Chinese acrobats perform in Grayslake

For centuries, acrobatics have been a popular form of art and entertainment in China. The Golden Dragon Acrobats will bring the traditional, disciplined art to Grayslake.

The troupe is set to perform at the College of Lake County's James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts today at 11:15 a.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 for the general public and $10 for school groups. The center is on Washington Street in Grayslake.

This will be their third consecutive year performing at the venue. Their performances have sold out the last two years and Gwethalyn Bronner, executive director for the venue, said today's performances only have a few tickets left.

"It is one of if not the most popular act that we've ever had here," she said.

Bronner said the performance will include traditional Chinese acrobatics as well as some new material.

One popular act involves a performer riding a bicycle around the stage as more and more members of the troupe pile up on top of him, an act that requires discipline and agility.

"I sit there saying 'Oh my God, how can they do that?'" Bronner said.

The Golden Dragon Acrobats have 16 members and are currently on a national tour across the East and Midwest. The group has performed in all 50 states and many countries in the past.

The performers range from young to old and include dancers and aerialists as well as acrobats.

The group also uses traditional music and costumes in its performances.

The morning performance is an abbreviated, 50-minute show that is geared toward school groups. The evening performance is the full show, which will run an hour and a half to two hours.

Bronner said the past performances have been mesmerizing to watch and she is trying to find time to schedule the troupe for another performance next year.