November 10th WACAI performed in the Eugene Symphony's Youth Concert. The concert entitled "World Beats" explored the diversity found in a universal language: music.
West African Cultural Arts Institute partnered with Fairfield Elementary School to offer 28 students grades 3-5 an amazing after school opportunity! This After School Program gave an intensive look at the culture of Guinea through 5 weeks of interactive music and dance classes, Monday-Thursday from 2:45-4:30 pm, October 19th-November 19th.
Get beautiful t-shirts and tank tops while supporting an excellent cause! WACAI has a gorgeous new logo which has been printed on brightly colored shirts to help raise money for The Guinea Land Project, our capital campaign to purchase land in Guinea. Shirts come in all sizes and colors and will available for purchase in all of WACAI's classes for $15 apiece.
Have you ever wanted to take an African drum class, but felt just a little bit intimidated? Well now is your chance to learn about the vibrant poly-rhythms of Guinea, West Africa in a non-threatening atmosphere that is fun, encouraging, and inspirational for beginning and experienced drummers alike!
GLOW Variety Show Set To Illuminate LCC Eugene, Oregon - March 28th and 29th, 2015
Following its knockout debut at the Wildish Theater in the Summer of 2014, GLOW Variety Show returns to Lane County with a new and dazzling performance at Lane Community College. The show, known for its diversity and frequent hilarity, ups the ante in this second installment with the inclusion of Washington-based ‘acrobaticalist’ sensation NANDA. Their act, a recurring favorite at the Oregon Country Fair, features stunning acrobatic theater that has been called “a calculated chaos of comedy.”
West African Cultural Arts Institute is having their Kids African Drum, Dance & Cultural Arts Program Culminating Event this Friday, March 27th from 5-6 pm at the Boys & Girls Club. This event is totally FREE and great for KIDS of all ages!
The event starts promptly at 5 pm with a short student presentation that demonstrates some of the material they learned with WACAI these past two weeks followed by an explosive 30 minute performance by Fefafe. Linger after the show for an open house to learn more about WACAI's weekly classes and programs as well as the facilities at The Boys & Girls Club.
Attention parents: Are you looking for something artistic, culturally enriching, educational and fun for your kids to try? Well look no further, the West African Cultural Arts Institute is teaming up with the Boys and Girls Club of Emerald Valley to engage kids with a Drum and Dance Class Series and a spectacular Culminating Event. All classes take place Monday-Friday, March 16th-27th from 4:30-5:30 pm with the Culminating Event happening on Friday, March 27th from 5-6 pm.
The last week of January 2015 Alseny and I got to enjoy a real "Aloha" experience as we were welcomed to the Big Island by Michal Anna Carrillo of Lava Roots Performing Arts and the drum and dance communities of Kona, Hilo and Hawi.
Alseny Yansane teaches Drum & Dance Workshops in Bend-March 1st! African Dance Class 12-1:30 pm Victor School of Performing Arts International Ballet School 2700 Northeast 4th Street #210, Bend, OR 97701 2 African Drum Classes 3:30-5 pm & 5-6:30 pm Both classes in studio in the alleyway behind 155 NW Hawthorne (Enter alleyway from Harriman Street) Drop-Ins Welcome @ $15 per workshop 2 workshops for $28 3 workshops for $26
Shortly after Alseny Yansane's arrival in the US from Guinea in February 2007, we connected with a super sweet man named Dave Visiko who was dedicated to sharing West African drumming and dancing with the community of Bend, Oregon. He invited us to take a weekend away from the Willamette Valley haze to enjoy the spectacular climate of the high desert Cascade Mountains by organizing drum and dance workshops for Alseny.
West African Drum & Dance troupe, "Fefafe" performs Saturday, February 21st at The Opal Center for Arts and Education in Cottage Grove at 8 pm. Tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Doors open at 7:30 pm.
Fefafe is an authentic, West African performance troupe which presents the traditional culture and sounds of Guinea, West Africa. The name, Fefafe, translates from their Susu language to “Something Good is Coming.”