Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation The Rhythms & Movements of African American Culture Festival

PLEASE NOTE: Events on 2/13 and 2/14 have been canceled due to weather. 

In honor of the 54^th anniversary of Black History Month, Brooklyn-based Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation, a nonprofit organization which has been offering youth ages 3-18 an opportunity to learn, study and experience the history, movement and beauty of African Diaspora dance, music and culture at its highest level for over 20 years, presents The Rhythms & Movements of African American Culture Festival. The festival will feature 16 performances from Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater, Asase Yaa Theater Company, Asase Yaa Youth Ensemble, Ife Youth Dance Theater, and Arkestra Africa.

The world premiere of the revival ballet, GHANA: THE PLACE WHERE THE CHIEF SLEEPS, performed by the Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater, is a highlight of the festival. It’s directed and produced by Yao Ababio, Asase Yaa’s Artistic Director/Founder and executive produced by K. Osei Williams, Asase Yaa’s Executive Director.

The festival concerts and performances are for all ages. They will feature a fusion of African music genres and dance forms from Ghana, Guinea, Senegal, and Cuba, as well as more contemporary forms such as Afro-Cuban, House, Rock, Hi-Life, Hip Hop, Jazz, and modern dance. The schedule and showtimes are as follows:

February 12 – 16:  HIP HOP KINGDOM, performed by the new Asase Yaa Theater Company. A musical that pays homage to the 50^th Anniversary of hip hop and its historical and culture-shaping impact on social protest, and community building in New York City and around the world. Showtimes: 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

February 13, 14, 17, & 18 – GHANA: THE PLACE WHERE THE CHIEF SLEEPS, performed by Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater. A revival of an original ballet that celebrates Yao Ababio, Asase Yaa’s founder and Artistic Director, which premiered in 2016. It illuminates the profound significance of the Ghanaian Empire, and its influence on many present-day African communities. Showtimes: 7:30 p.m. and 18 at 3:00 p.m.

February 15: LEGACY, a dance performance featuring the dynamic and flourishing Asase Yaa Youth Ensemble, a 16-member African diasporic dance and drum company and the Ife Youth Dance Theater, a Brooklyn-based Pre-Professional Dance Program. Showtime: 7:30 p.m.

February 16: VISIONS OF AFRICA: A MULTI-MEDIA MUSICAL JOURNEY performed by Arkestra Africa. An immersive experience and musical retrospective that celebrates the vibrant cultural tapestry and music scene in Ghana and Nigeria during the 60s and 70s. It’s performed by a Arkestra Africa, an 11-member Ghanaian and Nigerian highlife music ensemble led by musical director/drummer K. Osei Williams featuring Afropop vocalist Amma Whatt. Showtime: 7:30 p.m.