Presented by the Broward Center for the Performing Arts and funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs, Step Afrika! will perform an exciting celebration of African culture and traditions on Friday, January 17 at 10:30 a.m. as part of the Smart Stage Matinee Series and on Saturday, January 18 at 8 p.m. 

Celebrating the art form born that was born in African-American college fraternities and based in African traditions, Step Afrika!'s intricate kicks, stomps and rhythms mixed with spoken word enthrall audiences of all ages. Step Afrika! is "always visually and musically exciting," according to the Washington Post. As Washington, DC’s official cultural ambassador, the group represents the city at events all around the world and strives to entertain while building connections between people and highlighting the similarities in dance forms, lives and communities.   

Step Afrika! performers will teach the basics of stepping and incorporate lively South African gumboot dance and contemporary step techniques that will get participants on their feet and stepping in a Stepping Workshop on Saturday, January 18 at 11:30 a.m. Using the body as an instrument to create intricate rhythms and sounds through a combination of footsteps, claps and spoken word. The stepping workshop is ideal for ages 12 and up. Professional dance experience is not required.

Tickets and group discounts are available at 954.462.0222, or select a seat online at ParkerPlayhouse.com. Tickets are also available for purchase at the Parker Playhouse box office Tuesday through Saturday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Parker Playhouse, located in Holiday Park at 707 N.E. Eighth Street in Fort Lauderdale, is an affiliated venue of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, which provides programming and management of the facility. 

Stepping