Kofago Dance Ensemble Gala, Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz Cultural Center, Harlem NY

Kofago Dance Ensemble, in partnership with The Kofago Institute and Rhythm N Dance Incorporated, proudly announces the return of the KASSOUMAII Gala. This year’s fundraising event will take place on Saturday, June 22nd, at the Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz Cultural Center in Harlem, NY.

Maimouna Keita, The 32nd Anniversary Dance Conference & Concert, March 28-31 2024 (Thursday – Sunday). City Tech, 285 Jay Street Brooklyn, New York 11216

Featuring Choreography by the artistic director the renown and respected Founder and Artistic Director, Marie Basse Wiles and Guests choreographer Teacher, Dancer, Ibrahima Sarr from Senegal and the Director of the Ballet National du Senegal Pape Moussa Sonko




Kwanzaa 2023 Events

Meaning & Principles of Kwanzaa: Kwanzaa includes 7 days of practice of Nguzo Saba, practices that center the upliftment and wellness of the Black community. It culminates with Karamu Ya Iman, a feast of faith and the sharing of gifts. Kwanzaa was first celebrated in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, its creator. Courtesy, North Carolina State.

  1. Umoja (Unity): maintaining unity as a family, community, and race of people.
  2. Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): defining, naming, and creating and speaking for ourselves.
  3. Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): building and maintaining our community–solving problems together.
  4. Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics: building and maintaining retail stores and other businesses and to profit from these ventures.
  5. Nia (Purpose): work collectively to build communities that will restore the greatness of African people.
  6. Kuumba (Creativity): to find new, innovative ways to leave communities of African descent in more beautiful and beneficial ways than the community inherited.
  7. Imani (Faith): the belief in God, family, heritage, leaders, and others that will leave to the victory of Africans around the world.

December 26 – December 30, 10-5PM (confirm times). Celebrate Kwanzaa with Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation at Brooklyn Children’s Museum, 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11213, USA, https://www.brooklynkids.org/

Saturday December 30, 2023, 2PM and 7:30PM; Kwanzaa: A Regeneration Celebration; Location: Apollo’s Historic Theatre, 253 West 125th Street, New York, NY 10027. Forces of Nature Dance Theatre under the leadership of critically acclaimed choreographer Abdel Salaam. With special guests Mumu Fresh and The Harlem Children’s Zone Youth Academy of Dance and Wellness. https://www.apollotheater.org/



Mouminatou, Seewe African Dance Company Conference.

October 13 – 15, for ticket information visit Seewe African Dance Conference Tickets, Fri, Oct 13, 2023 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite

Mouminatou’s Master Class on October 15, 2023, 7:30 – 9PM, Location: Gibney Agnes Varis Performing Arts Center, 280 Broadway (entrance at 53a Chambers Street) New York, NY 10007

KanKouran celebrates its 40th Anniversary!

CONFERENCE: AUGUST 31 – SEPTEMBER 3

DANCE PLACE (Thursday, August 31)

3225 8th Street NE, Washington, DC 20017

DANCE EXCHANGE (Friday, September 1 – Sunday, September 3)

7117 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912

ONLINE REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!!! KANKOURANWADC40CONFERENCE.eventbrite.com


Sabar Rek Atlanta Conference & Cultural Event –

October 6, 7 & 8, 2023

www.sabarrekatlanta.org

Babacar Top – Sabar Dance

NYC, Morningside Park, Park Avenue 113th Street, Sundays at 5PM.

LES TWINS Workshops / During Beyoncé Tour

https://www.lestwinsworkshops.com/

Holiday Soul Jam – November 25, 2023

worldonepresents.com/event/details/holiday-soul-fest-23/

Special Sabar Dance Workshop with Abdou Bayefall, Sunday June 4, 2023 from 2-4 at CUMBE Dance, 1368 Fulton St., Brooklyn, NY 11216 – Same day related class inquiries only – 1 (347) 838 – 0239

https://www.harlemstage.org/events

“BIRTH OF A CULTURE” GRANDMASTER FLASH AND FRIENDS

Friday, August 4, 2023

5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Crotona Park

1700 Crotona Ave, The Bronx, 10457″

https://cityparksfoundation.org/events/grandmaster-flash-2/


DanceAfrica Performance 2023

MAY 26—MAY 29, 2023 Artistic Director Abdel R. Salaam

DanceAfrica Spirit Walkers
National Theater of Ghana’s National Dance Company

MAY 26—MAY 29, 2023

DanceAfrica Performance 2023

DANCE | MUSIC

GOLDEN GHANA: ADINKRA, ANANSE, AND ABUSUA

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR ABDEL R. SALAAM

https://www.bam.org/dance/2023/danceafrica-golden-ghana

Commemorating Black History, Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet
Youssouf Koumbassa Trip to Africa
Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Day at Brooklyn Academy of Music, January 16, 2023 at 8AM – 10AM
Evidence Home Season at the Joyce
Heritage 2022 Workshop International, Dakar Senegal, West Africa
Kwanzaa in Philadelphia

