Allatantou
Dance &
Percussion
Here’s what we’ve been working on
Humble Beginnings
Abdoulaye Camara spent the first ten years of life by the side of his grandmother Bountrabi Camara in the village of Yinguiakhori, not far from the Atlantic coast of Guinea, West Africa. From infancy Abdoulaye’s ‘grandmom’ held him tied on her back in the traditional way as she farmed, sang songs and told him stories. As a young teenager Abdoulaye was influenced by talented artists he met and studied with in the capital city of Conakry which led him to his dream of becoming a professional dancer and drummer. In 1984 he created a 30 person ensemble of performance artists named Alla Tan Tou Dance Productions. Based in Evanston, Illinois, Alla Tan Tou Dance & Percussion is carrying out the mission Abdoulaye set from the beginning, to bring people together to experience the joy of West African cultural arts in community.
In October 2016, we started a project to bridge cultures between an elementary school in the United States and Guinea West Africa.
Our Mission
On-going West African
dance & drum classes
DANCE CLASS
TUES
EVENING
8 - 9 p.m.
$12
DRUM
CLASS
SAT
MORNING
11-NOON
$12
West African dance & drum classes
sessions throughout the year.
Please contact us for more details!
We are available to provide you with West African dance and drum instruction and/or performances.
So. Much. Fun. Treat yourself to a great evening of live drumming and moving your body to new- to-you rhythms and beats. Move your feet while you create new neuro-pathways. Bring a friend!
- Myrna P. Weinman, Nia Instructor
Here is what we have been up to.