SHARON SPRINGS – Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or just ready to move, the Sharon Springs Dance Festival invites you to join a full day of rhythm, culture, and creativity on Saturday, May 3, 2025. Presented by Klinkhart Hall Arts Center, this joyful community event will take place at Sharon Springs Central School and features a wide range of free dance classes—plus an electrifying evening performance by Gballoi Drumming and Dance, a world-renowned ensemble from Accra, Ghana.
The day kicks off at 10:00 AM with movement experiences for all ages and abilities. Adults can tap into musicality with Jazz Dance, explore expressive motion in Belly Dance, or unwind during an end-of-day Stretch Class. Kids will love the chance to groove in Hip Hop or experience rhythm and tradition in a West African Dance class led by Master Drummer Zorkie Nelson himself. Community drum and dance classes in the afternoon invite participants of all ages to learn the basics of Ghanaian rhythm and movement—no experience required, just an open heart and willingness to try something new.
Then, at 7:00 PM, the energy builds with an exhilarating evening performance by Gballoi Drumming and Dance. Founded and led by Master Drummer Zorkie Nelson, Gballoi is a powerful expression of West African culture, combining intricate rhythms, dynamic movement, call-and-response vocals, and storytelling through traditional and ceremonial dances of the Ga, Ewe, and other Ghanaian peoples.
Using hand-carved instruments like the kpanlogo and djembe, Gballoi brings a pulse that’s impossible to ignore. With decades of international experience—including tours with Yacub Addy and collaborations with the Wynton Marsalis Orchestra—this ensemble doesn’t just perform; they connect, reminding us of the shared rhythms that bind people across generations and cultures.
“The Sharon Springs Dance Festival is about more than movement—it’s about joy, learning, and coming together,” said Betty Gavin-Singer, Chairperson of the Programming Committee and Second Vice President of Klinkhart Hall. “Dance has the power to tell stories, build community, and bridge cultures. We’re excited to welcome everyone—from first-time dancers to seasoned performers—for a day that uplifts and inspires.”
For more information on this exciting upcoming event, please visit KlinkhartHall.com/Dance or follow Klinkhart Hall Arts Center on social media @klinkharthall. All dance classes and the evening performance are free and open to the public.
Klinkhart Hall is a nonprofit performing arts center located in Sharon Springs, NY. Klinkhart Hall hosts and produces high quality programs in the performing, visual and other arts and offers cultural, civic and educational programming to promote its philosophy of inclusion and diversity; it will serve as an example of how historic preservation efforts can contribute to the revitalization of communities.
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