BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – IU Auditorium and Union Board are proud to present the world-renowned dance company Step Afrika! for a free outdoor performance at Kinsey Hollow on Friday, April 23 at 6 p.m., open to IU Bloomington students, staff, and faculty.

 

Step Afrika! was founded in 1994 as the first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping and is now one of the top African-American dance companies in the United States.

 

The company blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities, traditional West and Southern African dances, and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience. Step Afrika! blends traditional and modern dance with storytelling, humor, and audience participation to bring a unique and high-energy experience to every place they perform.  

 

Tickets are free and are required for entry into this event. Tickets are available to IU Bloomington students, staff, and faculty and can be claimed anytime at IUauditorium.com. Capacity will be limited.

 

Educational Programming

Step Afrika! also promotes stepping as an educational tool for young people, focusing on teamwork, academic achievement, and cross-cultural understanding. During their stay in Bloomington, the company will provide three educational programs for IU Bloomington students and also plans to lead K-12 experiences with local schools.

 

During normal touring seasons, Step Afrika! reaches tens of thousands of Americans each year through a national tour of colleges and theatres, and performs globally as Washington, DC’s one and only cultural ambassador. Step Afrika! has earned Mayor’s Arts Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Arts Education (2005), Innovation in the Arts (2008), and Excellence in an Artistic Discipline (2012). The company also performed at the White House for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.