Events
BAM’s DanceAfrica 2024 Bazaar Attracts 30,000
DanceAfrica 2024 kicked off Memorial Day weekend with a vibrant celebration of African and diasporic cultures, shining a spotlight on the rich heritage of Cameroon.
DanceAfrica 2024 kicked off Memorial Day weekend with a vibrant celebration of African and diasporic cultures, shining a spotlight on the rich heritage of Cameroon.
From soul-stirring dance performances in the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House to the bustling energy of the DanceAfrica Bazaar, the festival showcased the vibrancy and diversity of African culture.
Artistic Director Abdel R. Salaam curated an unforgettable lineup, featuring captivating performances by DanceAfrica Spirit Walkers, The Women Of The Calabash, The Billie’s Youth Arts Academy Dance Ensemble, and Siren: Protectors of The Rainforest. The festival’s anchor performance, The Origin of Communities / A Calabash of Cultures, highlighted the interconnectedness of dance, music, and culture.
The DanceAfrica Bazaar transformed the streets surrounding BAM into a vibrant marketplace, attracting over 30,000 attendees who immersed themselves in African, Caribbean, and African American food, fashion, artifacts, jewelry, and crafts.
In addition to performances and the marketplace, DanceAfrica 2024 offered a Family Dance Class, a Physically Integrated Movement Session, and a Master Class all rooted on Cameroonian dance and music.
There was also an insightful talk with DanceAfrica Elders as they shared reflections on the festival’s rich history and cultural significance.
BAM’s DanceAfrica Festival is a vibrant community celebration bringing together members of Africa and its diaspora in Brooklyn, New York. Founded in 1977 by the late Baba Chuck Davis to celebrate the living heritage of the African Diaspora, DanceAfrica is BAM’s longest-running performance series and one of the largest celebrations of African culture in the U.S. Now under the artistic direction of Baba Abdel R. Salaam since 2015, the festival continues to thrive.
