Oyofe Festival 2025: Where African Street Dance Comes Alive

Oyofe is an oasis of African creativity—a place where movers gather in unity, free of borders and restrictions, speaking one universal language: dance.

The theme of the 2025 summer edition of the Oyofe Dance Festival was Angola vs. South Africa, and they delivered on every level. Over six days (July 1–6), the vibrant urban dance cultures of both countries took center stage through workshops, battles, performances, and community gatherings.

I attended four of the six days, and honestly, the FOMO was real watching what unfolded during the weekend. Still, the four days I experienced were nothing short of magical. Oyofe felt like a family reunion—or maybe a reunion of friends who had only connected online, now finally meeting in real life. The currency here wasn’t money, but love and passion for African street dance. It was beautiful to see so many people representing different countries and cultures in one space, exchanging, learning, and sharing. Every day felt like positive reinforcement. Whatever doubts you walked in with, the festival found a way to wash them away.

This year’s festival took place during a brutal European heatwave that also gripped Spain. Temperatures hit the upper 90s (35°C) with a heat index over 100°F (37C). The first day felt like dancing inside an oven—outdoors, under the blazing sun. The heat was relentless, but dance held us together and carried us through. We laughed, complained, chugged water and soda, and kept moving. I was drenched in sweat, feeling ugly and stinky, but I was zoned in—and when I looked around, so was everyone else. The heat became another character in the story of Oyofe, and we refused to let it win.

Day 1 had big shoes to fill. Its main job: set the tone. We woke up to news on Oyofe’s Instagram that the Angolan guest teachers couldn’t make it because of visa issues (a whole conversation in itself). Many students had come specifically to learn from those artists, and you could feel the disappointment in the room. But the festival pivoted beautifully. A new schedule was posted, and it still promised deep dives into Angolan urban dances.

Nuno and Selma opened the day with Foundations of Kuduro Clássico, introducing key steps and the essence behind them. Too often, dancers jump straight into hyper-animated moves without exploring foundations, so I loved how this class gave students a window into the roots of Kuduro.

Next up was AfroHouse with Willy Noir and Milo. Willy has done incredible work spreading AfroHouse globally. I remember taking his first class in NYC back in 2018, and to see his evolution—and what he’s done for the culture—was inspiring. The routine they delivered was high-energy and vibey, giving students a chance to showcase their mastery.

Closing the day were Septzilla and Tony Viser, masters of footwork, with a complex choreo that tested agility, speed, and precision. Septzilla’s approach to AfroHouse is unique—his combos and footwork patterns carry his signature style. Watching him play between rhythms with his footwork is always a treat, and the students loved the challenge.

Day 2 kept the energy high, even blending genres like Coupé-Décalé and AfroHouse in one class. The lineup included Selma, Barro, Septzilla, and Precious Alvarez, with a surprise Kuduro class by Bruno Nivel, teaching for the first time ever. His class was a highlight for me. Bruno taught Kuduro Clássico through a choreography rooted in feeling, grooves, and repetition—making it accessible and enjoyable for everyone. Kuduro is often seen as intimidating, so watching students embrace it was amazing.

Another standout was Barro and Keenan’s class. Their musicality is breathtaking, and seeing it up close was magical. While working through their choreography, I noticed similarities to Dancehall, yet with distinctly African shapes and characteristics. The footwork echoed Angolan AfroHouse, Kassova style, and even South African Survivor steps.

What makes Oyofe truly special is that it’s more than just workshops—it’s a full immersion into dance culture. Nights came alive with performances, games, documentaries, and opportunities to connect off the dance floor. I loved how Oyofe created spaces for dancers to showcase their artistry through film, stage, and choreography presentations. AfroConex had the honor of presenting our documentary, Kuduro Evolution, featuring the Angolan artists originally scheduled to teach: Vandro Poster, Ribeiro, Rony Xtraga, and Kassova. It was bittersweet—while students couldn’t meet them in person, the documentary gave a glimpse into who they are and their contributions to the culture.

Overall, Oyofe was more than a festival—it was a celebration of community, resilience, and possibility. It’s inspiring to see what Oulouy, an African immigrant living in Spain, has built in just four years. Navigating obstacles, breaking barriers, and growing Oyofe into the largest African street dance festival in Europe is no small feat. His journey is a powerful reminder to every creative: dream big, keep fighting, and make it happen.