African Dancing with Kissidugu August 3, 2011

@ Mercury Café
A World Music Dance Party
African Dancing with Kissidugu
Mercury Cafe presents music from the rainbow of the world's cultures and musical traditions with Kissiduguat 8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 3. Tickets are $10 at the door. Information at 303-294-9258 or online at www.mercurycafe.com. Cash or Check only. ATM available in the Mercury Cafe, 2199 California Street, Denver 80205.
Kissidugu, which means “a safe place” or “a place of refuge” in the Kissi language of Guinea, was founded in 2004 by Fara Tolno. Their mission is to inspire people of all colors, cultures, and backgrounds to connect to themselves, to one another and to their community through music, dance, and dialogue.
Kissidugu will be joined by members of the National Ballet of Guinea and Merveilles to bring you an amazing evening of West African music, dance, and theatre. More information at www.kissidugu.org. Video of the Boulder Theatre performance at http://youtu.be/TNlmUWGmG_U
Fara Tolno was born in Guinea, West Africa. Playing djembe since the age of nine, he has traveled extensively performing and teaching both drumming and dance. Fara spent nine years as the lead drummer for Les Merveilles de Guinea (The Wonders of Guinea) under the tutelage of West Africa’s most influential director and choreographer, Kemoko Sano. He has performed with Joe Cocker, BB King, Otis Taylor, Ron Miles, Youssou N'Dour, and many, many others.
Currently based in Boulder, Colorado, Fara is completing his MFA and teaching at the University of Colorado. Pursuing his Master of Fine Arts in dance has given him the opportunity to not only teach and share his culture, but to study many different forms of dance. He is sharing this new and innovative perspective through his teaching in community and university classes, providing a one of a kind opportunity and outlook at traditional West African dance, and its relation historically and currently into the western world.
Fara is a keeper of the history, the music, and the dance in his culture and envisions building a school of Music, Dance and Education in his home town. His goal for his school is to help provide a sustainable way to ensure that the knowledge of the music, dance, and history of Guinea will be passed on to the next generation.
“Kissidugu has an amazing and infectious energy in its drums – from Dun Duns to Djembes to Bougarabou – and it’s dancers….The company is a magnificent example of inclusion….b-boy breaking with its African roots in the midst of traditional African dance was wonderful….the women hear the drums and every break therein, bring their own drums into their dance, making the performance totally integrated….the impact is amazing.” -World Dance Reviews 2011
Mercury Cafe - Kissidugu - West African percussion and dance, riveting chant and singing. Wednesday, August 3 at 8 p.m. $10 at the door. The Mercury Cafe, 2199 California Street, Denver 80205. Information at 303-294-9258. www.mercurycafe.com - Cash or Check only. ATM available in the café.