About Us

Dedicated to performing, teaching and celebrating drum and dance of the African diaspora.

Lannaya Drum & Dance (Lannaya) is a 501c(3) nonprofit performing arts organization formed in 2000. Our mission is to expose and educate audiences to authentic and progressive interpretations of drum and dance of the African diaspora. In Susu (one of the national languages of the West African country Guinea) “Lannaya” means confidence, and it’s what we strive to instill through our work! We are committed to sharing the vibrant cultural traditions of West African drum and dance through performances and education.

Since 2008, we’ve performed statewide for Texans in their own communities, and our quality has been validated since 2008 by the Texas Commission on the Arts, and the City of Austin Cultural Arts Division. 

Our programs are suitable for small/large audiences, diverse facilities, and include:

Rhythm & Movement of West Africa! an interactive on-campus school show, suitable for grades K-12, and up.

Arts Education Residency: Drum and/or dance intensives. Customizable. Residencies may vary from a full day to several weeks.

Drum/Dance Workshops: Technique and community building. Workshops are energizing, affirming, fun and nurturing! Customizable, and can be presented from 30 minutes to 90 minutes maximum, per workshop.

Drum/Dance performances: Culturally enriching 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.  TCA’s Arts Respond Performance Support grants provide funds to nonprofit organizations in Texas interested in booking Lannaya and other artists from the TCA Touring Artist Roster. Schools, libraries, and nonprofit organizations can apply for grants to hire artists like Lannaya (TCA grants could cover up to 50% of Lannaya’s total fee!). Support is based on TCA’s available funds. Contact us to learn more!

  Venues Where We’ve Performed/Taught

We’ve opened for international headliners like Grupo Fantasma (Grammy award winning 9 piece Latin-funk and cumbia powerhouse from Austin, TX).

 

Selected Festivals:

 

 

 

This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of the City of Austin Economic Development Department.

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