Kwanzaa in Ghana
Evidence Workshop https://shop.joyce.org//overview/6812

Held annually in the fall, a typical in-person NDEO National Conference includes three full days of over 250 workshops, master classes, panel and paper presentations, social events and performances. A full day of pre-conference intensives precedes the official start of conference. The full conference schedule is generally released online over the summer before that year’s conference.

Saturday, October 29 – Monday, October 31, 2022

Pre-conference intensives Friday, October 28

Hyatt Regency Atlanta (GA)

Member and Non-Member Rates Available https://www.ndeo.org/Learn/Register-for-Professional-Development/Event-Info/sessionaltcd/CONF2022


https://www.dance.nyc/about/people/volunteers

https://www.kennedy-center.org/whats-on/explore-by-genre/dance/2022-2023/dance-sanctuaries/

Kankouran West African Dance Company

Washington, DC: Conference September 2-4, 2022

Sabar Rek Atlanta

Atlanta, GA: Conference October 7-9, 2022


Wontanara Inc, Alkebulan

Atlanta, GA: Conference November 18-20, 2022

Send listing/flyer to AfricanDanceSchedule@gmail.com

Dancing in the Park, FREE

September 21 – October 2, 2022

Fall for Dance at City Center, All tickets $20 On sale Aug 28 at 11am

Fall for Dance in New York City

Program 1 | Wed Sep 21 & Thu Sep 22 at 8pm

HERVE KOUBI
Boys Don’t Cry | NY Premiere
Choreography by Hervé Koubi

Margarita Fernandes & António Casalinho
Bavarian State Ballet
Pas de deux from Le Corsaire
Choreography by Marius Petipa

Gibney Company
Bliss | North American Premiere
Choreography by Johan Inger

Program 2 | Fri Sep 23 & Sat Sep 24 at 8pm

Music From The Sole
I Didn’t Come to Stay
Choreography and Music by Leonardo Sandoval & Gregory Richardson

Melissa Toogood & Herman Cornejo
No Nonsense | NY Premiere
Co-commissioned with Vail Dance Festival
Damian Woetzel, Artistic Director
Choreography by Pam Tanowitz

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
BUSK
Choreography by Aszure Barton

Program 3 | Tue Sep 27 & Wed Sep 28 at 8pm

James Gilmer
Morani/Mungu (Black Warrior/Black God) | Live Premiere
2020 Digital Fall for Dance Festival Commission
Choreography by Jamar Roberts

San Francisco Ballet
In the Night
Choreography by Jerome Robbins

María Moreno
Tangos & Alegrías
Choreography by María Moreno
with guest singer María Terremoto

Program 4 | Thu Sep 29 & Fri Sep 30 at 8pm

Sara Mearns & Robbie Fairchild
The Two of Us | Live US Premiere
2020 Digital Fall for Dance Festival Commission
Choreography by Christopher Wheeldon

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company
Indestructible
Choreography by Abby Zbikowski

Kyiv City Ballet
Thoughts and Men of Kyiv | NY Premiere
Choreography by Vladyslav DobshynskyiIvan Kozlov

Program 5 | Sat Oct 1 at 8pm & Sun Oct 2 at 3pm

Nrityagram Dance Ensemble
In collaboration with Chitrasena Dance Company
Poornāratī | NY Premiere
Choreography by Surupa Sen

Dutch National Ballet
Variations for Two Couples
Choreography by Hans van Manen

Martha Graham Dance Company
CAVE
Choreography by Hofesh Shechter, co-produced by Studio Simkin and MGDC


October 19, 2022, Pape Moussa Sonko


Sabar Dance Lab

A Weekend of Sabar

In Collaboration with The Dance Laboratory

For more information visit the official website by clicking on the following link Sabar Dance Lab

April 22 & 23, 2022

Each year, our dance community celebrates the culture, influence and dance styles given to the world through Senegal! Master teacher and sister in the dance world, Marie Basse-Wiles hosts the Maimouna Keita Dance Conference & Concert which highlights the traditions of African dance and history with styles from across the continent, but is especially rich in styles from Senegal.

