Dedicated to performing, teaching and celebrating drum and dance of the African diaspora.
We are committed to sharing the vibrant cultural traditions of West Africa through performances and education. Our public programming includes: K-12 interactive school shows; educational workshops; festival appearances; public performances; programming for parties, receptions galas, and a host of special events. In the Su Su language of Guinea, Lannaya means “confidence.” It’s what we seek to express in our work and instill in audiences through a variety of programming suitable for small/large audiences, and diverse facilities, including: Rhythm & Movement of West Africa! interactive on-campus school show for grades K-12. Residency (2-week minimum) drum/dance intensives. African Diasporic Drum/Dance Workshops, technique and community building. Drum/dance performances of traditional and innovative African diasporic rhythms. Since 2008, we’ve performed statewide for Texans in their own communities, via selection in the highly competitive Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA)’s Touring Artist Roster. Grants from the TCA could cover up to 50% of Lannaya’s total fee! TCA’s Arts Respond Performance Support grants provide support to nonprofit organizations in Texas interested in booking Lannaya and other artists from the TCA Touring Artist Roster. This means that these grants are open to schools, libraries, and nonprofit organizations to apply for grants to hire artists like Lannaya. Support is based on TCA’s available funds. Contact us to learn more!
A selection of our arts partners, some Austin and Central Texas venues we’ve performed in, and a few festivals are detailed in the next few sections below. Community Partners
- Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts
- Chula League’s Cherrywood Art Fair
- Long Center
- Paramount Theater
- One World Theater
- Austin City Limits at the Moody Theater
- George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Geneaology Center
We’ve opened for international headliners like Grupo Fantasma (Grammy award winning 9 piece Latin-funk and cumbia powerhouse from Austin, TX).
Selected Festivals:
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- Waco Cultural Arts Festival
- San Antonio Folk Dance Festival
- Dance Africa Fest
- Austin City Limits Music Festival
- Austin New Year
- Austin FanFest (a downtown party celebrating the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix).
This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.