YENSA Festival

The Betty Oliphant Theatre at Canada's National Ballet School serves as the stage for the third biennial YENSA Festival, an inspiring international gathering celebrating the artistry and vision of women in African and Afro-diasporic dance.

Under the resonant 2026 theme 'AS I AM,' artistic director Lua Shayenne curates a dynamic program that honors Black women dance artists claiming space on their own terms. The multi-day festival features powerful Black Flames showcase performances by five standout choreographers, immersive AFRICA VIBES workshops, the collaborative ATSIA Circle, and the YENKA (Let’s Talk) Social.

Over the years, YENSA has grown from a visionary local initiative into a vital platform supporting the inventiveness and bold imagination of Black female movement practitioners. Located centrally near Jarvis and Bloor, the festival brings together local and international dance communities for performances and dialogue that extend far beyond the stage.

Whether you are a devoted dance enthusiast or eager to support groundbreaking cultural programming in Toronto, YENSA is one of the season's premier artistic highlights.