Yassama and the Beaded Calabash

Ages: Ages 3 and up (Grades PreK) 
Go to show description
A woman in a red traditional African clothing with her arms outstretched and looking up.
Photo by Dahlia Katz

Image gallery

A woman is making a funny pose while telling a story. There's a musician behind her playing a drum. Projected on a screen behind them is an African savannah scene.
A woman is jumping in the air on a stage. There's a musician behind her playing a drum. Projected on a screen behind them is an African savannah scene.
A woman crouches down with her arms out to the audience while telling a story. There's a musician behind her playing a drum. Projected on a screen behind them is an African savannah scene.
A woman is dancing. There's a musician behind her playing a drum. Projected on a screen behind them is an African savannah scene.
A woman is holding a calabash. There's a musician behind her playing a drum. Projected on a screen behind them is an African savannah scene.

“Once upon a time in a village in a land far away there lived a young girl named Yassama…”

Rooted in African oral tradition, Yassama and the Beaded Calabash is the story of a young girl who, with the help of the old Baobab tree, saves her village from drought and delivers a powerful lesson about the importance of respecting and honouring Mother Earth. Kids will love this playful and interactive show where the audience is encouraged to take part in the form of call-and-response, singing and clapping. Acclaimed artist Lua Shayenne weaves rhythmic language, vibrant dance, lively Malinke and Soussou songs, and live drumming into an engaging story everyone is sure to enjoy. Watch the video below.

Performer: Lua Shayenne

Country: ON, Canada

Genre: Storytelling / Music / Dance

Show length: 40 minutes

Resource: Study Guide

Ages: Ages 3 and up (Grades: PreK)
(Babes in arms welcome)

Venue: Revue Stage 
1601 Johnston St
Vancouver, BC

Accessibility options for those with visual impairments

Blind and low-vision friendly

Ticket Information

FOR SCHOOLS:

  • $12+GST /ticket for one show
  • $11+GST/ticket for two shows
More Info
Order Form

FOR THE PUBLIC:

  • Tickets: $13.50 per child/senior; $23.00 per adult +S/C and GST
  • Festival 4‑Pack: (4 tickets to 1 show) $62.00 +S/C and GST
more info

Accessibility Information

Accessibility:

Blind and low-vision friendly
Check back in April for an introduction by the artist to give you some info about the show.

Lights
Flashing lights
Slow changes from light to dark
but never complete darkness

Sounds
A lot of djembe drumming and percussion, sometimes suddenly

Participation
Everyone will be asked to sing along, respond and clap.
The storyteller will ask you to get up but you don’t have to.

Visual guide available at the end of March

Show times & Tickets

In person

Friday, May 31  Additional show info In person 
2:30 – 3:10 PM  Get tickets 
Saturday, June 1  Additional show info In person 
3:00 – 3:40 PM  Get tickets 
Sunday, June 2  Additional show info In person 
12:30 – 1:10 PM  Q&A Get tickets 
3:00 – 3:40 PM  Get tickets 

Show highlights

Show Acknowledgements

Rave Reviews

Loved the interactive element of the show!

Audience Member 

The kids really liked it. We loved the participation: clapping, repeating lines, and dancing!

Audience Member 

Students enjoyed the story being told through drumming and dancing. They also enjoyed the movement and dancing at the end.

Teacher 

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