Afrique en Cirque was developed by multidisciplinary cirque artist of Guinean origin Yamoussa Bangoura, inspired by daily life in Guinea. This excerpted performance shares the beauty, youth, and artistry of African culture, as acrobats execute gravity-defying moves and human pyramids, accompanied by the contemporary sounds of live Afro-Jazz, percussion, and kora. The full-length performance of Afrique en Cirque will be presented on the Appalachian Arts evening series at the Schaefer Center.
Run Time: Approx. 60 minutes
Recommended for: Grades K-12
Study Guide: download here
Tickets
THIS PERFORMANCE IS SOLD OUT
Contact theschaefercenter@appstate.edu, call 800-841-2787 or 828-262-4046, visit the box office at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts, or register online.
Groups of 25+ people
$5/person
Groups of less than 25 people
$5/person
About Yamoussa Bangoura and Kalabanté Productions
Kalabanté Productions was created by Yamoussa Bangoura, a multidisciplinary artist of Guinean origin. Yamoussa’s dream was the founding of a school of circus arts, and to direct his own multidisciplinary company specializing in the African arts. Yamoussa first became interested in the Circus Arts as a young man growing up in Conakry Guinea in the 1990s, studying the circus performers he saw on European TV and practicing on the beach and dirt around his home. He also studied the Nyamakala tradition of circus, practiced by the Fula people of West Africa. Yamoussa eventually joined Guinea’s original circus company, Circus Baobab, with whom he toured Africa and Europe.
In the early 2000s, Yamoussa was recruited to Canada to perform with Cirque Eloize, a Montreal-based cirque company. While in Canada, he also performed with Cirque du Soleil and Cavalia (cirque with horses). In 2007, Yamoussa realized his dream and opened his own company, Kalabanté Productions, in Montreal, Canada. He recruited many of his extended family members to join the company, including his twin sisters, brothers, and cousins.
The company began performing in Quebec, and over the years, expanded across Canada, the US, and now performs all over the world. In 2018, Kalabanté opened its own studio and school in Montreal, where classes are offered in African dance, cirque, and drumming. The Kalabanté Productions team is proud to share its work, achievements and skills to inspire others and to assist with the humanitarian mission to help the Guinean community from which Yamoussa and many of his company members come.
Educator Workshops
The APPlause! K-12 Performing Arts series is committed to helping educators receive high quality professional development at no cost. Certificates of completion can be obtained upon request for a wide variety of workshops offered by the Office of Arts Engagement and Cultural Resources.
Questions? Contact chenauskyc@appstate.edu | 828.262.2948
