National Museum of African Art Home Become a Member
Art and Programs Research About the Museum Playtime! Collections Support Us Calendar Radio Africa
Africa in Motion Performing Arts Series Presents:

Howard University Dance Ensemble performs at NMAfA



For Black Music Month Howard University Dance Ensemble performed traditional and contemporary dance with a versatile exploration through the dance forms of African, modern contemporary and ballet.

Holly Bass presents Monument at NMAfA



As part of Women's History Month and programming related to the Earth Matters exhibit Holly Bass presented Monument, a celebration honoring the strength and diversity of women in African and diaspora.

Fendika performs at NMAfA



NMAFA's dynamic international programming presented Ethiopian Music and Dance Group Fendika as part of its summer line up.

Community Day 2013 at NMAfA



On August 8, 2013 NMAFA held its annual Community Day in conjunction with the Earth Matters exhibit, featuring a day filled with dance, music, art, film and food. Artists included Rennie Harris RHAW, The Chelsey Green Project and Cirquetacular.

2013 Black History Month at NMAfA



On February 16, 2013 NMAFA presented in conjunction with Black History Month African Roots Global Reach: In Living Color. Featured performers included Maimouna Youssef, Farafina Kan, and Sound of the City.

Smithsonian Presents: DBR & Lord Jamar of Brand Nubian



NMAfA's continued endeavor to explore and present dynamic works from African and its disapora is pleased to host Haitian-American violinist and composer Daniel Bernard Roumain (DBR) and the world premiere of a new solo violin & electronics work inspired by Nigerian artist Ousmane Sow's powerful sculpture "Toussaint Louverture and the old slave." Proving that he's "about as omnivorous as a contemporary artist gets" (New York Times), DBR is perhaps the only composer who has collaborated and performed with Philip Glass, Cassandra Wilson, Bill T. Jones, and Lady Gaga. DBR will be joined by legendary emcee, producer, actor and director and member of the hip-hop group Brand Nubian Lord Jamar in creating a powerful, genre-bending, contemporary performance. In conjunction with Black History Month.

Artificial Afrika



The National Museum of African Art presented musician and visual Artist Vernon Reid (of Living Colour and Black Rock Coalition) performing Artificial Afrika in celebration of Black Music Month on Saturday, June 25. A Q&A session led by DJ Adrian Loving took place afterward. Please enjoy the entire show.
About the event.

Yinka Shonibare Reinterpreted



Holly Bass Performance Projects interprets Yinka Shonibare's work through their new performance piece African Futures: DC. Dancers Andile Ndlovu from South Africa and Ayano Kimura from Japan, under the artistic guidance of Septime Weber of the Washington Ballet. Also perfrom a short interprestive piece in response to Shonibare's Odile and Odette.

Al Najoom Dance Troupe at NMAfA, July 14, 2011



A collaboration with the Sultanate of Oman and the Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center. The troupe hails from Ja'alan Bani Bu Ali an oasis market town in Oman. Traditional Omani music has a long legacy, where the indigenous Arab Islamic culture has combined with external influences from Oman's trading partners in East Africa and Asia. They are recognized not only for the skill of their musicians and the quality of their singing, but also for the energy and exuberance that they bring to each performance.

Africa In Motion: Celebrating African Independence

Africa In Motion: Celebrating African Independence (2010) from Nomadic Wax on Vimeo.


Back to NMAfA home