{"id":1398,"date":"2020-08-26T17:57:02","date_gmt":"2020-08-27T00:57:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/?p=1398"},"modified":"2026-08-30T22:41:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T05:41:11","slug":"wassa-happening-at-the-baobab-stage-cafe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chiccompass.com\/wordpress\/wassa-happening-at-the-baobab-stage-cafe\/","title":{"rendered":"Wassa Happening at the Baobab Stage"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Stacey<\/span><\/div><\/div>

Stacey Gualandi<\/h2><\/div>
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\"baobab<\/span><\/div>
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WASSA HAPPENING AT THE BAOBAB STAGE<\/h1>\n

RETAIL THERAPY & LIVE PERFORMANCES<\/p>\n

By Stacey Gualandi<\/p>\n<\/div>

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\"Wassa<\/span><\/div>

Wassa Coulibaly<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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Shopping trips and intimate shows have been in short supply this year, what with the pandemic shutdown.<\/p>\n

But this week, I got to do a little retail therapy and listen to a live performance by award-winning jazz vocalist (and birthday girl!) Toscha Comeaux at the reopening of Wassa Coulibaly\u2019s Baobab Stage, and it was so worth the wait.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Toscha<\/span><\/div>

Toscha Comeaux performs at the reopening of Baobab Stage.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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The former Cirque Du Soleil lead dancer first opened Baobab\u2014aka \u201cthe gathering tree\u201d\u2014eight years ago in the Town Square shopping mall on Las Vegas Boulevard. It\u2019s a 3-in-1 experience that includes her Wassa Wear boutique, caf\u00e9, and theater (not yet open). The quarantine was a serious setback, but during this time, the savvy entrepreneur chose to take a more proactive pivot.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not all bad,\u201d Coulibaly says. \u201cThis is a great opportunity to revamp and restructure yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>

\"Wassa<\/span><\/div>

Wassa Coulibaly<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>

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And that\u2019s just what she did. She now has a new team behind the bar, a new online focus that has seen a boost in sales, and a new addition to her personal Wassa Wear clothing line.<\/p>\n

\u201cA mask doesn\u2019t have to be something depressing and boring,\u201d Coulibaly says. \u201cI came up with a unique mask style that has brought people to the store who have never been here before.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Now, many of Coulibaly\u2019s signature versatile body-hugging styles come with a mask\/hood, or a mask\/blouse combo\u2014 many adorned with a beautiful beaded chain that rests on the head via gravity. (They\u2019re flying off the shelves, she says!) She also designed some face lingerie for a more sexy vibe.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe've got to have fun with this,\u201d Coulibaly jokes.<\/p>\n

Coulibaly moved from Senegal, West Africa, to Las Vegas to perform in the long-running Cirque show Zumanity<\/em>. She left after 11 years to realize her dream of owning a boutique.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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\u201cWhen I would go to the store, clothes didn\u2019t have enough feeling or expression, like sassy and edgy,\u201d Coulibaly says. \u201cSo I wanted to mix tribal looks from where I come from in Africa and bring it into American culture. When I wear my things, I get so many compliments, and people ask me to \u2018make me one\u2019!\u201d<\/p>\n

While no longer with Cirque, Coulibaly has remained close to the troupe. In fact, she and several performers are now collaborating on a new charity initiative called \u201cNothing But Masks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are taking photos of performers wearing masks to raise money for [the often forgotten] technicians and artists who need money now\u2026and to open up the Strip sooner!\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s all part of her plan to keep building a cozy community, showcasing amazing talent, making art-to-wear, and serving great food and drinks\u2014especially for those who love the arts, and unique masks. (I bought two!)<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a lot of work\u2026but it\u2019s so rewarding at the same time.\u00a0 There\u2019s no price for that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Find Baobab Stage online at www.baobabstage.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>

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