Afro Dance Xplosion 2026: Transcen-dance

Feel the Rhythm Productions

Four dancers perform on a stage lit with warm orange light. Two dancers in the foreground move with one arm raised, each holding a piece of white fabric, while two others are visible in the background. All are dressed in white, and several appear to be mid-step or airborne.
Photo by Mateaphotography

About Afro Dance Xplosion 2026: Transcen-dance

The Afro Dance Xplosion festival celebrates dance forms from Africa and its Diaspora, bringing together the best of dance, with both homegrown and international artists. Afro Dance Xplosion 2026: Transcen-dance features companies including: Compagnie de danse africaine : Kobe Na Awati - Directeur Aissata Kouyate, BOP Jazz Theatre Company, BlakeArts, Artistry Youth Dance and Impact Dance, alongside a short film: Ndono, from Bakalama in Senegal.

Weekend Workshops

Sat 17 & Sun 18 Oct

Coupé-décalé workshop for ages - 12 - 17
Led by Black Vera
Sat 17 Oct 12pm – 1pm

Get moving with Coupé-Décalé, the vibrant street dance style and music culture that emerged from Côte d’Ivoire in the early 2000s. Designed for young people, this energetic workshop will immerse participants in a dance form celebrated for its infectious rhythms, dynamic movement and joyful spirit. Explore self-expression, musicality and the rich cultural traditions at the heart of Ivorian dance. Book Now

Umfundalai: Contemporary African Dance workshop
Led by Dr Kemal Nance
Sat 17 Oct 1.15pm - 2.45pm

Join us for an immersive Umfundalai workshop with live drumming. Developed by the late Kariamu Welsh (the first Artistic Director of the National Company of Zimbabwe) this contemporary African dance technique brings together movement traditions from across Africa and the diaspora. Explore rhythm, musicality and embodied storytelling in a vibrant session that celebrates the richness and diversity of African dance practices. Book Now

Traditional African Dance from Guinea workshop
Led by Aissata Kouyate
Sat 17 Oct 3pm – 5pm
Sun 18 Oct 3.45pm - 5.45pm

Explore the vibrant dance and rhythm traditions of Guinea in this dynamic workshop. Accompanied by live drumming, you'll learn movements inspired by rhythms such as Soko, Mangani and Dundunba, while deepening your understanding of the relationship between music, movement and cultural expression.
Book Sat l Book Sun

Drum workshop with renowned drummer - Thomas Guei
Sun 18 Oct 10am – 12pm

This immersive workshop offers an introduction to the rich drumming traditions of West Africa. Through rhythms including Zaouly from Côte d'Ivoire and Didadi from Mali, participants will explore technique, musicality and cultural expression in a practical, hands-on session. Please bring your own drum. Book Now

Coupe decale: social dance from the Ivory Coast workshop
By Black Vera
Sun 18 Oct 12.15pm - 1.45pm

Rooted in the cultural life of Côte d'Ivoire, Coupé-Décalé is a vibrant street dance style celebrated for its rhythmic movement, musicality and expressive energy. In this dynamic workshop, you'll explore the form's distinctive movement vocabulary and playful character, while connecting with the creativity, community and spirit at its heart. Book Now


Jamaica Dance and Movement workshop
Led by David Blake
Sun 18 Oct 2pm – 3.30pm

Explore the richness and diversity of Jamaican dance traditions in this dynamic movement workshop. Drawing inspiration from the repertory of the late Rex Nettleford, founder of the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica, the session introduces a range of Jamaican folk dances and their cultural contexts. Discover the rhythms, stories and movement practices that have shaped Jamaica's distinctive dance heritage. Book Now

About Feel the Rhythm Productions

Feel the Rhythm Productions promotes music, dance and culture from African and the African diaspora throughout the United Kingdom and beyond.

https://feeltherhythmproductio...

  • Five dancers move across the stage with one arm extended forward and the other held at the waist. They wear black tops, patterned wrap skirts, and large metallic neckpieces. Blue and amber stage lighting illuminates the group against a dark background.
  • Nine performers pose together for a group portrait in a bright white studio. Arranged in two rows, they face the camera with serious expressions and wear coordinated burgundy and beige costumes.