BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – Celebrating 30 years in bringing high-energy dance styles rooted in African culture, Step Afrika! will offer a free performance on the campus of West Virginia Wesleyan College Feb. 17. Made possible by funding from WVWC’s Arts Alive!, the performance is part of a line-up of events hosted by the Center for Cultural &  International Affairs to celebrate Black History Month.  The performance will be held in the Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts from 7-8:30 p.m. 

Founded in 1994 by C. Brian Williams, Step Afrika! is the world’s leading authority on the art form of stepping. Under Williams’ leadership, stepping has evolved into one of America’s cultural exports, touring more than 60 countries across the globe and ranking as one of the top 10 African American Dance Companies in the US.

Step Afrika! blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities; traditional 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. 

In summer 2024, Governor’s School for the Arts students at WVWC traveled to Washington, D.C. to see Step Afrika!, one of the highlights of their visit to the nation’s capital.

Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Alisa Lively said, “The Arts Alive! program complements Bobcat Entertainment by providing Wesleyan’s campus with numerous cultural activities, including concerts, dramatic productions, musical performances, modern dance and ballet, and lectures. Nationally and internationally renowned groups and artists provide a splash of cultural diversity and entertainment to the campus. We are so excited to welcome Step Afrika! back to our campus!”

Laurie Goux, director of the WVWC Center for Cultural & International Affairs, said, “One only has to witness this art form to see the roots of Appalachian percussive dances. Step Afrika! is breathtaking, uniquely blending culture and history to offer the best in “edutainment.”

ABOUT WEST VIRGINIA WESLEYAN COLLEGE
West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) is a private, four-year residential liberal arts and sciences college in Buckhannon, West Virginia. A tradition of excellence for more than 130 years, West Virginia Wesleyan is home to 14 Fulbright Scholars. The Princeton Review ranked Wesleyan as one of its 2025 Best Colleges in the Mid-Atlantic Region of the United States. U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 Best College Rankings designated Wesleyan ninth in Best Value – Regional Universities (South). WVWC offers students nearly 60 majors and 40 minors; graduate programs in athletic training, business administration, creative writing, nursing and clinical mental health counseling; 20 NCAA Division II athletic programs; multiple performing arts groups; and more than 50 organizations. Founded in 1890, the College is closely affiliated with the United Methodist Church and abides by the Wesley doctrine that emphasizes service to others. For more information, visit wvwc.edu.