10th Annual Collage Des Cultures Africaines" presented by Oakland's Diamano Coura West African Dance Company

Over 50 Internationally Renowned Musicians and Choreographers to Appear "Collage Des Cultures Africaines" Saturday, March 12, 8pm at Calvin Simmons Theater, Oakland

(PRWEB) January 31, 2005 -- Tickets go on sale today for The Diamano Coura West African Dance Companys 10th annual performance production of Collage des Cultures Africaines"- Se-Ki-La-Ti.

The company has invited 30 internationally renowned musicians and choreographers from Liberia, America, Senegal, Mali, Zimbabwe, Guinea and North Africa to its performance series be held March 10th through March 13th at the Calvin Simmons Theater, 10 Tenth Street and Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts in downtown Oakland.

Se-ki-la-tis (Se-ki-la-ti meaning long time ago" or longevity") will also include the International Extravaganza, a three-day master dance workshop series, which will feature over 40 professional musicians, drummers, dancers, folklorists, and acrobats from throughout the African Diaspora to grace the stage for a rare appearance and collaboration.

The main performance on March 12th will highlight exceptional performances by international and local acclaimed dance companies and performing artists. Combining live African and Western music, dance, and theater, the performances will portray the shifting times and challenges of African people as their traditions become more and more influenced by modernization. Then, continuing the African experience, the African Marketplace will showcase a collection of art, crafts, clothing, jewelry and food in the theater lobby.

*More About the Performers
Diamano Coura is Oaklands oldest resident African Dance company and an Isadora Duncan Award recipient for Best Performing Company in 2004. "The audience learns of the role of the elders who are predestined to be the peoples spiritual guide and an integral part in shaping the culture and politics of Africa," says Naomi Gedo, Artistic Director of Diamano Coura West African Dance Company.

Professional companies performing in this unique collaboration include Dimensions Dance Theater, Mahea Uchiyama, Diamano Coura West African Dance Company, from Zimbabwe-Julia Chigamba and family, Fua Dia Congo, and more.

Special guest artists will include Mr. Assane Konte and Medoune Dam" Gueye of Kankouran Senegalese National Dance Company, Madame Mareme Faye, Papa Abdoulaye Camara, and Malong Bayo of Senegal, Youssouff Koumbassa, Kemoko Sano, and Mariatou of Guinea, Nimely Napla and Fetta of Liberia.

Diamano Coura West African Dance Company (Senegalese for those who bring the message") is a nonprofit cultural organization founded in 1975 by Dr. Zak Diouf and artistic director, choreographer and performer Naomi Gedo Diouf.

The organization is dedicated to the preservation, education and appreciation of traditional West African music, dance, theater and culture. Diamano Couras aim is to combine rhythmic and movement dynamism to transport audiences into an understanding and appreciation of Africas epic and folkloric culture.

The company is supported in part by the City of Oakland Craft and Cultural Arts Department and Cultural Affairs Commission and the City Council, the Oakland Tribune and Alameda Newspaper Group, Marcus Bookstore, Africa by the Bay, UrbanEvents.com, KPOO and KPFA.

*Ticket Information
Collage tickets can be purchased in advance; $30.00 for reserved seats, $20.00 for orchestra, $15.00 for balcony, and $10.00 for gallery. Tickets purchased at the door are $25 for orchestra, $18 for balcony, and $15 for gallery. Tickets are available online at www.urbanevents.com or at Marcus Bookstores and Africa by the Bay, both in Oakland.    

For more ticket information and locations call 510-733-1077, email diamanoc@aol.com or visit www.DiamanoCoura.org.    

For Marketplace information please call, (510) 436-5253.

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