Diamano Coura West African Dance Company presents its 15th Collage des Cultures Africaines – “Mwangaza - Illumination”
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Diamano Coura West African Dance Company presents its 15th annual “Collage des Cultures Africaines” Festival, a 4-day conference including a gala performance with international guest dance and drum artists, numerous dance companies, 20 dance and drum workshops with international artists, and other community activities. This unique collaboration includes the professional performing companies of Dimensions Dance Theater, Diamano Coura West African Dance Company, Rara Tou Lemon Haitian Dance Company, Thiossanu Senegalese Dance Company, Chinyakare Zimbabwean Dance Company, and Fua Dia Congo. Invited are 20 professional musicians, dancers, folklorists, and acrobats from throughout the African Diaspora including Senegal, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Congo, Zimbabwe, Cuba, Peru, and Haiti. These special guest artists and teachers of African songs, rhythm, and dance include Dr. Zak Diouf, Madiou Diouf, Darian LaFoucade, Ibrahima Diouf, Mr. Assane Konte, Medoune Yacine “Dam” Gueye, Mareme Faye, Margette Sow, N’Deye Gueye, Mohammed Kouyate, Ouseynou Kouyate, Muisi Kongo Malonga, Kiazi Malonga, Idrissa Gueye, Djenaba Sako, Youssouf Koumbassa, Fodey Seydou Bangoura, Nimely Napla, Mabiba Baegne, Jean Armel Mampouya, Babou Sagna, Karamba Diabate, Moshe Milon, and others. A one-time, limited seating gala performance will be held Saturday, March 13 at 8pm at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts. Doors will open at 6pm for the annual African Marketplace with crafts and food and the dance performance starts at 8pm. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.DiamonoCoura.org. Tickets are available at www.BrownPaperTicket.com, or in Oakland at Marcus Bookstore, 3900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, and Africa by the Bay, 3840 MacArthur Blvd. Tickets are $30 (reserved), $20 advanced (general) and $25 at the door. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. For group rates, please call 510-290-5011. For more ticket, workshop, and location information, call 510-326-1968, email or visit www.DiamanoCoura.org. For Marketplace information, call (510) 326-9162. Collage des Cultures Africaines means a collection of cultured people representing the African Diaspora for a first time cross-cultural art experience. Diamano Coura West African Dance Company, founded in 1975 by Emmy Award winner Dr. Zakarya Diouf and Artistic Director, choreographer and performer Naomi Diouf, is a not-for-profit cultural organization dedicated to the preservation and appreciation of traditional West African music, dance, theater and folklore. Diamano Coura in the Senegalese language Wolof means “those who bring the message”.“ The Alliance for California Traditional Arts is pleased to support this program through its Living Cultures Grants Program, in partnership with the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and the James Irvine Foundation.” Other supporters include the Oakland City Council and the City of Oakland’s Cultural Funding Program, Marcus Bookstore, Africa By The Bay, Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts and Dance Collective, Natural Rhythm Healing Hut.
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