Upcoming Events
Atlanta African Drum and Dance Festival Concert
Come and witness Atlanta African Drum and Dance Festival’s concert this year featuring us, Afriky Lolo. We will be presented The Goddess Zaouli Lives for their 16th annual Festival concert. Purchase tickets here - Atlanta Dance & Drum Conference
NUIT d’AFRIQUE WORKSHOPS
Join us SUNDAY, July 20th for a Day of Classes!
Location: Saint Louis Dance Theatre | 3305 Washington Ave. | St Louis, MO, 6310
All classes are all levels!
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM Djembe Orchestra Class with John Chapman
Join us for a traditional djembe orchestra class led by Chicago’s own John Chapman, Co-Director of Azania Drum. In this immersive experience, you'll learn traditional West African rhythms using the djembe, the dundun family, and other percussion instruments. Need to rent a drum? Send us a message—we’ve got you covered!
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Afro-Decale with Eva
Join Eva in her Afro-Décalé class, a high-energy fusion class rooted in Coupé-Décalé—a dynamic dance and music style from Côte d’Ivoire—blended with popular street styles from across the African continent.
1:45 PM - 3:00 PM Sabar Vibes with Imania Detry
Born and raised in Chicago, Imania Detry brings her unique style to what she calls, Sabar Vibes—a high-energy fusion of traditional Senegalese Sabar technique and popular dance styles. With over 20 years of professional training and performance, including her time as a principal artist with Muntu Dance Theatre and Assistant Artistic Director of Ayodele Drum and Dance, Imania is dedicated to preserving African dance and culture while pushing creative boundaries. Her choreography blends Sabar, Djembe, Afrobeat, House, and more—creating an electric class that you can NOT miss.
3:15 PM - 4:45 PM Traditional Côte d’Ivoire Dance with Rokya Ouattara + Diadie Bathily
Join our dynamic duo—Artistic Director Diadie Bathily and Assistant Artistic Director Rokya Ouattara—for a powerful class in traditional dances from Côte d’Ivoire. No introduction needed! Visit this page to read their bios, and don’t miss the chance to close out the day with this unforgettable experience.
Prices
$15 per class before July 16th
$20 at the door
$50 for access to all the classes!
NUIT d’AFRIQUE CONCERT - 19th Annual Dance Celebration
NUIT d’Afrique (A Night in Africa) will be a night to remember! Saturday, July 19th, join Afriky Lolo for our 19th annual dance concert. Our company is creating a show that will immerse you in West African dance and music. This year, we will be featuring the youth ensemble Azania Drum from Chicago!
Azania is Azania Drum is dedicated to mentoring children and young adults by fostering discipline, leadership, and teamwork through the vibrant traditions of West African music and culture.
Founded in 2000 by the late Baba Meshach Silas and Mama Ann Ward at the Betty Shabazz International Charter School, Azania Drum brought a powerful new voice to Chicago’s cultural landscape. With a focus on traditional instruments like the djembe and dunduns, Azania has inspired generations of youth to connect with their heritage through rhythm and community.
After the passing of Baba Meshach, Mama Ann, and Baba Atiba, the group continued under the leadership of Baba John Chapman and Baba Desmond Owusu. What began as a cultural after-school program has grown into a dynamic performance ensemble and programmatic space that continues to evolve—nurturing creativity, pride, and cultural connection in every beat. Learn more about Azania at azaniadrum.com and follow them on Instagram @azaniadrum!
It’s a night you won’t want to miss!
Doors and Bar open at 6 pm.
No flash photography or videography allowed.
We also are having series of workshops happening Sunday, July 20th to continue the celebration!
And be sure to follow us on Instagram at @afrikylolo for more!
Location: The Grandel | 3610 Grandel Square, St Louis, MO 63108
Artistic Director: DIADIE BATHILY
Assistant Artistic Director: KALI ROKYA
The Goddess Zaouli Lives! Afriky Lolo 18th Annual Dance Celebration
The Goddess ZAOULI LIVES, is a folktale of the Gouro (or Guro) people of central Ivory Coast, adapted for stage by Afriky Lolo’s artistic director and choreographer, Diadié Bathily. The story centers on the coming of age of Djela Lou Zaouli (danced by assistant artistic director an choreographer Rokya Ouattara), when her father proclaims that she is eligible to be married, with the stipulation that he must approve of potential suitors. Come see what happens to the Princess as this tale follows her as she suffers through the growing pains of life and love. While her challenges and disappointments are heart-wrenching, the story reveals a message of peace, forgiveness and compassion.
Location: COCA Center of Creative Arts | 6880 Washington Ave. | St. Louis, MO 63130
Artistic Director: DIADIE BATHILY
Assistant Artistic Director: KALI ROKYA
Musical Director: CAPH GUEI
Afriky Lolo’s 18th Annual Dance Celebration Workshops!
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Arts Quincy Arts & Movement Night with Afriky Lolo
From the Arts Quincy Website -
Enrich your summer with free arts activities! Save the date for Tuesday, July 16 with a return performance by the African dance group, Afriky Lolo! Both events are from 6-8 pm on the grounds of the Jackson Lincoln Swimming Complex. Several of Arts Quincy's partner organizations will provide children's activities during these events including Quincy Children's Museum, Quincy Museum, Quincy Public Library and The Art Center. They also offer information about services their organizations provide during the summer and year-round.
These events have provided new opportunities for the community to experience the arts and are made
possible through partnerships in action! Blessing Health System will be providing a full meal to attendees and have a booth with health information. Kohl Wholesale is another generous sponsor and, for the third year, they will donate ice-cold treats to the attendees! On Tuesday, July 16 Afriky Lolo will be back with an exciting program! Diadie Bathily, the executive and artisticdirector of Afriky Lolo, choreographs all of the company's material. He is originally from the Ivory Coast and Mali, and has been living and teaching in the US for over a decade. Afriky Lolo is a collective of highly accomplished and versatile professional dancers, musicians and artist-educators
of African descent who use movement, rhythm, song and storytelling to honor and celebrate community traditions and innovations from all over the world, and in particular, those of the people of the Black African diaspora. These programs are made possible through robust community collaboration and funding through Arts Quincy, Quincy Service League, Adams Fiber, J.W. Gardner II Foundation, Blessing Health System, Illinois Arts Council and National Endowment for the Arts. For more information, contact Arts Quincy through email at office@artsquincy.org or call 217-222-3432.