Presented in partnership with McCarter Theatre Center and the Department of Music at Princeton University, part of Timbuktu Grooves: The Princeton African Music Festival, presented by the Music Department.
Olivier Tarpaga’s deeply humanist piece, Once the Dust Settles Flowers Bloom, gives voice and body to the refugees of Burkina Faso and the Sahel region, who, having fled the shadow of jihadists, settle in camps far from their homes. Looking beyond the horror, the work channels the strength and beauty of this displaced population. With six dancers and five musicians who count themselves among the best in Africa, Tarpaga confronts the tragedy of his homeland with a “feminist Africanist” piece that carries the hope that once the dust has settled, flowers will bloom again, and the songs and dances will return.
Tarpaga, a dancer, choreographer, musician, and composer, is the founder and artistic director of the Dafra Drum ensemble and Dafra Kura Band, and he is a co-founder of Burkina Faso’s internationally acclaimed Compagnie Ta. He is a Lester Horton Award-winning choreographer/director of the African Music Ensembles at Princeton University.
The show includes a reading in French. Show duration is 70 minutes.
Video Trailer
Once the dust settles, flowers bloom (Teaser) from Olivier Tarpaga on Vimeo.
Show Tickets & Details
Tickets for this performance are $25-65 for general audiences. Princeton University students can access free tickets through the Passport to the Arts program using code PUTIGER. Tickets must be booked online with student ID.
Purchase tickets online through McCarter Box Office
Directions
Get directions to the Matthews Theatre at McCarter Theatre Center, located at 91 University Place in Princeton.
Accessibility
The Matthews Theatre is wheelchair accessible. The show includes a reading in French.
View accessibility information for McCarter Theatre Center. Guests in need of access accommodations are invited to contact the Lewis Center at 609-258-5262 or email LewisCenter@princeton.edu at least one week in advance of the event date.
