Join us for WACAI's upcoming FUNdraiser on November 4th from 6-10pm at Sam Bond's Brewing Co. AKA "The Foundry"! This awesome newish spot is located at 540 E. 8th Avenue off of Franklin Boulevard towards the UO campus!
WACAI is having a fundraiser on November 4, and we need in-kind donations for our silent auction!
Are you a small business owner who would be willing to donate any goods or services?
Do you have any friends, family, or colleagues to approach for in-kind donations?
Would you be willing to help us approach local businesses and merchants to help us find in-kind donations?
Starting on Monday sounds of drumming will be heard filling the hallways of Prairie Mountain School once students are dismissed from their school day. West African Cultural Arts Institute will partner with Prairie Mountain School to offer an arts educational program focusing on drum, dance, and culture from Guinea, West Africa to students grades 5-8.
Last Thursday, September 7, Arts and Business Alliance of Eugene (ABAE) presented the results of the Arts & Economic Prosperity 5, a nation-wide study through Americans for the Arts on the economic activity and impact of non-profit arts and cultural organizations on local jobs and local revenue generation. Data that was gathered from 40 non-profit organizations in Eugene shows that the arts generate $62 million and 2400 jobs annually!
Incredible guest artist Ismael "Bonfils" Kouyate is coming to Eugene to teach dance workshops Friday, September 22-24! "Bonfils," whose name means "good son" in French, is a world-renowned artist hailing from Guinea, West Africa. His extensive dance and music experience includes singing and dancing a major role in the Broadway spectacle "Fela," vocals in Beyonce's "Grown Woman" hit single, and performing with Les Ballets Africains! Yes! This artist is a star from the West coast of Africa to the East coast of the United States! Truly phenomenal! Read his bio below to learn more!
This Thursday, September 7th, WACAI will engage the community in a fabulous and FREE, interactive dance demonstration with live drumming during the last hour of LCC's annual open house event! We'll show participants some dance moves native to Guinea, West Africa, home of our talented Artistic Director Alseny Yansane.
This summer, the City of Eugene Recreation Services partnered with a variety of local organizations, including WACAI, to put on "Fun for All," a fun and engaging program designed to bring youth ages 0-17 in Eugene community together. Throughout the summer, partnering organizations showed movies, performed, and led many activities in 6 parks in Eugene. It's been a wonderful summer, but the fun isn't over yet and you haven't missed out!
During Petersen Barn’s Family Fun Night event, WACAI will lead a free guided African dance activity with live drumming! African dance, typically danced barefoot, always coincides with a drum rhythm, and it’s always a community gathering!
The first week of September special guest teacher Moustapha Bangoura will be returning to Eugene for some more wonderful dance workshops geared towards all levels! This a great opportunity to study with a teacher and artist who has grown up in the "golden age" of the Guinean cultural arts and who has taught classes, workshops, and conferences all over the world and been honored many times over for his work as a teacher and choreographer.
As a part of the City of Eugene Recreation Services "Fun for All" program this summer, WACAI will offer free demonstrations and dance classes geared toward all ages and ability levels. The City of Eugene Recreation Services has partnered with a variety of local organizations, including WACAI, to put together the fun and family friendly "Fun for All" program.