Review: ‘Jaw-dropping performances’ delivered by Afrofest

Afrofest is the annual showcase delivered by Warwick’s vibrant African–Caribbean Society or as they’re more commonly known on campus: ACS. The centre-piece in the society’s calendar every year and the aim of the show throughout its three-year history has remained the same: to leave the audience educated, empowered and entertained.

The eye-popping two hour spectacular is a chance to showcase the very best of African and Caribbean culture through dance, fashion, poetry, spoken word and singing. Afrofest holds the distinction of being one of the few society led shows on campus consisting of performances by internal members as well as external acts from outside of the University. This year the show took place on 14 November from 7pm in the Copper Rooms and was nothing short of spectacular.

Staying true to the formula that has worked so well for the ACS in prior years, the show played off a central theme as a grounding for the vast array of skits and performances. This year behind the promotional tagline ‘#WeEvolve’, the idea of an Evolution worked as the shows central strand. It served as the basis for a well put together script which transitioned into the various dance, choir and fashion show segments aimed at moving beyond the negative stereotypes attached to people of African and Caribbean heritage.

leave the audience educated, empowered and entertained

Some of the heroic and admirable figures celebrated included the likes of the Ghanaian Nana Yaa Asantewa, Chinua Achebe – the great Nigerian novelist – and Stephen Burrows the first black designer to win the COTY Award for best women’s wear. The marked pauses in the script saw the performers approach each sub-plot with energy and originality. Highlights included a slow motion swordfight, dazzling two part fashion show and a brilliant choir rendition of Drake’s Hotline Bling to keep the audience thoroughly entertained as well as informed.

Following showings by the many ACS members involved in the main show, the first external performer to grace the stage was British-Ghanaian musician Mista Silva, who performed all of his popular hits before welcoming two members from ACS to dance with him on stage. The theatrics of the show and the instrumentals for the choir were heightened by an in house band Viva Live Band who also played an amazing set during the interval that got everyone grooving as opposed to taking their toilet break.

Hertfordshire dance group also performed an amazing routine that kept everyone on the edge of their seats before the final act of the night took to the stage, world renowned Nigerian pop star Tiwa Savage, Africa’s answer to Beyoncé. She put on a phenomenal performance that brought everyone to their feet, closing the show with a bang.

 brought everyone to their feet, closing the show with a bang

Overall it was a fantastic night full of jaw-dropping performances capped off by a smashing after-party. The feedback received on social media accounts from the audience was very positive and there is no doubt that next year’s Afrofest will be even better.