Dance Life Festival

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Dance Life Festival

Kenya’s biggest dance showcase event
July 3rd~July 5th 2026

Venue: Kenya National Theatre, Harry Thuku Road

17/08/2026

Presenting still moments from Par-ici la vie. 🇧🇮

A moving contemporary duet choreographed by Audreille Sibomana Audreille Sibomana (Burundi) and performed by Iwacu dance cie IWACU DANCE CIE, at the Dance Life Festival 2026.

Through intimate and poetic movement, Par-ici la vie explores the emotional upheaval of departure, the longing for elsewhere, the uncertainty of what lies ahead, and the weight of everything we leave behind. The piece invites us to reflect on the fragile space between leaving and staying, and the question: what remains of us when we go?

With the support of Institut français, Africalia, Goethe-Institut Kenya, Pro Helvetia Johannesburg, upstage.ltd, Trust for Indigenous Culture & Health (TICAH), and ArtZone Studios.

Official media coverage by iN NAIROBI.

11/08/2026

Presenting still moments from CheckmateMido

A live musical and poetic performance by Checkmate Mido (Kenya), presented at Dance Life Festival 2026. Bringing his voice, rhythm and energy to the stage, the interlude added a powerful moment to the festival experience.

With the support of Pro Helvetia Johannesburg - Swiss Arts Council, Institut français, AFRICALIA, Goethe-Institut Nairobi, Upstage Limited, TICAH, and ArtZoneEvents.

Official media coverage by iN NAIROBI.

03/08/2026

Presenting still moments from Rhythm of the Wild. 🌍

A contemporary dance work by the Afrocure Kids Kenya , using movement to raise awareness about the devastating impact of poaching on wildlife.

Through every step, emotion, and heartbeat, the performance gave a voice to animals that cannot speak for themselves, reminding us that every act of poaching leaves behind loss and silence. With hope at its core, the work called for protection over destruction and compassion over greed.

With the support of AFRICALIA, Pro Helvetia Johannesburg - Swiss Arts Council, Goethe-Institut Nairobi, TICAH, ArtZoneEvents & Upstage Limited

Official media coverage by iN NAIROBI.

31/07/2026

Presenting still moments from Music Interlude by Liboi. 🇰🇪

A captivating musical performance by Kenyan singer-songwriter, producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist LIBOI presented at the Dance Life Festival 2026.

Blending indigenous instruments such as the kalimba and udu with African folk music and meditative chants, Liboi creates a distinctive sound rooted in storytelling, identity, womanhood, healing and Pan-African unity.

With the support of AFRICALIA, Goethe-Institut Nairobi, Pro Helvetia Johannesburg - Swiss Arts Council, Upstage Limited, TICAH and ArtZoneEvents

Official media coverage by iN NAIROBI.

29/07/2026

Presenting still moments from UNANIPENDA AU UNANIPENDA PIA? 🇹🇿

A powerful contemporary dance work choreographed by Nipaeli Mtana (Tanzania), presented at the Dance Life Festival 2026.

The piece explores love, resilience, disability, equality, and the ways society perceives bodies that are often excluded from desire, choice, and self-definition. Through expressive movement and physical dialogue, the work challenges social norms and invites reflection on inclusion, dignity, and the freedom to love.

By: Nipaa Angel Mtana

With the support of AFRICALIA, Goethe-Institut Nairobi, Pro Helvetia Johannesburg - Swiss Arts Council, ArtZoneEvents, TICAH and Upstage Limited

Official media coverage by iN NAIROBI.

24/07/2026

Presenting still moments from the Dance Life Festival 2026 festival grounds.

Between performances, the festival came alive with local vendors, shared conversations, great food, and creative exchanges, reminding us that a festival is as much about community as it is about the stage.

With the support of AFRICALIA, Pro Helvetia Johannesburg - Swiss Arts Council, Goethe-Institut Nairobi, ArtZoneEvents, TICAH and Upstage Limited

Official media coverage by iN NAIROBI.

23/07/2026

Presenting a musical interlude by Teto Tutuma. 🇰🇪

A captivating live performance presented at Dance Life Festival 2026.

Blending rhythm, soul, and storytelling, created a memorable musical moment, bringing audiences together between performances through the power of live music.

With the support of AFRICALIA, Pro Helvetia Johannesburg - Swiss Arts Council, Goethe-Institut Nairobi, TICAH, ArtZoneEvents, and Upstage Limited

Official media coverage by iN NAIROBI.

21/07/2026

Presenting still moments from Melting Ice❄️

A powerful multidisciplinary performance co-created by Kenyan artists and UK dramaturg Luke Pell, presented at Dance Life Festival 2026.

Blending contemporary dance, theatre, music, and creative technology, Melting Ice explores the realities of the climate crisis through movement, sound, and visual storytelling, inviting audiences to reflect on our shared responsibility for the future.

With the support of British Council Kenya, AFRICALIA, Goethe-Institut Nairobi, Pro Helvetia Johannesburg - Swiss Arts Council, TICAH, ArtZoneEvents and Upstage Limited

Official media coverage by iN NAIROBI.

18/07/2026

Presenting still moments from Valse, Valse, Valse. 🇨🇭

A contemporary dance work choreographed by Johanna Heusser (Switzerland), presented at Dance Life Festival 2026.

Exploring the revolutionary and transformative power of the waltz, Valse, Valse, Valse reimagined this historic dance beyond its Eurocentric roots. Performed with an incredible cast of dancers from Nairobi, the work reflected on movement, cultural exchange, and how dance evolves across different histories and communities.
Featuring amazing performers from Nairobi.

With the support of AFRICALIA, Pro Helvetia Johannesburg - Swiss Arts Council, Goethe-Institut Nairobi, Upstage Limited, ArtZoneEvents & TICAH

Official media coverage by iN NAIROBI.

16/07/2026

Presenting Kenya Sometimes by OGW. 🇰🇪
With A compelling performance at The Dance Life Festival 2026.

A pioneer of contemporary dance in Kenya and A founder of inclusive dance in the country, Onyango Ondiege Ogw spent years shaping the performing arts through choreography, mentorship, and artistic leadership. His work has created opportunities for generations of dancers while championing accessibility, diversity, and excellence in performance.

With the support of Institut français,

UpstAFRICALIAedGoethe-Institut Nairobi

Pro Helvetia Johannesburg - Swiss Arts Council Limited

Address

Nairobi

Website

http://dancelifefestival.com/, https://linktr.ee/dancelifefestival, https://tinyurl.com/DLF-RSVP

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