SABALI! (of Cirque Jeunesse en Equilibre)

Discipline: Interdisciplinary
Homebase: Montréal
Regions Available: Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley &, Howe Sound, Vancouver Island Lower, Vancouver Island Mid, Vancouver Island North, Interior, North, Remote, Kootenays
Languages: English, French, African Dialects
Grant Eligibility: Eligible for 40% AIE

Joyous and colourful circus and Mandeng (West African) arts troupe SABALI! offers high energy, interactive and educational performances. The troupe use a wide variety of circus and Mandeng arts as a fun way to build bridges between cultures while encouraging youth from diverse backgrounds to discover their full potential and become inspired about life! SABALI!’s work for youth has been presented across Canada, from Vancouver Island to Montreal and in as far off places as Iasi, Romania. Since 2013, the troupe is co-directed by multidisciplinary circus artist, West African dancer, percussionist and social circus instructor, Mamoudou Diallo originally from Burkina Faso and Canadian born, long-time student and seasoned performer of West African dance and percussion, Allison Griffith. SABALI! currently collaborates with other professional artists from Senegal, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Conakry, Haiti and Canada. SABALI! was created as a platform for artistic and social expression as well as a vehicle for promoting awareness of the social projects of CIRQUE JEUNESSE EN ÉQUIIBRE. Founded in 2010 by Mamoudou Diallo, CIRQUE JEUNESSE EN ÉQUIIBRE is a non-profit social circus project, which uses the transformative power of circus arts as a means of social intervention among disadvantaged youth in Houndé, Burkina Faso.

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Performance(s)

L'Union Fait la Force (Strength in Unity)

School Year: 23-24
Discipline: Music, Dance, Interdisciplinary, Other
Offered Languages: English, French, African Dialects
Grade Suitability: K - 12
Duration: 40 mins. + 10 mins Q&A
Capacity: 600
Tech Requirements: 10 ft. deep, 20 ft. wide and 20 ft. high performance space, PA with 2+ mics and adjustable stands when available (if not, acoustic works well), access to 4 chairs when available, access to a place to change into costumes
Available Formats: In Person

L’Union Fait la Force (Strength in Unity) is an interactive, action packed circus and Mandeng (West African) arts show that comes with a message. The show consists of a colourful display of acrobatics, Mandeng dance and percussion, juggling, unicycling, an acrobatic monkey (human in traditional monkey costume) and the world's one and only djembe playing stilt walker all “rolled” into one. This unique show explores the African proverb after which it is named by having audience members work together onstage to promote values of unity and cultural diversity while also teaching participants about other aspects of Mandeng culture. Audience members will learn greetings, learn about select traditional Mandeng instruments as well as be invited onstage to learn some basic Mandeng dance steps. Fun and learning for all!

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