The Metropolitan Museum of Art
We were excited to be invited to perform at the Metropolitan Museum’s official reopening of the Michael C. Rockefeller Wing and the lively Music and Arts Festival held inside and outside the Met on Saturday, May 31, 2025. This event marked the public’s first chance to explore the newly redesigned galleries showcasing the arts of Africa, the Ancient Americas, and Oceania, which had been in development for over four years. Our Asase Yaa Youth Ensemble was one of several featured indoor performers presenting indigenous dance and music from Africa, the Americas, and Oceania.
SCHOOL OF THE ARTS 13th ANNUAL FINALE RECITAL: BLACK DANCE IS…
Our highly anticipated 13th Annual School of the Arts Finale Recital was a huge success. This year’s theme, Black Dance Is…, aimed to highlight the rich history of Black dance and its impact on global art and culture. Parents and family members filled the Hunter College Sylvia and Danny Kaye Playhouse to watch our students, ages 3 to 17, perform. They enthusiastically presented high-energy West African, modern jazz, hip-hop, tap, and ballet dances to popular songs in vibrant costumes. We teach all these dance and drum styles in our 37-week dynamic youth dance and drum programs.
Photos by: KGyasi Photography, @kgyasiphotography
CHILDREN’S SUMMER ARTS CAMP, July 1 – August 9
One of the key programs of our Foundation is our Children’s Summer Arts Camp, which runs from July 1 to August 9 this year. During these six weeks, we encourage children ages 3-13 to have fun and express their creativity in a safe environment that promotes a sense of community. Skilled artists teach campers how to collaborate, create, and develop an original play from scratch. They also learn to perform African dance and drumming, as well as interactive storytelling and arts and crafts. Each summer, the campers perform their original play live for their families and loved ones. This year’s camp will end with Ananse the Medicine Man, a powerful adaptation of a classic Ghanaian folktale that explores truth, deception, and the consequences of misusing power.
St. Maarten Emancipation Day Celebration and Arts Saves Lives
We were invited to partner with the Association Cobraced and the Art Saves Lives Foundation for their annual five-day, immersive arts education program, Roots & Culture Knowledge Share, which provided 132 young creatives from across Dutch and French St. Maarten and St. Martin the opportunity to explore and celebrate their African heritage. An ensemble of our dancers and drummers performed with the island’s young performers in their culminating Emancipation Day celebration in Philipsburg, St. Marten (July 1). St. Maarten’s Prime Minister, Luc Mercelina, attended the festive ceremony along with several other high-ranking government officials.
The 54th Annual African Arts Festival at Commodore Park, Brooklyn, July 4-6
We’ve been long-time supporters of the annual and renowned African Arts Festival, which took place July 4-6. This year’s theme was Dugagu – Resist. Our Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater headlined the festival on July 4th and delivered a high-energy performance that captivated our loyal fans and audience. It’s always a pleasure to be among the many talented performers, artisans, and vendors from Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, South America, and the U.S. that the festival has attracted over the past 54 years.
