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Cirque Kalabanté
CIRQUE KALABANTÉ: AFRIQUE EN CIRQUE
Where cirque meets live percussion and music, this performance is a vibrant spectacle inspired by daily life in Guinea, sharing the beauty, youth and artistry of African culture. A colorful show beyond its scenery, costumes and staging, it makes any theatre vibrate with energy and represents the strength, agility and life joys of young Africans. The audience will see acrobats execute gravity-defying moves and human pyramids, accompanied by the contemporary sounds of live Afro-Jazz, percussion and kora. Get ready for an unforgettable journey!
PROGRAM
CIRQUE KALABANTÉ was created by Yamoussa Bangoura, a multidisciplinary artist of Guinean origin. Yamoussa’s dream was to found a school of the circus arts, and to direct his own multidisciplinary company specializing in the African arts.
Yamoussa first became interested in the Circus Arts as a young man growing up in Conakry Guinea in the 1990’s. He studied the circus performers he saw on European TV and practiced on the beach and around his home. He also studied the Nyamakala tradition of circus, practiced by the Fula people of West Africa. He eventually joined Guinea’s original circus company, Circus Baobob, with whom he toured Africa and Europe.
In the early 2000’s, Yamoussa was recruited to come to Canada with Cirque Eloize, a Montreal based Canadian cirque company. While in Canada he also performed with Cirque du Soleil and Cavalia (cirque with horses). In 2007, Yamoussa realized his dream and opened his own company, Kalabanté Productions, in Montreal, Canada. He recruited many of his extended family members to join the company, including his twin sisters, brothers, and cousins.
The company began doing shows in Quebec, and over the years expanded to all of Canada, the USA and now performs worldwide. In 2018, Kalabanté opened their own studio and school in Montreal, offering classes in African dance, cirque, and drumming.
Kalabanté Productions is proud to be able to share their work, achievements and skills to inspire others and to assist with the humanitarian mission to help the Guinean community from which Yamoussa and many of his company members come.
Yamoussa Bangoura – Founder of Kalabanté Productions, juggler, singer, kora player, wheel artist, acrobat and dancer.
Mama Adama Soumah – contortionist, dancer
Mmahawa Soumah – contortionist, dancer
Mohamed Ben Sylla – contortionist
Alya Sylla – acrobat
Ismael Bangoura – acrobat
Alseny Camara – acrobat
Yamoussa Soumah – acrobat
Moussa Youla – acrobat
Seuss Fu-Rubin – saxophone
Abdelhak Benmedjebari – bass
Kevin T Jones – drums
Chloé Drolet – Technical Manager
Please note that the Norton Center is a historic venue with limited accessible seating. Special reserved wheelchair and companion seating is available for all shows. Interpretive services and large print programs are available upon request at least 20 days in advance of the performance. Please call the Box Office at 859-236-4692 to request assistance with your accommodations.
Ticket sales are non-refundable. Tickets purchased through a subscription package may be exchanged for another show in the same season. Tickets are transferable to friends or family. Donations for the value of tickets are appreciated.
Tickets to Norton Center performances are sold exclusively through the Box Office in person, by phone at 859-236-4692 or online at www.nortoncenter.com. If you purchase tickets from any other source, including Ticketmaster, StubHub or an individual we cannot guarantee your seat. The prices of tickets obtained from unauthorized sources are often greatly inflated. The Norton Center is not responsible for tickets purchased from other sources. Tickets purchased from secondary sellers are not eligible for replacement if tickets are lost or stolen, or if the event is canceled or rescheduled.
For more information, please call the Box Office at 859-236-4692 or visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
