A Taste of Africa – A Miss Lulu & AfroQueens Takeover

13 April 2025

Afro & More Dance Battle. Image by Vendi Vabole

From 10 – 16 March 2025, Miss Lulu and AfroQueens took over the Talent House for an electrifying week-long celebration of African culture sharing the moves, rhythms, flavours, and stories of the continent.

Film by Shokirie \ Moves Studio

This was a week full of community, culture and conversation with over 400 individual engagements across 16 African dance style workshops, 7 free space sessions, a panel discussion, community meal, and all-female dance battle.

“A wonderful experience and a great opportunity for people to learn about different styles from the continent. More please!” A Taste of Africa Participant

Every teacher brought incredible energy, knowledge and passion to their sessions covering a huge array of styles from AfroHouse, Amapiano, Asorkpor and Azonto to Bhenga, Bikutsi and more. Highlights included Eflex and Rich Boy Hero each dialling in live from Ghana to teach their sessions via the big screen, and the Afro & More Battle which saw incredible dancers from a variety of dance styles, ripping up the dance floor.

Afro in Heels with Patience J. Image by East London Dance

“The event was run so well and the layout of the week allowed you to explore different styles within the African culture at an affordable price.” A Taste of Africa Participant

This joyful Takeover week couldn’t have happened without the vision of Olu Alatise (Miss Lulu) the support of her AfroQueens company members, the ELD production team, incredible dance artists, speakers, co-collaborators, battlers, food and product vendors and everyone who helped make it such a beautiful celebration of African dance, music, food, culture and togetherness. 

“It was a truly blessed week filled with enjoyment and greatness!” Miss Lulu

Traditional with Eddie. Image by East London Dance

A Taste of Africa was an AfroQueens OUR HOUSE Takeover presented by Miss Lulu and East London Dance, supported by Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Arts Council England.

OUR HOUSE is an East London Dance programme which hands over creative control of our programming to independent artists and collectives for a week at a time, to make the decisions within our artistic offer and curate activity at our home, the Talent House.