14th Annual African Dance Celebration: "Dance & Drum Voyage" at COCA

Afriky Lolo, the region's premier professional West African dance company, presents the 14th Annual African Dance Celebration on Saturday, May 20 at 8 p.m. at COCA in University City. Led by Executive and Artistic Director Diadie Bathily, Afriky Lolo, composed of both youth and adult companies, creates a vibrant, larger-than-life production of lively West African dance, powerful drumming, colorful costumes and dazzling lighting design.

This year's production, "Dance & Drum Voyage," features a special guest performance by the Saint Louis Osuwa Taiko, the local organization that performs, promotes, teaches and preserves the art of Japanese ensemble drumming. Together with Afriky Lolo’s drummers, the collaborative production explores and elevates the musical art forms of West African and Japanese taiko drumming while highlighting their physical vigor. “Dance & Drum Voyage" spotlights Afriky Lolo’s beautiful West African choreography and pulsating drumming. The 14th Annual African Dance Celebration also features artwork by Nigerian artist and United Nations Arts Ambassador Ibiyinka Alao.