CULTURAL EXCHANGE TRIP
Dakar, Senegal
Dance. Art. Discovery.
December 23rd 2023 to January 6th 2024
$3,600
INCLUDES DANCE, DRUM, ACCOMMODATION, DINNER.
Choreographer by the artistic director the renown and respected Marie Basse Wiles and Guests choreographer Teacher, Dancer, Ibrahima Sarr from Senegal and the Director of the Ballet National du Senegal Pape Moussa Sonko
Coming from a large family of artists and current Artistic Director of the National Ballet of Senegal “LA LINGUÈRE”, and also Choreographer of the great private Ballet “WAATO SIITA” of which he is one of the founding members, he is today recognized as one of the best Senegalese dancers and choreographer thanks to his talent, his innovative and creative side.
He built his notoriety by enhancing the performances of the great singer Youssou NDOUR and the Super Etoile Band.
I started dancing at OSCAR (Oscar de Vacance, national contest, Senegal) organized by an association called Ande Defaar Thiaroye that aims to recognize the youth talent from the suburbs. I also founded my dance company called SENE AFRICA in 2011.
“the blue-eyed African.”comes to us from Dakar, Senegal, where he was a principal dancer for the National Dance Company of Senegal and the Diamono African Ballet. He has choreographed and performed professionally for more than fifteen years. He has dazzled presidents. dignitaries and audiences all over the world with his high energy and superb dancing style, and the tradition continues today. He is a multi-talented artist and choreographer who travels nationally and internationally, providing brilliant instruction in African dance, music and song.
For the past eight years, he has served as founder and Artistic Director of Return to Goree African Dance Company located in Baltimore, Maryland.
Babacar is a young Master Dancer whose style and creativity has made him revered by his colleagues, statesmen, and dance enthusiasts alike. Babacar N’Diave is a marvel to watch and a pleasure to witness.
Marie Basse Wiles is a cultural icon of traditional dance,music and culture. She has been a resident and an artist in the Bedford Stuyvesant community of New York state for over 32 years. As a born Senegalese national artist, she has taught classes in New York City and across the continent for the last 36 years. Her legacy lies in 32 years of hosting the Maimouna Keita School of African Dance international dance conferences and concerts throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan. Marie began her career as a principal dancer with the National Ballet of Senegal in 1973. Her membership in dance, theatre and choreography lasted seven plus years. Shortly after moving to the USA, she made Brooklyn her home and began facilitating classes in the African diaspora in the city and surrounding boroughs, the United States and abroad.
Maimouna Keita School of African Dance will celebrate 32 years of hosting one of the largest conferences and concerts, March 28-31, 2024 in Brooklyn, NY. The conference attracts hundreds of people from all over the world to partake in a four day immersion of dance and music. Members of the MKSAD performing company will prepare for an authentic, enthralling concert performance that will showcase the traditional relevance of dance and music, arts and culture and its impact.
Marie has trained and encouraged several renown artists with global residence to master the rich traditional artforms of West African dance and music. In addition, she has hosted annual dance tours to her country Senegal with extended tours to Mali, Gambia and Guinea. As Maimouna Keita School of African Dance embarks on this 30th anniversary milestone, we have launched a 32 | 30| 30 fundraising campaigns. Here is how you can thank Marie for her tireless service and ambassadorship to the African Diaspora. Sila Djiguiba -The Path of Hope has ensured that all students, dancers, musicians and performers under her tutelage learn from yesterday, live for today and hope for tomorrow. We thank you in advance for your donations.
❖ 32 years of authentic performances and detailed instruction and celebration
❖ 30 companies and individuals – (a minimum of 30 each per month)
❖ 30 dollars on the 30th day of each month through April 30
The top four donor levels will be placed in the program and all other levels of giving will be categorized and listed in the program. The Diamond and Gold level will be seated in the reserved section at the concert. Gifts greater than listed are welcome and appreciated.
Levels of Giving
Diamond $300 2 reserved concert tickets and 2 free workshop/tee
Gold $270 2 reserved concert tickets and 1 workshop/tee
Silver $240 1 concert ticket and 1 workshop/tee
Bronze $210 2 workshops/tee