Programs
DanceAfrica Festival 2019
Dance
Music
Film
Visual Art
Bazaar
Workshops
The nation’s largest festival dedicated to African dance and music returns for its 42nd year, now under the leadership of artistic director Abdel R. Salaam. In addition to the performances on the Opera House stage, join us for a full weekend of activities, including an art exhibition, dance workshops, an array of community events, the annual FilmAfrica series, a video portal that connects festival goers to residents in downtown Kigali, Rwanda, and the one-and-only DanceAfrica Bazaar.
This year we celebrate the rich movement and dance traditions of Rwanda, a country that has long been referred to as the “Land of a Thousand Hills” for the richness of its culture, land, and people. This spring marks the 25th anniversary of the government-sponsored Genocide against the Tutsi in which up to a million Rwandan people were killed. But the people of Rwanda have drawn upon their deep cultural traditions to restore all that came before this period of unspeakable tragedy—and this remarkable process of recovery, reconciliation, and renewal has become essential to their identity as Rwandans.
Leadership support for dance at BAM provided by The SHS Foundation
This year’s DanceAfrica performance offers a taste of the rich movement traditions of Rwanda.
More than 150 vendors converge at BAM offering African and Caribbean food, crafts, and fashion.
BAM Visual Art presents the work of contemporary Rwandan artist Innocent Nkurunziza.
DanceAfrica 2019 kicks off with this annual community welcome for the artists.
A tribute to those who have passed on, with music, drumming, and a libation ceremony.
Jade Charon leads a workshop in the Kony and N’Dep dance styles of Senegal and Burkina Faso.
Choreographer Jade Charon presents a showcase of the fruits of her research in West Africa.
Preserving the tradition of paying homage to the ancestors of DanceAfricas past and present.
The best new narrative, documentary, and short films from across Africa and the diaspora.
Connect with local residents and arts lovers in Rwanda at the DanceAfrica Portal!
Keep the DanceAfrica celebration going after hours with DJ YB.
BAM and the Center for Fiction celebrate the work of multimedia literary imprint RadioBook Rwanda.
Members of Inganzo Ngari lead a fun-filled workshop for all ages.
A member of Inganzo Ngari leads this immersive workshop in traditional Rwandan movement.
Be part of the DanceAfrica community in this class, open to adults with and without disabilities.