Step Afrika! is the world’s leading authority on the art form of stepping. Stepping is a percussive, highly energetic art form first developed through the song and dance rituals performed by African-American fraternities and sororities.  Stepping became a way that members of these student groups (known today as the Divine Nine) expressed love and pride for their organizations. In stepping, the body becomes an instrument, using footsteps, claps and spoken word to produce complex poly-rhythms.   

Step Afrika! blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities; traditional African dances; and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience. Performances are much more than dance shows; they integrate songs, storytelling, humor and audience participation. The blend of technique, agility, and pure energy makes each performance unique and leaves the audience with their hearts pounding. Step Afrika! promotes stepping as an educational tool for young people, focusing on teamwork, academic achievement, and cross-cultural understanding.

Step Afrika! has earned Mayor’s Arts Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Arts Education, Innovation in the Arts, Excellence in an Artistic Discipline, and was inducted into the National Association of Campus Activities (NACA) Hall of Fame, the first Dance Company to earn this honor. Step Afrika! headlined President Barack Obama’s Black History Month Reception and performed at the first-ever Juneteenth Celebration at the White House. The company is featured prominently at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture with the world’s first interactive stepping exhibit.

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Runtime: 45 minutes

Recommended grade levels: K-12

Curricular Connections: History, Dance, Music