Dance performance to step into St. Catharines
The Step Afrika dance troupe will be performing in St. Catharines this February, providing a glimpse into the tradition of stepping.
The stepping performance will blend dance with music, storytelling and humour to showcase the dancers’ technique and energy. Audience participation is also a major part of the show, with crowd members invited to clap, cheer, stomp, and answer calls from the artists. The style is influenced by traditional African dance, historic African-American college groups, and a variety of contemporary dance artists. The troupe consists of 17 full-time dancers and artists who perform together, led by assistant artistic director Conrad R. Kelly II.
The St. Catharines appearance is part of Step Afrika’s annual tour, which includes 50 American cities and colleges, as well as international visits. The troupe will also be performing in Guelph and Kingston earlier in the month. The Step Afrika organization also promotes stepping to young people as a way of teaching teamwork and cross-cultural understanding. Stage shows like this often use banner printing and other backdrops to help set the tone and add feeling to the physical performance. The group is recognized as a US Cultural Ambassador, and says its international tours:
The St Catharines performance of Step Afrika will take place at Partridge Hall on the evening of February 25.
The stepping performance will blend dance with music, storytelling and humour to showcase the dancers’ technique and energy. Audience participation is also a major part of the show, with crowd members invited to clap, cheer, stomp, and answer calls from the artists. The style is influenced by traditional African dance, historic African-American college groups, and a variety of contemporary dance artists. The troupe consists of 17 full-time dancers and artists who perform together, led by assistant artistic director Conrad R. Kelly II.
The St. Catharines appearance is part of Step Afrika’s annual tour, which includes 50 American cities and colleges, as well as international visits. The troupe will also be performing in Guelph and Kingston earlier in the month. The Step Afrika organization also promotes stepping to young people as a way of teaching teamwork and cross-cultural understanding. Stage shows like this often use banner printing and other backdrops to help set the tone and add feeling to the physical performance. The group is recognized as a US Cultural Ambassador, and says its international tours:
“Promote tolerance, self-expression and cross-cultural understanding in some of the world’s most divided areas.”
The St Catharines performance of Step Afrika will take place at Partridge Hall on the evening of February 25.