Event (Calgary): Honouring The Past… Restoring The Future Of Black Dance – Woezo Africa, Theater News

Since 2022, Woezo Africa has hosted powerful and thought-provoking discussion panels exploring the stories and cultural nuances of Black dance. Telling these stories through the lens of Black artists has brought both successes and challenges locally and internationally. In last year’s edition, panelists shared their journeys and lived experiences as successful Black artists, offering insight, reflection, and inspiration.

In 2026, Woezo Africa celebrates 20 years of showcasing Black arts across multiple forms and media. This milestone also marks the fifth anniversary of the Black Arts Development Program’s 3 Week Dance Intensive and the Honouring Black Dance virtual event.

Over the years, Honouring the Past… Restoring the Future of Black Dance has continued to evolve, and in 2026 it grows into a full virtual festival. This expanded platform will feature engaging panel conversations, opportunities to connect with forward-thinking professional dance artists, dance classes, artist presentations, and curated film excerpts.

The conversation on Black dance, its rich history, cultural depth, lived experiences, and social impact, is far from over; in many ways, it is just beginning.

2026 Theme: Taking Control: Telling Our Stories – Our Way

Black creatives are unapologetically curating space, stepping into leadership, and relying less on external validation. This year’s festival will explore creation, curation, executive leadership, and what it means for Black dance artists to take control and centre their culture in authentic and self-determined ways.

Program Schedule

9:00 am to 9:15 am | Welcome and Introduction to Woezo Africa

9:15 am to 9:45 am | Dance Class with Kevin Ormsby, KasheDance

9:50 AM to 10:15 AM | Presentation: What Makes Someone Great? by Raoul Pillay

10:20 am to 11:00 am | Panel Discussion with Kay, Akosua Akoto, Adedayo Liadi, moderated by Nyasha Nymaka

11:00 am to 11:15 am | Breakout Rooms for Community Discussions

11:15 am to 11:30 am | All Artists and Community Sharing

11:30 am to 11:50 am | Film Excerpt Presentation by Travis Knights

11:50 am to 12:00 pm | Reactions and Closing