Ayodele in action
About
Ayodele Drum and Dance
In 2007, seven African dancers came together to learn the art of the drum to enhance and improve their dancing. The sisters were led by Tosha ‘Ayo’ Alston and the seed of Ayodele Drum & Dance was planted.
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Ayodele is proudly supported as a Chicago Park District Arts Partner in Residence at Sherman Park, Associate of the Community Programs Accelerator of University of Chicago Office of Community Engagement, Community Arts Partner of the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, and inaugural cohort member of the Chicago Black Dance Legacy Project.
"Joy in the home"
Ayodele, a Yoruba word meaning “Joy in the home”, is now a diverse sister-circle of performing artists committed to studying and performing drum and dance as a wellness modality. We’ve
grown from that circle of seven to over twenty Queens who use African drum and dance toeducate and motivate young women and children through performances, community engagement,
and our youth program.
Rooted in joy
Whether we’re teaching children, healing the community with classes, producing sold out concerts, studying with female Samba Masters in Brazil, Master Djembe and Dununfolas of West Africa or spreading our healing energy through performances; Ayodele Drum &Dance remains an unending circle firmly rooted in joy.
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