Step Afrika! returning to Northwest

PHOTO FROM NORTHWEST RELEASE
The Step Afrika! dance company performs one of its traditional African dance routines. The Washington, D.C.-based dance troupe will make its way back to Northwest Missouri State University next week.

A popular touring dance company is returning to Maryville next week.

Step Afrika! will perform at the Mary Linn Auditorium in the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts at 7 p.m. Monday.

Step Afrika! last came to Northwest in February 2013. Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Dr. Justin Mallett said his office wants to bring the dancers back for a myriad of reasons.

“It’s definitely a cultural enrichment opportunity for our students and the community,” Mallett said. “We’re treating it as a co-curricular opportunity for the students.

“We also want to try and get students in the Maryville School District and the community at large to come out. We want to provide everyone a chance to see something different in the community.”

Step Afrika! performs several different styles of dance from around Africa, as well as some American dance styles such as step dancing. Mallett said the traditional styles are based in the southern region of Africa.

“There will be plenty of South African components, as the group is particularly from Johannesburg,” Mallett explained. “But they’ll be incorporating various styles from around Africa.

“This will be a great event to open the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion series. It also will help us build the town and gown relationship the university and city of Maryville already have in the works.”

According to a release from Northwest, Step Afrika! is one of the top African-American dance companies in the United States and one of the largest African-American arts organizations in Washington, D.C. The group promotes stepping, which involves using the body as an instrument to create rhythm and sound through a combination of footsteps, claps, and the spoken word, and its use as an educational, motivational, and healthy tool for young people.

Originally, Step Afrika! was an exchange program with the Soweto Dance Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa. It has expanded since to become a national and international touring company presenting performances, residencies, and workshops around the world.

Dr. Juanita Simmons, vice president of diversity, equity, and inclusion at Northwest, said through the release that the group is perfect for the university’s mission to promote diversity.

“Step Afrika! exemplifies the inclusive, culturally-integrated philosophy that the Northwest DEI team values and supports,” Simmons said. “Through these activities, we hope that all will see the common connections of all cultures through the beauty of art.”