Angelique Kidjo Honorary Chair of Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy's 23rd Anniversary

May 2, 2012 - PRLog -- Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy, Inc. will celebrate over two decades of remarkable cultural arts and educational programming and service to youth and families in Brooklyn with their 23rd Anniversary Celebration, "Dance On."

Ifetayo will host "Dance On," on Thursday, May 17, 2012, from 6PM -10PM at the Beaux Arts Court, Brooklyn Museum of Art. The celebration will feature live music and a DJ from 12 musical genres, special freestyle performances from world-renowned artists and competitions in Lindy Hop/Swing and Salsa in which everyone is invited to participate.

This year's honorary chair, Angelique Kidjo, who TIME Magazine calls "Africa's Premier Diva" and the Guardian lists as one of the "100 most inspiring women in the World" will serve as an ambassador to applaud Ifetayo's 23 years of dedicated service to people of the African Diaspora.

Kidjo shares in the mission of Ifetayo, which is a West African Yoruba word for "love is enough for joy." This adage captures the organization's nurturing approach to cultural arts programming that supports, affirms, and inspires youth and their families to realize their full potential as creative beings, community leaders, and agents of social change. "As an African, she says, she comes from a place with problems. But as a musician, she argues, she can solve them." (TIME)

The gala features a fun interactive competition with a phenomenal panel of world-renowned judges. The lineup of judges include Baba Chuck Davis, founder and Artistic Director of DanceAfrica; Emmy Award nominated choreographer, Jeffrey Page, whose intricate movements have been featured on Fox's So You Think You Can Dance, Beyonce's Tour - The Beyonce Experience, MTV's Video Music Awards, the BET Awards, and the World Music Awards; Marlon "International" Mills is one of New York's most well-known Salsa dancers; Pat Hall, internationally acclaimed dancer/choreographer who has appeared at the Joyce Theater, Carnegie Hall, Dance Theater Workshop, Brooklyn Academy of Music, and Jacob's Pillow; and Janete Silva, former dancer with Dance Brazil(NY) and Bale Folklorico da Bahia(Brazil) and choreographer/dancer Luam Keflezgy, who has worked with recording artists including Kris, Joe Buddens, Beyonce, and Rihanna.

"We are humbled to celebrate 23 years of serving our community. The Gala will provide an amazing opportunity to thank our children, our families and those who have supported us throughout the years," said Kwayera Archer-Cunningham, Founder and President of Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy, Inc. "The success of our youth and strength of our families is the true testament to the value and importance of our work, and we are honored."

Confirmed Sponsors of the 23rd Anniversary Celebration include: M&T Bank, ABC Channel 7 News and Sovereign Bank.

"Dance On," contact Mihoby Rabeharison, Development Assistant at gala@ifetayo.org or visit http://www.IfetayoDanceOn.org