Vado Diomande
West African Dance

Is a master of the regional dances and drumming traditions of the Ivory Coast and West Africa. For over fifteen years, Vado was a principal dancer, star performer, and choreographer for the for the Ballet National de Cote D'Ivoire (National Ballet of the Ivory Coast). He is a member of several dance companies, as well as guest artist with many others, including companies of Brazilian, Haitian, Tap and Modern Dance. In 1989 he established L'Ensemble Kotchegna D'Abidjan, which has resided in the United States as the Kotchegna Dance Company since 1994. Vado also acts as an intermediary for the spirit of a Mask called Gue-Pelou, "God of the Sacred Forest." In this role, the nine-foot tall Mask is a bridge between the world of the living and the spiritual realm of the ancestors. It performs dances and acrobatic feats, and acts as a protective power for those it encounters.

For more information please visit: http://www.kotchegna.com