Performing Arts

Alexandria Johnson, 15, has spent nine years studying African dance. She's read books about it and talked to her dance instructors about what Africa is like. But she never dreamed she'd actually go, let alone perform, there. Today, that will change.

MIKE STONE/Special Contributor

From left: McKinley Willis, Alexandria Johnson and Alysia Johnson are members of the Bloom.

Alexandria, who lives in Dallas and attends Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center high school, and seven other young dancers who are part of the Bloom, Dallas Black Dance Theatre's performance ensemble, leave today for Kampala, Uganda. They've been invited to perform at "Kwatu Fest," a three-day peace festival that begins Wednesday. It marks the first time the 11-year-old ensemble has been invited to perform internationally.

"Being able to dance in any conditions ... and learning to adapt is what I'm looking forward to," Alexandria said. "I'm really excited to see the Ugandans and experiencing a different culture."

Stephen Rwangyezi, director of the Ndere Troupe, which is organizing the festival, invited the Bloom to perform after teaching a class to the ensemble's dancers last October. Mr. Rwangyezi was in town for Dallas Black Dance Theatre's "Dance Africa" festival.

Normally, when Dallas Black Dance Theatre performs internationally, its professional dancers get the invitation, said Ann Williams, the troupe's artistic director and founder. This time, it's the children's chance to shine.

The Bloom's dancers will present a two-hour performance – including jazz, hip-hop and modern pieces, as well as the dance Mr. Rwangyezi taught them – on Saturday and a shorter routine on Sunday.

To help pay for the trip, the troupe sold pocket calendars, held raffles and asked for donations. Altogether, they raised about $7,000 for the hotel expenses, said Ms. Williams. Dancers paid for their own flights, which cost about $2,000 each.

Nycole Ray, director of the Bloom and a dancer in Dallas Black Dance Theatre's first company, said she believes the trip will help the dancers, who are between the ages of 11 and 15, broaden their understanding of dance. She noted that perhaps more important, the trip is an opportunity for the Bloom dancers to blossom as people.

"We get so caught up in our everyday life here, but to come out of that and experience how other people live will be so important for the girls," Ms. Ray said. "It will help them embrace other traditions and cultures."

Seven of the eight girls, including Alexandria, will be accompanied by their moms. Two of the girls will be joined by both their mothers and grandmothers.

While in Uganda, Alexandria hopes to watch, and learn from, the Ugandan dancers. She said she knows Uganda-style dance is harder than it looks, but she's not letting that deter her. "I just want the opportunity to put our face out there in another country," she said. "Really, we all just want to have fun."