Cal Poly Arts presents Cirque Kalabanté and their show Afrique en Cirque at the Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo on Friday, March 20 (7:30 p.m.; $39 to $69 at calpolyarts.org).
“Afrique en Cirque is a show by Yamoussa Bangoura, inspired by daily life in Guinea,” Cal Poly Arts announced. “This performance shares the beauty, youth, and artistry of African culture. A colorful show beyond its scenery, costumes, and staging, it makes any theater vibrate with energy and represents the strength, agility, and life’s joys of young Africans. The audience will see acrobats execute gravity-defying moves and human pyramids, accompanied by the contemporary sounds of live Afro-jazz, percussion, and kora. Welcome to the universe of Kalabanté Productions and prepare for an unforgettable journey!”
Cirque Kalabanté is based in Montreal and founded by Guinean artist Yamoussa Bangoura in 2007. “Kalabanté” originates from the Susu language and means a “go-getter, ambitious child with exceptional courage.” Previous shows include The Thief of Dreams and Won’Ma Africa. Bangoura’s circus supports educational and humanitarian projects in Guinea. Δ
This article appears in March 12-19, 2026.