Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of African Diaspora dance at the 'Balbancha Dance Festival'—named after the Indigenous word Balbancha, meaning 'the place of many tongues,' the original name for the land now known as New Orleans. This festival showcases the rich diversity and powerful legacy of movement traditions spanning the African Diaspora. From the soulful dances of Haiti to the contagious energy of New Orleans Bounce, this celebration honors the deep cultural ties that unite us through rhythm, movement, history, song, and story.

Featured Dance Forms:

• Afro- Haitian Dance

• Afro-Cuban Dance

• Afro-Brazilian Dance

• Grenadian Folkloric Dance

• W. African Dance (Guinean)

• New Orleans Second Line Aesthetic

• New Orleans Bounce

Through this weekend, we connect the past and the present, inviting dancers and audiences to celebrate the spirit of the African Diaspora. Whether through the powerful storytelling of Haitian and Cuban culture, the explosive energy of Bounce, or the rhythmic pulse of West African and Second Line traditions, "Balbancha Dance Festival" brings together the many voices and bodies of the Black experience in a celebration of heritage, resilience, and community.

Come celebrate, dance, and honor our shared roots!