Concert (in-person): Cheick Hamala Diabate and Friends

FSGW is proud to present Cheick Hamala Diabate in a concert explording the linage and kindred cultures of Malian and American Music and Dance. Joining Cheick will be Agi Kovacs, Nakima, David Coltun and Rob Coltun. The concert will be held at Allyworld, an intimate performing space and recording studio in Takoma Park, MD.

Washington may be chock-a-block with lobbyists and consultants, but only one of them rocks the n’goni, the West African plucked lute covered with animal skin. He advises presidents and the World Bank. He’s played for everyone from a struggling couple trying to save their marriage, to the U.S. Congress. He’s hobnobbed with American string and Blues legends—from Bela Fleck to Corey Harris—and along the way reunited his beloved instrument with its long-lost grandchild, America’s banjo. 

Despite his love of new sounds, Diabate knows that the griot remains the same, regardless of whether he’s singing under the WashingtonMonument, or in the shadow of a Bamako minaret. “When someone is lazy, they see the griot and change their ways. The griot gives you the way you have to go,” Diabate muses. “Even the president never makes a decision without the griot.”

Agnes (Agi) Kovacs was born and raised in Hungary and studied at the Hungarian National Ballet Institute.  Her training was in classical ballet, Historical dances and Hungarian Folk dances. She moved to the USA 20 years ago and has been dancing with Footworks for the last 6 years.  Agi also taught Sean Nos (Old Style) Irish dancing to all ages for 4 years and currently teaches tap, clogging and flatfooting at Knock On Wood Tap studio in Takoma Park. 

• Registration is required of all participants. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged - you may pay online or wait to pay at the door. You may register at the door. Cash and credit card are accepted at the door.
• Registrations may be cancelled prior to the event, and any payment will be refunded as a credit for future use. No refunds will be available after the event has started.

• Masks (N95 / KN94 or equivalent) are required at all times.

• All participants must be vaccinated with at least one booster. 
• If you have not checked in at a previous FSGW event, your vaccination status will be checked at the door, please bring your card or a digital photo of your card and a government issued photo ID.

This concert is supported in part by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.

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