Vibrant artistry meets impossible agility in Cirque Kalabanté ‘Afrique en Cirque’ Feb. 11 in Eisenhower Auditorium

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (Friday, Jan. 30, 2026) — Experience the powerful energy and bold artistry of Guinea through an energetic show of breathtaking acrobatics and live music in Cirque Kalabanté “Afrique en Cirque.” The multi-genre celebration of life in West Africa will be at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, in Eisenhower Auditorium.

Tickets are $56 for an adult, $14 for a University Park student, and $19 for a person 18 and younger and are available for purchase online. Avoid the $4 fee by purchasing over the phone at 814-863-0255 or in person, weekdays 10 a.m.–4 p.m., at Eisenhower Auditorium.

Visit Cirque Kalabanté online for more information about the performance, American Sign Language interpretation and a free Joyful event.

Highlighting West African beauty and artistry

Cirque Kalabanté founder Yamoussa Bangoura choreographs, directs and performs in “Afrique en Cirque,” which exudes the beauty, youth, and artistry of West African culture in a colorful show highlighting its scenery, costumes and staging.

Watch a preview of Cirque Kalabanté.

Bangoura is a multidisciplinary artist of Guinean origin who dreamt of leading a school for the art of circus. In 2007, after years of polishing his skills as a member of Cirque Éloize and Cirque du Soleil, he opened his own company, Kalabanté Productions.

The Montreal-based nonprofit performs to audiences and teaches dance and drum workshops around the world.

The Joyfull: Cirque Kalabanté Edition

The community is invited to a free meal and mini performance with The Joyfull: Cirque Kalabanté Edition at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, in Hintz Family Alumni Center’s Robb Hall.

At each Joyfull, the Center welcomes all to come and enjoy a meal, live performance and conversation in an evening full of joyful expression, where we forge connections and leave with full bellies and full hearts.

The program will feature a performance by Penn State student step team Dark Storm. The menu, catered by Good Grace African Market of Williamsport, will include joffa (rice), oxtail, okra stew and more. The event is free, but registration is required. Visit The Joyfull online for more details.

Acknowledgments

Support for The Joyfull provided by
Dick Brown and Sandy Zaremba

ASL support provided by
Shih-In Ma

Accessibility services supported by
Sidney and Helen S. Friedman Endowment

A grant from the University Park Fee Board makes Penn State student prices possible.

Find us

The Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State, a unit of the College of Arts and Architecture, aspires to create connected, sustainable, and equitable communities, where everyone experiences joy, belonging and creativity.

For more information about the season, visit the Center for the Performing Arts online, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.