In that spirit our own Babacar Top is following up the festivities by hosting a Sabar dance laboratory at Cumbe. The Dance Laboratory is an immersive learning environment that combines collective and individual practice of inquiry. The workshops will focus on understanding, learning and establishing a greater context for Sabar and other West African dance forms, including their history and culture.

Friday Series

Join us for an immersive two days into the world of Sabar and traditional dances from Senegal! All workshops are in-person only.

Sabar
with Pape Moussa Sonko

Friday, April 22
12:00-2:30pm ET
$20
In-Person Only

Sabar, the national pulse of Senegal, is also the term collectively used to describe this intricate and sophisticated genre of Senegalese inspired dancing that originated on the urban streets of Dakar. With its enchanting light footed groundedness, its elegance, its ecstatic rhythms, Sabar is one of the most difficult dances to learn, not in the least because of the rhythms that come with the Sabar dance, but also because learning Sabar means learning how to move all over again.

Pape Moussa Sonko was voted best dancer in Senegal in 2011.  He is a renowned artist and choreographer who has been performing with Senegal’s most famous singers (Youssou Ndour, Viviane Ndour, Aida Samb among others).  He also worked in collaboration with Gorge Momboye in Afrika Afrika in Germany, a large dance production that toured Europe.

Pape Moussa is a hugely entertaining and inspiring teacher with a vast knowledge of African dance, specifically Sabar. His desire is for his students to feel at ease and enjoy themselves.

Sabar Drumming
with Africa Afia & Gidou Sing Sing

Friday, April 22
2:30-4:00pm ET
$20
In-Person Only

Learn the complex rhythms of Sabar!

Africa Afia aka Ibrahima “Thiokho’’ Diagne was born in Dakar Senegal in 1974. Thioko is a member of the Bambara ethnic group originating from Mali, West Africa. Music and art are a rich tradition in Thiokho’s family and from a young age Thiokho has dedicated his life to mastering the taballa drum. As a child he perfected making his own drums from discarded goat skins and empty buckets and invited his friends and brothers to play. In 1989 at the age of 15 he was introduced to master sabar drummers M’Baye Faye and Lamine Faye of Dakar, Senegal

Kutiro
with Tenefig

Friday, April 22
4:00-5:30pm ET
$20
In-Person Only

Kutiro

Sabar
with Babacar Top

Friday, April 22
5:30-7:00pm ET
$20
In-Person Only


Sabar

Khalifa Babacar Top is a Senegalese artist who began his dancing at a young age with Sabar in traditional ceremonies. His interests in storytelling with the body lead him to deepen his learning and seek out more African contemporary dance forms. Top was a company member with Compagnie Jant-Bi for four years. He has worked with Regine Chopinot, Robyn Orlin, Mark Tompkins, Kristie Simon, Rosangela Slivestre, Rachel Erdos and Ido Tadmor. In 2013, he performed Bolero with Maurice Bejart Ballet Lausanne. Top has worked in collaboration with the Association Kaay Fecc in Dakar, Senegal to develop programming that exposes young dancers to a variety of dance forms. He currently teaches at Ecole des Sables. He has taught and performed throughout the continent of Africa, Europe and the USA.

Saturday Workshops

Join us for day two of Sabar and traditional dances from Senegal! All workshops are in-person only.

Experimental Sabar [Outdoors]
with Babacar Top

Saturday, April 23
11:30-1:00pm ET
$20

In-Person (Outdoor)

Experience this incredible workshop with master dancer and teacher Babacar Top, lead dancer with Jant-Bi! Experimental Sabar fuses contemporary movement with Sabar, connecting today’s dances with traditional movements. Originating from traditional ceremonies, Sabar is often referred to as the national pulse of Senegal. It is known for its rhythmic complexity and sophistication in both movement and music. With its light-footed roots, elegance and ecstatic rhythms Experimental Sabar offers an opportunity to delve into the specificity of Sabar as a dance form and connect to an authentic way of expression.

Khalifa Babacar Top is a Senegalese artist who began his dancing at a young age with Sabar in traditional ceremonies. His interests in storytelling with the body lead him to deepen his learning and seek out more African contemporary dance forms. Top was a company member with Compagnie Jant-Bi for four years. He has worked with Regine Chopinot, Robyn Orlin, Mark Tompkins, Kristie Simon, Rosangela Slivestre, Rachel Erdos and Ido Tadmor. In 2013, he performed Bolero with Maurice Bejart Ballet Lausanne. Top has worked in collaboration with the Association Kaay Fecc in Dakar, Senegal to develop programming that exposes young dancers to a variety of dance forms. He currently teaches at Ecole des Sables. He has taught and performed throughout the continent of Africa, Europe and the USA.

