ABOUT DANCE AFRICA FEST
Dance Africa Fest provides the opportunity for Austin and Central Texas communities to experience, explore and engage in music and movement of the African/Black diaspora. We are a Black-formed and Black-led organization dreamed up to share, honor, celebrate and spotlight global Black dance through conferences, master-classes, and exquisite opportunities. Our mission is to offer artistic and educational activities that celebrate traditional, contemporary, social, imaginative, gestural, pedestrian and physical exploration of dance and music of the African/Black diaspora. Dance Africa Fest was developed in 2014 by Tonya Pennie for Austin, TX,
We offer a wide variety of African Diaspora Dance, and artists representing countries and creative dance practices showcasing the global footprint of Africa through a variety of different dance cultures. Dance Africa Fest intentionally brings together culturally immersed dancers, musicians, artisans, performers, cultural ambassadors, community leaders and business owners, youth, families, and more to share our knowledge with each other.
OUR BRIEF HISTORY
Launched in 2014, Dance Africa Fest started out as a brief afternoon of four mini-workshops (each lasting less than 45-minutes) in Austin, TX.
2014: Offered 4 FREE 30-min workshops focused on 4 countries.
2015: We expanded to become our own nonprofit 501c(3) organization.
2016: Began offering an annual, multi-day conference of 90-minute dance workshops sharing historical heritage. 4 workshops focused on 4 countries; a Vendor Market for Black and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) artists to sell their handcrafted wares; and an evening performance.
2017: Offered 4 workshops focused on 4 countries, and Vendor Market.
2018: Spring, 4 workshops focused on 1 country; Fall, 10 workshops focused on 5 countries.
2019: Offered 9 workshops focused on 4 countries.
2022 - present: workshops offered annually and/or bi-annually.
We take pride in presenting instruction by exceptional artists, accompanied by live drumming or other music; along scholarship, community building, and networking with artists/peers.
IMPACT
We embrace diversity of identity, practice, and methodology. We’ve presented artists and dance cultures from nearly 10 different countries, including:
Brazil (Salvador, Bahia, South America)
Congo Brazzaville (Africa)
Guinea (Africa)
Cuba
Mali (Africa)
USA (New Orleans, LA; and Austin, TX)
Haïti (Abricots, Grand' Anse)
San Fernando (Trinidad and Tobago)
South Africa (Africa)
Click the highlighted links to check out some of our workshops: 2019 workshops, 2018 workshops, Spring 2017, Fall 2017.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Cultural Heritage. Remembrance. Sweat! Exploration of various African Diaspora Dance cultures and practices, facilitated by extraordinary artists with a focused artistic practice in, and in-depth knowledge of the history of dance(s) taught. Dance Africa Fest primarily offers curated, expansive multi-day dance conferences and events intentionally centered on Black/African Diaspora dance, and Black/African creative artists. All events and happenings are imbued with scholarship, sweat, generosity, community and remembrance.
Dance Africa Fest offerings are nurturing, innovative, and socioeconomically inclusive. We incorporate volunteer opportunities and offer free/community-based workshops as our budget allows. Our programs are physically accessible, presented in public facilities that ensure access to the built environment for people with disabilities, and meet ADA guidelines and Texas Accessibility Standards. Here’s a rundown of what to anticipate during our programs:
- CULTURAL HERITAGE. REMEMBRANCE.
Our African Diaspora Dance conferences consist of curated, comprehensive 90-minute workshops, typically presented over a weekend. Workshops are led by culturally immersed, exceptional artists. Many workshops incorporate live drumming or music performed by some of Austin's and the world's best musicians. Workshops last 90 minutes and provide the opportunity to share critical formative information and details on dance(s) taught, including cultural significance, relevance and history/origin. As available, FREE workshop admission for youth ages 10 and younger (must have a parent or guardian on site).
- SWEAT!
Our dance workshops are typically presented indoors, and always on a sprung dance floor. These measures are purposeful and simple: to protect participants’ joints, reduce the risk of injury, and extend our individual dancing adventures! Sprung floors are made to absorb and return energy during dancing.
- VENDOR MARKETPLACE.
For artists of the African Diaspora to gather, showcase and sell their handmade and unique wares. FREE ADMISSION.
- PERFORMANCES.
As available, by teaching faculty, guest artists and arts groups.
WE ALSO DO THIS!
In addition to the multiple-day conference of African diaspora dance workshops taking place during spring and fall, Dance Africa Fest includes a packed slate of festival programming and events — Special Free workshops for children and the community; Vendor Market for artists of the African diaspora to gather and showcase their talents/products; THIS IS BLACK JOY, a quarterly film screening series highlighting/celebrating Black filmmakers and artists of color through the power of cinematic storytelling. (to be introduced in FY2023); Performer Showcase, presented as space and resources are available, featuring teaching faculty, guest artists and arts groups; Artist Panel and Community Dialogue (new, to be introduced in FY2023), featuring Q&As with artists discussing their history in dance, connections and intersections.
SO, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?
Global Black dance and dance education. We embrace diversity of identity, practice, and methodology. Since 2016 we’ve successfully presented African Diaspora dance artists and dance cultures from nearly 10 different countries. A selection of past teaching artists include:
Jean-Sebastien Duvilaire (Abricots, Grand' Anse, Haiti). Haitian Artist and Houngan. Haitian Vodou dance.
Souleymane Solo Sana (Mali, Africa). Malian traditional dancer. Free kids’ classes, and community classes for all levels.
Mabiba Baegne (Congolese dance and song / Guinean doundoun dance). Doundoun dance pioneer. Internationally acclaimed dancer, dance teacher and choreographer of traditional and contemporary African Dance.
Kiazi Malonga, percussionist for Mabiba Baegne’s classes (Congo Brazzaville, Africa).
Ismael Kouyaté (Conakry, Guinea, Africa). Griot. Guinean dance and songs.
Mohamed Diaby (Conakry, Guinea Africa). Djembefola.
Maya Berry, Ph.D. (Cuba). Third-generation Cuban-American and social anthropologist specializing in performance studies and African diaspora studies. Afro-Cuban and Orisha dance.
Alexis Zanety (Cuba). Orisha dance.
Michelle N. Gibson (New Orleans, LA, USA). Diasporic bloodlines of Black, New Orleans community within New Orleans’ Second Line Aesthetic, accompanied by a with a seven-piece live brass band
Crianças De Capoeira Angola (Austin, TX, USA). Free community workshops for all levels.
Rosângela Silvestre (Symbology of Orixa Dance, and Silvestre Technique) - Salvador Bahia, Brazil (South America).
Christina Gerard-Sylla (Guinean & South African dance for beginners) - Houston, TX (USA).
Adanna Kai Jones, Ph.D. (Winin 101 - Embodying Jametteness, Trini-style Carnival dance, all levels) - San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago (South America).
JOIN US!!!
Dance Africa Fest invites participants of all ages and skill levels to connect with some of the most significant traditional dance forms originating from the continent.
Children ages 10 and under participating in workshops must have a parent or guardian on-site. With a growing international reputation and local community spirit, this festival has something to offer all generations.
VOLUNTEER
Want to donate your time to a good cause, and also earn admission for free to one workshop? We got you. Connect with us at Tonya@DanceAfricaFest.org.
Dance Africa Fest is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. We utilize public facilities that ensure access to the built environment for people with different abilities and meet ADA guidelines and Texas Accessibility Standards. If you require special assistance for participation in our programs, please contact us at Tonya@DanceAfricaFest.org.
