ALTOONA, Pa. — In celebration of Black History Month, Penn State Altoona will host a performance by Step Afrika! at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 23, in the Wolf Kuhn Theatre of the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts.

Step Afrika! is the first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping. It blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities, traditional African dances, and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience.

Step Afrika! has earned a number recognitions, including Mayor’s Arts Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Arts Education, Innovation in the Arts, and Excellence in an Artistic Discipline, and it was inducted into the National Association of Campus Activities Hall of Fame, the first dance company to earn this honor. Step Afrika! headlined President Barack Obama’s Black History Month reception and performed at the first-ever Juneteenth Celebration at the White House. The company is featured prominently at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture with the world’s first interactive stepping exhibit.

The performance is free and open to the public.