PERFORMING ARTS AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM
This program offers the best in performing arts with Georgia certified and experience teachers
Homework Assistance, African Dance
African drum/ Percussion,
Hip-Hop , Gymnastics
We Don't just babysit!!!
We do pickup
From 2:30pm to 6:00pm
6615 Tribble Street Lithonia, Ga 30058
Only $50.00 a week
Contact: 770 875 5806 or 678 887 6451
Rakaba
Rakaba is a performing arts non-profit organization which was founded in 1993 by Sulaiman and Fanta Turay. Rakaba promotes the classical civilization and divine artistic expression of African people through the magnificent folklore of our African Ancestors. The driving rhythms of the drums and the energetic dancers leaping and literally flying helps our audiences to appreciate the dynamic and diverse cultures of this vast continent. Songs, dances and drum rhythms are performed in traditional costumes to the authentic instruments of several different and complete drum orchestras. Our presentations portray many different celebrations of life which include rites of passage, birth, death, marriage, harvest, thanksgiving and many more. We portray African life from its most glamorous to its most mysterious. The dancers will leave you breathless and the musicians will stir your spirit. So join us as we travel back in time to the ancient and unforgettable classical culture of our ancestors.
About the Founders
Sulaiman Kutay Turay
Co-Founder, President and Operational Director with Rakaba Ballet. Sulaiman affectionately known as "Kutay" came to the shores of America with the Freetown Players, a professional theatre company from Sierra Leone. West Africa. The group came to perform at the National Black Arts Festival in Atlanta. The company's repertoire included Acapulco singing, acting, dancing and drumming. Upon meeting his wife and forming Rakaba Kutay was inspired to dedicate his life to sharing the skills he acquired in Africa with the community at large. Kutay has been a student of African Drumming since the age of 5. He is a master drummer, Percussionist, lyricist, singer, storyteller, griot, costume designer and producer. Prior to co-founding Rakaba with Fanta, he was the music director for the Freetown Players. Kutay was a pannist with Atlanta's Pan People Steel Band as well as the Founder, percussionist and vocalist for Atlanta's Sierra Soukous dance band. He is the President of Mama African Productions/AfricnRadioOnline.com. Kutay remains a member of the Board of Directors for several of these groups. He remains dedicated to educating the community about the traditional classical African Civilization and Culture of the great spiritual and genius ancients.
Fanta Mawusi Maat Turay
CEO, Co-founder, Public relations director and a Choreographer with Rakaba Ballet. A native New Yorker and a fifth generation Bronxite, she is the mother of seven children and the wife of Sulaiman Turay. She has been studying and performing West African folklore since the age of 13. Fanta began her formal dance training at age 5, and later founded The Charleston African Dance Ensemble in 1980. Rakaba in 1993 and In 1995 she brought this vision to Atlanta, Georgia where her artistic skill has inspired and enlightened diverse audiences in both the local and International communities. Fanta has performed with renowned artists and companies such as Piratum-I Chuck Davis, Express Yourself Africa, Africa Sogaye, The Dance Theatre of Harlem Youth Company, etc. In addition to her busy performance schedule practicing her craft, she is also a full time middle school teacher by profession. Fanta is multi talented she not only dances but she is a singer, poet, lyricist, fashion coordinator and interior designer.
Our Artistic Director
Assane Kouyate
Assane Kouyate, was born and raised in Senegal, West Africa of a family line originating in Mali and Guinea. He comes from a long line of griots – the poets, history tellers and keepers of West African song and dance traditions. His grandparents were well‐known griots who performed for the nobles of West Africa. They were highly respected because of their rich culture; orally and physically transmitted and passed down from generation to generation. Kouyate has performed professionally since the age of thirteen and is very famous in his native country for his music and dancing. He traveled the world as a lead choreographer and dancer with Le Ballet National du Senegal and the Sinomew Ballet of Senegal for over 5 years, touring internationally throughout Africa, Asia, North and South America. Kouyate has electrified audiences and has also graced the stages with many renown West African artists including Toumani Diabaté, Youssou N’dour, Ami Koita, Kine Lam and Baaba Maal, to name a few.
Now residing in the United States, Kouyate realized his career goals as an independent performer, instructor, choreographer and artistic director. He has instructed numerous classes and workshops throughout the United States, proving his dedication and love for African culture. Alongside his twin brother, Ousseynou Kouyate, he has also developed his own band, “Sekhou Senegal” (formerly known as Djialy Kunda Kouyate), which has had members in Hawaii and California, and frequent guest performers from Africa. The group has performed as a musical and dance ensemble at world and international festivals, concerts and educational programs including Reggae on the River, CA, World Arts West: People Like Me, CA, Globalquerque, NM, Summerfest, NM, Santa Fe International Folk Art Market, NM, Rhythm in Motion, CA, Bamba, Théâtre Daniel Sorano, Senegal, West Africa, to name a few.
As artistic director of Rakaba West African Ballet, Kouyate’s choreography depicts strength, agility and precision. He implements passion and creativity in all his dances and song as it his desire to broaden the understanding of West African culture by exposing the community, participants and audiences to artistry of the highest caliber.
Our Mission
First and foremost we give thanks to the creator for the gifts we are able to share with our families, friends, communities, nation, and throughout the Diaspora. Rakaba's mission is to utilize African dance, drum, theatre and song to enrich the edutainment experience of our audiences so that they will develop a greater appreciation and understanding of African culture and traditions. We are dedicated to preserving the cultures of our homeland mother Africa. We bring to our audiences the joyous and spiritual expressions of traditional African folklore.
Rakaba Professional Children's Dance and Drum Company will be holding Auditions (Open to the Public) on Friday, August 31, 2009 from 5:00pm-7:00pm located in our Lithonia Studio. All Talented students with or without formal Drum and Dance Training should come try out!!! Your child should bring a short Biography attached with a recent photo.
Company Auditioning For:
African Dance-Professional Level
Tikes(Ages4-7) Juniors (Ages 8-11) Senior (Ages 11 & up)
African Drum - Professional Level
Tikes (Ages 4-7) Junior (Ages 8-11) Senior (Ages 11 & up)