DanceAfrica marked its 49th year over Memorial Day weekend with a vibrant celebration honoring Uganda and the theme “Umoja/Mirembe/Obulungi (Unity/Peace/Beauty),” showcasing the richness of Ugandan culture through dance, music, and live performances staged inside BAM theaters throughout the weekend.
The three-day festival, held Saturday (5/23) through Monday (5/25) outside the Brooklyn Academy of Music, drew thousands together despite relentless rain and unseasonably gray skies that drenched much of Saturday and Sunday. Still, the weather did little to dim the spirit and energy that have long defined DanceAfrica.
By Monday, the clouds finally broke, giving way to warm sunshine and a jubilant closing day as the neighborhood buzzed with renewed energy. The outdoor bazaar stretched along Ashland Place and Lafayette Avenue, transforming Fort Greene into a global cultural marketplace featuring more than 150 vendors from around the world.
Founded in 1977 by the late Chuck Davis, DanceAfrica remains the nation’s largest and longest-running festival dedicated to African diasporic dance and culture.
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