Five young girls performing a dance on stage with a red curtain backdrop, all wearing traditional African-inspired clothing and head wraps.

a weekend of west african dance

Event details

A WEEKEND OF WEST AFRICAN DANCE

February 27-28, 2026

Jamaica Performing Arts Center
153-10 Jamaica Ave 
Jamaica, NY 11432
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Free admission

STORY IN EVERY STEP

JCAL honors Black History Month with a vibrant weekend of West African dance, featuring performances by Queens-based companies Kofago Dance Ensemble and Fanike African Dance Troupe. Alongside the performances, hands-on workshops invite audiences of all ages to connect more deeply with the rhythms, history, and spirit of African culture.

Our initiaves

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.

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.

A person with dreadlocks wearing a colorful patchwork shirt and light-colored pants, holding a drum, standing on a stage with a wooden floor and a red curtain background.

Oh my goodness, I am truly elated to see dancing of this nature and caliber at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center. The addition of workshops really brings it home for families and friends. It’s going to be fantastic. Kudos to Fanike! and Kofago.

Artistic Director Courtney Ffrench