*Please note DATE CORRECTION. Capturing the essence of the Great Migration ? the movement of African Americans from the rural South to the industrial North following the outbreak of World War I, artist Jacob Lawrence brings his latest piece, The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence, to The Soraya, located on the campus of Cal State Northridge (CSUN), for its company debut on Friday, February 9 at 8:00 pm. This debut follows the exhibit’s premiere at the New Victory Theater in New York in November of 2017, and it offers a hearty welcome to Black History Month in February!.
Based in Washington, D.C, Step Afrika! is rooted in the African tradition of Gumboot and was introduced to the 21st century via an American blend of percussive movement and electrifying rhythms.
The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence was created in 1941 and it is based on the artists’ ?Migration Series,? which features 60 colorful paintings.
?This season, we honor the story of human migration and programmed events that deal with issues head on. Immigration is now a prominent part of the national discussion and Step Afrika!?s new work is especially relevant. It focuses on a group of people who were brought to this country involuntarily and migrated within that country for greater freedom and opportunity. This piece is also rooted in an important piece of American visual art and is a perfect example of art influencing each other,? said Thor Steingraber, Executive Director of The Soraya.
Tickets for Step Afrika!, priced from $33-$78, are now available at ValleyPerformingArtsCenter.org or by calling (818) 677-3000. The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya) is located on the campus of California State University, Northridge (CSUN), 18111 Nordhoff Street Northridge, CA 91330-8448, at the corner of Nordhoff and Lindley.
About Step Afrika!
Step Afrika! was founded in 1994 as the first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping. It now ranks as one of the top ten African American dance companies in the United States.
The Company blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities, African traditional dance and influences from a variety of other dance and art forms. Performances are much more than dance shows; they integrate songs, storytelling, humor, and audience participation. The blend of technique, agility, and pure energy makes each performance unique and leaves the audience with their hearts pounding.
Step Afrika! promotes stepping as an educational tool for young people, focusing on teamwork, academic achievement and cross-cultural understanding. It reaches tens of thousands of Americans each year through a 50-city tour of colleges and theatres and performs globally as a cultural ambassador.
Calendar Listing for Step Afrika!
Date:
Friday, February 9 at 8:00 pm
Venue:
Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya)
18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330
Tickets:
Prices: Starting at $33. Prices subject to change.
By Phone: (818) 677-3000
Online: ValleyPerformingArtsCenter.org
