Special to The Dallas Examiner
The Dallas Black Dance Theatre will kick off its 2018-2019 season in the Dallas Arts District with its 13th annual DanceAfrica – celebrating the rich heritage and ancestry of Africa. As an introduction to the celebration, DBDT will present free African master dance classes Oct. 3 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Dallas Black Dance Theatre studios, 2700 Ann Williams Way.
DanceAfrica Festival will be held free and open to the public Oct. 5 and Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Annette Strauss Square, located at 2389 Flora St. and 7:30 p.m. in the Moody Performance Hall, located at 2520 Flora St. Tickets can be purchased by calling 214-880-0202 or visit www.attpac.org.
The theatrical performance will feature guest artist Washington, D.C. based Step Afrika! The group has traveled the world demonstrating the link between African dance and the art form of stepping, a ritual for African American fraternities and sororities across America. The group’s founder, Executive Director C. Brian Williams, learned to step as a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity at Howard University in 1989. After living in Africa, he began to research stepping and discovered it draws movements from African dances. Fraternities and sororities are welcome to wear their organization colors to the evening performances.
The performance offers an experience of drums, the movements and the vibrancy of African culture as all five Dallas Black Dance Theatre companies: DBDT, DBDT: Encore! Allegro Performing Ensemble, Senior Performing Ensemble and Junior Performing Ensemble dance to the lively rhythm as they ignite the stage.
On Oct. 6, the theater group will host a parade through the Dallas Arts District to open the marketplace at 9:30 a.m. Festivities will include an array of festivities including food, art, children’s activities, face painting, vendors, a fashion show by Trendy Africa, and performances by local community artists.
Local artists highlighting the marketplace’s stage performances include Grupo Folklorico Mexico Lindo, Dallas Youth Repertory Project, 6 o’Clock Dance Theatre, Continuum Dance Company-Tarrant County College South Campus, Elevé Dance Company of South Oak Cliff High School, DC3 of Lancaster High School, Gaudium Dance Movement, Terrell Dance Ensemble and Essence Dance Company.
Season subscribers now have the option of purchasing discounted parking and save up to 15 percent per performance. For more information, visit https://dbdt.com.
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