KowTeff Events
KowTeff Celebrates 30 Years!
KowTeff African Dance Company was founded in 1991 by Sewaa Codrington and Aicha (Makeda) Diop in Brooklyn, New York. 2021 truly marks a significant milestone of surviving and thriving as a cultural arts organization for three decades. KowTeff has a strong legacy of training generations of adults and youth in traditional African Diaspora folklore, and delivering powerful and diverse performances, free dance classes, and cultural programming for the community. As we continue to evolve and embark on this next chapter, KowTeff remains committed to preserving traditional African Diaspora folklore, edutainment, and using the cultural arts as a tool of community empowerment.
Juneteenth Celebration 2021
One of KowTeff's greatest services to the community is our Annual Juneteenth Celebration, which has been running for 11 consecutive years. Join us in-person in the heart of Brooklyn and virtually for KowTeff's 2021 Juneteenth Celebration.
We are excited that this year's celebration will fall on the actual Juneteenth holiday! Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the U.S. Due to the city’s re-opening plans and the lessening of COVID restrictions, we are able to offer this event in a hybrid fashion, with elements both in-person and on-line. The celebration begins and ends virtually, with a full day of cultural festivities packed in the middle at the outdoor bazaar. Good COVID prevention practices will be encouraged.
THIS PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED, IN PART, BY PUBLIC FUNDS FROM THE NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY COUNCIL.
FREE virtual and in-person events!
The 2021 Juneteenth Celebration begins virtually with KowTeff’s signature children’s activities and health and fitness classes. Children can enjoy an on-line West African dance class featuring Fatouseck Primus, and a cooking class led by Organic Soul Chef, Madea Allen. In the spirit of good health, we’ll offer a riveting Soca Sweat class by Shola Roberts and senior-friendly Seated Yoga class by Feona Alcide. Afterwards, we begin our on-site celebration in the heart of Brooklyn.
Come out for a dynamic day of cultural activities in the outdoor bazaar at Bed-Stuy Restoration Plaza! Participants can take dance classes in a variety of genres from the African Diaspora, including West African with Master Dancer Mouminatou Camara, Afro-Beat with renowned dancer Omari Wiles, a spirited Afro-Cuban class with Leithis Hechavarria, and of course an annual favorite -- Congolese with Andoche Loubaki.
Browse and shop at the African Marketplace, featuring an assortment of vendors selling hand-crafted and internationally traded goods, cultural products, and culinary treats. Throughout the day, the celebration will also feature entertaining and informative workshops and demonstrations. Presenters include Cumbe, Funmilayo, Coach Carter, and Master Sabu and the Humble School of Martial Arts.
Attendees will also experience a magic show by The Amazing Abraham and natural hair show by Thando Kafele, “The King of Locs”. Young people can enjoy the Kids’ Zone, filled with fun activities. Dance to the intoxicating rhythms of DJ Juwandi as he closes out the outdoor bazaar with his HOUSE RIDDIMS dance celebration.
Get the Full Schedule!
Scroll down to see the full KowTeff Juneteenth 2021 schedule, or click the link to download a PDF version.
FREE Virtual Performance!
KowTeff’s Juneteenth Celebration culminates with a virtual premiere performance featuring renowned artists in NYC and Senegal! This year’s exciting line-up includes DSPAC Youth Ensemble, Nubian Messengers, Lesedi Ntsani Band, Kissmouglass Rekkk, and special guest artist Nyema Taylor-White.
All festivities are free of charge and family-friendly!
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