At Dance Place, KanKouran West African Dance Company tells the story of Sundiata, a prince of Mali, imbued with the spirits of the buffalo, panther and lion. A rival queen thwarts his pre-destined ascent to the throne and he is driven into exile. Overcoming years of hardship, Sundiata comes back to defeat the evil invader and reclaim the throne. SUNDIATA is a powerful tale of courage and determination told through West African dance and drumming. Continuing a tradition of annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebrations, KanKouran illuminates this historic tale from the shores of Africa on Saturday, January 16 at 8pm and Sunday, January 17 at 4pm.
About Assane Konte
Assane Konte, a national of Senegal, West Africa, is one of the original founders of KanKouran West African Dance Company. He also serves as the company’s Artistic Director, choreographer and costume designer. Konte began his dance training at age 12 and has studied with many prominent traditional dancers and musicians from Gambia, Guinea, Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Togo and Senegal. His career as a professional dancer began at age 15 with “Ballet Africaine de Diebel Guee” of Dakar, Senegal. During his ten years with the company, he electrified audiences with his highly energetic performances, while simultaneously developing his own unique movement style. In 1978, following a tour in Cote d’Ivoire where he worked and performed as a guest consultant for a locally-based dance company, Konte came to the United States to pursue a career as an independent performer. He worked with numerous organizations as a musical arranger and guest choreographer.
Konte left Africa with the dream of establishing his own dance company in Washington, DC, the nation’s capital. Thus, in 1983, along with his childhood friend and master drummer, Abdou Kounta, he founded KanKouran West African Dance Company. Konte assumed the responsibilities of Artistic Director of the company. Since that time, his lifelong dedication to preserving and sharing Africa’s rich culture through dance and music has made him a goodwill ambassador, promoting cross-cultural appreciation and understanding in the many performance venues in which he and the company have appeared. For his tireless work, innovative choreography and outstanding contribution to the community, Konte has been the recipient of several prestigious awards including numerous Outstanding Community Service Awards.
WHAT: KanKouran West African Dance Company
WHEN: Saturday, January 16 at 8pm; Sunday, January 17 at 4pm
WHERE: Dance Place, 3225 8th Street NE, Washington, DC 20017; two blocks from Redline Brookland/CUA Metro station; free and convenient parking
TICKETS: $30 Admission At the Door; $25 Admission (Advance Sales only)*; $20 Dance Place Members, Seniors (55+), Artists (Advance Sales only)*; $15 College Students and Children (17 & under); Family Series – 1 free ticket for a child 12 & under with each paying adult (Sunday ONLY)
*Advance Sales end 4 hours prior to performance start time.
To purchase tickets, visit danceplace.org or call 202.269.1600
