Founded in 1994 by C. Brian Williams, Step Afrika! Brings the artform known as stepping to the Auditorium Theatre on January 14, 2023.Stepping is an energetic, percussive art form developed through the songs and dance rituals preformed by black fraternities and sororities. In the early 1900s, Black Americans created their own Greek letter organizations when white organizations rejected their membership. These newly formed Greek organizations known as “The Divine Nine” supported students academically, socially and served the community. Stepping became the way members of these fraternities and sororities expressed love and pride for their organizations.
Step Afrika! blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities; traditional West and Southern 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! was founded by C. Brian Williams, a graduate of Howard University and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Beta Chapter. After living in Africa, he began to research stepping, exploring the many sides of this exciting, yet under-recognized American art form and founded Step Afrika! Many of Step Afrika!’s full-time dancers learned stepping while in college at a Historically Black College or University or through membership in a Historically Black Greek Fraternity or Sorority.
Step Afrika! has earned Mayor’s Arts Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Arts Education (2005); Innovation in the Arts (2008); and Excellence in an Artistic Discipline (2012); and performed at the White House for President Barack Obama and the First Lady. Step Afrika! is prominently featured at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture with an interactive exhibit on the art form of stepping.
In addition, Step Afrika! promotes stepping as an educational tool for young people, focusing on teamwork, academic achievement and cross-cultural understanding. The Company reaches tens of thousands of Americans each year through a 50-city tour of colleges and theaters and performs globally as Washington, DC’s one and only Cultural Ambassador.
Step Afrika! preforms January 14, 2023 at the Auditorium Theatre located at 50 E. Ida B. Wells Drive at 7:30pm. Tickets are $30-$76 and are available at auditoriumtheatre.org.
