The company’s Los Angeles debut on Oct. 24 connects West African traditions with the sounds and movement of contemporary Black life. A djembe can carry a story across an ocean and into a city block. In The Revival: Djembe in the New Millennium, Asase Yaa African American Dance Theater follows those connections through drumming, dance and the changing cultural life of Brooklyn.
The company makes its Los Angeles debut Oct. 24 at the ASI Cultural Arts Center on Crenshaw Boulevard. Its appearance forms part of the Oct. 23–25 ASI Culture Conference and a national tour celebrating the Asase Yaa Cultural Arts Foundation’s 25th anniversary.
Created by master drummer and choreographer Yao Ababio, the production was first developed in 2010 and has been reworked for the anniversary. It considers how African and Caribbean traditions have influenced Bed-Stuy from the early 1990s onward, bringing folkloric forms into conversation with Afrobeat, hip-hop, rap and R&B.
That range gives the performance a specific story to tell. The work treats culture as something people carry, practice and change together, with movement and music connecting generations rather than sitting in separate historical compartments.
“Our theme, We Strive to Thrive, reflects a quarter century of artistic innovation, community engagement, and cultural preservation,” Ababio said in the company’s announcement.
The Saturday Cultural Extravaganza also features African Soul International and Le Ballet Dembaya, bringing the visiting company into a shared Los Angeles program. The conference’s classes offer another point of entry for people who want to participate as well as watch.
For audiences, the practical choice is straightforward: attend the evening showcase on its own or build a larger weekend around the conference. The Oct. 24 program runs from 7 to 9 p.m., with general admission listed at $35 and premium tickets at $50.
For more information about the event and to get tickets, visit africansoulinternational.com
Location: ASI Cultural Arts Center, 4302 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles.
Hours and Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026, Cultural Extravaganza 7–9 p.m.
Photo credits: Photo courtesy of KGyasi Photography LLC.
