Washington DC's KanKouran 43rd National African Dance and Music Conference and Concert Labor Day Weekend

The largest and most anticipated annual African dance and drum workshops, September 4, to September 6, and major concert production September 5  

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, August 18, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Washington, DC-based and internationally renowned, KanKouran Dance Company presents its 43rd Annual National African Dance and Drum Conference and Concert weekend, entitled SUNU GAAL (Our Boat), featuring dance and drum workshops from Friday, September 4, to Sunday, September 6, and the annual major concert production Saturday, September 5, at Howard University Cramton Auditorium. This annual program is the largest, most highly anticipated event of its kind in the US and kicks off African Heritage Month in DC.



With the calling from the drums, KanKouran’s Annual African Dance and Drum Conference ushers in a NATIONAL CONVERGENCE of West Africa’s finest dancers and musicians. Professional artists, dance companies, youth organizations, and dance/drum enthusiasts from around the world come to participate in three days of dance and drum instruction from the most skilled teachers. More than 20 workshop presenters from Senegal, Guinea, Mali, Congo, and Liberia are set to teach techniques perfected through years of performance, experience, study, and research. Conference workshops cater to a variety of dance styles and levels. KanKouran’s annual conference is considered the largest family reunion for African dance companies in the US.

This year’s concert production celebrates the unity and shared cultural values of three kingdoms—Lebou, Serere & Walo-Walo through Sabar, the national dance and cultural heartbeat of Senegal, West Africa. KanKouran’s Executive Artistic Director, Assane Konte, also a faculty member at Howard University, will present an elaborate showcase of highly energetic, complex rhythms and movements demonstrating a range of centuries-old traditional dances he choreographed for the stage. They reflect the spiritual culture of Senegal and embody resilience, celebration, and shared histories. The concert production will feature KanKouran’s Senior, Junior, and Children’s Companies, participants from the Adult Community Dance Class, and guest artists.

Founded in 1983, KanKouran is a U.S.-based nonprofit performing arts organization serving the Washington, D.C., area and national and international audiences for more than 43 years through 12,500 dance classes reaching 800,000 participants, 28,000 school performances for 11.2 million DC-area students, and 26,000 staged performances. The company now boasts over three generations of Washingtonians dedicated to preserving its rich legacy. For info, call 2020-518-1213 or visit www.kankouran.org.


KanKouran’s 43rd Annual National African Dance and Drum Conference
“SUNU GAAL (Our Boat in Wolof language of Senegal)”

WHEN/WHERE:
Conference: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4-6
Washington Marriott Capitol Hill 175 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20002

Concert: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 8 PM
Howard University Cramton Auditorium, 2455 6th Street NW, Washington, DC 20059

KANKOURAN’S 43rd NATIONAL ANNUAL DANCE & MUSIC CELEBRATES SHARED CULTURAL VALUES

Eurica or Ali
KanKouran
+1 202-518-1213
bookings@kankouran.org
Visit us on social media:
Instagram
Facebook

KanKouran - The Spirit Lives On!