Toronto Welcomes Global Black Women Dance Festival

Toronto will host the third edition of the YENSA Festival from August 20 to 23, bringing together Black women dance artists from around the world for four days of performances, workshops and community events. The international biennial festival will take place at the Betty Oliphant Theatre at Canada’s National Ballet School, continuing its focus on celebrating women in dance from African and Afro diasporic cultures.

Organizers have unveiled a program centred on the 2026 theme, AS I AM, which highlights Black women dance artists creating and presenting work on their own terms. The festival will include two editions of the Black Flames performance showcase, three AFRICA VIBES workshops, the ATSIA Circle gathering and the YENKA, or Let’s Talk, Social.

Artistic Director Lua Shayenne said the event has continued to grow since its inception. “YENSA Festival enters its third edition with both grounding and momentum. What began as a vision to carve out space for Black women’s artistry, inventiveness, and bold imagination has grown into a dynamic platform, one that continues to evolve in response to the needs of a thriving, interconnected dance community.”

Black Flames will be presented on August 21 and 22, with pre show discussions allowing audiences to hear directly from the featured choreographers about their work. The showcase will present performances by Ayodele Drum and Dance, E.R.N In Motion, Liyah Simbulan, Holla Jazz and the Lua Shayenne Dance Company.

Festival participants will also be able to attend AFRICA VIBES workshops led by Black women dance artists and guest instructors, offering movement practices rooted in traditions of the African diaspora. The ATSIA Circle will provide a communal dance and drumming experience centred on improvisation and shared artistic expression.

The festival will conclude on August 23 with the YENKA Let’s Talk Social, where audiences can meet featured artists, exchange ideas and build new creative connections.

YENSA Festival welcomes women artists worldwide who self identify as Black. Its mission is to champion and present choreographic works by women of Black, African diaspora and African descent while promoting solidarity, sisterhood and artistic excellence.

Tickets are available through www.yensafestival.com.

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