The nation’s largest festival dedicated to African dance and music returns to the stages and streets of Brooklyn for its 46th year! In 2023, we celebrate with traditional dance and music from Ghana.
DanceAfrica
DanceAfrica is BAM's longest running program and America's largest celebration of African and African-American dance, music, and culture. Created in 1977, under the artistic direction of Founding Elder Chuck Davis and with the aim of heightening awareness of African culture, the festival has evolved into a beloved annual Memorial Day weekend event that brings the entire community together. In 2015, the leadership baton was passed to Abdel R. Salaam.
Each year DanceAfrica welcomes a new visiting company from Africa or its diaspora at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House. The performances include other traditional and contemporary dance companies, including the students of BAM/Restoration DanceAfrica Ensemble, and live music. The weekend-long festival also includes master classes, community events, film screenings, an art exhibition, and the one-and-only DanceAfrica outdoor bazaar, a global marketplace of African, African-American, and Caribbean arts, crafts, and food featuring over 200 vendors and attracting up to 30,000 visitors per year.
DanceAfrica is part of the Winter/Spring Season.
Current Season
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Dance | Music
DanceAfrica 2024
May 24—May 27, 2024
Dance | MusicDanceAfrica 2024May 24—May 27, 2024
The nation’s largest celebration of African dance transforms BAM’s corner of Fort Greene into a pulsing celebration of discovery, community, and collective joy!
Past Seasons
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Dance
DanceAfrica Performance 2023
May 26—29, 2023
DanceAfrica Performance 2023May 26—29, 2023DanceDanceAfrica Performance 2023May 26—29, 2023BAM’s beloved annual festival celebrates traditional dance and music from Ghana in 2023.