IN 1977, the visionary dancer and choreographer Baba Chuck Davis established DanceAfrica at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). Founded with the goal of bringing awareness to African culture, the festival has blossomed into America’s largest celebration of African dance and culture and led to regional DanceAfrica events flourishing nationwide.
Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT) made history in 2005 by becoming the first organization west of the Mississippi to host DanceAfrica. For two transformative decades, we’ve been honored to bring this vibrant celebration of African diaspora arts to the heart of Texas and build a legacy that has touched countless lives and strengthened our community's cultural foundation.
From captivating performances and community workshops, to a lively marketplace reminiscent of BAM’s original bazaar, this signature event embodies DanceAfrica’s enduring spirit of cultural connection and exchange. Over these twenty years, we've been honored to host renowned guest artists from across the country and the globe, starting with our inaugural event that featured NDERE, a 15-member dance troupe from Uganda.
This year our theme, “Legacy of the Drum: 20 Years of Rhythm & Roots”, honors the powerful intersection of music, dance and community that has been the heartbeat of Dallas DanceAfrica for two decades. As you immerse yourself in tonight’s performance, know that you’re now part of a legacy that spans decades and transcends borders, joining thousands who have gathered before you to preserve, celebrate, and share in a rich cultural heritage.
Welcome to this historic 20th anniversary celebration. Welcome to the DanceAfrica family.
LEGACY SPONSOR CATALYST SPONSORS
SEASON SPONSORS
ANONYMOUS NORMA & DON STONE THE BLESSING FAMILY ENDOWMENT
HILLCREST FOUNDATION
FICHTENBAUM CHARITABLE TRUST
THE REA CHARITABLE TRUST
W.P. & BULAH LUSE FOUNDATION
DALLAS BLACK DANCE THEATRE PRESENTS
Baba Chuck Davis, DanceAfrica Founder
DBDT Council of Elders
SOLE Defined
NOTES OF TRANSFORMATION
Lancaster High School (DC3)
Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT)
DBDT: Encore!
DBDA Allegro Performing Ensemble
DBDA Senior Performing Ensemble
DBDA Junior Performing Ensemble
Ann M. Williams
Dallas Black Dance Theatre Founder
Richard A. Freeman, Jr.
Interim Artistic Director
RaChelle Conley-Lister
DBDT Technical Director
Master & Mistress of Ceremony: Baba Leo Hassan & Nycole Ray
Percussionists: Christopher Rollins (Musical Director), Jaden Logan, Santiago Marquez, Nicholas Rothouse, Ethan Worland
Council of Elders Chairs: Sareatha Kirk & Galen Johnson
Lighting Designer: RaChelle Conley-Lister
Stage Manager: Donovan Carter
Stage Crew: Aaron Love, Keyvion Harrison, and Michael Powell
Special thanks to DeAndre Hester for complimentary use of select music before Ascending
REMEMBERING BABA CHUCK DAVIS
Peace Love Respect For Everybody!
THIS TRAIN by Gwyneth Walker
This Train is a contemporary arrangement of the American gospel song, “This Train is Bound for Glory.” The train is a metaphor for the way to heaven. “This is the train of freedom and glory and justice, and it's pulling out tonight.”
Hold on tight!
NOTES OF TRANSFORMATION
Under the direction of Pamela Dawson 2023 Grammy Music Educator of The Year
Aja Allen, Taniea Eaden, Alexandria Ellison, Gabrielle Crittendon, Elizabeth Dawson, Kiyanna Jackson, Abigail Norris, Eyanah Pollock, Tamya Simmons, Nichelle Winters
Jalubah’s Greetings
Baba Leo Hassan & Nycole Ray
The JALIBAH, oral historian/narrator, welcomes all to this space where all important events take place including acknowledgment of your OMNIPOTENT FORCE; HONORING THE ANCESTORS; HONORING THE ELDERS. AND HONORING, OF COURSE, YOU! ASE!!! ASE!!! ASE!!!
Pouring of the Libation
Baba Leo Hassan & Nycole Ray
Memorial
Baba Leo Hassan & Nycole Ray
Stardust by B.E. Boykin
MUSICIANS
Brandon Eggins, Bass
Arty Whittenberg, Djembe
This is a call for “a home where we can run” in memory of Ahmaud Arbery, “a home where we can pray” in memory of the victims of the Mother Emanuel shooting, “a home where we can breathe” in memory of George Floyd, and a home “to sleep and dream without fear” in memory of Breonna Taylor. When we sing, we pray twice, and it is my prayer that this piece stirs all who hear it to call for justice for the people of color taken from this world before their time and without concern for their humanity. “If we are only stardust, let your names reach to the sky above us. Like petals wafting on a breeze, we lift you up beyond our reach.”
Kum Buba Yali, Kum Buba Tambe - No actual translation. These are magic words from Virginia Hamilton’s The People Could Fly.
NOTES OF TRANSFORMATION
Under the direction of Pamela Dawson 2023 Grammy Music Educator of The Year
ASCENDING
The Council of Elders
Choreographer Daijha Kirk
Anoshereketa by Oliver Mtukudzi and The Black Spirits
The Council of Elders
Suzette Durham, Margaret Ford, Shelia Harris, Diana Huguley, Gabrielle Huguley, Galen Huguley Johnson, Sareatha Kirk, Sharon Lawson, Mayme Merritt, Lari Newman-Williams, De’Etra Scott, Annelle Soumaoro, LaTricia Willis
Mendiani
Lancaster High School – DC3
Under the direction of Carla Wattley
Performers
Laila Alexander, Aniya Ballentine-Harris, Danielle Brent, Jaliah Brewer, Regina Browning, Alissa Bush, Valencia Coleman, Sha’miyah Craver, Arianna Davis, Garyn Dorsey, Carniyah Holmes, Sasha Jones, Pilar McCullough, Malaysia McGraw, Janiah Sloan, Jaz’Myne Smith, Mattisyn Smith, Phylencia Smith, Serenity Wade, Morgan Walker, Tianna White, Coriahya Whiteside, Anihya Williams, Caila Williams, Kaiden Wimberly, Nevaeh Woods
Echoes of the Motherland
Dallas Black Dance Academy’s Junior & Senior Performing Ensembles
Attiyya Fortune, JPE Director
Sydney Winston, SPE Director
Daijhia Kirk, Ensemble Assistant
Choreographers
Attiyya Fortune, Daijhia Kirk, Sydney Winston
Dancers
JPE – Andelynn Barfield, Chrysette Diggs, Gemariah Floyd, Farrah McCoy, Tamyha Robertson, Roxie Swan-Sterling, Ailey Williams, Ellington Young
SPE – Taylor Brock, Olivia Booker, Cadence Diggs, Charity Harris, Jaia Jones, Charlee McCoy, Marley Randolph, Zoee Shepherd, Danny Sullivan
Laamba for Sky
Dallas Black Dance Academy’s Allegro Performing Ensemble
Katricia Eaglin, Director
Choreographer
Katricia Eaglin
Costumes
Sareatha Kirk, Motu Kreations
Dancers
Azaria Barnes, Madison Bell, Devyn Black, Ariel Bowman, Maria Guerrero, Aniya Whitaker, Micah White, Toryn Williams
The Ancestor’s Awakening
Dallas Black Dance Theatre & DBDT: Encore!
Choreographer
T. Ayo Alston
Costumes
Sareatha Kirk, Motu Kreations, DeAngela Christian
Section I
Lamban: To the Sleeping Griot
Giving honor to Baba Chuck Davis and elders who have preserved and passed on African dance, music, and culture.
Section II
Burgam: Evoking Ring Shout
Music
Chants Du Burgam by Doudou Ndiaye Rose
With Ghanaian rhythmical influences, we call on the ancestors to bless us in celebration of our African culture.
Section III
Digba: The Awakening
Ivorian rhythms and movements of the traditional African diaspora, ignite and acknowledge the ancestors into the space for audience to witness the light life and fire of African dance.
Dallas Black Dance Theatre
Richard A. Freeman, Jr., Interim Artistic Director
Dancers
DaJuan Foley, Jr., Jayla Johnson, Darien Jones, Amit Katz, Jazmun McCoy, Quintin Moore, Jamari Neal, Brandon Palmer, Javares Selby, Anna Vasquez, Sarah Westbrook
DBDT: Encore!
Jonathan Ambrose, Lawrence Carter, Akeia Fuqua, Baili Goer, Sydney Guine, Robert Hooks II, Julius Johnson Mathis, Marcus Johnson, Jr., Natailia Meza, Azya Warrick
—INTERMISSION (20 MINUTES)—
SOLE Defined
Let’s Take That Ride
Excerpt from The Pulse
Choreography by Ryan K. Johnson & Quynn Johnson with contributions from The Company.
Performed by The Company
Po' Boy
Excerpt from ZAZ
Choreography by Ryan K Johnson & Max Pollax
Performed by The Company
RawSoundz
Choreography by Ryan K. Johnson
Performed by Ryan K. Johnson
Phoenix
Excerpt from ZAZ
Choreography by Quynn L. Johnson
Performed by Quynn Johnson, Funmi Sofola, Jessee Robinson
The Yard
Excerpt from ZAZ
Choreography by Ryan K. Johnson
Performed by Jodeci Milhouse & Claude Alexander III
Better Days
Excerpt from ZAZ
Choreography by Ryan K. Johnson with contributions from The Company
Performed by The Company
The Artists
Ryan K. Johnson (Artistic Director/Co-Founder/Choreographer/ Performer)
Jodeci Milhouse (Associate Artistic Director/Performer)
Quynn Johnson (Co-Founder, Associate Choreographer/Performer)
Funmi Sofola (Performer/Dance Captain)
Claude Alexander III (Performer)
Jessee Leigh Robinson (Performer)
