“Welcome to Africa in Goshen!” exclaimed Yamoussa Bangoura as he introduced his Cirque Kalabanté show on Tuesday evening. As a part of Sauder Concert Hall’s Performing Arts Series, Bangoura and his crew brought the culture of daily life in Guinea to Indiana through his show, “Afrique en Cirque.” 

Through acts of contortion, acrobatics, drumlines and dancing accompanied by live music, the performance left viewers in awe. Bangoura led the audience to participate during the show through call and response exercises, clapping along to the music and leading them in song. 

With each stunt and contortion routine, the energy in the room was palpable. Audience members let out collective gasps when performers feigned mistakes and gave resounding cheers at the end of each routine. 

While the events for this season of performances were announced in May 2025, Jeshua Franklin, chair of the Performing Arts Series Committee, started looking to work with Cirque Kalabanté Productions over a year ago.

“The energy of the show, it just kind of builds the whole way through … I just found myself grinning through the whole thing,” Franklin said. “The fact that there’s live music paired with it, I think it’s really great for our hall and our audience; I love that energy that the music brings to the act.”

Bangoura founded Cirque Kalabanté Productions in Montreal in 2007 after years of working as a multidisciplinary artist. In addition to the four international touring shows, including “Afrique en Cirque,” the company also operates an educational program meant to train those interested in its brand of performance. It has also released an album of the music featured in “Afrique en Cirque.”

The show’s multitalented performers left audiences with a variety of acts to choose as their favorite. Younger members chose the construction as their favorite, referring to one act of triple-decker stuntmen in construction attire. Others liked Bangoura’s solo acrobatics in an aerial ring.

Another audience fan-favorite was a solo contortionist act from one of the dancers. 

Older members of the audience tended to remark on the music that was played throughout the show. Many enjoyed the African music played in the background, and others appreciated the instruments played during the performance.

One such instrument was the West African kora, which has 21 strings and resembles a lute. Bangoura played this throughout the show and often accompanied it with singing. 

While Sauder Hall has hosted many remarkable musicians, dancing acts are not as common. To protect the stage’s wood floor, Sauder’s crew members had to lay down a black dance floor on top. In addition, members helped construct a set of canopy tents out of pipes and platforms. Preparations for the event started last Friday. 

After much anticipation, Kalabanté Productions did not disappoint the audience at their Goshen performance. At the end of the show, the performers received a standing ovation.

Bangoura and his crew expressed their thanks for the audience’s attendance and participation. They filmed a video of the audience cheering and chanting to post to their social media. After the show, performers came to the lobby to talk with audience members. 

Bangoura led the crowd in the lobby in another round of music and percussion before sharing why these performances are so important to him. 

“It’s good for us being here. Being far from home, it’s good, we can express our culture and exchange with the audience. That’s the most beautiful thing. You have something to share with people,” Bangoura said. “We want to make people travel to our home without taking a plane.”