Gansango Music and Dance
Multicultural Event 2018
March 29, 2018
This year, Renton High School was fortunate to have an extra performance for Multicultural Week. Gansango Music and Dance came and performed live for the students and teachers.
Their dances were fun and full of life, and the amazing musicians captured every person’s attention with their traditional drums, bells, and shakers. The whole gymnasium was clapping along, and many were even convinced to come up and try some of the dances with the group. Even the teachers joined in, to the delight of the students.
Gansango–meaning the bell and shaker–was started over 15 years ago by Etienne Cakpo, who is from Benin, Africa. Growing up there surrounded by traditional music and dances inspired him to do it professionally and bring those important cultural aspects to the rest of the world. The group is based here in Seattle and specializes in West African arts, although they perform all over the world in places like Austria, Brazil, Colombia, France, Alaska, and Washington D.C.
The group members are from places as far as Ghana and as close as Seattle. Their diversity as artists and as people influence their contemporary performances in a way that is not often seen and is beautiful to watch and take part in.
Gansango cherishes music, dance, and the culture it creates. They perform for people of all ages wherever they can. Through this, they try to bring people together, brighten cultural outlooks, broaden minds, and encourage kids, teens, and adults to pursue and continue interests in the arts.
Visit the Gansango website, learn more about them, and even take classes!