LYNDON – Yamoussa Bangoura’s Cirque Kalabanté performs at Lyndon Institute, February 15, at 7 p.m..
Founded by West African circus star Yamoussa Bangoura, who has performed worldwide, including with Cirque du Soleil and Cirque Eloize, Cirque Kalabanté is inspired by daily life in Guinea.
He first became interested in circus arts as a young man growing up in Conakry, Guinea, in the 1990s. He studied the circus performers he saw on European TV and practiced around his home. He also studied the Nyamakala tradition of circus practiced by the Fula people of West Africa. He eventually joined Guinea’s original circus company, Circus Baobab, with whom he toured Africa and Europe.
In the early 2000s, Bangoura was recruited to Canada by Cirque Eloize, a Montreal-based company. While in Canada, he also performed with Cirque du Soleil and Cavalia (cirque with horses). In 2007, Bangoura opened his own company, Kalabanté Productions, in Montreal. He recruited many of his extended family to join the company, including his twin sisters, brothers and cousins.
“A daredevil circus,” writes the Georgia Straight, of Vancouver, “with astounding leaps and drum music [and] high-flying, jaw-dropping performances that will amaze the whole family.”
To buy tickets or learn more, visit catamountarts.org or kcppresents.org or call (802) 748-2600 or visit the Catamount Arts box office at 115 Eastern Avenue, St. Johnsbury.
