Upstage Presents A Week of Dance Workshops!

Before the curtain rises on Dance Life Festival 2026, Upstage invites dancers, performers, choreographers, and movement enthusiasts to take part in A Week of Dance Workshops led by accomplished artists from Kenya, Burundi, and Côte d'Ivoire.

Running from Tuesday, 30th June to Friday, 3rd July, this workshop series offers a rare opportunity to learn directly from internationally recognized practitioners working across contemporary dance, urban movement, inclusive practice, and embodied performance. 

The workshops are supported by the British Council through the UK/Kenya Season Legacy Project, and by Africalia as part of its support for Dance Life Festival 2026. 

Tuesday, 30th June | Inclusive Creation Workshop & Artist Talk

Kick off the week with a day dedicated to disability inclusion and accessibility in the performing arts. Led by Adam Chienjo (Kenya), with remote support from Luke Pell (UK), the workshop and artist talk explore practical approaches to inclusive movement practice and collaborative creation involving artists with disabilities. 

Location: Artzone Studios | Workshop: 10am - 5pm | Artist talk: 5pm - 7pm 

Register for the Inclusive Creation workshop at this link.

Wednesday, 1st July | Coupé-Décalé (Kupe de Kalle), Côte d'Ivoire Urban Dance

Originally from Côte d'Ivoire and now based in Paris, Leslie Nobou brings together Coupé-Décalé, Amapiano, and the vibrant energy of the Paris dance scene in a dynamic workshop celebrating rhythm, expression, and joy.

Location: Kenya Cultural Centre | Workshop: 10am - 5pm 

Register for the Coupé-Décalé workshop at this link. 

Thursday, 2nd July | Listening Bodies: The Body as an Archive

"How do our bodies hold memory?" In this workshop, Kenyan movement artist Diana Odhiambo explores movement as a living archive of experience, inviting participants to reflect on presence, memory, and embodied creative practice. Through guided exploration, discover new ways of connecting personal stories with movement.

Location: Kenya Cultural Centre | Workshop: 10am - 5pm 

Register for the Listening Bodies workshop at this link. 

Friday, 3rd July | Move or Burn!

Led by Iwacu Dance Company (Burundi), Move or Burn! explores the body as a space of transformation, resilience, and resistance. Through movement, participants will investigate how dance can become a response to personal, social, and political realities, revealing the body as a powerful language for survival and expression.

Location: Kenya Cultural Centre | Workshop: 10am - 5pm 

Register for the Move or Burn! workshop at this link.

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We hope you'll join us for a week of learning, exchange, and inspiration as we celebrate dance in all its forms!