About this Event
AFRICA TO AUSTIN FESTIVAL 2026
NOVEMBER 6 TO 8, 2026 (Friday to Sunday)
Ancient rhythms. Living traditions. One unforgettable weekend!
Join Master West African Percussionist Aboubacar Sylla and Bramaya West African Drum and Dance Ensemble for a landmark celebration of African and African diaspora art forms — three days of live performances, drum and dance workshops, and community gathering in the heart of Austin!
Africa to Austin Festival 2026 marks the first time Austin has hosted a West African drum and dance conference of this scale — bringing together master artists from Guinea, Zimbabwe, and Ivory Coast to teach, perform, and share the living culture of African musical traditions with the Austin community.
The celebration begins Friday, November 6 with our Opening Night Performance at the Boyd Vance Theater, at George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center — Austin's first museum dedicated to African American history and culture, and the perfect home for this weekend of heritage and joy!
Over three extraordinary days, our guest master artists will take the stage and lead workshops alongside Austin groups IFA Dancing & Drum and Tambores del Pueblo, representing Brazil and Puerto Rico, a living testament to how Africa's rhythms traveled the world and transformed in new lands.
This is a weekend for all of Austin, its visitors, and the African Drum and Dance Community all over the country and the world!
Everybody is welcome!!
THIS EVENT PAGE IS FOR PURCHASING TICKETS FOR THE PERFORMANCES.
TO PURCHASE TICKETS FOR THE WORKSHOPS GO TO:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/africa-to-austin-2026-festival-drum-dance-workshops-tickets-2001091031142?aff=oddtdtcreator
Performance tickets can be purchased at the door for $30. First come first serve.
The LIVE performances:
OPENING NIGHT PERFORMANCE on Friday, November 6
SATURDAY NIGHT PERFORMANCE on Saturday, November 7
Namunyi Faré
A production created and directed by Master West African Percussionist and Bramaya West African Drum and Dance Ensemble's Artistic Director Aboubacar Sylla.
Namunyi Faré — means “Traditional Music” in Susu, is an original performance created and directed by Aboubacar Sylla that traces the extraordinary journey of African music across oceans and time arriving now in Austin, Texas , through the hearts of master artists from Africa and the African Diaspora.
From the ancient rhythms of Africa to the stages of Austin, Texas — the rhythms of Africa have traveled and transformed into something new taking root in new soil, while never losing its source.
"Namunyi Faré" is the story of that journey. It is the story of people from different places, different cultures and different traditions discovering that they share a rhythm, a tempo, a way of speaking without words. How even through all the differences, music is a shared language.
Featuring the dances, songs, and music of master artists from Guinea, Zimbabwe, and Ivory Coast alongside IFA Dancing & Drum and Tambores del Pueblo local to Austin, this performance is a celebration of how music connects us across cultures, languages, and borders.
Friday and Saturday nights' performances each tell the story of Namunyi Faré in their own way — no two nights are the same. We invite you to join us both nights for the full Africa to Austin experience.
Artists/Performers Lineup
Music:
Abou Sylla (New Hampshire) - Balafon -Guinea
Mohamed “Baco” Camara (New Mexico) - Drummer- Guinea
Soriba Fofana (New Mexico) - Drummer- Guinea
Napoleon Jambwa - (Florida) - Drummer/musician - Zimbabwe
Nfali Drame (New Mexico) - Drummer- Guinea
Dance:
Ismael Kouyate (New Jersey) - Guinea
Rujeko Sarah Dumbutshena (Florida) -Zimbabwe
Napoleon Jambwa - (Florida) - Zimbabwe
Austin locals:
Aboubacar Sylla - Multi-percussionist - Guinea
Mohamed Sylla - Guinea - Drummer- Guinea
Alseny Sylla - Guinea - Drummer- Guinea
Jean Claude Lessou - Dancer - Ivory Coast
Mami Camara - Dancer-Guinea
Aicha Conde - Dancer - Singer- Guinea
African Diaspora:
IFA Dancing & Drum - African Brazilian
Tambores del Pueblo - Puerto Rican Bomba
Workshops Instructors - Master Artists
Dance:
Ismael Kouyate - Guinea
Rujeko Sarah Dumbutshena - Zimbabwe
Mami Camara - Guinea
Jean Claude Lessou - Ivory Coast
Drum* :
Soriba Fofana - Guinea
Aboubacar Sylla - Guinea
Balafon:
Abou Sylla - Guinea
You are welcome to come to watch the performances, to learn from the Master Instructors and to take part in this unique joyful musical experience in Austin, Texas!
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TO ATTEND ALL WORKSHOPS. ALL LEVELS ARE WELCOME.
*Drums are available for rent the day of the workshops.
This project is supported in part by an Elevate Grant of Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment.
THIS EVENT PAGE IS FOR PURCHASING TICKETS FOR THE PERFORMANCES.
TO PURCHASE TICKETS FOR THE WORKSHOPS GO TO:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/africa-to-austin-2026-festival-drum-dance-workshops-tickets-2001091031142?aff=oddtdtcreator
AFRICA TO AUSTIN FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6TH
7:30 PM TO 9:00 PM PERFORMANCE
Location: George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center
: 1165 Angelina St, Austin, TX 78702
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH
Location: George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center
: 1165 Angelina St, Austin, TX 78702
WORKSHOPS
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Dun dun Dance - All Levels
Instructor: Ismael Kouyate - Guinea
@ the studio
11:15 AM TO 12:45 PM
Dance class
Instructor: Rujeko Dumbutshena - Zimbabwe
@ the studio
11:15 AM TO 12:45 PM
Balafon Class
Instructor: Abou Sylla - Guinea
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Djembé Class
Instructor: Soriba Fofana - Guinea
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Dance Class
Instructor: Mami Camara - Guinea
@ the studio
2:45 PM TO 4:00 PM
Dance Class
Instructor: Jean Claude Lessou - Ivory Coast
@ the studio
7:30 PM TO 9:00 PM PERFORMANCE
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH
Location: Ballet Afrique Contemporary Dance
: 1050 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
WORKSHOPS
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Dance Class
Instructor: Ismael Kouyate - Guinea
11:45 AM to 1:15 PM
Drum Class - Djembe & Dundun
Instructor: Aboubacar Sylla - Guinea
1:30 PM to 3:00 PM
Dance Class
All Instructors
– - - - - - - - - - -
4:00 pm to 6:45 pm
DUNDUNBA Traditional West African party!
FREE EVENT! Open to the community! Family friendly.
Location: Sahara Lounge
: 1413 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78721
*Schedule subject to change.
**Please note: this festival takes place at three different locations. See below for details.**
DATES AND LOCATIONS:
Friday, November 6 - Opening Night Performance and
Saturday, November 7 - Workshops & Performance
Location: *George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center • 1165 Angelina St, Austin, TX 78702
Sunday, November 8 - Workshops
Location: *Ballet Afrique Contemporary Dance • 1050 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
FREE Sunday Community Dundunba - Traditional West African Party!
Location: *Sahara Lounge • 1413 Webberville Rd, Austin, TX 78721
For more information visit:
Email us at: [email protected]
THIS EVENT PAGE IS FOR PURCHASING TICKETS FOR THE PERFORMANCES.
TO PURCHASE TICKETS FOR THE WORKSHOPS GO TO:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/africa-to-austin-2026-festival-drum-dance-workshops-tickets-2001091031142?aff=oddtdtcreator
Event venue & nearby stays
George Washington Carver Museum, 1165 Angelina Street, Austin, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.