Guitarist and singer Alpha Yaya Diallo will be bringing the sounds of West Africa to the Golden Civic Centre on Nov. 27.
Diallo said he is thrilled to be coming back to Golden.
“This is a part of my life. I am very excited to head out on tour,” he said. “I played in Golden a long time ago. I love small towns and playing in them. People are closer to you when you play…Last time I remember it was high energy and people were dancing and very excited in Golden.”
Diallo has successfully united the traditional and the contemporary while carving out a niche for himself beside such West African luminaries as Salif Keita, Baaba Maal, Youssou N’Dour, and Ismael Lo.
He started playing music in Africa when he was 12 and began travelling with a university band before moving to the Netherlands where he was signed to a Peter Gabriel label. Diallo saidit gave him the chance to eventually move to Canada.
Diallo is increasingly recognized as one of Canada’s leading music performers in any genre.
Part of any show involving Diallo is an interaction with those in attendance where more than music is heard.
“Culture is something to share. When we tour it is not just to play. We want people to learn something and share in our culture. We want to leave something there that people can remember for a long time. Sharing the culture is a part of our vision,” he said.
Diallo is also excited to be taking part in a dance workshop being held on the day before the show.
On the Kicking Horse Culture website it states, “If you like to dance or want to watch how west African dance is created, we are now taking advanced registrations at the Art Gallery of Golden. Adults are $10 and students are only $5…This is a very unique opportunity for our little town so don’t miss it.”
Director of Kicking Horse Culture, Bill Usher, also shared his views on the dance workshop and having Diallo coming to Golden.
“The two women who are going to teach the dance class are just world class. They have been travelling the world,” he said. “It will be exciting for people who want to dance and also exciting for people who want to watch.”ss
Usher went on to put the style of music in context.
“If you have heard Peter Gabriel perform with in his band. It is a similar kind of musical style. People need to check it out. It is very percussive, very melodic and there will be lots of dancing.
Tickets for the show and the registration for the dance workshop is at the Art Gallery of Golden.
