Welcome to our exhilarating dance, music and cultural festival AFRO ORIGINS, celebrating the rich tapestry of Afro culture!
Prepare for a full day of immersive experiences, featuring captivating dance workshops, inspiring music workshops, an energetic party and an inspiring show from our professional artists, all from African origins.
We have carefully hand-selected artists who will take you on a journey through the evolution of Afro dance across different cultures. From its origins in the motherland to its influence on Latin America and the Caribbean through the harsh realities of slavery, witness how Afro dance and music have shaped the world of fusion dance today.
Our talented Afro artists will showcase the dynamic fusion of traditional and modern elements, highlighting the deep-rooted cultural connections and the power of artistic expression.
Join us as we celebrate the vibrant spirit of Afro culture and honour its profound impact on the world of dance and music!
Following our highly successful 1/2 day event in 2021, we’re back with even more excitement! This time, we’ve brought together the finest Afro Dancers, Instructors, and musicians from around Australia to share the sheer joy and rich cultural knowledge of Afro origins. Get ready for an unforgettable experience as we celebrate the vibrant spirit of Afro culture together.
Lucky’s work traverse’s themes of social justice, identity, movement inspired by African architecture, the exotification of non-Western bodies and subjectivities and the relationship between hip hop culture and African oral traditions.Lucky’s recent choreographic works include: BlackLux: Perspectives in timelapse (2022) – an interdisciplinary work using dance, photography and animation (Sydney Festival 2023, Sydney Fringe & Art Gallery of NSW, 2022), Exoticism (2022) a solo work developed as part of the Keir Choreographic Award, and Infusion – No Movement No Sound (2021) an intercultural work that premiered at the Opera House.
In 2022, Lucky made his debut into the visual arts with his first photographic installation exhibition In Transit (2022) as part of my debut into visual arts at Eden & The Willow Gallery and Articulate Projects in Sydney. Lucky’s dance and choreographic work often now features his tape art and installations.
Broadway star, 2012 NY Dance and Performance Bessie Award nominee and celebrity dancer from So You Think You Can Dance Australia, the Brazilian Gianne Abbott has been dancing since the age of 6 when she started with Classical Ballet and Jazz, since then she has never stopped dancing. Gianne has experienced various styles of dance and has specialized in Afro Brazilian Dances with the Dance/Theatre Company “Liberdade Canto e Dança” – University of Campinas (UNICAMP) São Paulo, Brazil in 2000/03.
In Brazil, Gianne has danced in several Dance Companies, participating in national and international Dance Festivals, she was the Queen of the Carnaval of Florianópolis in 1998 (her home town) and Cidada de Samba de Florianopolis in 2007 & last year (2011), which is the title of the best samba dancer.
Gianne started her overseas career dancing on board of the M/V Super Star Virgo in 2004/05, traveling around Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand and in the year after, she worked in China with the show Carmenco 2006/07.
When she first arrived in Australia in 2007, she created Sambaki – The dance of Brazil, aiming to spread the Brazilian dance and culture, and since then she has been working with in-numerous Australian companies, and has been participating as teacher, performer and choreographer in Dance Festivals, Congresses and Multicultural events worldwide.
From the vibrant streets of Havana, Cuba, Yasim Coronado Veranes embodies the spirit of artistic resilience and boundless passion. Yasim has a deep connection to Afro Cuban Dance, Music & Religion having grown up in a very traditional Santaira worshiping family. As a child, he would sing Yoruba Songs rather than kids nursery rhymes. Born with a natural flair for performance, Yasim’s journey began at the prestigious ENA School of Art, where he embraced the world of circus arts as an acrobat, leaving an indelible mark with his extraordinary skills. Despite a missed opportunity to voyage beyond Cuba with Cirque du Soleil, Yasim’s determination led him to pivot towards the realm of dance and art.
Yasim’s evolution as a performer and choreographer is a testament to his unwavering dedication.
Steeped in the rich tapestry of Cuban folkloric traditions, Yasim’s dance foundation is a fusion of contemporary ballet and a deep-rooted connection to his cultural heritage. This unique blend has become the cornerstone of his distinctive dance style, setting him apart as a visionary artist.
A pivotal moment in Yasim’s career came with his being signed to Ballet Revolución, Cuba’s most celebrated dance company.
Yenenesh Nigusse, is well known as a passionate exponent of dance – not just African styles, but also Latin, hip-hop, and contemporary genres. With over 20 years of dance experience, she has become one of the creative forces behind the Brisbane African dance scene. As a teaching artists she has worked across many community and professional dance projects working with refugees, migrants, children and adults of all ages. Her discipline as a workshop facilitator and performer has allowed her to travel working with indigenous communities in remote areas across Australia and with various communities locally, nationally and internationally, creating inclusive spaces for movement and dance. Some of her performances and projects she’s been involved in include “We All Dance Dance Project” with QPAC and The Royal Ballet, “The Quest“ community dance project, Out of the Box kids dance experience, Australian Women’s Music Awards (AWMA) dance choreographer, Woodford Folk Festival, Brisbane Festival, Queensland Multicultural Festival, and many more.
Yenenesh has endeared herself to literally hundreds, maybe thousands of people throughout Australia and continues to develop a distinct and authentic community practice informed by her own experiences and love of moving. She is a vibrant facilitator who uses the power of dance to bridge gaps across languages, cultures and socio-demographic groups.
Here are 5 of the many reasons why you should attend Afro Origins:
Cultural Celebration: Our Afro Origins Festival is a vibrant celebration of the rich and diverse heritage of Afro culture. By attending, you’ll have the chance to immerse yourself in the traditions, music, dance & culture that has shaped the Afro community’s identity over generations.
Unique Experiences: The festival promises a wide array of unique experiences that you won’t find elsewhere. From traditional dance performances and live music by talented Afro musicians to art exhibitions and workshops, you’ll be captivated by the authenticity and creativity on display.
Learning and Appreciation: Attending the Afro Origins Festival is an excellent opportunity to learn and appreciate the depth and significance of Afro culture. Engage with knowledgeable experts who will share insights into historical roots, cultural practices, and the ongoing impact of Afro communities worldwide.
Community and Connections: The festival brings together people from diverse backgrounds who share an interest in celebrating Afro heritage. It’s a chance to connect with like-minded individuals, forge new friendships, and build a sense of unity and solidarity.
Empowerment and Inspiration: Witnessing the beauty and resilience of Afro culture can be incredibly empowering and inspiring. The festival serves as a reminder of the strength found in cultural identity and can motivate attendees to embrace their own roots and heritage with pride.
Experience the enchantment of Afro Origins through world-class instructors and the infectious positive energy that will radiate throughout the day. This mini festival is your destination for an incredible experience at an unbelievably low price
Our 800 sqm studio is an amazing place to experience Afro Origins, with state of the art studios, mirrors and aricon throughout. We also have a kitchen and outside area for relaxing and catching your breath. Our studio is not only a great place to dance, its also perfect for parties and the show!
we recommend bringing a few sets fo clothing to change in to, Afro dance can be strenuous. Generally Afro is danced in bare feet although comfortable trainers is also fine. bring a large bottle of water, we have a bubbler to refill with fresh cold water. we have a small shop selling food and drinks, we will also plan to have a food truck attend at lunch time. (TBC)
No, please bring food, we plan to have a food truck attend the event TBC*
the party will start at 7.30pm, shows will be at 9pm
Park Road train station is directly opposite the venue we also have Woolloongabba bus station close by.
All workshops will be open level, if you are a beginner you can take all the classes at your own pace. The event will be sharing knowledge, culture and music so its not 100% dance.