Wango Pulaar
with Pape Moussa Sonko

Saturday, April 23
3:30 – 5:00pm ET
$20
In-Person Only

In Senegal, the Toucouleurs, who are part of the Peul ethnic group, are represented mainly along the Senegal River valley between Dagana and Dembankane.  Their name would be a distortion of that of the ancient Kingdom of Tekrour (Tekrouris).  Reputed to be excellent cow breeders, the Fulani were the first to convert to Islam, then became the swords of the new religion.  Men and women dance and sing to the rhythm of the Wango, accompanied by the kalam (West African lute), the song of the patriots.

Pape Moussa Sonko was voted best dancer in Senegal in 2011.  He is a renowned artist and choreographer who has been performing with Senegal’s most famous singers (Youssou Ndour, Viviane Ndour, Aida Samb among others).  He also worked in collaboration with Gorge Momboye in Afrika Afrika in Germany, a large dance production that toured Europe.

Pape Moussa is a hugely entertaining and inspiring teacher with a vast knowledge of African dance, specifically Sabar. His desire is for his students to feel at ease and enjoy themselves.

Sabar
with Ibrahima Sarr

Saturday, April 23
5:00 – 7:00pm ET
$20
In-Person

Sabar, the national pulse of Senegal, is also the term collectively used to describe this intricate and sophisticated genre of Senegalese inspired dancing that originated on the urban streets of Dakar. With its enchanting light footed groundedness, its elegance, its ecstatic rhythms, Sabar is one of the most difficult dances to learn, not in the least because of the rhythms that come with the Sabar dance, but also because learning Sabar means learning how to move all over again.

Ibrahima Sarr began dancing at a very young age in traditional Sabar ceremonies.  Ibrahima has trained with European trainers in traditional Senegalese dance, served as a dance trainer and participated in festivals.  He has performed in the Bolivia Carnaval. Ibrahima is professionally trained in traditional Senegalese styles of dance and has performed all over the world.  He also joined the Sands of the Sun School in Senegal where he interned with African Dance Correspondence, Hip-Hop dance, international dances and contemporary dance.

MAIMOUNA KEITA SCHOOL OF AFRICAN DANCE WILL HOST ITS 30TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND CONCERT ON APRIL 14-17, 2022. Visit their website at https://maimounakeita.com/conferanceschedule/

CONFERENCE & CONCERT SCHEDULE
THURSDAY APRIL 14TH 2022
2:15 – 3:45 AZIZ FAYE – SABAR
4:00 – 5:30 PAPE MOUSSA SONKO – KUTIRO
5:45 – 7:15  ISMAEL KOUYATÉ GUINEA
7:30 – 9:00 BABACAR M’BAYE – SABAR

***********************************

FRIDAY APRIL 15TH 2022
12:30 – 2:00 BABACAR N’DIAYE – DJEMBE
2:15 – 3:45 AZIZ FAYE – SABAR
4:00 – 5:30 MARIAMA BASSE – BALANTE
5:45 – 7:15 ASSANE KONTE – KUTIRO
7:30 – 9:00 YOUSSOUF KOUMBASSA – GUINEA

*************************************

SATURDAY APRIL 16TH 2022
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM OUSMANE WILES – AFROBEAT
11:45 AM – 1:15 PM ANDOSHE LOUBAKI – CONGOLESE
1:30 – 3:00 NAOMI DIOUF – LIBERIAN
3:15 – 4:45 GILSET MORA – CUBAN
5:00 – 6:30 MOUMINATOU CAMARA – GUINEA 
SHOW TIME MAIMOUNA KEITA DANCE COMPANY AND GUESTS
SATURDAY APRIL 16TH 8:30 PM 
ROULETTE
509 ATLANTIC AVENUE (CORNER OF THIRD AVENUE) BROOKLYN, NY 11217
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SUNDAY APRIL 17TH 2022
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM RON BROWN – CONTEMPORARY
11:45 AM – 1:15 PM YOUSSOUF KOUMBASSA – GUINEA
1:30 – 3:00 IDY CISS – SERERE
3:15 – 4:45 BABACAR M’BAYE – SABAR
5:00 – 6:30 DJENABA SAKO – MALI
6:45 – 8:15 YERIM NIANG WITH PAPE MOUSSA SONKO – SABAR
8:15 – 9:00 ALL GENERATIONS PARTY 
CONFERENCE CLASS LOCATION
SHERATON HOTEL
228 DUFFIELD STREET BROOKLYN, NY 11201
Join class with Nadia on February 19th at the Clarkston Community Center. Class is inside from 10:00-11:15am. Masks are required. Advance registration is available online at www.UhuruDancers.com
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre: Hope Boykin’s ‘r-Evolution, Dream.’ now through Feb 13: bit.ly/3g2V0Z4, Photo by Paul Kolnik.

