Bi-Okoto African Drum & Dance Theatre

Bi-Okoto (pronounced “Bee-O-Ko-Toe”) Drum & Dance Theatre was established in August 1994 and is incorporated as a 501 (c) (3) non-profit multicultural arts education performing organization. Our mission is to preserve traditional African drum and dance heritage and promote cultural understanding by educating audiences of all ages about African countries through language, music and movement for a better appreciation of diversity. The organization is committed to sharing knowledge, building long lasting cooperative relationships with their community patrons, and developing professional artists that will produce quality productions. With a sister organization in Lagos, Nigeria and Accra, Ghana, Bi-Okoto presents a repertoire of over ninety authentic traditional dances, music, dance dramas, operas and new contemporary works from Nigeria, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Mali, Guinea, Senegal, Kenya and South Africa.

The organization is comprised of many talented artists that have performed all over the United States, Europe, Africa and Asia. Performances such as the 1998 Disney World's opening of Animal Kingdom and McDonald's commercial spots and the 2004 Children’s International Games, in Cleveland, Ohio. In January 2003, January 2004 and February 2005, Bi-Okoto received the high honor as the only African Dance Company in the United States selected by the United States Department of Defense Armed Forces Entertainment for a 5½-week military tour of Europe. Seven artists from the organization toured the United Kingdom, Norway, The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany presenting 35 performances in 30 different cities.