The high-energy dance troupe called Step Afrika visited the college 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 in Dana Auditorium in celebration of Black History Month.
Step Afrika is an internationally renowned dance ensemble that combines forms of stepping, tap, South African gumboot, clogging, hip-hop, house and freestyle dancing in their routine. The group’s technique is drawn from African dance traditions as well as the stepping popularized by African American fraternities and sororities.
The Washington Post described Step Afrika as “a skillfully arranged rhythmic combination of clapping, body slapping, stomping and shouting inspired by schoolyard games.”
“Basically it started when, living in South Africa, we came across this dance called the ‘Gumboot Dance,'” Brian Williams, founder and director of Step Afrika! USA, said. “Seeing that, we wanted to find a way to create a link between stepping and this dance and particular, but most importantly, a link between South Africa and America.”
The group involved the audience by inviting students on stage to participate in the dancing.
Esther Nissao was one of the audience members whovolunteered to dance on stage with the troupe. “I liked being on stage …they tried to engage the audience in sharing their moves. It was great to perform along such talented performers,” Nissao said.
Each year Step Afrika! visits Johannesburg, South Africa, for an international dance festival, offering workshops and outreach programs to the townships’ youth. Through interactive dance, Step Afrika! seeks to broaden the international perspectives of both South Africans and Americans.
Junior A.Q. Abdul-Karim is president of the Student Union, one of the sponsors of the event.
“The majority of the dance programs on campus … are pretty much modern dance,” Abdul-Karim said. “You do see some creative freedom. But looking at step and the roots of step, you get to see a better idea of exactly what else is out there besides ballet and modern dance.”
“There’s a lack of exposure here … we don’t have fraternities or sororities, or as much popular African American culture,” Ariana DeToro-Forlenza, an audience member who danced on stage, said. “This makes up for it.”
“I think that events like these are a great exposure to the African American culture,” Nissao said. “They teach us about the origins of African American art, in this case dance, and their influence in our society.”
The Offices of African American Affairs and Student Involvement and Blacks Unifying Society (BUS) also sponsored the event.