“A happily superlative artist.” — The New York Times

Led by charismatic Melaku Belay, the 9-member Ethiocolor draws deeply from the bardic well of Ethiopia’s 2000-year-old Azmari culture. Their revelatory practice is an ecstatic symbiosis of dance and music, of ancient roots and modernity. Nourished by diverse Ethiopian traditions and their own lived experiences, Ethiocolor’s ecstatic performances bring rapt audiences together in ways that defy cultural differences.

Described by The New York Times as a “walking earthquake,” Belay is the most prominent contemporary interpreter of Ethiopia’s eskista, a rhythmic, shoulder-shimmying dance. A star in his home country and an international cultural force, Belay has made his Fendika Cultural Center in Addis Ababa a global gathering place.

Please join us after the performance for a post-show discussion with the artists.

Ethiocolor is part of Center Stage, a public diplomacy initiative of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs with funding provided by the U.S. Government, administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts in cooperation with the U.S. Regional Arts Organizations. General management is provided by Lisa Booth Management, Inc.