The Southern Theater Presents Burkina Electric 1/14-15

Burkina Electric, an electronic music and dance ensemble whose members live in West Africa, Germany, and New York City, will make its Minnesota debut at the Southern Theater, Jan. 14-15, 2011.

Burkina Electric's music combines the traditions and rhythms of Burkina Faso, located in West Africa, with contemporary electronic dance culture, making it a trailblazer in electronic world music. The group consists of composer Lukas Ligeti, three musicians, and two dancers who participate collectively in the creative process and represent disparate musical genres and sounds from across the globe.

Kate Nordstrum and Laurie Van Wieren, the Southern's music and dance curators, respectively, teamed to craft a unique program for the company's Minneapolis debut, involving new work by local dance artists Kenna Sarge and Leah Nelson and the dancers of Burkina Electric - the result of a week-long collaboration.

In the past, Burkina Electric has worked with the choreographer Karole Armitage and her dance company for performances at Lincoln Center, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Teatro Massimo Bellini (Catania, Italy).

Burkina Electric brings to the fabric of electronic dance music unusual rhythms that are rarely heard and little-known, even in much of Africa. These include ancient rhythms of the Sahel, such as the Mossi peoples' Ouaraba and Ouenega, along with rhythms of their own creation. Additionally, the group incorporates sounds of traditional instruments and found sounds recorded in Burkina Faso.

The Jan. 14 performance will be followed by a talk-back with the audience and an on-stage reception.

About the musicians of Burkina Electric*: The voice of the singer Maï Lingani, Burkina Faso, provides a charismatic stage presence for her songs in Moré, Dioula, Bissa, and French. Wende K. Blass, guitarist, contributes soulful guitar melodies. VJ Pyrolator, electronicist, has been one of Germany's most inventive pop musicians and producers since the days of the "Neue Deutsche Welle" 25 years ago. The New York-based drummer and electronicist, Lukas Ligeti, is an up-and-coming concert composer on the international scene, known for his nonconformity, diverse interests, and imagination. Ligeti has received commissions from groups such as the Kronos Quartet and the Bang on a Can All Stars. Vicky and Zoko Zoko are skilled dance artists who contribute high energy, sharp moves and powerful vocals.

* More in artist bios section.

Performances: January 14 & 15, 2011
Fri. & Sat. at 8pm
Opening night post-show talk-back and on-stage reception
Tickets: $24, $22
Southern Theater box office: 612.340.1725
1420 Washington Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55454
http://www.southerntheater.org/2011_01-14_burkina_electric.htm