Lotus Fest 2006

Sogbety Diomande was born in the small farming village of Toufinga on the Ivory Coast in West Africa. When he was 10 years old, he learned the ancient art of stilt dancing from his uncle, Vado Diomande, the reigning national stilt dancing champion.\nSogbety will lead the Lotus festival processions, which converge at Courthouse Square, and display his unique skills, at 5 p.m. Friday and 5:15 p.m. Saturday. He has never been to Bloomington, and he said he is very excited to visit.\nSogbety said stilt dancers are taught at a very young age, and they must go through an initiation ceremony before they can become full-fledged performers. \nHis art is highly secretive. No one is allowed to see the dancers' dress. The masks and elaborate costumes they wear allow them to be mediators between the living and spirit worlds.\nDiomande explained he did not have very much time to practice in Africa. When he does find time, he puts a lot of effort into perfecting his act, and his entire family participates.\nHe moved to America in 1997 after receiving an invitation from the Ballet National to perform at several festivals. He has since performed at various venues, including the Lincoln Center, the Plaza Hotel and the Museum of Natural History in New York City. \nAlong with teaching him to stilt dance, Diomande's uncle also taught him to play the djembe, doundoun and bade drums. Diamonde has held classes on djembe drumming. He was also the lead djembe player for Jimmy Buffet's 2000 spring and summer tour. He was a resident artist at Disney World and performed at Harambe African Village.\nHe participated in a project that encouraged handicapped schoolchildren in the Bronx to dance and play, and he has most recently formed his own West African Drum and Dance Company.\nDiomande said he travels a lot and does a lot of different things, and when asked about his feelings about his upcoming performance at Lotus, he said, "I can't wait to be there."\nFriday's festival procession will be a convergence of several Bloomington neighborhoods at Courthouse Square at 6:30 p.m. Saturday's procession will move from the activities at Third Street Park at 5 p.m. to LotusFest Headquarters on Kirkwood Avenue. For more information, see www.lotusfest.org or www.idsnews.com/lotusblog.