Step Afrika Zulu Reach.
C. Brian Williams was a year out of college when he decided to travel to South Africa. What he saw there left an indelible impression on him South African gumboot dancing. Derived from South African workers who toiled in the gold mines, gumboot dancing is usually performed wearing Wellington boots, which the dancers use as percussion. Williams saw the connection between this and American stepping, which inspired him to form his company Step Afrika!
Stepping has a long and rich history in America, and is practiced on many college campuses, particularly at black colleges. Although it has become more popular than it was in the 1980s and 1990s, it’s still not main stream, like hip-hop. “There is more room for the art form to expand,” says Williams, reached by phone from Bermuda where the company is performing. “Stepping is a folkloric dance part of a community.” That’s evident by audience connection and participation in most step shows, and Williams’ commitment to outreach and educational programs. Step Afrika! is the first professional dance company dedicated to the tradition of stepping. It employs 11 full-time dancers and tours national and internationally.
Step Afrika! dancers are trained in a variety of dance styles including ballet, modern, and hip-hop. Many were exposed to stepping in high school or college. “The artists bring their training with them,” explains Williams. Many of the artists also choreograph for the company as in the case of Christopher Brient, whose “Idemo” will premiere this Saturday.
StepAfrika at UNC 17.
Williams is a long-time resident of Washington, D.C., which is also the company’s home base. Step Afrika! is one of America’s cultural exports and is recognized as D.C.’s Cultural Ambassador. It’s also one of the top 10 African-American dance companies in the U.S. Williams’ vision for the future of step is to “push the traditional art form as far as we can.”
Also on the program this Saturday is “Tribute,” “Ndlamu,” “Isicathulo” and “Chicago.” “Tribute” expands upon stepping, and includes the use of creative formations, props, floor work, and audience participation. “Ndlamu” is based on a traditional dance of the Zulu people. Step Afrika! has studied this dance form for many years and has adapted it to include solo pieces and the addition of contemporary dance. “Isicathulo” is the gumboot dance of South Africa and “Chicago” explores rhythm in everyday situations; it takes the tradition of stepping into contemporary performance art.
Step Afrika! performs Saturday, Feb. 13 at 8 p.m.; at the South-Miami Dade Cultural Arts Center, 10950 SW 211 Street, Cultural Bay; tickets $25; www.smdcac.org.
Diana Dunbar is a writer/critic for artburstmiami.com.
