Afriky Lolo at SIUE
Teauna | Feb 10, 2010 | Comments 0
Afriky Lolo performs amazing traditional African dance at SIUE.
Learn more about African culture through dance, music, and free food at SIUE and get a chance to watch Afriky Lolo, the traditional African Dance Company.
Afriky Lolo is a West African dance company that is committed to bringing West African dance and culture to the St. Louis, Missouri, community through teaching and performing.
Afriky Lolo was founded and is led by Diadié who is a Master dancer from the Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa. He immigrated to the United States in 1998. He has a strong personal and professional desire to share the beauty, culture and passion of West African dance with Americans, especially African Americans. Diadie Bathily has danced professionally for over 30 years and has performed professionally for Marie-Rose Guiraud’s Les Guirivoires, Adama Drame, Wara Danse (his company in the Cote d’Ivoire), and Diadié Bathily Dance (in the United States). He teaches and performs in St. Louis elementary and secondary schools and at local universities, colleges, and dance studios throughout the Midwest. Throughout the school year, Bathily teaches and gives workshops at local elementary and secondary public schools, at Washington University and at the University of Missouri in St. Louis. Bathily also choreographs original pieces for university dance companies. Diadie
Bathily formed Afriky Lolo in 2003. The Company has 75 dancers — ranging in age from 6 to over 60 and 8 drummers. Afriky Lolo, meaning African Star, performs traditional West African dance at community events throughout the year. The Company’s annual performance is its largest event. Afriky Lolo performances are choreographed, staged, costumed, and directed by Diadié Bathily. These performances reflect the rich culture of West Africa, and each dance performed by Afriky Lolo is enhanced by traditional West African costumes. Costuming is a very important aspect of traditional West African dance. Bathily travels frequently to the Cote d’Ivoire and Mali in order to obtain authentic West African cloth, beads, and masks for the costumes worn by the dancers and drummers. All costumes are sewn by Bathily and/or specialists in West Africa. Bathily has seen African American children inspired by their heritage, excited by the opportunity to participate in this dancing, and even reporting more interest and energy in school as a result.
Location: Morris University Center, Goshen Lounge
More info: Contact Sekinat Lawal at slawal@siue.edu
Event type: Cultural
Date: 02/10/2010
Time: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
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Filed Under: Community
