Les Ballets Africains
Encyclopedia
Les Ballets Africains is a the national dance company
of Guinea
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.
, 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.
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.
Dance company
A dance troupe or dance company is a group of dancers and associated personnel who work together to perform dances as a spectacle or entertainment.-Members:*Artistic Director*Choreographers*Dancers*Board of Directors*Education administrator...
of Guinea
Guinea
Guinea , officially the Republic of Guinea , is a country in West Africa. Formerly known as French Guinea , it is today sometimes called Guinea-Conakry to distinguish it from its neighbour Guinea-Bissau. Guinea is divided into eight administrative regions and subdivided into thirty-three prefectures...
and is based in Conakry, Guinea
Guinea
Guinea , officially the Republic of Guinea , is a country in West Africa. Formerly known as French Guinea , it is today sometimes called Guinea-Conakry to distinguish it from its neighbour Guinea-Bissau. Guinea is divided into eight administrative regions and subdivided into thirty-three prefectures...
, Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
.
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.
History
Founded in Paris in 1952 by Guinean choreographer Fodéba KeïtaFodéba Keïta
Fodéba Keïta was a Guinean dancer, musician, writer, playwright, composer and politician. Founder of the first professional African theatrical troupe, Theatre Africain, he also arranged Liberté, the national anthem of Guinea.-Early years:Keïta was the son of a male nurse...
, Les Ballets Africains toured successfully for the next six years.
When Guinea
Guinea
Guinea , officially the Republic of Guinea , is a country in West Africa. Formerly known as French Guinea , it is today sometimes called Guinea-Conakry to distinguish it from its neighbour Guinea-Bissau. Guinea is divided into eight administrative regions and subdivided into thirty-three prefectures...
was granted its independence from France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
in 1958, Sekou Toure made the ballet the National Ensemble.
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.
Notable past members
- Kemoko Sano
- Moustapha Bangoura
- Mouminatou Camara
- Aly Diabate
External links
- Official site
- http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/20/arts/dance/20afri.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=les%20ballets%20africains&st=cse&oref=sloginNY Times review by Jennifer DunningJennifer DunningJennifer Dunning is a writer and critic for the New York Times on the subjects of dance and ballet. She is the author of the 1985 But First a School: The First Fifty Years of the School of American Ballet, the 1996 Alvin Ailey, a Life in Dance and the 1997 Great Performances: A...
, March 20, 2006] - http://www.nydailynews.com/archives/entertainment/1996/04/12/1996-04-12_african_troupe_steps_into_re.htmlNY Daily News review by Mary TalbotMary TalbotMary Talbot may refer to:*Mary Talbot, Countess of Northumberland, courtier who married Anne Boleyn's former suitor, Henry Percy*Mary Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury , daughter of Bess of Hardwick...
, April 12, 1996]