BENNINGTON, Vt. — Soul Steps, from New York City, will bring African American step dance to the Bennington Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. 

 

The evening will include a sneak peek of material from Soul Step's new production in development, "Step Show: The Musical."

 

The presentation will be followed by a Q&A with the artists, curated by diversity, equity, and inclusion consultant Mya Fisher from Yale University. This performance is a fundraiser for the development of new work by Soul Steps. 

 

According to a press release: "African American step dance is a rich art form that began at Historically Black Colleges and Universities and has connections to South Africa and other parts of the African diaspora. We invite you to journey with the artists through this captivating history and clap along as they celebrate this electrifying dance."

 

Get tickets at bpacvt.org/tickets. Tickets are $10 for students, $15 for adults and $25 if you want to Step It Up to help Soul Steps get their full musical ready for production.

 

On Sunday, Dec. 12, Soul Steps will offer a free "Intro to Step" workshop. There will be two sessions: one from 11 to noon and the second from 1 to 2 p.m. 

 

Participants will use their bodies to create hip-hop infused rhythms through call and response patterns and foundational step choreography. They will also examine step's early roots in the mines of South Africa, through South African gumboot dance. No prior experience is required. All ages are welcome.

 

This is a drop-in event, no ticket needed. 

 

All events require proof of vaccination. Masks must be worn in theater.