Top Picks
Guides
What’s on
Where to go
See all

Kalabanté Productions: Afrique en Cirque at Aviva Studios

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
Kalabanté Productions: Afrique en Cirque at Aviva Studios
Image courtesy of Peter Graham.

Kalabante Productions: Afrique en Cirque at Aviva Studios, Manchester 11 — 15 November 2023 Tickets from £10.00 — Book now

Expect high-flying acrobatics, colourful rhythms and innovative choreography when Kalabanté Productions bring their thrilling circus performance Afrique en Cirque to Aviva Studios for four spectacular shows.

This captivating show is being performed as part of The Welcome, a huge nine-day celebration to mark the opening of Manchester’s phenomenal new arts space, Aviva Studios, home of Factory International.

Afrique en Cirque at Aviva Studios
Image courtesy of Peter Graham/ Kalabanté Productions.

A wonderful high-octane fusion of circus arts and traditional African arts.

Founded by multidisciplinary artist Yamoussa Bangoura, Kalabanté Productions celebrate African culture, youth, joy and the diaspora. For four nights only, they roll into town ready to transport you to another continent with Afrique en Cirque – a multi-sensory extravaganza inspired by daily life in Guinea.

Bringing a wonderful high-octane fusion of circus arts and traditional African arts, Kalabanté Productions are set to captivate Manchester audiences. Get lost in colourful costumes and scenery, as daring acrobats perform gravity-defying moves and dancers take you on a journey through Guinea – all set to the sound of live Afrojazz and traditional West African instruments, from percussion to kora.

Afrique en Cirque invites all ages to experience the boundless and expressive creativity of African culture.

The family-friendly show was a huge hit at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival too. Garnering a string of brilliant reviews, Afrique en Cirque received five stars from Time Out and The Skinny and was praised as an explosion of “exuberant movement and music” by The Stage.

Seamlessly melding exceptional storytelling, awe-inspiring circus art, dance and music, the performance is a vibrant celebration of contemporary African life. More importantly, this powerful and highly entertaining show is the perfect example of the universality of art’s language. Recommended for ages 5+, Afrique en Cirque invites all ages to experience the boundless and expressive creativity of African culture.

Kalabante Productions: Afrique en Cirque at Aviva Studios, Manchester 11 — 15 November 2023 Tickets from £10.00 Book now

What's on at Aviva Studios

Wake at Aviva Studios: Man dances in a mesh crop top and gold shorts with purple and white irridescent lights in front of an audience.
–
DanceManchester
Wake at Aviva Studios

Expect wild acrobatics, outrageous cabaret and electrifying variety when acclaimed Irish sensation THISISPOPBABY come to play at Aviva Studios.

from £10.00
Bobby Gillespie of Primal Scream, standing in front of a postbox in a black and white photo with a dripping red paint effect.
MusicCity Centre
Primal Scream at Aviva Studios

Following the release of their 12th album, Come Ahead, the iconic Glasgow band Primal Scream perform in the Warehouse space at Aviva Studios.

from £39.50
Cycles at Aviva Studios
–
DanceManchester
Cycles at Aviva Studios

Exploring the beauty of movement and its euphoric connection to music, the Olivier Award winning hip hop dance company, Boy Blue return with a brand-new show.

from £10.00
FKA TWIGS
MusicManchester
FKA Twigs at Aviva Studios

One of the must-see gigs of the year comes as GRAMMY-nominated, multidisciplinary artist FKA twigs performs at Aviva Studios.

from £37.50

Where to go near Kalabanté Productions: Afrique en Cirque at Aviva Studios

Castlefield
Event venue
Old Granada Studios

Manchester’s old Granada Studios is an iconic piece of the city’s history and home to Sidney Bernstein’s television empire.

Castlefield
Restaurant
The Loft Manchester

Smart event space in the building previously occupied by Walkabout, and now host to all manner of exciting one-off happenings

Manchester Opera House by Phil Tragen
City Centre
Theatre
Manchester Opera House

A commercial touring theatre, the Manchester Opera House is reopening in August 2021, all set to host the city’s finest mainstream theatrical productions, music gigs, opera and ballet.

City Centre
Music venue
Low Four Studio

Old Granada Studios has announced Low Four: a new studio and music project that will stream and archive live music performance as part of a new generation of music TV programming. The inclusion of a viewing balcony also means that these recordings, along with special events and concerts, will be made open to a few […]

Manchester
Restaurant
20 Stories

High-end restaurant and cocktail bar, with stunning views of the Manchester skyline.

Manchester
Gallery
Smolensky Gallery

This appointment-only gallery is a hidden gem in Manchester. Art lovers and collectors can browse many high quality pieces.

See all places

What's on: Dance

Two dancers and orchestra on stage
Until
DanceManchester
Dance:Music at the RNCM

Through a treasure trove of concerts, the RNCM’s initiative Dance:Music explores the symbiotic relationship between music and dance.

from £0.00
Cycles at Aviva Studios
–
DanceManchester
Cycles at Aviva Studios

Exploring the beauty of movement and its euphoric connection to music, the Olivier Award winning hip hop dance company, Boy Blue return with a brand-new show.

from £10.00
Homecoming at Lowry
DanceSalford
Homecoming at Lowry

Blending storytelling, dynamic choreography and cutting-edge technology, this show can be enjoyed as an immersive live theatre show or via VR. Intrigued? We certainly are.

from £18.00

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

DaDaFest’s 40th anniversary line-up, contemporary reimaginings and outlandish fringe, check out our top theatre picks for spring onwards.

We shelter here sometimes promo image. Featuring My Dog Sighs inside and abandoned building.
Cinema in the North

David Lynch, International Women's Day and Manchester Film Festival are amongst our cinematic highlights this March.

Mohair Man, 1991, by Dave Swindells
Exhibitions in the North

Cinematic sets, 90s nightclub photography and even new gallery - we have a great mix of exhibitions for you this month.

Poet Imtiaz Dharker. Photo by Ayesha Dharker
Literature Events in the North

Some of our favourite leftfield live literature regulars are back with their first events of the year – we’ve picked a weird and wonderful heap we think you’ll love.

GROVE
Music in the North

We’re championing all things underground this month, with a selection of gigs and festivals that embrace the strange.

Classical Music in the North

Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.

See all guides