D’atè’ Festival is a multidisciplinary, international arts festival and transatlantic, creative compound showcasing the ingenuity, innovation and creativity of young, emerging artists working in the performing, visual, and media arts. It also functions as the flagship program for D'atè Culture Foundation.
Originally planned for April 2020, but canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s festival, themed “Ground Zero,” will be an experimental playground where new ideas and creative practices emerge. Artists will present original performances, exhibit visual art works, and organize panel discussions, lecture-demonstrations, and jam sessions during the week. A space created for us, by us, about us. An epicenter for young, Black/African genius, creativity, and imagination. After the pandemic cancelled the first edition in 2020, D'atè Festival returns in April 2023. We are creating futures. Will us join us? In February of 2019, D'atè Culture Foundation hosted Artist Convening--a one-day gathering for young artists in Kaduna, Nigeria, to showcase work, engage in discussions around artmaking, and make connections with other emerging and established artists. In partnership with Ilmihouse (Kaduna), Safe Space Chicago (USA), Hearts Heartist (Abuja), Adila Dance Acrobatics (Abuja) and Epic Royal Arts Services, DCF gathered over 50 emerging and established artists in Kaduna and Abuja, Nigeria, to showcase work in dance, visual art, spoken word, poetry, emcee/rap, etc. and engage in panel discussions and workshops around artistry in Nigeria. The goal of the Convening was to gather all of Kaduna's emerging artists in one room, share dreams, and engage in discussions around art practices to create a greater sense of community between artists in Kaduna.
Well-known practitioners including Qudus Onikeku (Lagos), Isaak Laerty (France), Adila Omotosho (Abuja), Olukitibi Bukunmi (Abuja), Brianna Alexis Heath (USA), and Professor Jerry Buhari (Kaduna) joined the gathering to lead workshops in dance, storytelling, and arts management. The gathering highlighted the work of emerging artists of African descent, and also engaged established artists to create space for honest intergenerational dialogue. |
AuthorBrianna Alexis Heath is a dancer, writer, and arts administrator living in Atlanta, GA. Archives
August 2023
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