For more than 70 years, Les Ballets Africains (Feb. 20) has traveled the globe, bringing their blend of traditional African dance, music, and storytelling to thousands of riveted audience members. The troupe was formed in Paris in 1952 by distinguished Guinean choreographer Keita Fodeba, and in 1958 when the Republic of Guinea became independent, Les Ballets Africains was named one of the country’s national dance companies.
“Les Ballets Africains is not simply a dance company, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer said. “Its members also play drums, do gymnastics, sing and pantomime throughout the course of its full-length story works…[and] the troupe has attracted an incredibly talented group of powerful dancers who can manage the intense athleticism, stirring singing and dynamic acting skills that the storytelling productions demand.”
At their performance at the Center for the Arts, the company will perform, for the first time in its history, works by their first-ever female artistic director, Mañana Cisse.
We hope you’ll join us to experience the wonder and excitement of Les Ballets Africains!