The much-anticipated Skillz Dance Fest 2024 is set to take place from October 18 to 20, marking the festival’s 7th edition and bringing together dancers from across Africa to celebrate the rich tapestry of dance, culture, and community. This year’s festival promises to be a dynamic and immersive experience, featuring three days of intense activities, vibrant performances, and thrilling dance competitions.
Skillz Dance Fest has become a pivotal event in the East African dance community, providing a platform for dancers, choreographers, and enthusiasts to connect, showcase their talents, and exchange ideas. It is also a celebration of African culture, using dance as a tool for unity and social change.
Key Highlights of Skillz Dance Fest 2024
This year’s festival will host four major dance competitions, including:
Ultimate Skillz Dance Battles – A fierce showcase of technique, creativity, and precision.
Afro-Fusion Dance Battles – Featuring a mix of traditional African rhythms and modern dance styles.
Urban Freestyle Battles – Where dancers express their unique styles through improvisation and creativity.
Next Move Battles – The highly anticipated battle that will highlight fresh talent and groundbreaking moves.
Other exhilarating activities include freestyle crew battles, krump battles, and a breaking power move exhibition, showcasing the diversity of street dance styles across Africa.
Beyond the competitions, Skillz Dance Fest is more than just a dance battle—it’s a hub for cultural exchange, collaboration, and learning. The festival will offer workshops, dance classes, and dance parties, where participants can enhance their skills, share their knowledge, and enjoy the dynamic atmosphere of the event.
British Council Support and Global Recognition
This year’s festival has gained international recognition with the backing of the British Council, which selected Skillz Dance Fest as one of seven African festivals to receive a grant as part of its Festival Connects Fund. Over 3,000 festival makers across Africa applied for the grant, making this a significant achievement for Skillz Dance Fest and its growing influence on the continent.
The British Council Uganda praised the festival for its efforts to foster cultural connections and build bridges between dance communities in Africa and beyond. Skillz Dance Fest 2024 is not only a celebration of movement but also a platform for meaningful conversations around social issues.
Dance for Change: Addressing Climate and Social Challenges
During the festival’s launch event on September 18, which took place at the British Council in Kamwokya, a range of performances addressed pressing issues like climate change and corruption. Dance crews, including the renowned Sosolya Udungu troupe, showcased creative routines and recited poems highlighting the abuse of the environment and its far-reaching consequences.
In a unique collaboration with IGC Fashion, the festival also aims to raise awareness about the environmental impact of fashion, emphasizing how clothing and consumer habits contribute to the waste crisis. The festival’s organizers hope to use dance as a powerful medium to spark change and inspire audiences to rethink their relationship with the planet.