BAM’s DanceAfrica 2026 Brings Bakisimba And East African Dance Traditions To Brooklyn
Photos: BAM BAM’s DanceAfrica returns Memorial Day weekend with a full program of performances, classes, and community events celebrating Uganda. Uganda’s Ndere Troupe returns to BAM for the first time since 2007 alongside Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater celebrating their 25th anniversary, the DanceAfrica Spirit Walkers, and the Billie’s Youth Arts Academy Dance Ensemble. Ndere’s repertoire spans courtship and celebration, spiritual ritual, and percussive, hip-driven movement rooted in the traditions of Uganda’s many ethnic groups, from the graceful fertility dance Bakisimba to the high-energy Echizino. Performances are May 22-25. Dance programming highlights include the DanceAfrica Family Class and Masterclass – both taught by members of Ndere Troupe – at Mark Morris Dance Center on Monday May 25, plus a free community dance class at Fort Greene Park on Sunday May 17. Performance details DanceAfrica 2026 Uganda: Umoja/Mirembe/Obulungi (Unity/Peace/Beauty)! Friday, May 22 at 7:30pm; Saturday, May 23 at 2pm & 7pm; Sunday, May 24 & Monday, May 25 at 3pm BAM Howard Gilman Opera House (30 Lafayette Av, Brooklyn, NY) Under the artistic direction of Abdel R. Salaam, DanceAfrica 2026 celebrates Uganda through this year’s theme, Uganda: Umoja/Mirembe/Obulungi (Unity/Peace/Beauty)!. Uganda’s acclaimed Ndere Troupe returns to BAM for the first time since 2007, joined by Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater celebrating its 25th anniversary, The DanceAfrica Spirit Walkers, and The Billie’s Youth Arts Academy Dance Ensemble. Featuring traditional welcoming rituals, libation ceremonies, ancestral processions, live music, and dances representing Uganda’s rich cultural diversity, this year’s program highlights courtship dances, spiritual rituals, celebratory movement traditions, and storytelling rooted in community, joy, peace, and collective spirit. Tickets start at $25. DanceAfrica Family Class Monday, May 25 at 10am | Duffy Studio (Mark Morris Dance Center, 3 Lafayette Ave) Taught by a member of Ndere Troupe, this hands-on, all-ages workshop invites families to experience Ugandan dance and music traditions through movement and culture. Co-presented by BAM and Mark Morris Dance Center. Tickets are $12 for adults | $15 family of two | $20 family of three | $25 family of four. DanceAfrica Inclusive Movement Class Monday, May 25 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 draws on the movement traditions of the African diaspora as a means of connection, storytelling, and cultural expression. Co-presented by BAM and Mark Morris Dance Center. Tickets are $12 for In-Person | $10 for Virtual | Open to adults of all experience levels. DanceAfrica Masterclass Monday, May 25 at 12pm | Duffy Studio (Mark Morris Dance Center, 3 Lafayette Ave) This high-energy immersive class, taught by a member of Ndere Troupe, introduces intermediate to advanced dancers to the rhythmic traditions and movement vocabulary of Ugandan dance. Co-presented by BAM and Mark Morris Dance Center. Tickets are $12 per participant.
Black News 
Photos: BAM
BAM’s DanceAfrica returns Memorial Day weekend with a full program of performances, classes, and community events celebrating Uganda. Uganda’s Ndere Troupe returns to BAM for the first time since 2007 alongside Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater celebrating their 25th anniversary, the DanceAfrica Spirit Walkers, and the Billie’s Youth Arts Academy Dance Ensemble. Ndere’s repertoire spans courtship and celebration, spiritual ritual, and percussive, hip-driven movement rooted in the traditions of Uganda’s many ethnic groups, from the graceful fertility dance Bakisimba to the high-energy Echizino. Performances are May 22-25.
Dance programming highlights include the DanceAfrica Family Class and Masterclass – both taught by members of Ndere Troupe – at Mark Morris Dance Center on Monday May 25, plus a free community dance class at Fort Greene Park on Sunday May 17.
Performance details
DanceAfrica 2026 Uganda: Umoja/Mirembe/Obulungi (Unity/Peace/Beauty)!
Friday, May 22 at 7:30pm; Saturday, May 23 at 2pm & 7pm; Sunday, May 24 & Monday, May 25 at 3pm
BAM Howard Gilman Opera House (30 Lafayette Av, Brooklyn, NY)
Under the artistic direction of Abdel R. Salaam, DanceAfrica 2026 celebrates Uganda through this year’s theme, Uganda: Umoja/Mirembe/Obulungi (Unity/Peace/Beauty)!. Uganda’s acclaimed Ndere Troupe returns to BAM for the first time since 2007, joined by Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater celebrating its 25th anniversary, The DanceAfrica Spirit Walkers, and The Billie’s Youth Arts Academy Dance Ensemble.
Featuring traditional welcoming rituals, libation ceremonies, ancestral processions, live music, and dances representing Uganda’s rich cultural diversity, this year’s program highlights courtship dances, spiritual rituals, celebratory movement traditions, and storytelling rooted in community, joy, peace, and collective spirit.
Tickets start at $25.
DanceAfrica Family Class
Monday, May 25 at 10am | Duffy Studio (Mark Morris Dance Center, 3 Lafayette Ave)
Taught by a member of Ndere Troupe, this hands-on, all-ages workshop invites families to experience Ugandan dance and music traditions through movement and culture. Co-presented by BAM and Mark Morris Dance Center.
- Tickets are $12 for adults | $15 family of two | $20 family of three | $25 family of four.
DanceAfrica Inclusive Movement Class
Monday, May 25 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 draws on the movement traditions of the African diaspora as a means of connection, storytelling, and cultural expression. Co-presented by BAM and Mark Morris Dance Center.
- Tickets are $12 for In-Person | $10 for Virtual | Open to adults of all experience levels.
DanceAfrica Masterclass
Monday, May 25 at 12pm | Duffy Studio (Mark Morris Dance Center, 3 Lafayette Ave)
This high-energy immersive class, taught by a member of Ndere Troupe, introduces intermediate to advanced dancers to the rhythmic traditions and movement vocabulary of Ugandan dance. Co-presented by BAM and Mark Morris Dance Center.
- Tickets are $12 per participant.
