The Center for Arts at the Armory Commissions Six Lead Artists to Headline Second Annual Feet Keep the Beat Festival July 30 – August 4, 2024

Now in its second year, Arts at the Armory’s Feet Keep the Beat Festival announces that it has commissioned five local percussive dance artists and one Musical Director to create an evening length work to be premiered on August 2nd in the Armory Performance Hall.  The Feet Keep the Beat Artists will also lead free dance jams and community workshops throughout the festival week. Returning from last year’s festival are artists Ariaki Dandawate (Kathak), Yosi Karahashi (Flamenco) and Antonio Tran (Flamenco guitar), as well as Joh Camara (West African), Lekisha Limage (Step), and Ryan Casey (Tap), who are new to the festival this year.

The festival is being produced and presented by Arts at the Armory led by Co-Director/CEO Stephanie Scherpf and Co-Director/COO Jess White. Once again, Arts at the Armory is collaborating with Deborah Mason, who is serving as Artistic Advisor to Feet Keep the Beat, and is also bringing her lauded Boston Tap Party Showcase to the Arts at the Armory Performance Hall on August 3rd, the night after the Feet Keep the Beat premiere.  

“I am thrilled to build on what we started last year,” says Scherpf. “The Feet Keep the Beat artists are outstanding, and this new format allows us to more deeply support them while asking them to explore the interconnectedness of the various percussive dance forms, which is what is at the true heart of Feet Keep the Beat. In the end, it’s a living metaphor for society—once again, the arts lead the way and show us how to communicate and collaborate with others while upholding our cultural traditions at the same time. This new world premiere will tell the story of how feet have been keeping the beat over time, and across cultures and geographies.”

On Monday, July 29th, from 7-9pm at ROOTED Armory Café there will be a Traditional Irish Session. On Wednesday, July 31st , from 7-pm at ROOTED Armory Café, there will be a Flamenco Tablao led by Yosi Karahashi and Antonio Tran. On Sunday, August 4th, Arts at the Armory will host a Feet Keep the Beat community workshop from 2-5pm. All jams and workshops are free admission. Tickets for the August 2nd premiere of a new evening length Feet Keep the Beat are available here.

Lead funding support for Feet Keep the Beat has been provided by Movement Arts Creation Studio. Arts at the Armory is currently accepting sponsorships from businesses and individuals who would like to support this vital program and be associated with its intercultural brand.

Feet Keep the Beat artists are available to participate in interviews upon request.

Monday, July 29th 7-9pm: Traditional Irish Session at ROOTED Armory Café
Wednesday, July 31st 7-9pm: Flamenco Tablao at ROOTED Armory Café
Friday, August 2nd 8pm: Feet Keep the Beat World Premiere (Arts at the Armory Performance Hall) | Tickets: https://the-center-for-arts-at-the-armory.ticketleap.com/feet-keep-the-beat/

Sunday, August 4th 2-5pm: Community Workshops & Dance Off (Arts at the Armory Performance Hall) 

The Center for Arts at the Armory is located at 191 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143. To learn more please visit our website, https://artsatthearmory.org/, our Facebook page, and follow us on Instagram at @ArtsattheArmory.