Celebrating 30 years of high-energy dance styles rooted in African culture, Step Afrika! will offer a free performance at West Virginia Wesleyan College on February 17. Made possible by funding from WVWC’s Arts Alive!, the performance is part of a series hosted by the Center for Cultural & International Affairs to celebrate Black History Month. The event will take place in the Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts from 7-8:30 p.m.

Founded in 1994 by C. Brian Williams, Step Afrika! is the world’s leading authority on the art form of stepping. Under Williams’ leadership, stepping has evolved into a cultural export, touring more than 60 countries and ranking as one of the top 10 African American Dance Companies in the United States.

Step Afrika! blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities, traditional African dances, and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience. Performances are more than dance shows; they integrate songs, storytelling, humor and audience participation. The blend of technique, agility and energy makes each performance unique.

In the summer of 2024, Governor’s School for the Arts students at WVWC traveled to Washington, D.C. to see Step Afrika!, one highlight of their visit to the nation’s capital.

Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Alisa Lively said, “The Arts Alive! program complements Bobcat Entertainment by providing Wesleyan’s campus with numerous cultural activities, including concerts, dramatic productions, musical performances, modern dance and ballet, and lectures. Nationally and internationally renowned groups and artists provide a splash of cultural diversity and entertainment to the campus. We are so excited to welcome Step Afrika! back to our campus!”

Laurie Goux, director of the WVWC Center for Cultural & International Affairs, said, “One only has to witness this art form to see the roots of Appalachian percussive dances. Step Afrika! is breathtaking, uniquely blending culture and history to offer the best in ‘edutainment.’”