Ailey II is coming back to NYC this March! Tickets go on sale Feb 15: bit.ly/35PpX0J These talented dancers led by Artistic Director Francesca Harper are bringing their signature
edginess with a fresh artistic perspective back to the stage.
Photo by Nir Arieli

National Museum of African America History & Culture: Kwanzaa video

Tuesday, December 28 – Wednesday, December 29, 2021 – cut paste video link – YouTube

https://nmaahc.si.edu/events/kwanzaa-nmaahc-kids-learn-about-ujima

Official Kwanzaa Website

December 26, 2021 – January 1, 2022

https://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.html

SABAR REK! Uncovering Serer & Wolof Heritage

The TADA Foundation, under the artistic direction of Assane Kouyaté. All sessions, in-studio (masked), will occur in beautiful, sanitized, and well ventilated studios at TADA – The Atlanta Dance Academy – 2335 Cheshire Bridge Rd., NE Atlanta, GA 30324. Virtual options available. FREE in-studio offerings for seniors (60+). Email me for details

Sat Sep-11

Lamban: Dance + Song of the Djéli/Griot

West African Manding/Mandinka griot traditions (and the Kouyaté lineage) date back to the 13th century Mali Empire. Lamban, also referred to as Djélidon is a traditional dance (with accompanying song) that was exclusive to the djéli or griots (oral historians, musicians, poets, praise singers, storytellers of communal events including births, marriages, festivities etc.). SIGN UP –> Please direct all other registration questions to 678-827-3737 or [email protected].

Fri Oct-8  Sun Oct-10Sabar Rek! Uncovering Wolof + Serer Heritage

A shift from Manding/Mandinka traditions will uncover comparable griot lineages and dance traditions among the Wolof and Serer ethnic groups, specifically the rich folkloric sabar dance and drumming techniques exclusive to Senegal, West Africa. This annual fall conference will consist of fewer sessions in 2021 due to COVID safety + health precautions, but will still reflect authentic, exciting, and vibrant educational experiences. 
Four (4) specialized dance workshops + One (1) drum intensive will be offered, with a 2 hour community dance kick-off on Friday Oct-8 from 6:30 PM. Master Senegalese artists + percussionists will be included to preserve + enhance the traditional experience. Additional FREE + FUN virtual sabar mini events (subject to change) will also be featured over the weekend via social media. Be sure to follow Facebook | Instagram pages/handles for important announcements #sabarrekatl #strictlysabar #sabaronthebrain #smallbutvibrant #wolof #serer #senegalesedancetraditions
EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION NOW OPENAll individuals must register. No exceptions! Please direct all registration questions to 678-827-3737 or [email protected]
NOTEWhen registering, all workshops will reference the name ‘Assane Kouyate,’ as shown here: Sabar Master Class with Assane Kouyate: 3:00 pm EDT, 10/9/2021However, the time/date selection corresponds to the respective instructor as noted per class/schedule below. 

Fri Oct 8 (1 workshop) – Click to register6:30 – 8:30 PM Welcome + Exhibition + Sabar Dance Kick-off w/Assane KouyatéSat Oct 9 (2 workshops) – Click to register1:00 – 2:30 PM Seydi Sarr | 3:00 – 4:30 PM Ousseynou KouyatéSun Oct 10 (2 workshops) – Click to register1:00 – 2:30 PM Assane M’Baye (drum intensive) | 3:00 – 4:30 PM Babacar M’Baye

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The Mothership 9/18 from 4-8PM, NYC Manhattan

Location of this event is Richard Rodgers Amphitheater in Marcus Garvey Park. Tickets are free! Visit HARLEMDANCECLUB.ORG

Uhuru Dancers – Clarston, Georgia

http://www.uhurudancers.com/dance-classes.html

SEPTEMBER 2021

KanKouran West African Dance Company, Washington DC

Please share what you love responsibly. List your African Dance, Drum, Arts Conferences Here.