- Events
- FIVE DAYS WITH STEP AFRIKA!
FIVE DAYS WITH STEP AFRIKA!
FREE VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP
GRADES 4-12
(on-demand video series)
Step Afrika! is the world’s first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping — a polyrhythmic, percussive dance form that uses the body as an instrument. Based on Step Afrika!’s award-winning arts education programs and more than 25 years of performing and teaching students, the Company has created FIVE DAYS WITH STEP AFRIKA! to support the academic environment as well as the challenges of virtual learning.
Founded in 1994, Step Afrika! blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities; traditional West and Southern African dances; and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience. Performances are much more than dance shows; they integrate songs, storytelling, humor and audience participation. The blend of technique, agility, and pure energy makes each performance unique and leaves the audience with their hearts pounding.
Step Afrika! is featured prominently at the Smithsonian’s new National Museum of African-American History & Culture with the world’s first stepping interactive. In 2017, Step Afrika! made its Off-Broadway debut with the critically-acclaimed production, The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence.
Note: this experience is limited to students based in the state of Iowa. By registering, you are verifying that the students taking part in this experience are located within the eligible geographic area. Thank you for helping us protect artists’ work and use agreements.
MORE INFORMATION
FIVE DAYS WITH STEP AFRIKA! is made up of five videos for you to watch with your students. The best experience will be to watch them in order, but you can actually watch them in whatever order you like!
Videos will include:
Day One: “What is Stepping?”
Introductory video and educational guide highlighting the history of stepping
Day Two: “The Performance, Act 1”
Condensed first half of standard Step Afrika! performance for viewing in classroom setting
Day Three: “The Performance, Act 2”
Condensed second half of standard Step Afrika! performance for viewing in classroom setting
Day Four: “Stepping with Step Afrika!”
Stepping tutorial
Day Five: “Meet the Artists of Step Afrika!”
This pre-recorded session will feature the artists answering pre-selected questions that allow students to learn more about their lives as college graduates and artists who travel across the globe.
Social-Emotional Learning
Self-Awareness: Integrating personal and social identities; Identifying personal, cultural, and linguistic assets; Having a growth mindset; Developing interests and a sense of purpose
Social Awareness: Taking others’ perspectives; Recognizing strengths in others; Identifying diverse social norms, including unjust ones; Understanding the influences of organizations/systems on behavior
Self-Management: Exhibiting self-discipline and motivation; Setting personal and collective goals
Responsible Decision-Making: Reflecting on one’s role to promote personal, family and community well-being
Social Studies
Behavioral Science: Recognize the Interaction Between the Individual and Various Groups; Examine Factors that Led to Continuity and Change on Human Development and Behavior
Geography: Evaluate Human Environment Interaction
History: Analyze Change, Continuity and Context; Compare Perspectives
Music
Responding: Response to music is informed by analyzing context (social, cultural and historical) and how creators and performers manipulate the elements of music; Through their use of elements and structures of music, creators and performers provide clues to their expressive intent
Dance
Explore: Choreographers use a variety of sources as inspiration and transform concepts and ideas into movement for artistic expression
Responding: Dance is perceived and analyzed to comprehend its meaning; Criteria for evaluating dance vary across genres, styles and cultures
How long is the show?
Each of the five videos is no more than 20 minutes.
How many times can I view it?
Once you gain access, as many times as you wish!
When can my students view it?
January 25 - February 8, 2021
Can I preview the videos? What is it like?
While we cannot grant preview access to the videos, we recommend that you visit Step Afrika’s website if you would like to learn more about them or preview some of their general promotional videos.
Do you have any supplemental material to accompany the show?
Yes – we will send you additional materials to set context and help your students reflect on the virtual field trip experience.
Event Details
FORMAT:
ON-DEMAND VIDEO SERIES
Streaming January 25 - February 5, 2021
Grades 4-12
Des Moines Performing Arts is proud to offer this education opportunity at no cost to participants.
This presentation is supported by the Arts Midwest Touring Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the Iowa Arts Council and the Crane Group.
"To have been given the chance to work with a professional choreographer and music director! Wow!"
- Ridg, Waukee High School