Published January 10, 2025

Artown Encore Series: Entertainment and Discovery through Live Performances

by Beth Macmillan

As we begin 2025, we enter Artown’s 30th anniversary. It’s extraordinary to think that my children, like so many others, are now adults who have never known a Reno without Artown. The summer arts festival has grown and evolved to become a major component of our community’s arts and culture experience; an annual tradition many eagerly anticipate every July. 

 

Before we commemorate this milestone 30^th anniversary celebration in July, we have some incredible landmark performances to offer you as part of Artown’s 2025 Encore Series. 

Of the many positive impacts Artown has on the community, one of the most rewarding and meaningful emerges when we schedule a performance which both entertains and enlightens; this is the case for the two upcoming presentations. In a previous Art Views article, I wrote about the Martha Graham 100^th Anniversary Performance scheduled for January 28, 2025 at the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts. Martha Graham is recognized as a legendary artistic force of the 20th century, alongside creative icons like Picasso, James Joyce, Stravinsky, and Frank Lloyd Wright. TIME magazine named Martha Graham the “Dancer of the Century,” and People Magazine recognized her as one of the female “Icons of the Century.” As a choreographer, she was both prolific and complex, creating 181 ballets and developing an original dance technique that rivals ballet in its scope and significance. Her innovative fusion of dance and theater revolutionized the art form, and her distinctive legacy has had an enduring influence on dance throughout the world.

Following this, we’re excited to present another dynamic and distinct event for you to discover and experience: the northern Nevada premiere and 30^th anniversary of Step Afrika! This performance promises to be entertaining and energetic, leaving you exhilarated and thrilled by the superb technique and athleticism of the dancers. The company will perform in Reno as part of Artown’s 2025 Encore Series on March 2 at the Eldorado Showroom at The ROW. 

 

Step Afrika! blends the percussive dance styles practiced by African American fraternities and sororities, traditional African dances, as well as a variety of contemporary dance and art forms, creating an interconnected and compelling artistic experience. More than just dance, Step Afrika! effortlessly blends songs, storytelling, humor, and audience participation. Their combination of technique, agility, and sheer energy make each performance a unique experience for the audience.

When I booked this show, I wanted to learn all I could about the history and significance of this art form so it could be shared with our community. First, stepping, or step-dancing, is a percussive dance where the artists use their bodies to create complex rhythms and sounds through a combination of footsteps, spoken word, and hand claps. Looking back further, step dancing is an ancient dance style that has been around for centuries. With roots in Africa, the genre has endured and evolved into a powerful and mesmerizing art form that continues to thrill audiences of all ages. 

While the exact origin of step dancing is not well-documented, it is known to have roots in West Africa. Hand clapping and foot stomping have been part of the region’s folk dances since at least the 15^th century. During that time, these elements were integrated into European culture, eventually leading to the development of what we now recognize as step dancing. Some historians believe that the distinctive percussive style of stepping emerged after the 1739 Stono Rebellion, which led to lawmakers in South Carolina outlawing drumming as a means of communication among enslaved people. As a result, percussive dance—stepping—developed as they began to use their bodies to replace the drums.

 

In addition, the African gumboot dance, which originated in the gold mines of South Africa during Apartheid, is also considered to have had a major influence on stepping. It is believed that coal miners used specific patterns of stomping and clapping to communicate with one another amid the flooded mines. Step dancing was introduced to America in the late 19^th  century when freed slaves brought their traditions from Africa. Over time, these traditional steps were blended with modern styles such as tap and jazz, creating a unique dance style known for its intricate rhythms and captivating movements.

In 1994, C. Brian Williams founded Step Afrika!, the first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping. Under Mr. Williams’ leadership, stepping has grown into one of America’s most influential artistic and cultural exports, touring more than 60 countries and ranking among the top 10 African American dance companies in the United States.

Step Afrika! can and does tell their story brilliantly; just writing about this amazing performance falls short. I invite you to attend and be a part of this unique presentation at the Eldorado Showroom on March 2, 2025. Tickets are available for purchase at artown.org.

See you at the theater!
Beth

Bibliography:  MarthaGraham.org, StepAfrika.org, UpStaged Entertainment Group

Beth Macmillan is the Executive Director of Artown, one of the largest arts and culture festivals in the western United States, offering over 500 events with a wide range of artistic disciplines, including music, dance, theater, visual arts, literature, and more.

Artown is celebrating its 30^th anniversary! Why not join us and present an event?  by Beth Macmillan — November 29, 2024

Approaching Artown’s 30^th Anniversary  by Beth Macmillan — October 18, 2024

Artown 2024 Tips and Tricks!  by Beth Macmillan — June 28, 2024

Artown 2023  by Beth Macmillan — June 30, 2023