The third annual
Rhythms & Movements Festival
COMMEMORATING THE 56TH ANNIVERSARY OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH
The 3rd Annual Rhythms & Movements Festival is a nine-day entertainment extravaganza commemorating Black History Month, February 12–16. The Festival comprises of 9 Events, including two evening performances, six youth shows, and 25 contributing artists.
Audiences experienced an immersive exploration of African American identity and activism through theater, dance, music, spoken word, and visual arts.
Our inclusive platform honors the past, reimagines the future, and hopes to ignite change and activism through the transformative power of art.
9 DAYS, 9, EVENTS, 3 venues 25 PERFORMERS
ARTIVIST EXPERIENCE
February 20 • 7:30 PM • Bric Ballroom
An evening concert featuring Percussionist Kweku Sumbry, accompanied by
artivists and musicians Immanuel Wilkins (Saxophone), and Joel Ross (Vibraphone).
Following the performance, renowned Chief Ayanda Clarke will moderate a discussion with the performers on the intersection of music, activism, and revolution.
THE LOVE PARTY Hosted by DJ SPINNA
February 20 • 9pm – midnight • Bric Ballroom
A high-energy dance afterparty celebrating love, community, and cultural expression through music and dance.
THE Mad SCIENTIST
February 25-27 • BILLIE HOLIDAY THEATER • 10 am & 12:30 pm, Daily
The Asase Yaa original play features features the Asase Yaa Theater Company and is directed by N’dack Fleming (a principal dancer with Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater and School of the Arts alum). It is a youth-centered, comedic, and educational play that follows a young, self-absorbed scientist who uses a homemade time machine to travel through history. Along the way, he meets legendary Black historical figures, including Booker T. Washington, Mae Jemison, George Washington Carver, and others. Each offer lessons in creativity, humility, and cultural heritage. Through short-acting scenes, Djembe drumming, vernacular dances, and interactive songs, students experience how creativity and curiosity shape both science and the arts.
THE REVIVAL: DJEMBE IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM
February 28 • 7:30 PM • THE THEATER @ CITY TECH
The musical is an original production created in 2010 featuring the Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater. The Revival depicts and fuses the transformative influences of West African and Diaspora culture, music, and dance, with the hip hop, rap, R&B, and jazz that were the dominant music genres that shaped the arts and cultural landscape of Bed-Stuy during the early 90s.
Directed and choreographed by Yao Ababio, Artistic Director, AYAADT. Executive Produced by K. Osei Williams, Executive Director, AY Cultural Arts Foundation
The Rhythms and Movements Festival is
produced by Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation.
Still curious? Learn more about last years festival here.