The first StepFest on Kingman Island and Heritage Islands takes place, spotlighting DC’s least known natural areas

In August 2017, Step Afrika! launched our first Step Fest, a festival of free performances by local step teams and African dance companies. Part of our summer Step Xplosion tour, Step Fest activated one of DC’s most least known natural resources – Kingman and Heritage Islands in Ward 7. The program connected DC agencies, community groups and artists with an audience of more than 400 people. This new program is a wonderful opportunity to engage DC residents – especially those from the surrounding neighborhood – in learning about this beautiful community asset.

Step Afrika! presents its annual StepFest at Kingman Island and Heritage Islands, one of DC’s least known natural areas. Energetic and authentic performances nestled gently into the islands’ natural environment, showcase the connections between traditional African and African-American dance with individual and collaborative performances by Step Afrika! and the best African dance companies and step teams in DC. Other activities include a scavenger hunt, drum making, riverboat tours and more.

SCHEDULE:

SATURDAY 8/26
12:00p – Arrival at Kingman Island
3:00p – Jati, Rainbow Joe, Coyaba, Soul in Motion and Lady Raiders arrive
3:30p – Artist partners will travel to journey starting points (Lavana)
4:00p – Begin journey to Kingman Island, Riverboat tours begin, Rainbow Joe tours begin (4p, 4:45p, 5:30p), DRB arrive at Eastern Market and Lady Raiders practice in the meadow
4:30p – Lady Raiders rehearse on bridge (1 hour)
5:00p – Soul in Motion performance/Major Drum Call (20 minutes)
5:25p – Speaking program begins
5:30p – DRB rehearse on bridge (1 hour), Coyaba Dance Theater performance (25 minutes)
6:30p – Step Afrika! performs on Meadow
8:00p – Strike