AWOLI Africa Festival Artist 2026
Saf Sap New Generation
Friday, September 11, 2026
17:00 – 17:45
Saturday, September 12, 2026
17:00 – 18:00
Sunday, September 13, 2026
14:00 – 15:00
Saf Sap New Generation from Senegal presents itself in a small drum formation with kora, the West African bridge harp. As professional percussionists and part of a griot family, they represent living tradition. Virtuoso rhythms, singing and dancing combine to create a powerful journey between tradition and modernity – authentic and full of energy.
Band:
Isma Kouate | band leader
Mactar Kouate | percussionist
Nago Sene | front drummer
Famara Manafa | dancer
Saliou Kouate | front drummer
Sam Acrobatics Ghana
Saturday, September 12, 2026
16:00 – 17:00
Sunday, September 13, 2026
13:00 – 14:00
The Ghanaian artist Sam brings a piece of Africa to Germany with his unique show of pan rolling, body performance and fire art.
Constance – Ghanaian acrobat and fire artist Sam has been living and working in Constance since March 2011 and enchants audiences all over Germany with his show SASaGA. With an impressive mixture of acrobatic feats and breathtaking fire art, he creates an unforgettable experience that combines tradition and spectacle.
Sam was born on March 8, 1978 in Accra, the capital of Ghana. He discovered his passion for acrobatics at the age of ten. He received his professional training at the renowned Ghana Dance Association, Arts and Culture in Accra, where he was trained in the disciplines of traditional dance and acrobatics. His graduation with the “Certificate in Artistic Performance” confirmed his extraordinary abilities as a stage artist.
After years of successful performances in Ghana and numerous other African countries – mainly as part of renowned acrobatic groups – Sam ventured to Europe in March 2011. He found his new home in Constance, from where he built up his solo career with the show SASaGA.
West African Pulse & Nordic Space Nils Kercher with Oumar Barou Kouyaté
Friday, September 11, 2026 | 18:30 – 20:00
Filigree and at the same time powerful world music between West Africa, Nordic vastness and modern songwriting.
Multi-layered sound spaces carry the vocals that get under your skin.
Nils Kercher (D) Kora (21-stringed West African bridge harp), vocals, percussion, guitar
Oumar Barou Kouyate (Mali) Ngoni (Malian lute), acoustic guitar, talking drum
Kira Kaipainen (FIN) Percussion, vocals, balafon
Michael Tonfeld
Saturday, September 12, 2026
13:00 – 14:00
“Dispute under the mango tree” – that’s the name of Michael Tonfeld’s new book. At the AWOLI Festival, the story is told & acted out in the book, not read.
The giant snail “Wa bibio” and its friends have tracked down uninvited guests in their forest. What do the white snails want?
What will become of the black snails?
Adama Dicko & Seno Blues
Saturday, September 12, 2026
20:00 – 22:00
Adama Dicko & Seno Blues is a world/global blues fusion ensemble founded in Vienna that combines musical spaces between West Africa (Sahel/Sahara) and modern European urban music. Driving nomadic Fulani melodies, powerful savannah rhythms, Robadost elements and North African desert blues merge into a multi-layered, highly energetic sound between blues, funk and African tradition.
The singer and camel n’goni player Adama Dicko from Burkina Faso takes center stage. His music tells of years as a nomad, of cultural movement, of taking up the most diverse musical traditions – and of arriving and settling down in Austria. Despite its immediate danceability, this music is far more than just entertainment: it is characterized by political awareness, a clear view of social tensions between the global South and West and a strong vision of global justice, solidarity and peace.
The ensemble
Adama Dicko has been an integral part of the Viennese music scene for over ten years and is one of the most committed artists of the African diaspora in Austria. Numerous projects, festivals and initiatives accompany this path. Two albums – “Jam Jam” (2016) and “African Connection” (2020) – and over 100 live concerts document this development.
HommeLion (lion game)
The lion game is a Senegalese cultural tradition handed down by our ancestors. One of our ancestors was caught by a lion, but the lion could not kill him because of our traditions. The lion’s claws infected our ancestor so that from then on he behaved like a lion every month, albeit less and less often. When our ancestor, who had been captured by the lion, played the drum and sang lion songs, he danced with it and became very aggressive towards humans. Today, we value this tradition even more: we wear lion costumes, perform the masquerade as a lion and also eat natural fire – a traditional Senegalese custom. In Senegal, this is called “simb” or “false lion”.
Massa Dembelé & the One World Band
Sunday, September 13, 2026
17:00 – 18:00
Sewèsé combines pulsating West African rhythms with modern sounds to create a rousing sound that goes straight to the heart – and to the legs. The band combines musical influences from reggae, blues, jazz and world music to create a unique Afrofusion and danceable grooves that will delight any audience.
With drums, congas, djembe, ngoni, balafon, bass, keyboard and expressive vocals, Sewèsé create an unmistakable cosmos of sound full of energy and joie de vivre. Their concerts are more than just music – they are an experience of rhythm, movement and positive vibration.
Whether it’s a large festival stage or an intimate open-air atmosphere, a club or a bar – Sewèsé gets people dancing, singing and celebrating. The talented musicians captivate every audience with their stage presence and transform every performance into a firework of emotions.
Sewèsé – music that connects. Energy that infects.
Daniel Burley
Daniel Burley has dedicated himself entirely to his career as an artist for a long time. He performs worldwide on television, at gala events and open air festivals. His show is a mixture of spontaneous and improvised acts where no one can be sure what will happen next. As a solo entertainer, he manages to enchant his audience not only with magic, but also with his facial expressions and body language. Daniel Burley also has a special music program in store.
Yvette Blum | Arabic dances from different regions of the Orient
Yvette & her ensemble will take you on a dance journey through several countries of the Orient. Let yourself be carried away for a short time while dancing together to music from Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt!
Mystical and spirited rhythms, tradition and modernity combine to create earthy, graceful movements. Moroccan basket dance, Bedouin dance and flamenco-inspired gypsy group dances show different facets of the Orient.
Pure joie de vivre that swings to the rhythm!
Yvette Mimona Fatma Blum is a dance teacher with Moroccan roots.
ARABIC DANCE FROM TRADITION TO MODERNITY
DJ Sam
DJ Sam is a dynamic and versatile DJ who specializes in an exciting mix of Makossa, Bikutsi, Azonto, Coupé-Décalé, Afrobeat and Reggae. With his passionate sets, he brings the energy and pulsating rhythm of the African music scene to every dance floor.
DJ Sam began his career in the lively clubs of Douala, where he quickly became known for his ability to wow the crowd with his unique style of music. His love for music and talent for seamlessly combining different genres has earned him a loyal fan base.
Makossa, the traditional music style from Cameroon, is masterfully integrated into his sets by DJ Sam, using the distinctive rhythms and melodies to add to the atmosphere. Azonto, the energetic dance style from Ghana and Afrobeats , are further highlights of his performances, mixing the latest hits and classic tracks to keep the dance floor moving.
DJ Sam is not only a master of his craft, but also a true music lover who shares his passion with every performance. His ability to weave different styles of music into a harmonious whole makes him a sought-after DJ at international festivals, exclusive events and in the best clubs worldwide. With DJ Sam on the decks, every party is an unforgettable experience that immerses guests in the diverse and rich world of African music.
One World Band
Arno Haas has put together a band especially for the concert on September 1 to present music from different cultures. The musical results are eagerly awaited. Makossa meets funk, jazz and soul.
