Afriky Lolo

Mission Statement
“The mission of Afriky Lolo is to bring African dance to the St. Louis community
through teaching and performance so that African Americans and others will
gain a rich understanding of African heritage and experience the joy and power
of dance.”

Afriky Lolo
Afriky Lolo, founded and led by Diadié Bathily, is a West African dance
non-profit corporation that is committed to bringing West African dance and
culture to the St. Louis, Missouri, community through teaching and performing.
Bathily is a Master dancer from the Cote d’Ivoire, West Africa. He immigrated
to the United States in 1998. He has a strong personal and professional desire
to share the beauty, culture and passion of West African dance with Americans,
especially African Americans.

Diadie Bathily has danced professionally for over 30 years and has performed
professionally for Marie-Rose Guiraud’s Les Guirivoires, Adama Drame, Wara
Danse (his company in the Cote d’Ivoire), and Diadié Bathily Dance (in the
United States). Bathily is an experienced teacher who specializes in traditional
dances from Mali, the Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Ghana. He teaches and performs
in St. Louis elementary and secondary schools and at local universities, colleges,
and dance studios throughout the Midwest. Throughout the school year, Bathily
teaches and gives workshops at local elementary and secondary public schools,
at Washington University and at the University of Missouri in St. Louis. Bathily
also choreographs original pieces for university dance companies.

Diadie Bathily formed Afriky Lolo in 2003, and became a tax-exempt, non-profit
corporation in 2007. The Company has 75 dancers — ranging in age from 6 to
over 60 and 8 drummers. Afriky Lolo, meaning African Star, performs traditional
West African dance at community events throughout the year. The Company’s
annual performance is its largest event.

Afriky Lolo performances are choreographed, staged, costumed, and directed
by Diadié Bathily. These performances reflect the rich culture of West Africa,
and each dance performed by Afriky Lolo is enhanced by traditional West African
costumes. Costuming is a very important aspect of traditional West African
dance. Bathily travels frequently to the Cote d’Ivoire and Mali in order to
obtain authentic West African cloth, beads, and masks for the costumes worn
by the dancers and drummers. All costumes are sewn by Bathily and/or specialists
in West Africa.

Afriky Lolo continues to grow its public recognition, its teaching opportunities
and its performance opportunities. The company is offering its educational
program, under the Afriky Lolo name, to more schools in 2007 – 2008, and is
increasing the number of performances and workshops it can offer to the community.
Bathily has seen African American children inspired by their heritage, excited
by the opportunity to participate in this dancing, and even reporting more
interest and energy in school as a result.