The TéMaTé Institute for Black Dance & Culture

Event Description: Ritual: Rhythms of Life & Legacy October 18–19, 2025 | Detroit, MI The TéMaTé Institute for Black Dance & Culture proudly presents the 2025 Convening for Dance & Culture, Ritual: Rhythms of Life & Legacy a two-day immersive celebration of movement, music, storytelling, and community rooted in the African diaspora. This annual convening is Detroit’s premier gathering for cultural arts, blending interactive dance workshops, thought-provoking dialogue, and electrifying performances that highlight the living traditions and contemporary expressions of African and Afro-diasporic culture. More than just an event, the convening is a space for learning, connection, and reflection, offering participants an opportunity to explore the power of ritual and its role in bridging the physical and spiritual, the ancestral and the present. About the 2025 Theme: Ritual: Rhythms of Life & Legacy This year’s convening centers on Ritual, honoring the relationship between dance, ceremony, and the environment. Drawing from African traditions, ancestral wisdom, and the natural world, the performances and classes will explore how dance serves as a vital expression of identity, resilience, and community. Artists and instructors will embody elemental forces, bringing to life myths, ceremonial practices, and intergenerational storytelling that affirm our shared humanity and cultural inheritance. In a time of environmental and cultural awakening, Ritual: Rhythms of Life & Legacy serves as a reminder of our place within the great web of life. It is both a performance and a call to action a collective invocation to reconnect with each other and with the earth through rhythm and movement. Weekend Highlights Workshops & Classes: Held at The Andy before transitioning to the Detroit School of Arts, participants will have access to hands-on classes with expert instructors from across the African diaspora. Open to dancers of all levels, these sessions emphasize community-building, cultural knowledge, and personal expression. Evening Concert: The convening culminates in a spectacular performance at the Detroit School of Arts. Featuring choreography by Ajara Alghali (Detroit), Idy Ciss (Chicago), and Marie Basse Wiles (New York), the concert is a vibrant showcase of African dance traditions reimagined for today. Through rhythm, music, and movement, artists will honor legacy while pushing forward new possibilities. Vendor Marketplace: Both the classes and the concert will host vendors offering culturally inspired goods, art, and food. This marketplace not only enriches the audience experience but also supports local entrepreneurs and artisans. Community Connections: From panel discussions to networking opportunities, the convening creates space for cultural exchange and intergenerational dialogue, ensuring that knowledge and traditions are shared and sustained.

Event Links

Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/3269417-0

Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3269417-2

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