Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater
The Bessie Award-winning Asase Yaa The Revival Atlanta performance is bringing a powerful celebration of African diaspora culture to the city this summer. The Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater will present its newly reimagined production, The Revival: Djembe in the New Millennium, at Atlanta’s Charles R. Drew Charter School Theatre on Saturday, July 18.
The performance will serve as the centerpiece of the Atlanta African Dance & Drum Festival, which runs from July 17 through July 19. The festival brings together renowned African dance instructors and celebrates traditions from West Africa, Cuba, Guinea, Senegal and other regions.
The event also marks an important milestone for Asase Yaa as the company prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary during the 2026–27 season.
Asase Yaa celebrates 25 years with a refreshed production
The Atlanta performance launches Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater’s first national concert tour since 2017. For the anniversary celebration, the company has transformed The Revival: Djembe in the New Millennium with new creative elements while preserving the cultural roots that inspired the production.
Master Djembe drummer and choreographer Yao Ababio originally developed the production in 2010. Now, Ababio has partnered with his brother, K. Osei Williams, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation, to bring the updated version to audiences nationwide.
Together, they continue the company’s mission of preserving African cultural traditions while connecting them with contemporary artistic expressions.
The Revival explores African diaspora influences in Brooklyn
The Revival tells the story of how West African culture, music and dance shaped the urban cultural landscape of Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy neighborhood from the early 1990s to today.
The production highlights influences from Guinea, Mali, Senegal, Ghana, Nigeria, Haiti and Trinidad. Moreover, it explores how African traditions evolved while inspiring new forms of creative expression within Black communities.
The performance blends traditional and modern styles, including folklore, Djembe rhythms, Afrobeat, hip-hop, rap and R&B. Additionally, the production features the song “African Dream,” recorded and performed by Talib Kweli from his album Reflections Eternal.
By combining generations of musical influences, The Revival shows the lasting impact of African heritage on contemporary culture.
A production featuring live music, dance and visual storytelling
The Atlanta performance will feature a six-member dance ensemble alongside four master drummers, a balafon player and a guitarist. The live musicians will create the energetic rhythms that drive the production’s movement and storytelling.
Furthermore, the show introduces new costume designs by Nigerian fashion designer Wunmi of the WowWow by Wunmi line. The production will also include a live griot performance from Kweku Amankwa Hunter, adding another layer of cultural storytelling.
A multimedia retrospective will guide audiences through the evolution of African diaspora arts in Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy community. The visual elements will connect the past with the present while showcasing the community’s creative legacy.
Atlanta African Dance & Drum Festival brings communities together
The Atlanta African Dance & Drum Festival continues to grow as one of the region’s leading celebrations of African dance and culture. The annual event provides opportunities for artists, instructors and audiences to connect through movement, music and education.
This year’s festival will welcome participants interested in learning dances from across the African diaspora. In addition to performances, the festival creates space for cultural exchange and appreciation.
The inclusion of The Revival: Djembe in the New Millennium highlights the festival’s commitment to presenting meaningful artistic experiences.
How to attend The Revival in Atlanta
The Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater will perform The Revival: Djembe in the New Millennium on Saturday, July 18, at 7:00 p.m.
The event will take place at Charles R. Drew Charter School Theatre, located at 300 Eva Davis Way SE, Atlanta, Georgia.
Tickets are available for audiences who want to experience an evening celebrating African heritage, music and dance.
As Asase Yaa enters its next chapter, The Revival represents more than a performance. It serves as a reminder of the power of African traditions and their continued influence on global culture.
Source: Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater press release.
About the Author
