Contemporary African music performer coming to UH-Hilo PAC

Grammy Award-winning Ivory Coast vocalist and dancer Dobet Gnahoré will present her repertoire of African music traditions with a twist at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 22 at the University of Hawaii at Hilo Performing Arts Center.

Backed by a Pan-African band, Gnahoré performs in seven languages and features a diverse music composition that moves from delicate ballads to upbeat African grooves.

As a child, she trained in the music and dance traditions of the Bété people at the urging of her father, a well-known performer and master percussionist in West Africa. Gnahoré’s voice, dancing, charisma and stage presence were developed through years of theatrical and choreographic work.

Gnahoré recently was nominated for “Best Traditional Female Artist of Africa” by the KORA All Africa Music Awards. In 2010, she shared an award for Best Urban/Alternative Performance with India. Arie at the 52nd Grammy Awards and has released several albums, including her latest, “Na Dre,” in 2014.

Tickets are reserved seating and priced at $25 general, $20 discount and $12 UH-Hilo/Hawaii Community College students (with a valid student ID) and children 17 and younger pre-sale, and $30, $25 and $17 at the door.

Tickets are available by calling the UH-Hilo box office at 932-7490 or by ordering online at artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu.