DanceAfrica 2025 Returns to BAM from May 23 - 26
Company:
DanceAfrica
BAM Announces Full Festival Details for DanceAfrica 2025,
Featuring Mozambique: Movement! Magic! Manifestation!
Connecting through African Dance, Music, and Community; Brooklyn’s
Memorial Day weekend tradition returns with performances, films, classes,
visual art, and the iconic outdoor DanceAfrica Bazaar | May 23 – 26
Friday, May 23 at 7:30pm
Saturday, May 24 at 2pm & 7pm
Sunday, May 25 at 3pm
Monday, May 26 at 3pm
Tickets start at $25
Brooklyn, NY — March 26, 2025 — DanceAfrica, BAM’s longest - running program and the nation’s largest festival of African dance and culture, returns for its 48th year with a full weekend of performances , films, dance classes, and community events over Memorial Day weekend.
This annual tradition brings together Brooklyn’s cultural institutions, artists, audiences, and vendors from around the world, transforming BAM and its surrounding streets into a vibrant gathering place for African and diasporic traditions.
At the center of DanceAfrica 2025 is Mozambique: Movement! Magic! Manifestation!, the headline dance performance series at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, running May 23 – 26 . The program highlights the history, movement, and traditions of Mozambique, where artistic expression is a powerful form of cultural memory, spiritual connecti on, and resilience. Under the artistic direction of Abdel R. Salaam , this year’s performance features traditional works — including the annual Memorial Tribute to the Ancestors — and showcases Mozambique’s internationally recognized Song & Dance Company of Moz ambique , alongside Mama
Coumba Saaraba , The DanceAfrica Spirit Walkers , and The Billie’s Youth Arts Academy Dance Ensemble.
Mozambique: Movement! Magic! Manifestation! will showcase traditional Mozambican dance
forms that reflect the country’s history, spi rituality, and resilience. Tufu is a rhythmic dance often
performed by women, featuring fluid movements and percussive clapping that emphasize grace
and unity. Xigubo , a warrior’s dance, is deeply rooted in Mozambique’s legacy of resistance,
and historical ly performed by fighters preparing for battle. Ngalanga is a celebratory dance
traditionally showcased at festivals and gatherings, embodying joy and communal spirit.
The program also includes Mapiko and Nhau , dances that highlight Mozambique’s diverse
tra ditions — from the dramatic storytelling of masked performances to the powerful rhythms of
drumming and movement. Across generations, these dances have served as more than
performance; they are an embodiment of history, identity, and cultural preservation.
Mozambique: A Story of Resistance and Cultural Expression
On June 25, 1975, Mozambique gained independence through organized resistance against
centuries of Portuguese colonial rule, becoming one of the last continental African nations to
reclaim its sovere ignty. As the country approaches the 50th anniversary of this historic moment,
DanceAfrica 2025 offers a timely opportunity to reflect on the power of cultural expression in the
pursuit of liberation. That victory ignited a renewed focus on self - determinat ion, cultural
preservation, and artistic expression.
A defining symbol of Mozambican cultural identity is the Capulana, a textile used in daily life and
ceremonial practices. The fabric represents creativity, heritage, and resilience, worn as an
expression of identity and tradition. In Mozambique, dance and music are central to cultural
continuity — manifestations of history, memory, and transformation.
In addition to the performances at BAM’s Howard Gilman Opera House (May 23 – 26) ,
DanceAfrica continues its t radition of African cultural engagement through classes, discussions,
and films, and other programs held in collaboration with community partners.
DanceAfrica 2025 Festival Highlights
DanceAfrica 2025 extends beyond the stage, offering experiences in dance classes, film screenings, art, and cultural exchange in community with the Billie Holiday Theatre at Restoration Plaza, Weeksville Heritage Center, Mark Morris Dance Center, Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy, the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA), and the African Film Festival. The DanceAfrica Bazaar transforms the streets around BAM into a vibrant marketplace with over 200 vendors, while dance classes offer hands - on engagement with African movement traditions. This year’s festival also features a new visual arts installation by Mozambican artist
Cassi Namoda, presented with MoCADA, along with an artist talk where Namoda will discuss her work and creative process in conversation with the organization’s Executive Director Amy Andrieux .
FilmAfrica , curated by the African Film Festival, returns with a selection of films from across the
continent, adding to the festival’s immersive exploration of African and diasporic culture. For the full DanceAfrica 2025 lineup, tickets, and registration for free events, visit BAM.org.
Highlights include:
● May 7 Visual Art: “At the breast, at the motherhood (the place where your
mother originates)”
● May 17 Tribute to the Ancestors
● May 17 Community Day
● May 21 DanceAfrica Visual Art Artist Talk with Cassi Namoda
● May 22 The Memorial Room
● May 23 – 26 DanceAfrica 2025: Mozambiq ue: Movement! Magic! Manifestation!
● May 23 – 29 FilmAfrica
● May 24 – 26 DanceAfrica Bazaar
● May 24 – 26 Dance Classes
● May 24 Late Night Dance Party
● May 25 Council of Elders Roundtable
● Ongoing DanceAfrica and the BAM Hamm Archives
For more details, ticket purchases, and the full festival lineup, visit BAM.org.
DanceAfrica 2025 Full Programming
FilmAfrica 2025
May 23 — 29 | BAM Rose Cinemas (30 Lafayette Ave)
Curated by the African Film Festival this cinematic companion explores stories from
Mozambique and across Africa, showcasing contemporary narratives, historical perspectives,
and innovative storytelling. Additional film titles to be announced on BAM.org.
Tickets
● $17 per screening (adults) | $11 (seniors & veterans) | $8.50 (BAM Members 1 - 3)
Tickets go on sale April 7 at BAM.org
Selections Include:
After the Long Rains (2023) Dir. Damien Hauser (Kenya)
A young girl in a coastal Kenyan town dreams of escaping tradition to pursue acting in Europe.
With the help of a local fisherman, she sets off on an unexpected journey of self - discovery.
Granma Nineteen and the Soviet’s Secret (2020) Dir. João Ribeiro
(Mozambiqu e/Portugal/Brazil)
Adapted from Ondjaki’s novel, this coming - of - age story follows a young boy and his friends as
they scheme to stop a Russian construction project that threatens to demolish their coastal
African village.
Hanami (2024) Dir. Denise Fernand es (Cape Verde/Switzerland)
A reflective portrait of migration, memory, and womanhood that bridges Cape Verdean traditions
with contemporary European life.
Katanga: The Dance of the Scorpions (2024) Dir. Dani Kouyaté (Burkina Faso)
A docu - drama uncovering the cultural and political complexities of post - colonial Congo through
the lens of Katanga’s fight for autonomy.
Khartoum (2025) Dirs. Ibrahim Snoopy Ahmad, Timeea Mohamed Ahmed, Rawia Alhag,
Philip Cox, Anas Saeed (Sudan)
A civil servant, a tea lady, a re sistance committee volunteer, and two street boys, all in search of
freedom, find their lives unexpectedly intertwined through animated dreams, street revolutions,
and a civil war.
Kunxa Kanema: The Birth of Cinema (2003) Dir. Margarida Cardoso (Mozambique )
A look into how Mozambique built a national cinema after independence, using film as a vehicle
for unity, education, and cultural pride.
Mueda, Memória e Massacre (1979) Dir. Ruy Guerra (Mozambique)
A seminal Mozambican film that reenacts a tragic coloni al - era massacre through community
performance, blending documentary and fiction.
Nteregu (2024) Dir. Manuel Loureiro (Portugal)
A poetic short film capturing the rhythms and daily life of a coastal fishing village facing the
realities of environmental chan ge.
Over the Bridge (2023) Dir. Tolu Ajayi (Nigeria)
When a high - profile investment project collapses, a successful banker’s life unravels. Stranded
in a remote fishing village, he begins to piece together his past while questioning his future.
So Long a Letter (2025) Dir. Angèle Diabang Brener (Senegal)
An adaptation of Mariama Bâ’s feminist classic, exploring the emotional landscape of
widowhood, friendship, and tradition in post - colonial Senegal.
Soundtrack to a Coup D'éta t (2024) Dir. Johan G rimonprez (Belgium/France)
An experimental collage of jazz, politics, and Cold War intrigue, uncovering the global forces
behind the 1961 assassination of Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba.
The Night Still Smells Like Gunpowder (2024) Dir. Inadelso Cossa (Mozambique)
A filmmaker returns to his grandparents’ village in Mozambique, where he once sought refuge
from war. As he retraces his childhood, the film reflects on memory, survival, and the long
shadow of conflict.
When I Say Africa (2024) Dir. Cas sandra Herrman (USA/Senegal)
Exploring identity and cultural memory through the eyes of a young woman in the diaspora, this
film reflects on what it means to belong.
Where There Is Love, There Is No Darkness (2025) Dir. Stevan Lee Mraovitch
(France/Senegal )
A heartfelt meditation on intergenerational love, resilience, and memory, told through the story
of a family confronting loss.
DanceAfrica Community Class
Saturday, May 24 at 11am | Brooklyn Bridge Park (Pier 6 Liberty Lawn)
Rain Date: Sunday, May 25 at 11am
An engaging, family - friendly dance workshop led by BAM teaching artist Dánice Jones , this
class introduces participants to rhythms and movement from across the African Diaspora in an
open - air setting. Co - presented by BAM and Brooklyn Bridge Park Con servancy.
Tickets
● Free with registration | Open to all ages. ( Registration will be available starting May 1)
DanceAfrica Family Class
Monday, May 26 at 10am | Duffy Studio (Mark Morris Dance Center, 3 Lafayette Ave)
Families are invited to explore Mozambican dance and music traditions in this hands-on, all ages workshop that blends movement and culture. Co-presented by BAM and Mark Morris Dance Center.
Tickets
● $12 for adults | $15 family of two | $20 family of three | $25 family of four. Tickets
availabl e starting April 4.
DanceAfrica Physically Integrated Movement Class
Monday, May 26 at 11am | Studio E Mark Morris Studio (Mark Morris Dance Center, 3 Lafayette Ave)
Dancer and choreographer Pat Hall leads this inclusive, interactive session designed for
participants with or without disabilities. Available in - person or via livestream, this class explores
African diasporic dance traditions as a means of connection, storytelling, and cultural
expression . Co - presented by BAM and Mark Morris Dance Center.
Tickets
● $12 for In - Person | $10 for Virtual | Open to adults of all experience levels. Tickets
available starting April 4.
DanceAfrica Masterclass
Monday, May 26 at 12pm | Duffy Studio (Mark Morris Dance Center, 3 Lafayette Ave)
This high - energy immersive class, taught by a member of the Song & Dance Company of
Mozambique, introduces intermediate to advanced dancers to the rhythmic traditions and
movement vocabulary of Mozambican dance. Co - pr esented by BAM and Mark Morris Dance
Center.
Tickets
● $12 per participant. Tickets available starting April 4.
Visual Arts Talk with Cassi Nomada
Wednesday, May 21 at 6pm | MoCADA Culture Lab II @ L10 (10 Lafayette Ave)
A conversation with Mozambican art ist Cassi Nomada, moderated by Amy Andrieux
(MoCADA) , discussing the artistic inspiration behind this year’s DanceAfrica visual arts
commission.
Tickets
● Free and open to the public, with registration
BAM and MoCADA Present
DanceAfrica Council of Elders Roundtable: Legacy & Preservation
With members of the DanceAfrica Council of Elders
Sunday, May 25 at 12pm | MoCADA Culture Lab II @ L10 (10 Lafayette Ave)
This roundtable, led by the DanceAfrica Council of Elders, explores the role of African traditions,
a ncestral connections, and cultural preservation in today’s evolving artistic landscape. In
conjunction with the ongoing DanceAfrica Oral History Project.
Tickets
● Free and open to the public, with registration
“At the breast, at the motherhood (the place where your mother originates)” (2022)
Cassi Namoda
Starting May 7 | Dorothy W. Levitt Lobby (Peter Jay Sharp Building, 30 Lafayette Ave)
Located along the escalator wall
Presented in collaboration with MoCADA, this year’s visual art installation features “At the
Breast, at the Motherhood (the place where your mother originates),” a recent acrylic work by
Mozambican artist Cassi Namoda . Born in Maputo, Namoda is known for h er vivid color
palettes and narrative - driven paintings that explore heritage, cultural memory, and personal
history. The piece offers a compelling visual meditation on identity and storytelling rooted in
Mozambican traditions.
Tickets
● Free and open to the public to view
Tribute to the Ancestors
Saturday, May 17 at 10am | Weeksville Heritage Center (158 Buffalo Avenue)
A sacred tradition of DanceAfrica, this annual tribute honors those who came before us through
music, drumming, dance performances, and a libation ceremony led by the DanceAfrica Council
of Elders. Presented in partnership with Weeksville Heritage Center.
Tickets
● Free and open to the public
Community Day
Saturday, May 17 at 1pm | Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Plaza (13 68 Fulton St)
The official kickoff to DanceAfrica 2025, this vibrant celebration features performances by The
Billie’s Youth Arts Academy Dance Ensemble – now in its 28th year as part of the festival –
alongside select participants of its general school along with special guest artists. Presented in
association with The Billie Holiday Theatre.
Tickets
● Free and open to the public
DanceAfrica 2025 Bazaar
Saturday, May 24 – Monday, May 26 | Ashland Pl/ Lafayette Ave
A cornerstone of DanceAfrica, the Bazaar tran sforms BAM’s neighborhood into a vibrant
marketplace, featuring over 200 vendors offering African, Caribbean, and African American art,
fashion, jewelry, crafts, and food. Drawing an estimated 30,000 visitors, this annual gathering is
a cultural and commer cial hub of African and diasporic creativity.
Tickets
● Free and open to the public
Late Night Dance Party
Saturday, May 24 at 10pm | The Adam Space/BAMcafe (Peter Jay Sharp Building, 30
Lafayette Ave)
The celebration continues with DJ YB, DanceAfrica’s resident DJ, spinning a mix of Afrobeats,
funk, soul, jazz, hip - hop, and global sounds for a night of movement and connection.
Tickets
● Free and open to the public
The Memorial Room
Thursday, May 22 – Monday, May 26 | Devitre Lounge (Peter J ay Sharp Building, 30
Lafayette Avenue)
Curated by Mama Linda Evans and the DanceAfrica Council of Elders, the Memorial Room
preserves the tradition of honoring ancestors connected to DanceAfrica and its visiting artists.
Tickets
● Free and open to the public
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