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Humble Beginnings

Abdoulaye Camara spent the first ten years of life by the side of his grandmother Bountrabi Camara in the village of Yinguiakhori, not far from the Atlantic coast of Guinea, West Africa. From infancy Abdoulaye’s ‘grandmom’ held him tied on her back in the traditional way as she farmed, sang songs and told him stories. As a young teenager Abdoulaye was influenced by talented artists he met and studied with in the capital city of Conakry which led him to his dream of becoming a professional dancer and drummer. In 1984 he created a 30 person ensemble of performance artists named Alla Tan Tou Dance Productions. Based in Evanston, Illinois, Alla Tan Tou Dance & Percussion is carrying out the mission Abdoulaye set from the beginning, to bring people together to experience the joy of West African cultural arts in community.         

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In October 2016, we started a project to bridge cultures between an elementary school in the United States and Guinea West Africa.

​Our Mission

Based in Evanston, Illinois, Alla Tan Tou Dance & Percussion cultivates cultural awareness in others by bringing people of all backgrounds together on the platform of African performance arts. We positively foster life changing experiences throughout the year. We teach community dance and drum classes, present dance and music arrangements for community performances, and work with educators to improve health and fitness through movement and music. We are a 501 (c) (3) corporation.
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On-going West African

dance & drum classes 


DANCE CLASS

TUES

EVENING

8 - 9 p.m.

$12


DRUM 

CLASS

SAT

MORNING

11-NOON

$12


Ridgeville Park District

908 Seward Street

Evanston, Illinois  60202

www.ridgeville.org



West African dance & drum classes 

sessions throughout the year. 

Please contact us for more details!


We are available to provide you with West African dance and drum instruction and/or performances. 

 




 

So. Much. Fun. Treat yourself to a great evening of live drumming and moving your body to new- to-you rhythms and beats. Move your feet while you create new neuro-pathways. Bring a friend!

- Myrna P. Weinman, Nia Instructor

 

Here is what we have been up to.

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