Master Dancers, Drummers to Collaborate with Local Performers
Pittsburgh, PA – The third annual Black River African Dance Conference, produced by Balafon West African Dance Ensemble, is set to both amaze and educate audiences and participants May 16-18 at various venues in the East End. Master African dancers and drummers from around the United States and Africa will collaborate with members of Balafon West African Dance Ensemble to share the soul, spirit, vitality, and community of African dance and drum with attendees of the conference
.Balafon’s Artistic Director Kadiatou Conte-Forte is especially pleased to welcome special guest Hamidou Bangoura, the Artistic Director of the renowned Les Ballets Africains, the national dance company of Guinea. Mr. Bangoura will give presentations on the history of dance in Guinea. “Mama” Kadiatou, whose illustrious background in African dance began with Les Ballets Africains in 1970, remarks: “My life has been totally devoted to sharing the splendors of original West African Dance, drumming, and song which tells the marvelous stories of our unique culture to the world; it is my joy and passion.”
The conference will open with a free performance, open to the community, at Dilworth Traditional Academy on Friday, May 16th at 10:00 a.m. This performance will feature students in the Dilworth Children’s African Dance Workshop. Two feature performances on Friday and Saturday night will feature Master Drummers Fode Moussa Camara, Mamadouba Mito Camara, & Assane M’Baye. The performances will take place at East Liberty’s Kelly-Strayhorn Theater, and tickets are available in advance ($20) or at the door ($25).
Those interested in learning more about African dance can participate in a slate of dance and drumming workshops, which will take place at Obama Preparatory Academy. The workshop fee is $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Participants of all ages and experience levels are encouraged to attend! “This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for both experienced dancers and novices alike to explore the energy and unity of African dance,” explained Balafon’s treasurer, Frank McNutt.
Saturday and Sunday will also include an African marketplace open to the public at Obama Preparatory Academy. Vendors of apparel, jewelry, art, gifts, and more will be on site. Vendors are still being accepted and can contact Balafon for more information about participating.
For a full schedule and more details about the 2014 Black River African Dance Conference and to purchase tickets online, please visit www.balafon.org.
About Balafon West African Dance Ensemble
Balafon West African Dance Ensemble is a cultural arts collaborative founded and directed by “Mama” Kadiatou Conte-Forte. Balafon was first established in 1997 to offer empowering insights from a woman’s perspective on West African tradition and culture, shared through the power and healing energy of classical African arts. Today, Balafon is incorporated as a non-profit and prepares artists to carry on the cultural legacy of classical African arts by educating and entertaining audiences of all nationalities and walks of life. For more information about Balafon, visit www.balafon.org
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