Program: New York is Burning
Running time: 60 minutes, no intermission

The American Dance Festival in association with Meredith College presents Les Ballet Afrik.

Les Ballet Afrik is a multi-cultural dance company whose mission is to champion the Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ experiences within the ballroom scene. Rooted in African, Afrobeat, House, Vogue, and Latin dance styles, Les Ballet Afrik pioneered a new movement style called “Afrikfusion” under the artistic direction of legendary Omari “Oricci” Wiles.

In their latest work, New York is Burning, Les Ballet Afrik draws inspiration from the 1990 documentary Paris Is Burning and its depiction of voguing as a powerful expression in the face of racism, homophobia, and the stigma of the AIDS crisis. Commissioned by Works & Process at the Guggenheim, New York is Burning reflects the aspirations of a diverse group of dancers in a city beset by health, racial, and financial crises. Highlighting the importance of community and connection to ancestry, Les Ballet Afrik continues to provide a space for individual expression and radical acceptance.

Thursday, September 14, 2023  at 7:30pm
Friday, September 15, 2023 at 7:30pm

Photo Credit: Titus Ogilvie-Laing