Things are heating up for The Center for Arts at the Armory’s 3rd annual Feet Keep the Beat Festival taking place from July 28 – August 3rd. As featured artists in West African, Tap, Step, Kathak and Flamenco dance us a story of how feet have been keeping the beat over time, and across cultures and geographies, they will also deepen their collaboration this year by paying homage to their teachers, gurus, mentors, and those who opened the path for them.

Featured Kathak artist Anjali Nath recounts this quotation shared by her guru Pandit Chitresh Das to his disciples, “Guru se chela savai,” which translates to “The disciple steps on the shoulders of the guru and must aim to be 1/4 over one times better than the guru.” To get fired up, check out this trailer for Upaj: Improvise with Pandit Chitresh Das and tap star Jason Samuels Smith.

Join for the Festival Showcase Performance LINEAGE on August 1st, and be sure not to miss the free July 28th Traditional Irish Session in the Café, and free Community Workshops on Sunday, August 3rd from 10 – 12:30pm. Please click here to learn more about the workshops and to RSVP.

The 2025 Feet Keep the Beat Performance Showcase LINEAGE Will Include:

Anjali Nath (Kathak)
Antonio Tran (Flamenco Guitar)
Ariaki Dandawate (Kathak)
“Joh” Sidi Mohamed Camara (West African)
Lekisha Limage (Step)
Ryan Casey (Tap)
Xianix Barrera (Flamenco)
Akili Jamal Haynes (Percussion, Trumpet)
Sory Diabate (Percussion)
Giri Subramaniam (Tabla)
Aidid Brayboy (Percussion)

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 LINEAGE. Please contact administrator@artsatthearmory.org for more information.

Lead funding support for Feet Keep the Beat has been provided by Movement Arts Creation Studio. Other Feet Keep the Beat sponsors include The Cambria, Red Bones, US2 and Wooden Kiwi Productions. If you are interested in sponsoring Feet Keep the Beat, please contact Stephanie at director@artsatthearmory.org.