*(Queens, New York) – In honor of Black History Month, the Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL) – Queens’ premier hub for the visual and performing arts – presents its annual festival A Weekend of West African Dance at JCAL: A Black History Month Presentation, a vibrant celebration of rhythm, history, and culture. This year’s event will kick off with interactive workshops on February 17-18 at 7PM, followed by the mainstage performances taking place February 27–28 at 8PM. The festival will be led by Kofago Dance Ensemble and FANIKE! African Dance, two acclaimed companies deeply rooted in West African movement traditions.
Through powerful choreography and live musical expression, A Weekend of West African Dance highlights the vitality, precision, and spiritual grounding of African dance – honoring ancestral traditions while celebrating their continued evolution through contemporary performance. In addition, the program will feature a post-performance “dance-back,” inviting audiences into conversation and reflection with the artists. The weekend will also include workshops helmed by the show’s choreographers and offering participants the opportunity to engage directly with the movement, technique, and the cultural foundations of West African dance.
A signature part of JCAL’s Black History Month programming, this year’s festival underscores the institution’s commitment to presenting culturally grounded work that celebrates artistic excellence, tradition, and exchange. By centering West African dance as both a historical practice and a living, evolving art form, the festival affirms the enduring influence of African movement on contemporary performance.
“A Weekend of West African Dance reflects the power of tradition carried forward with intention and care,” said Courtney Ffrench, JCAL Artistic Director. “Presenting this festival during Black History Month allows us to honor the deep cultural roots and historical significance of West African dance while celebrating its continued vitality today. Kofago Dance Ensemble and FANIKE! African Dance are exceptional artistic partners whose work honors lineage while boldly advancing the form. We are so proud to present this festival that celebrates West African dance as a vital, living expression of culture.”
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Schedule
Workshops
Tuesday, February 17, 7PM – Class led by FANIKE! African Dance Troupe
Wednesday, February 18, 7PM – Class led by Kofago Dance Ensemble
Performances
Friday, February 27 & Saturday, February 28, 8PM
All performances to take place at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center (153-10 Jamaica Ave, Jamaica, NY 11432)
Tickets: Tickets start at $15. Packages are available. To purchase tickets and for additional information, please click HERE
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About FANIKE! African Dance Troupe
A Southeast Queens company, FANIKE! African Dance Troupe embraces and respects the dance, rhythm, historic and growing culture tied to African movement. Its mission is to perpetuate the survival of African & African Diaspora culture and arts through dance and percussion.
About Kofago Dance Ensemble
Kofago Dance Ensemble is a New York-based company rooted in West African and Caribbean principles of movement and space. Founded by Kevin McEwen in 2015, Kofago creates artistic work that embodies healing and promotes education and social transformation
About Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL)
Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL), founded in 1972, is a multidisciplinary arts center based in the diverse community of Southeast Queens. Our mission is devoted to offering quality visual and performing arts, and to providing accessible education programs to encourage participation in the arts. JCAL is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm, closed Sundays, Mondays, and major holidays. For additional information, call JCAL at 718-658-7400 or visit JCAL.org.
JCAL gratefully acknowledges public support from NY City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (Speaker’s Initiative), NY City Council Member Nantasha Williams, and the Council’s Cultural Immigrant Initiative.
JCAL gratefully acknowledges operating support from the Mellon Foundation, Howard Gilman Foundation, Matisse Foundation, Altman Foundation, and MacMillan Foundation.
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