UCSB Arts & Lectures will present Les Ballets Africains, the national dance ensemble of Guinea, 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6 at The Granada Theatre in Santa Barbara.

“A powerful blend of music, dance and storytelling, the national ensemble of Guinea offers a vibrant reflection of the country’s rich cultural heritage,” Arts & Lectures said.

Founded in 1952, Les Ballets Africains has earned international acclaim for its precision and artistry. With a legacy that spans continents and decades, their performances highlight traditional rhythms, striking choreography and the interplay of movement and sound.

The ensemble of more than 40 dancers, singers and musicians shares a living tradition — rooted in history, yet constantly evolving — through a program that celebrates the depth and diversity of West African performance, according to Arts & Lectures.

Les Ballets Africains was formed in Paris in 1952 by the distinguished Guinean choreographer Keita Fodeba, who enjoyed the support of numerous African heads of state.

The company toured the world successfully until Guinea’s independence in 1958 when they were invited to become the country’s national ensemble.

From 1958 to the present day, Les Ballet Africains has visited the four corners of the earth, sometimes remaining on tour for up to two years at a stretch.

In one marathon tour, the troupe appeared in 165 capital cities; giving 695 performances in 750 days; traveling 180,000 kilometers by plane, 33,000 by train, and 21,000 by road.

Les Ballet Africains said its mission is to foster a greater understanding of Africa with a view to creating favorable conditions for a healthy and fruitful cooperation between Africa and the rest of the world.

For the 2025-26 season, the 35-member troupe will present its blend of traditional dance, music and storytelling with demonstrations of spectacle, acrobatics, comedy and drama.

Tickets are $40-$85, general public; $16, UCSB students with current student ID; $19, youth.