News Release
February 2002
(Bethlehem,
Pennsylvania) - Kotchegna, a West African dance company composed of
stilt dancers, eccentric costumes, and rhythmic drummers, will perform
at Moravian College on Wednesday, February 20, 8:00 p.m., in Foy Concert
Hall.
Vado Diomande, founder of Kotchegna Dance Company, specializes
in Ivoirienne dance and music. In 1989, Diomande formed Kotchegna in
his native country, Côte d'Ivoire. Through his choreography, Diomande
promotes Ivoirienne culture, drawing upon over sixty different regional
dance styles in Côte d'Ivoire.
The group of talented performers consists of ten dancers
and three principal musicians. Although there are only three musicians,
several types of percussion instruments are used in Kotchegna performances
in order to create different moods. Some of these instruments include
tambourines, rattles, claves, nungu drums, tabor drums, goblet drums,
and kalengo drums.
Kotchegna has performed throughout the United States in
many concerts and festivals, and at several colleges and universities.
The Dance Company also offers educational programs, dance classes, and
workshops.
The performance is open to the public. Admission to the
performance is $10 for adults and $5 for students, senior citizens,
and children ages 12 and under. The concert is sponsored by the Moravian
College Music Institute in association with the Center for Traditional
Music & Dance. Additional support is provided by Moravian College
Arts and Lectures. For additional ticket information, call 610-861-1650.
