thumb, West Germany, 1962.
Les Ballets Africains
is a the national dance company of Guinea [1]
and is based in Conakry, Guinea, Africa.
Although the name might suggest the idea of European "ballet" to English speakers, the focus of the company is actually to promote traditional African dance and culture. [2]
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LES BALLETS AFRICAINS TICKETS
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History
Founded in Paris in
1952 by Guinean choreographer
Keita Fodeba, Les Ballets Africains toured successfully for the next six years.
When
Guinea was granted its independence from
France in
1958,
Sekou Toure made the ballet the National Ensemble.
[3]
The group performed in the United States for the first time in
1959, with a run of 48 performances on Broadway, following a successful European tour.
[4]
Notable past members
- Kemoko Sano
- Moustapha Bangoura
- Mouminatou Camara
- Aly Diabate
References
- It's hard not to be swept away by Les Ballets Africains
- Department of Culture of the Republic of Guinea (2007). Les Ballets Africains, African Dance, Drumming, Music. Retrieved on 2009-07-19 from http://www.lesballetsafricains.com/.
- Les Ballets Africains making a return to Utah
- http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=2074