M&T Bank Dance Series to Present The Song and Dance Ensemble of West Africa

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Center for the Arts at the University at Buffalo will present The Song and Dance Ensemble of West Africa at 8 p.m. on Oct. 2 in the Mainstage theater in the Center for the Arts on the UB North (Amherst) Campus. The performance is sponsored by M&T Bank.

The Song and Dance Ensemble of West Africa is a group of traditional musicians and dancers from Mali, West Africa, founded in 1985 and is directed by Bamba Dembele. The musicians use many well-known African instruments, such as the Kora, N'Goni, the Balaphon, Djembe, Doundouns, and flute, and the orchestra performs all the musical styles of Mali: peul, malinke, sénoufo, bambara. The group has performed in France, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Belgium, and has become well known to lovers of Sahel music.

The excellent dancers of this ensemble perform with a mix of drive and grace, and wear colorful, inventive costumes. The troupe works along a straight line of West African ballets, djembés, dunums, balaphons; its repertory is rich and varied. Traditional rhythms, songs and dances are always represented in the troupe's various creations, as well as the Mandingo tradition. The ensemble gives a performance inspired by traditional music peppered with its own identity and personality to create an authentic musical experience.

Tickets for The Song and Dance Ensemble of West Africa are $18 general admission, $10 students and $15 for groups. Tickets are available at the Center Box Office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and all Ticketmaster locations including ticketmaster.com. To charge tickets call 716-852-5000; in Canada, call 416-870-8000. For group sales, call 716-645-6771. For more information call 716-645-ARTS. Students (of any school) must present valid student ID at the center box office to receive discount.