabonese tumbling and South African contortionist feats.

Cirque Zuma Zuma was selected to be part of the Lied Center's second annual Big Red Lied Experience, which aims to provide at least one professional arts performance at the Lied as part of the UNL college experience.

"Because of the Big Red Lied Experience and programs like Arts for All, the Lied Center is one of the most student-attended performing arts centers in the nation," said Bill Stephan, executive director of the Lied. "The Lied Center has led the way nationally, designing ways for students to see world-class performances at affordable prices while also providing transformative engagement opportunities with Lied artists."

Tickets to the Cirque Zuma Zuma performances and all Arts for All events are now available to students. Free Arts for All tickets are available to students paying the Fund A Activity fee. The majority of free tickets are released on the first day of classes in the fall and spring. Additional tickets are often released throughout the semester as they become available. For more information, visit UNL Marketplace.

Those interested in bringing a student group to Cirque Zuma Zuma's performances should email lieda4a@gmail.com for more information. UNL student groups will enjoy reserved seats at the front of the Lied hall.

— Carrie Christensen, Lied Center for Performing Arts