Arouna Diarra and Biko Casini: Balafon Dance Music from Burkina Faso

The Red Poppy Art House warmly welcomes Arouna Diarra and Biko Casini for an evening of traditional music from Burkina Faso. Inspired by the pulsing melodies and infectious dance grooves of the balafon, Biko traveled to Bobo-Dioulasso (Bobo), the artistic city of Burkina Faso, to study the djembe in 2007. Arouna, who comes from a family of musicians in Bobo, moved to Asheville, NC in 2012 where he established himself as the bandleader of Mande Foly. Upon meeting in Asheville, the two began playing music together and are now touring the West Coast with the band, Rising Appalachia.

Featuring:
Biko Casini – djembe, calabash, kamele ngoni
Arouna Diarra – doula balafon, kamele ngoni, talking drum

Click here to watch a Mande Foly performance ft. Biko.

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Tickets will not be sold in advance for this event. Please arrive at the Red Poppy when doors open to purchase tickets. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

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