Betty Oliphant Theatre - Thursday August 20th, 2026

YENSA Festival

YENSA Festival is thrilled to announce programming for the third edition taking place August 20-23, 2026 at the Betty Oliphant Theatre at Canada's National Ballet School. YENSA Festival is an international biennial festival that celebrates the work of women in dance, from African and Afro-diasporic culture. The festival will feature two Black Flames showcase performances by five Black female choreographers, three AFRICA VIBES workshops, the ATSIA Circle, and the YENKA (Lets Talk) Social.

Under the resonant 2026 theme AS I AM, YENSA Festival honours Black women dance artists claiming space on their own terms. It celebrates emerging voices bringing forward new choreographic works, alongside established practitioners whose practices extend far beyond performance.

The Black Flames performance program returns for two powerful nights August 21 & 22, accompanied by pre-show conversations that offer audiences a deeper connection to the works and the five Black female choreographers behind them. Black Flames features works by exceptional Black women-led artists and companies including Ayodele Drum & Dance, E.R.N In Motion, Liyah Simbulan, Holla Jazz, and Lua Shayenne Dance Company.