The Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation will present its second annual Rhythms & Movements of African American Culture Festival, celebrating the revolutionary impact of African and African American art, music and dance in a five-day festival, themed "Revolution Requires Resistance."
The event will take place at the Abrons Art Center Playhouse Theater from Feb. 12 -16, according to a press release.
The festival will feature "Tribute to Artists of the Revolution," a rare performance by four-time Grammy-nominated Ghanaian drummer, composer and producer Weedie Braimah, alongside Malian balafon virtuoso Balla Kouyaté. Their first collaboration in a decade is set for Friday, Feb. 14.
“Our vision for the Festival was not to just celebrate Black History Month. We wanted to showcase talented African and African American artists, music, dance, theater and art that honors our ancestors and reinforces our goal to honor and inspire our youth to carry the torch in future generations,” said Kofi Osei Williams, the executive director of Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation.
Tickets for evening performances are $35, while school performances are $20. All-Access Festival passes are available for $250, with Festival Event passes for evening performances priced at $125.
In addition to its marquee performances, the festival will feature a diverse lineup of youth and professional dance and theater companies. "Sunjata Kamalenya" by the Experiential Theater Company will present immersive youth and family theater performances. The Asase Yaa Youth Ensemble, FIYAA Forces of Nature Incredible Youth Arts Alliance and Ife Youth Dance Theater will headline "Black Dance Pioneers with Legacy" on Feb. 13. The festival will conclude with "Djembe in the New Millennium, Musical," performed by the Obie Award-winning Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater on Feb. 15 and 16.
Additional programming includes "Voices of Resistance: Spoken Word Series," featuring spoken word performances inspired by the festival’s theme, and "Evolution of Activism: Matisse & District 16 Visual Arts Exhibit," which will showcase youth artwork in the theater lobby throughout the festival.
