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“Kùlú Mèlé was spectacular!” — PA First Lady, Susan Corbett

Kùlú Mèlé African Dance & Drum Ensemble is now available to bring the passion and pageantry of traditional African dance to your audiences.

Known for infusing African dance with urban American flair, Kùlú Mèlé has graced stages from New York to Guinea and throughout the African Diaspora, distinguishing itself with beautiful costumes, a thrilling percussion battery and dynamic choreography. Having studied with many master choreographers and drummers, including M’Bemba Bangoura, Moustapha Bangoura, Danis Perez Prades “LaMora,” Youssouf Koumbassa and members of Les Ballets Africains, the company boasts a rich repertoire of genuine, folkloric dance from Guinea, Haiti, Nigeria, Senegal, and Cuba.

Kùlú Mèlé was selected for inclusion in the touring roster of Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour (PennPAT) and offers the following:

• Mainstage, festival, and school-based performances.
• Residency, community outreach and audience engagement activities, including workshops, master classes and lecture-demonstrations in African dance and drumming for adults, children and teens.
• Mali Sadjo: The Legend of the Hippopotamus – A tale of love and redemption between a man, a woman and nature, Mali Sadjo is a performance for the whole family. Dynamic choreography, drumming and costumes accentuate this moving folkloric African ballet set in the mythical village of Bafulabe. In 2008, Kùlú Mèlé journeyed to Guinea, West Africa for a two-week immersion to learn Mali Sadjo, and has performed it before sold out audiences. This project is made possible by The Pew Center for Arts and Heritage, through Dance Advance.

Also available: In Search of Mali Sadjo:Kulu Mele’s African Dance Expedition, a full-length documentary that provides an exciting insight into the creative process and cultural journey for learning the ballet

Kùlú Mèlé offers a wide range of workshops in African dance and music – from single session participatory programs and lecture-demonstrations to long-term residencies. The company teaches dance and drum technique, related dress and cultural protocols, the interrelationship of drum rhythms and dance, and the particular values and traditions that inform songs and dances. When working with youth, company members teach from their own experiences, how to find and follow a dream and how to develop creativity and artistic potential.

Kùlú Mèlé will truly thrill and engage your audiences with unforgettable, family-friendly performances and residency activities.