C. Brian Williams first learned to step dance in his Alpha Kappa Alpha fraternity at Howard University. He later deepened his understanding of African dance and culture while living in Africa.
Williams created Step Afrika!, now a leading global authority on the art of stepping, to celebrate and elevate the genre as an art form and a cultural tradition.
Step Afrika!'s "The Evolution Tour" is coming to Chrysler Hall on Thursday as part of the Virginia Arts Festival.
“Stepping is more than just dancing," Williams said in a phone interview. "It's a conversation between rhythm, body and community.”
The Washington, D.C.-based company fuses percussive dance stomping, clapping and spoken word with traditional African movements, storytelling and live music. Stepping was first created by African American fraternities and sororities at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
“Stepping is an art form born on college campuses but Step Afrika! took it from the yard to the world stage,” said Williams, who is now the group's executive producer. “This show is a celebration of how far the tradition has come and where it’s going.”
"The Evolution Tour" introduces new choreography, a live DJ, and never-before-seen work outside the company’s D.C. home. Among them is "Strike," choreographed by Conrad Kelly, which merges stepping and drumming. The tour continues the troupe's mission of honoring history while pushing artistic boundaries. The show is designed for audiences of all ages and people are encouraged to clap, cheer and respond to the performers’ rhythms.
“As much as the dancers move, they’re also musicians,” Williams said. “It’s a high-energy experience that connects rhythm, body and sound.”
Its ensemble of 17 full-time dancers consists of college graduates, many from Black Greek organizations. Step Afrika! also maintains a five-year artistic partnership with Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., supporting new work.
Step Afrika! has performed in more than 60 countries and annually reaches more than 70,000 students through arts education programs that promote academics and cross-cultural understanding.. The company is featured in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture’s interactive stepping exhibit, and, earlier this year, set a Guinness World Record for the largest stepping dance.
Williams was honored by the National Endowment for the Arts as a National Heritage Fellow in 2022, the nation’s highest recognition in folk and traditional arts.
“You don’t have to sit still and be quiet at a Step Afrika! show,” Williams said. “We want you to clap, cheer and celebrate with us.”
Visit vafest.org for tickets and more information.