AKATA

AKATA is a dance party that celebrates the genres and club sounds of the Black and African Diaspora. We highlight how Black music and cultures are inherently connected, drawing sonic parallels between the sounds - all while deeply embracing queerness, connection and collective expression through dance and movement. The music centers Pan-African Electronic Dance Music - moving across genres like Alté, Club, House, Techno, Ghettotech, Juke, Hip-Hop, Ballroom, Gqom, Coupé-Décalé, Afrobeat, Baile-Funk, and many more afro-diasporic club sounds. For Halloween 2026, we’re taking our ideas a step further - bringing West African masquerades into the room. AKATA, as you might know, is a derogatory word used against Black Americans, and sometimes westernized Africans. However the name wasn't always used negatively, as it used to honor the fearless Black Panther Party members back in the 60s/70s. Sadly with time, the word lost its meaning due to nasty conservative ideology and the tone of akata became an insult. We are not having anymore of that, as AKATA's goal is to make space and truly celebrate Black Cultural Continuity.