Diamano Coura West African Dance Company

- 1428 Alice St, Oakland, CA 94612

For residents of California, particularly those in the vibrant Bay Area, the Diamano Coura West African Dance Company stands as a distinguished and long-standing cultural cornerstone in Oakland. More than just a performing group, Diamano Coura is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rigorous preservation, comprehensive education, and authentic appreciation of traditional West African music, dance, theater, and culture. Since its inception in 1975, the organization—whose name means “those who bring the message” in the Senegalese Wolof language—has been a vital cultural anchor, illuminating the epic and folkloric traditions of West African nations like Senegal, Guinea, Mali, Liberia, and Ivory Coast.

Under the visionary leadership of Director Dr. Zakarya Diouf and Artistic Director Naomi Gedo Diouf, Diamano Coura has grown into one of the biggest and most respected West African dance companies in the United States. They have spent decades combining rhythmic and movement dynamism to transport local and global audiences into a deeper understanding of Africa’s rich cultural tapestry. Their commitment is evident not only in their high-caliber professional performances but also in their educational outreach, ensuring the next generation of California artists and community members can connect with these powerful traditions. They are respected elders and role models for artists across various disciplines, nurturing generations of Bay Area dancers.

The organization’s foundational belief is that West African music and dance are not merely forms of entertainment or exhibition. Instead, they are profound means by which communities educate, communicate, organize, and preserve their ancestral past. This philosophy guides every class, workshop, and performance offered in the Oakland area. The energy, the incredible classes, and the talented teachers consistently earn amazing reviews from real customers who participate in the company’s offerings, underscoring the high quality of instruction and cultural experience provided.

Diamano Coura operates as an essential cultural hub in the heart of Oakland, committed to using the inherent power of the arts to break down barriers that stagnate social and economic development. By fostering health and spiritual well-being through engagement with the arts, they actively contribute to a more connected and enriched California community. Their work goes beyond the studio, extending into educational programs for youth, community outreach, and powerful creative partnerships.

The Diamano Coura West African Dance Company is strategically located in a prominent cultural facility in downtown Oakland, making it easily accessible for California residents throughout the Bay Area.

The organization is housed within the renowned Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, a central location for many of Oakland’s diverse cultural arts groups and a recognized pillar of the city’s creative community.

The primary address is: 1428 Alice St, Suite 201, Oakland, CA 94612, USA.

This downtown location places the organization conveniently close to major transit options, including BART stations and AC Transit bus lines, which is crucial for Bay Area residents utilizing public transportation. While specific accessibility details for the suite were not provided, the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts is generally a well-trafficked public building in a metropolitan center, indicating a high level of community access. Patrons are encouraged to contact the company directly for detailed information regarding building accessibility and any specific accommodations.

As a premier cultural Association / Organization, Diamano Coura offers a diverse and comprehensive range of programs designed to educate and inspire.

• Professional Dance and Drum Classes: Ongoing workshops and classes for all skill levels, from beginners to advanced, focused on authentic West African dance and music.
• Major Performance Seasons: Regular public concerts and performances showcasing the company’s extensive repertoire of traditional West African dance and theater.
• The Annual Collage des Cultures Africaines: A celebrated, collaborative four-day festival that gathers renowned artists, performing companies, and businesses globally to celebrate the music, dance, history, and artwork of African and African Diaspora cultures.
• Arts in Education Program: Comprehensive programs throughout the San Francisco/Bay Area, offering an alternative learning atmosphere that connects students to the cultural link between Africa, its Diaspora, and America.
• Youth Programs: Dedicated workshops and classes designed for the next generation of aspiring artists, providing them with training and guidance.
• Lecture-Demonstrations and Community Outreach: Programs that serve to educate the broader community about the significance and history of West African cultural traditions.
• Creative Partnership Programs: Collaborating with other artists and organizations, including notable projects like the creation of “Lambarena” with the San Francisco Ballet, blending West African dance and European style ballet.

The company's deep cultural roots and international reach establish several key highlights that make it a standout organization in the California arts scene.

• Foundational Authenticity: The company’s repertoire accurately depicts and perpetuates African folklore indigenous to West African nations, guided by directors originally from Liberia and Senegal.
• International Recognition: The company has performed extensively in major theaters and universities across the United States, Canada, and Europe, and has been invited to tour internationally, demonstrating a world-class standard.
• Esteemed Leadership: Led by Emmy Award winner Dr. Zakarya Diouf and 2020 National Heritage Fellow Artistic Director Naomi Gedo Diouf, who are respected elders and role models in the arts community.
• Innovative Collaborations: Known for its successful creative partnership programs, notably the ground-breaking collaboration with the San Francisco Ballet on the work "Lambarena."
• Community and Social Focus: The organization is strongly committed to using the arts as a catalyst for social change and to fostering the spiritual health and well-being of the community.
• Central Cultural Hub: Serves as a key organizer and host for major regional cultural events, most notably the long-running Collage des Cultures Africaines festival.
• Mentorship and Development: Provides guidance and opportunities for immigrant, emerging, and established artists, helping them sustain their art and gain entry into the professional world of performing arts.

California residents, aspiring dancers, potential partners, and cultural enthusiasts can connect with the Diamano Coura West African Dance Company using the following information:

• Address: 1428 Alice St, Suite 201, Oakland, CA 94612, USA
• Phone: (510) 508-3444
• Mobile Phone: +1 510-508-3444

The organization also maintains a robust online presence and is an active participant in grant programs supported by the City of Oakland, the California Arts Council, and major foundations, underscoring its organizational stability and public-benefit mission.

Choosing the Diamano Coura West African Dance Company is choosing an unparalleled, authentic cultural experience right here in California. For those living in the Bay Area, this organization is the preeminent source for truly traditional West African dance, music, and cultural education. The overwhelming positive feedback from customers about the "Incredible classes & teachers" is a testament to the quality of instruction, which is directly linked to the deep, authentic, and multigenerational knowledge held by its founders, Dr. Zakarya Diouf and Naomi Gedo Diouf.

If you are seeking to learn more than just movement—if you want to understand the history, the storytelling, and the cultural context behind the rhythms and steps of West African nations—Diamano Coura is the definitive place to go. Their position within the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts in Oakland solidifies their role as a central, accessible community resource.

Furthermore, supporting Diamano Coura means investing in one of California’s most significant cultural preservation efforts. You are directly contributing to an organization that ensures the accurate depiction and perpetuation of vital African folklore, actively educating thousands of youth and community members through its numerous outreach programs. Whether you are a lifelong dancer seeking mastery, a newcomer looking for a vibrant cultural class, or a patron of the arts interested in world-class performances, Diamano Coura West African Dance Company offers an enriching, professional, and powerful connection to a global cultural heritage right in your Oakland backyard. Their annual festival, the Collage des Cultures Africaines, alone is a sufficient reason to engage, bringing global masters of African and Diaspora arts directly to the California public.

Diamano Coura West African Dance Company

1428 Alice St, Oakland, CA 94612, USA