Halka

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MOROCCO…

Halka is a Moroccan art form that exists since the mists of time. It refers to the circle that the crowd creates around street performers. Groupe acrobatique de Tanger is deeply inspired by the age-old tradition. They want to take you on magical journey to the sunset country with their collective creation Halka. You’ll be immersed in the atmosphere and warm Moroccan colours with acrobatic feats of the 14 artists who execute distinctive Moroccan acrobatics and human pyramids, as well as enchanting songs and percussion sounds played by musicians. To tell their story, the acrobats use everyday objects like a belt made of scarves, the facha, a metal basin, the djefna, and plenty of sand. Let yourself be amazed by the overflowing energy of their multiple bodies, acrobatic and resonant, transcending geographical and cultural borders.

TOHU is proud to host a North African company for the very first time – one of the greatest contemporary circus companies of that territory.

Special Programing in the Cascades space before and after the shows
The activities will be offered 2 hours before and 1 hour after the shows of February 1, 2, 8 and 9.

Saturday February 1
-Gnaoua music by Rashid Slamat
-Tea ceremony provided by Chhouiat El Bahja
-Exhibition of local products and crafts + culture provided by Les Mains Folles + Douja + Rabiaa Chahid + Centre Culturel Marocain
-Henné tattoos by Bouchra

Sunday February 2
-Tea ceremony provided by Chhouiat El Bahja
-Exhibition of local products and crafts + culture provided by Les Mains Folles + Douja + Rabiaa Chahid + Centre Culturel Marocain
-Henné tattoos by Bouchra
-Mini magic show for families: Sam Le Magicien

Saturday February 8
-Tea ceremony provided by Chhouiat El Bahja
-Exhibition of local products and crafts + culture provided by Les Mains Folles + Douja + Rabiaa Chahid + Centre Culturel Marocain
-Henné tattoos by Bouchra
-Fashion show (Caftan) Rabiaa CHahid

Sunday February 9
-Tea ceremony provided by Chhouiat El Bahja
-Exhibition of local products and crafts + culture provided by Les Mains Folles + Douja + Rabiaa Chahid + Centre Culturel Marocain
-Henné tattoos by Bouchra
-Poetry reading by Moroccan writers from Quebec

The Groupe Acrobatique de Tanger places popular culture at the heart of its project, a militant and democratic culture, accessible to all. Questioning, preserving and promoting Moroccan acrobatics are its priorities. They base their approach on the permanent search for the links between an ancestral art and contemporary creation, a territory and its population. As if the gesture did not go without the voice and if the energy of the movement was first drawn from the choral breath, the acrobats accompany their movements with music and singing.

“From Tangier beach to the biggest international stages, these acrobats defend an ancestral art,
handed down from generation to generation since the 15th century.”  – Le Soir, Belgique

Duration: 60 minutes (No intermission)
Audience: 6 years old +

For tickets and information: www.tohu.ca   514-376-8648


About TOHU
Located at the centre of the Cité des arts du cirque, TOHU is a place for dissemination, creation, experimentation and convergence of culture, environment and community involvement. Since its 2004 inception, it has become an example of sustainable development through culture. A unique hall in North America: the 360-degree circular hall is in the purest circus tradition. This distinctive feature can accommodate unusual shows and original creations.

LA TOHU 
2345 Jarry Street East
Montreal   H1Z 4P3