In - Person Only | Donation based $5-$35
Vado draws on the rich and diverse dance tradition from the Ivory Coast. With over 60 different ethnic traditions, the variety of steps and rhythms taught is complex, exciting and vigorous. Class is taught first with a simple 20-minute warm-up, followed by 30 minutes of learning steps to a particular dance. Drumming begins and the dance is performed as a whole. Then steps are practiced across the floor with the drums to several other dance rhythms for about 40 minutes, culminating in a final run-through of the learned dance in front of the drums. Spontaneous solos are also performed at the end of class with the drums.
West African Performance Dance Workshops present an opportunity to learn steps, choreography, staging, beginnings and endings to Ivory Coast dances in a limited time frame. This leads to a performance experience that is a thrilling chance to apply what you have learned in a few weeks, presenting your skills and joy in a culmination of dance steps with drum accompaniment. With long-term study, expertise brings ability to tackle the more complex dances and rhythms. The Ivory Coast dances offered are Kookoo, Bademalon, N’Goron, Temate, Katana, Bolohi and more, displaying the rich diversity of rhythms and steps that is the hallmark of Ivory Coast dance and drum traditions.
Vado Diamonde
Vado has danced since the age of four, learning the dance and drum traditions of his Mahouka people. At an early age, he was initiated into becoming the keeper of the sacred mask dance on stilts, Gue-Pelou. This distinction brought him to the Ballet National de Cote d'Ivoire, where he became a principal dancer for more than 15 years. Vado learned over 60 ethnic dance and drumming traditions from the Ivory Coast and other West African countries.
His repertoire elevated his career to eventually choreographing and touring extensively throughout Africa, Asia, Europe and Australia. In 1989 he established L'Ensemble Kokiegna d'Abidjan, which has resided in New York City as the Kotchegna Dance Company since 1994. In Vado’s native language Mahou, ’kotchegna’ means messenger. His troupe’s goal is to inspire joy and understanding through the power of dance and drum, promoting the exchange of culture worldwide. He continues to strengthen his experience as a choreographer, artistic director, teacher and performer. He also takes part in many educational programs for children in New York City schools and beyond. For more information, go to www.kotchegna.com.