Feet Keep the Beat
Feet Keep the Beat is now available for booking by your venue, school, business or organization! Click here for more info!
The Center for Arts at the Armory created “Feet Keep the Beat”–an annual multicultural percussive dance festival–as a signature program that debuted in July – August 2023. Feet Keep the Beat brings together vibrant and diverse percussive dance communities of West African, Kathak, Flamenco, Irish, Step and Tap. This year, for the 4th annual festival, Arts at the Armory has commissioned six percussive dancers and five musicians to create ROOTS & WINGS: The Next Generation, an evening length work to premiere on July 31st. Lead program funding support provided by Valentine Talland and Nagesh Mahanthappa.
As the featured artists tell the story of how feet have been keeping the beat across time, cultures, and geographies, they will deepen their collaboration by sharing the stage with the next generation. Some will perform alongside their children, while others will be joined by their students, creating a powerful celebration of artistic inheritance, mentorship, and renewal.
Honoring the roots that ground us and the wings that help us soar, ROOTS & WINGS explores how rhythm, movement, and cultural traditions are passed from one generation to the next—taking flight in new directions while remaining grounded in the traditions from which they emerged.
We strive to be a welcoming, accessible community arts space. We are delighted to announce we participate in Mass Cultural Council’s Card to Culture program.
Arts at the Armory offers 10 free tickets (max of 2 free tickets per person) to EBT, WIC, SUN Bucks and ConnectCare card holders for the Showcase Performance ROOTS & WINGS. Please contact administrator@artsatthearmory.org for more information.
Feet Keep the Beat 2026 Festival Schedule:
Thursday, July 30st 7-8:30pm: Traditional Irish Music & Dance Session at 10 Prospect Street as part of One Night Art School. RSVP here.
Friday, July 31st 7pm: Feet Keep the Beat Performance Showcase ROOTS & WINGS (ticketed event – Arts at the Armory Performance Hall)
Saturday, August 1st 10am – 12:O0pm: Free Community Workshops (Arts at the Armory Performance Hall). Sign up here.
The 2026 Feet Keep the Beat Performance Showcase ROOTS & WINGS Will Include:
Anjali Nath (Kathak)
Ariaki Dandawate (Kathak)
“Joh” Sidi Mohamed Camara (West African)
Lekisha Limage (Step)
Ryan Casey (Tap)
Xianix Barrera (Flamenco)
Akili Jamal Haynes (Percussion, Trumpet)
Antonio Tran (Flamenco Guitar)
Sory Diabate (Percussion)
Pranav Ghatraju (Tabla)
Tiemoko Camara (Percussion)
And special youth guest artists
Download the Press Release for the 2026 Feet Keep the Beat Festival here.
Download the program for the 2026 Festival Showcase ROOTS & WINGS here.
Thank to the supporters and sponsors of the 2026 Feet Keep the Beat Festival.
