Dance Africa

Our purpose is to learn about dance traditions from a variety of African cultural groups, to honor, celebrate, and work with those traditions, and to create educational and entertaining performances for children and adults.

Since the founding of Dance Africa in 1993 by Rita Honka and Kouessan Gabriel Abaglo, the company has dedicated itself to celebrating the rich traditions of African dance, music and culture in and around the area of Eugene, Oregon. This diverse group of dancers, drummers and singers take their love and knowledge of African dance traditions and share it with the surrounding community. Dance Africa brings internationally known artists from many African cultural groups to campus throughout the year. During the exhilarating Artist-in-Residency week at the University of Oregon, guest artists teach dance and drumming classes, give lecture demonstrations, and choreograph a new performance piece for the company. The week culminates with a lively performance by the company dancing alongside these master performing artists. This exciting week, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., kicks off Dance Africa’s season and annual school tour.

Dance Africa’s touring season focuses on area elementary, middle and high schools, and reaches nearly 3000 school children every year. The company has become a unique part of the African Studies curriculum in many of these schools, with its interactive performance of traditional music, song and dance representing diverse African cultural groups. The company complements its performance by leading lessons in African geography, musical instrumentation and rhythms, storytelling, history, and culture.

Dance Africa guest artist for 2009-2010, Masankho Banda is an internationally renowned educator, dancer, choreographer, storyteller and peacekeeper, from Malawi, Central Africa. In the week long residency, scheduled for January 17-24, 2010, Mr. Banda will teach a series of classes, stage a Malawian dance on the Dance Africa Repertory Company and perform with the company in three public shows at the Dougherty Dance Theatre and Beall Concert Hall.