The Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation will launch its third annual Rhythms & Movements Festival at the BRIC Ballroom beginning Feb. 20, with Artivist Experience, a concert rooted in contemporary jazz.
The opening night brings together composer and master percussionist Kweku Sumbry, joined by acclaimed saxophonist Immanuel Wilkins and vibraphonist Joel Ross, for an evening that explores the creative and political power of sound.
The performance will be followed by a moderated, in-depth conversation led by Chief Ayanda Clarke, examining the intersection of African music, activism and revolution in today’s global landscape.
“We’re thrilled to have such an impressive collective of artists whose body of work sits at the intersection of tradition, innovation, and social consciousness open our Festival,” said K. Osei Williams, executive producer of the festival and executive director of the Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation.
The night continues with The Love Party, a high-energy dance afterparty running from 9:00pm to midnight and hosted by Brooklyn legend DJ Spinna. Designed as a celebration of connection, love and community, the afterparty extends the Festival’s mission of unity, joy and collective liberation through music and movement.
Other festival highlights include:
- Feb. 25–27: THE MAD SCIENTIST, Billie Holiday Theater: Youth-centered, comedic play in which a young scientist time-travels to meet iconic Black historical figures who teach lessons in creativity, humility, and heritage; includes dance, music, and humor. 10:00am and 12:30pm daily.
- Feb. 28: THE REVIVAL: DJEMBE IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM, The Theater at City Tech: Revived musical production tracing West African dance and drumming’s influence on 1990s Bed-Stuy and the origins of Asase Yaa, featuring dancers, live drummers, new music, costumes, and multimedia. 7:30pm.
The third annual Rhythms & Movements Festival runs from Feb. 20 through Feb. 28, with events hosted at the BRIC Ballroom, The Billie Holiday Theatre, and The Theater at City Tech. Early Bird tickets, offering 20% off all festival events through Feb. 1, are available with the code ASASE26, along with special group pricing.
For event updates and information on supporting Asase Yaa’s 25th Anniversary campaign, visit asaseyaaent.org or follow @AsaseYaaCulturalArtsFoundation on social media.
