VersoFest’26 Presents: Cumbe Dance Congolese Dance and Drum Workshop

Event Details

Kick off a busy weekend of VersoFest 2026 events by getting your body moving and those waistlines rolling to the dynamic sounds of the Ngoma Drum with Master Artist Andoche Loubaki in a lively and colorful Traditional Congolese Dance and Drum workshop.

This special VersoFest event is presented by Brooklyn-based Cumbe Dance.

VersoFest is The Westport Library’s annual music and media conference and festival where knowledge is shared and inspiration is discovered. This year’s festival includes a kickoff storytellers with Susanna Hoffs (March 6), a conversation with folk-rock icon Ani DiFranco (March 26), a concert performance by Wyclef Jean (March 27), a VersoFest book talk with celebrated actress/performer Gina Gershon (March 28), a conversation and acoustic performance by alt-rock legend David J (March 28), and much, much more.

Why You Should Come

This engaging, high-energy workshop promises to be fun for the whole family. You will be introduced to the sacred dances and celebratory rhythms of Congo. Enjoy!

About Cumbe Dance

Cumbe is the home for African and Diaspora dance and music. Through its donation-based dance and music classes along with cultural programs, Cumbe Dance invites everyone to feel the joy and vitality of rhythms rooted in Africa. Cumbe’s mission is to make African-rooted dance and education accessible to everyone, regardless of economic background.

About VersoFest

VersoFest is The Westport Library’s annual music and media conference and festival where knowledge is shared and inspiration is discovered — a forum for media creators, artists, and fans to converge.

This year’s festival, our fifth, is shaping up to be the best yet, headlined by a February 27 kickoff concert by rising rock band The Thing, our March 6 VersoFest storytellers evening with Bangles co-founder Susanna Hoffs, the March 26 Verso Visionary conversation with folk-rock icon Ani DiFranco, and a special March 27 Friday night performance featuring Grammy Award-winning artist, producer, composer and Fugees co-founder Wyclef Jean.

VersoFest 2026 weekend guests include actress, author, and performer Gina Gershon; David J (Bauhaus, Love and Rockets); Adria Petty on the legacy of her dad, Tom Petty, and the legendary Heartbreakers; a VersoFest author talk with Claire Dederer on her book, Monster; a conversation with renowned music promoter Peter Shapiro (Capitol Theare, Brooklyn Bowl); an appearance by the African dance and music troupe Cumbe Dance; and an interactive art installation exhibited by award-winning, video-based artist Holly Danger.

Visit our VersoFest website to see the lineup and schedule for 2026 (with announcements on all guests coming throughout January and into February).