The Sankofa African Dance and Drum Ensemble will present Our Legacy, a powerful and celebratory concert honoring the company’s history, cultural roots, and enduring impact, April 30 through May 3 in the Hartwell Dance Theater on the SUNY Brockport campus. Performances will take place Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m.
This special program celebrates and honors the visionary artists who helped establish Sankofa’s foundation, including veteran directors Clyde Morgan and Khalid Abdul N’Faly Saleem, as well as generations of alumni who have contributed to the ensemble’s more than 25-year legacy. The concert features the return of distinguished Sankofa alumni and guest artists, including Jason Aryeh and Kelly Johnson, who will share the stage with current student performers.
Guided by the meaning of “Sankofa”—to look back in order to move forward—the program invites audiences on a journey through the ensemble’s rich artistic lineage. The concert reflects both past and present, blending traditional African dance and drumming with contemporary performance to highlight the cultural traditions of countries including Guinea, Ghana, Brazil, and Nigeria. Audiences will also hear directly from alumni, whose reflections offer insight into the company’s history and its lasting personal and artistic impact.
“This concert is about honoring the legacy and restoring a deep understanding of where Sankofa comes from,” says Artistic Director Jenise Akilah Anthony. “We want audiences to recognize that this company is built on a strong cultural foundation, artistic excellence, and a lasting impact that continues to shape dancers and drummers today.”
Our Legacy offers a dynamic range of performances, from high-energy drum and dance works to more reflective moments that center storytelling and lived experience. Highlights include the premiere of traditional works such as “Kuku” and “Dundunbe,” the restaging of the audience-favorite “Ijexa,” and new collaborations, including a Ghanaian duet by guest artist Jason Aryeh and an Afro-Brazilian work by Quenia Ribeiro’s Grupo Ribeiro, presented with support from the New York State DanceForce.
Audiences can expect an experience that is both energetic and reflective, celebrating the vibrant traditions of African diasporic dance and music while honoring the legacy that continues to shape Sankofa today.
Tickets are $20 for the general public; $15 for seniors, Brockport alumni, faculty, and staff; and $9 for students. For tickets and more information, visit FineArtsTix.brockport.edu or contact the Tower Fine Arts Center Box Office at 585-395-2787. Provided information
