Edmonton African Dance Festival

Discover Edmonton African Dance Festival

The Edmonton African Dance Festival, EADF, is a vibrant non-profit arts organization founded in 2011 to celebrate, preserve, and promote Afro Caribbean dance creativity and cultural heritage in Alberta. Based in Edmonton, the festival is a powerful platform where tradition meets innovation, and where movement becomes a language of identity, resilience, and joy.

Each year, EADF brings together choreographers, dancers, actors, drummers, storytellers, and cultural educators to showcase the richness of Afro Caribbean, Indigenous, and BIPOC artistic expression. Through performances, workshops, and community gatherings, we educate audiences, inspire young creatives, and build bridges across cultures.

EADF is more than an event. It is a home for Black and racialized artists who have long faced limited access to professional stages. We exist to amplify their voices, strengthen their careers, and ensure their stories are presented with dignity and excellence.

Professional stage performances featuring local and national artists

Dance and drum workshops for all ages and skill levels

Community celebrations that welcome families and newcomers

Educational programming that deepens cultural understanding

Networking opportunities for emerging and established creatives

Our festival welcomes everyone, regardless of background, experience, or identity. Through the universal language of dance, we invite Edmonton and Canada to celebrate the beauty of African and Caribbean heritage.

About Edmonton African Dance Festival

Our Mission

The mission of the Edmonton African Dance Festival is to celebrate and promote Afro Caribbean, Indigenous, and BIPOC dance creativity and cultural heritage through professional performances, education, and community engagement.

We aim to educate, entertain, and foster cross-cultural understanding by engaging artists and audiences of all backgrounds.

Our Vision

Want to get involved with Edmonton African Dance Festival? We're always looking for volunteers to help us make the festival a success. Learn more about how you can help!

Entertainment

Our vision is to be a cornerstone of Canada’s cultural landscape where Black actors, dancers, and performing artists are celebrated and supported to achieve the full potential of their artistic vision.

We envision professional grade production values, safe performance environments, and equitable opportunities for Black creatives to thrive.

Our Mandate

EADF is mandated to:

Provide a dedicated platform for Black choreographers, dancers, actors, and performing artists

Celebrate Black identity and cultural heritage

Create safer and more equitable working conditions

Amplify Black creatives and their stories

Generate economic opportunities for artists

Build bridges between Afro Caribbean, Indigenous, and multicultural communities

This mandate guides every decision we make.