Afro Dance Xplosion-2024-Fund to bring Diamano Coura to ADX

Carolyn Lilly is organising this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Dear Friends and Supporters,

My name is Carolyn Lilly, and I am the Founder and Director of Feel the Rhythm Productions. We have been promoting and supporting African Dance and Dance in the African Diaspora for over 15 years in London, UK, to support diversity and inclusion in the London dance community especially among the youth.

We are excited to announce our 15th edition, Afro Dance Xplosion 2024 – “Beyond Borders”, and we need your support to make it an unforgettable event. Afro Dance Xplosion (ADX) is an annual 3-day festival celebrating dance, music, and culture from Africa and the Diaspora. This year, we are proud to mark our 15th anniversary with a spectacular line-up for our showcase, workshops, Q&A sessions and discussions in London, providing a vital platform for both local and international artists and creatives to showcase their passion for African dance. Our mission is to celebrate and keep African dance, music, and culture alive and we rely on your donations, kind support, and funding grants to achieve this.

Our theme this year, “Beyond Borders,” highlights the global reach and influence of African dance. We are thrilled to invite the renowned Diamano Coura West African Dance Company from California to join us. Diamano Coura will not only perform in the ADX Showcase but also lead master workshops in West African Dance – a rare and invaluable opportunity for all participants. However, bringing this exceptional company to London, consisting of 10 dancers, musicians, and artists, along with their instruments, comes with significant costs. We estimate:

Transport: £700 per artist

Accommodation: £500 per artist for 7 days

Instruments: £1000 in total

While we can cover the costs for three artists, we need your help to support the remaining seven artists, with a total fundraising goal of £10,000.

We are calling on our community to help us reach our fundraising goal of £10,000. Your generous support will ensure that we can bring Diamano Coura to Afro Dance Xplosion - 2024

Event Details:

Dates: 8th, 9th, and 10th November 2024

Venue: The Place Theatre, 17 Duke’s Road, London WC1H 9PY

Why Support Us?

Supporting this event means championing the idea that exceptional African dance companies can thrive and share their craft beyond the continent of Africa. Diamano Coura, founded by Naomi Johnson-Diouf and Dr Zak Diouf, exemplifies this with their almost, 50-year legacy of excellence, having performed and shared their knowledge worldwide. They have developed a large dance community and reputation across the USA and beyond.

For those donating,

• £20 and over - your name in our ADX 2024 - Beyond Borders - Festival Brochure

• £100 and over - a special mention in the Festival Brochure, a copy of the ADX 2024 - Beyond Borders Festival Brochure plus a Feel the Rhythm Productions bag.

• £500 and over - a special mention in the Festival Brochure, a copy of the ADX 2024 - Beyond Borders Festival Brochure, a Feel the Rhythm Productions bag, plus one ticket to the Showcase.

NEA National Heritage Fellows Tribute Video: Zakarya and Naomi Diouf (2020)