Virtual | Dance

Abdel R. Salaam is the Artistic Director of DanceAfrica; the Executive Artistic Director/Co-Founder of Forces of Nature Dance Theatre, founded in 1981; and a critically acclaimed choreographer. Born in Harlem, he has served as a dancer, teacher, and performing artist in five continents throughout his 51-year career in the dance and theater worlds. He has received numerous awards and fellowships for excellence in dance and dance-theater and continues to dedicate his life’s work to the healing and empowerment of us all.

Named for the Yoruba word that describes every living being’s power to make things happen, Àṣẹ Dance Theatre Collective is a neo-folkloric performance ensemble specializing in traditional and contemporary dance and music theater from the African diaspora. Under the artistic direction of choreographer Adia Tamar Whitaker, the Brooklyn-based ensemble links dance theater to the human experience.

Cap Haitien, Haiti-based dance company HaitiDansco was founded in 2004 in New York City by choreographer Dieufel Lamisere, who returned to his native country following its catastrophic earthquake in 2010. Lamisere sought out to inspire the youth of Haiti and create opportunities for learning and performing. HaitiDansco fuses traditional Haitian dance with elements of classical ballet, modern, and jazz. It is one of the few consistently touring professional dance companies in the country and performs an extraordinary repertoire representative of Haitian culture.

Bay Area-based troupe Rara Tou Limen performs a spectrum of diverse Haitian dance forms, from vibrant rituals of Vodou to the turbulent legacy of political struggle to the festive dances of Carnival. Established in 2004 by Artistic Director Portsha T. Jefferson, RTL combines traditional rhythms, chants, and movement with the grace and strength of Haitian folkloric dance and music, which carry the stories, struggles, and spirit of the first free Black Republic in the world. The company aims to educate audiences about the richness of Haitian culture through artistic expression, while building relationships with other Haitian cultural groups in the US and Haiti.

Brooklyn-based company The Fritzation Experience coalesces artistry that includes Haitian folklore, urban social dances, African dance forms, body percussion, spoken word, sign language, and visual arts to express human experiences, cultural exchange, and community empowerment. The diverse, interdisciplinary troupe was founded by Haitian-raised, African-descended, Brooklyn-born choreographer Fritzlyn “Fritz” Hector, who is also an educator, a principal dancer for Forces of Nature Dance Theatre, and a veteran cast member and cast trainer of the off-Broadway show STOMP.

This DanceAfrica favorite returns for the 23rd year. The BAM/Restoration DanceAfrica Ensemble serves as a symbol of youth involvement in the preservation of African heritage, celebrating both ancestral roots and the modern-day community.

The DanceAfrica Spirit Walkers were founded by Baba Abdel Salaam in 2016 to theatrically honor the ancestors of Africa and its diaspora at the annual DanceAfrica Memorial Tribute, originally developed by the late Baba Chuck Davis. The group comprises professional dance artists and musicians from the Restoration Arts Alumni, Asase Yaa, Harambee, and Forces of Nature Dance Theatre, melding contemporary, hip-hop, modern, and African vernacular forms.

Purchase your official BAM DanceAfrica 2021 T-shirt through our official retail partner, Greenlight Bookstore.

Receive a DanceAfrica 2021 Festival poster with every purchase

DanceAfrica Artistic Director Abdel R. Salaam is joined by a panel of choreographers for a conversation about how traditional Haitian forms are translated and interpreted into contemporary performance.

Caregivers and children of all ages deepen their engagement with DanceAfrica in this fun-filled, hands-on workshop exploring the fundamentals of Haitian movement and music, presented in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Join veteran traditional Haitian dancer and teaching artist Nadia Dieudonné for this immersive workshop on the music and dance of Haiti—available in person and online—for intermediate and advanced dancers.

The best new narrative, documentary, and short films from across Africa and the diaspora, with a special focus on films from and about Haiti.

Specifically designed for persons with disabilities, this inclusive, interactive class—available in person and online—explores how African and diasporic dance forms celebrate community.

Calling dancers of all ages and folks who love to move! Participate in this year’s virtual DanceAfrica Community Day Bantaba by submitting a video of you and your community dancing.

Join us for a live, virtual dance party featuring the Afrobeat, funk, soul, rock, jazz, and hip-hop stylings of DanceAfrica DJ Hard Hittin Harry.

Haitian visual artists offer a meditation on liberation in this new public installation on the BAM sign, presented as part of DanceAfrica 2021.

Teens grades 9—12 are invited to participate in an engaging virtual exploration of Haitian history, art, and culture hosted by BAM’s very own Brooklyn Interns for Art and Culture.

Catch the premiere of the first ever Community Day Bantaba—featuring videos submitted by community members near and far—and join the celebration by adding your own picture to the virtual photo booth.

Peruse this featured collection put together by the BAM Hamm Archives, chronicling the vibrant history of DanceAfrica. This rich, comprehensive collection of materials features video, hundreds of photographs, programs, posters, and other materials that tell the story of this extraordinary annual gathering.