Hundreds of participants from across the country will visit the nation’s capital August 31 – September 2 to partake in three days of intense workshops in traditional African dance and drum, taught by master dancers and drummers from Mali, Senegal, Liberia, the Congo, and Guinea.

For more information, visit kankouran.org/conference

Past Workshop Instructors & Performing Guest Artists:

Mabiba Baegne, Fode Bangoura, Mariama Basse, Marie Basse-Wiles, Fode Camara, Mouminatou Camara, Idy Ciss, Kadiatou Conte, Souleymane Diop, Zak & Naomi Diouf, Madiou Diouf, Medoune Yacine Gueye, Youssouf Koumbassa, Assane M’Baye, Babacar M’Baye, Babacar N’Diaye, Cheikh N’Dong, Balla Sy, Brigo Gueye, Abdou M’Baye, Mar Gueye, Magette Sow, Oumou Faye, Elhadji Mbor Faye, and KanKouran’s own, Assane Konte.

KanKouran West African Dance Company was founded for the purpose of contributing to the extension of the arts by introducing the essence of traditional African dancing and drumming to audiences; enriching American cultural heritage through the integration of authentic West African performing arts; and promoting intercultural understanding. This year’s concert celebrates 35 years of fulfilling our mission of “…giving back that which was lost.”