Futa Toro West African Dance Ensemble
To schedule a performance with this artist, please fill out our booking form below.
Performance Prices
One Performance = $1,725
Two Performances = $2,225
Three Performances = $2,650
Four Performances = $3,175
Capacity = 500
Please note our in-person performances will feature 5 performers.
About Futa Toro West African Dance Ensemble
A Futa Toro performance is a celebration of color, sound, movement and spirit. It is a vibrant, handclapping event that transports the audience to a distant West Africa village. It begins with a 'drum call,' using a traditional West African rhythm, such as Sunu (soo-noo), to signal everyone within hearing that a celebration is about to begin. Group leader Malik Sow helps the audience understand the customs, attire and lifestyle of the people of West Africa. The instruments used in the performance include a djunjun (jun jun), or bass drum; two djimbe (gem bay) drums which play the accompaniment patterns and lead parts; and a shekere (shay ker ay), a gourd rattle covered with a netting of beads.
Dance is an integral aspect of the music, not a separate piece. One of the most popular dances is the tague (tah gay) which is performed before the planting and after the harvesting of the crops. Another dance, the doumb, challenges the skill of the performers with intricate dance steps performed at rapid tempos. The audience is invited to participate with rhythmic claps and call and response songs, as well as in the dancing. Please note only five performers for assemblies.
Age level: All ages
Booking Information
Contact us at (213) 972-4310 or performingartists@musiccenter.org to book this artist.
Prices good until June 30, 2023. Prices are for assemblies in schools during regular school hours. Performances outside these parameters may incur an additional fee. Grant funding for schools may be available to offset assembly prices. Contact us for further information.