TORONTO, February 17, 2009 -- As artists-in-residence at York University, Malinke masters Billy Nankouma Konaté and Sani Abu will host a series of intensive dance and music workshops for students both at York and in the surrounding University Heights community at Black Creek/Jane and Finch.
The artists are visiting York as part of Performing Diaspora, a celebration of Africanist dance and music during Black History Month, sponsored by the Tubman Institute for Research on the Global Migrations of African Peoples.
Konaté, a Djembe (hand drum) master and Abu, a dancer and choreographer, perform in the Malinke tradition found in the West African countries of Mali, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea and Ivory Coast. Guinean-born Konaté learned traditional Malinke drumming from his father, master percussionist Famoudou Konaté, with whom he has toured internationally. Abu launched his career with Uyi-Edo Dance Theatre in his native Nigeria and went on to perform with many leading African-American dance companies, including Alvin Ailey. He heads his own traditional African dance company, ijo vudu Dance International, in Toronto.
Performing Diaspora community outreach highlights:
What: Artists in the Schools
When: Thursday, Feb. 19, 10 a.m.
Where: Brookview Middle School, 4505 Jane Street
Who: Performing Diaspora artists Katenen (Cheka) Dioubate and Kassoum Diamoutene and Brookview students
What: Workshops, West African dance and music
When: Feb.16 - 20 and Feb. 23 – 26, 6:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
Where: Rooms 201 and 203 in the dance department, Accolade East, York University’s Keele Campus
Who: Malinke artists Billy Nankouma Konaté and Sani Abu, participants include students from York and the surrounding community.
What: Drum and Dance Workshop
When: Saturday, Feb. 21, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Where: TC3, 150 Nantucket Blvd., Unit 9, Scarborough
Who: Malinke guest artists and 40 students from the Toronto Children’s Concert Choir and Performing Arts Company (TC3).
What: West African dance and music performance
When: Friday, Feb. 27, 4 p.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Rotunda, Yorkgate Mall, 1 Yorkgate Blvd.,
Who: Malinke guest artists Billy Nankouma Konaté, Sani Abu and workshop participants
What: West African Drum & Dance Showcase, “Rights/Rites of Passage”
When: Saturday, Feb. 28, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Founders Assembly Hall, 152 Founders College, York University, Keele Campus
Who: Malinke guest artists Billy Nankouma Konaté and Sani Abu and workshop participants
Performing Diaspora is a month-long series of performances, workshops, artist talks, school visits and community events that bring university and community together to celebrate and engage with African and African Diasporic arts and culture. Performing Diaspora is the innovative flagship project of The Harriet Tubman Institute for Research on the Global Migrations of African Peoples. Located at York University in the heart of Toronto’s African Diaspora communities, the Institute’s aim is to strengthen the understanding and leadership necessary to develop prosperous, harmonious multicultural communities.
York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada. York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city. The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as more than 200,000 alumni worldwide. York’s 11 faculties and 26 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries. This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges. York University is an autonomous, not-for-profit corporation.
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Media contact:
Killeen Kelly, Media Relations, York University, 416 736 2100 x22938 / killeenk@yorku.ca
