Yassama and the Beaded Calabash – Yassama et la calebasse aux cauris

English:

“Once upon a time in a not so distant past,
somewhere in a village in a land far away
there lived a young girl named Yassama.”

Yassama and the Beaded Calabash is the story of a young girl who, with the help of the old Baobab tree, saves her village from drought and delivers a powerful lesson about the importance of respecting and honouring Mother Earth.

Acclaimed artist Lua Shayenne weaves vibrant dance and music with engaging storytelling in an interactive performance created especially for young children.

Yassama and the Beaded Calabash will also be performed in English at Aurora Cultural Centre (Aurora, ON) on June 5th, and at Theatre Aquarius in English on June 11th and French on June 12th.

About Lua Shayenne, Shayenne Productions

Lua Shayenne is a multi-disciplinary artist who, for over 10 years, has been weaving stories, through dance, song and word. Her art practice is embedded in her African roots and her Faith. Her goal is to “effect a spiritual conquest” by establishing a relation with the human hearts and create original, inspiring and relevant art.

A 2016/17/18 K.M. Hunter Dance award nominee and a recipient of the 2013 BMO seeds Fund Award for Artists working in community, Lua proudly tours with Lars Jan’s (NYC/LA) HOLOSCENES (Toronto/ Florida/ Miami/ New York/ London,UK/ Abu Dhabi/ Australia tours), a multidisciplinary water installation on climate change.

Lua was recently featured in Fall for Dance North, Dusk Dances/Canadian Stage in High Park, JAMII’s eclectic programming including SEVEN, The wedding Part II, WAYO children’s Festival and is co-choreographer for National Ballet School’s Sharing Dance 2021.

Lua is the creator and interpreter of the dance theatre children series titled, Tales and Dances Around the Baobab. The fourth tale of the series, being developed under the series, is YASSAMA and The Beaded Calabash, with support from the Wee Festival and le Théâtre Français de Toronto ( May 2022 premiere).

As the artistic director of Lua Shayenne Dance Company (LSDC), Lua commissioned, produced and danced in DORA nominated KIRA, The Path | La Voie which premiered at the Luminato Festival and toured in Ontario, to rave reviews. She is also creating two works for LSDC: WAVES | VAGUES and FRONTIERS | FRONTIÈRES.

Lua is also an educator and community builder. She teaches at the Ryerson University’s dance program and brings African dance, music, storytelling and culture to grassroots organizations and schools all over Canada and Europe.

~

Francais:

“Il y a très longtemps,
quelque part dans un village dans un pays lointain,
vivait autrefois une jeune fille qui s’appelait Yassama.”

Yassama et la calebasse aux cauris est l’histoire d’une jeune fille qui, avec l’aide d’un vieux baobab, sauve son village de la sécheresse et délivre une leçon puissante sur l’importance de respecter et d’honorer la Terre Mère.

L’artiste de renom Lua Shayenne mêle danse et musique à un récit captivant dans un spectacle interactif spécialement conçu pour les jeunes enfants.

Commandité et développé avec le soutien du WeeFestival et du Théâtre français de Toronto.

Visit the Lua Shayenne, Shayenne Productions website

Photography by Dahlia Katz.

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