Yassama and the Beaded Calabash

Ages: Ages 3 and up 
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 posing 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
(Babes in arms welcome)

Venue: Revue Stage 
1601 Johnston St
Vancouver, BC

Accessibility options for those with visual impairments

Blind and low-vision friendly with introduction

Ticket Information

FOR SCHOOLS:

  • $12+GST /ticket for one show
  • $11+GST/ticket for two shows
More Info
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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
Click here to read the introduction that the performer create with important information for you

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 guides
This Visual Story about the show helps prepare you for coming to the show or to decide if this show is right for you. This Visual Guide about the venue helps people prepare for a new experience or to decide if this space works for them.

Show highlights

Show Acknowledgements

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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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