Review: Step Afrika!’s ‘Magical Musical Holiday Step Show’ Unifies Audiences, Celebrates Black Traditions

Step Afrika!’s ‘Magical Musical Holiday Step Show’ Unifies Audiences, Celebrates Black Traditions, Spreads Seasonal Cheer to Last All Year

By The Washington Informer’s Micha Green, December 19, 2024

Despite what’s been described by many as a divisive moment for the United States, Step Afrika!’s “Magical Musical Holiday Step Show” unifies audiences in the name of highlighting Black art forms and spreading cheer to last this season and beyond.

“Step Afrika! crafted this performance for both the young and young at heart, creating a space where you can sing, make music, and dance together,” wrote C. Brian Williams, founder and executive producer of Step Afrika!, in a note included in the show’s playbill.

Engaging attendees from the moment they walk in the door by offering noisemakers to use during the show, the audience becomes part of the cast — both from their seats and onstage.

Throughout the holiday spectacular, dozens of volunteers participate onstage, dancing, singing and learning choreography to perform for the crowd. For those who’d rather enjoy the performance from their seats, noisemakers, applause, stomping and verbal affirmations are also critical to the flow of the show and onstage action.

“Trust me, the more noise you make, the more fun we’ll have! And besides… who wants to sit still and be quiet for the holidays,” Williams noted.

The show is fantastic. The cast is wonderful, from the stupendous steppers to the engaging narrator, and DJ Nutcracker on the ones and twos, mixing popular tunes and holiday favorites.

Further, in a performance that provides more than entertainment, Step Afrika! highlights the magic of the holiday season, while beautifully and boldly paying homage to Black, African and D.C. culture and traditions.

Wrapping its 30th anniversary season, Step Afrika!, since its inception, has worked to highlight the power, history and inspiration behind the art of stepping.  From rooting back to Africa, all the way to yards across campuses at historically Black colleges and universities in the U.S., audiences see the various origins and nuances that contribute to the exciting art of step.

Moreover, Step Afrika!, under the musical guidance of DJ Nutcracker, takes audiences on a go-go journey, playing old-school classics and newer bounce beat hits. It was a wonderful way to honor not only African American traditions but District culture.

“Watching Step Afrika! Was like watching an archive of Black communication styles. In every step, in every symphony of body percussion, I saw generations of my culture reflected back to me,” said multi-hyphenate artist and artivist ChelseaDee Harrison. “It was soul-satisfying to witness this company at work.”