STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Audience members got their 10,000 steps in at a single performance as Step Afrika! roared into The Argyros Center for the Performing Arts.

The lively performance had audience members tapping their feet in place and yelling and hollering—a perfect remedy to a cold snowy evening—as the dance company performed a fusion of South African gumboot dance, African stepping and more.

The percussive symphony dance performance started in Black Greek fraternities and sororities at Black colleges and universities. Founded in 1994 it’s the first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping.

It’s as much a part of the Black and African experience as the Irish stepdance and clogging or flatfoot dancing is part of the Irish and Appalachian experience.

The performance is one of the many varied experiences The Argyros has introduced Sun Valley-area audiences to since it opened five years ago.

Other unique programs coming up include JIG: A Trinity Irish Dance Production on Feb. 16 and 17 and Goldfish, which blends an electronic DJ performance with live saxophone, upright bass, flute and keys coupled with African rhythms. It will blow the roof off The Argyros on Jan. 27.

And the audience can get ready for 10,000 more steps, as the seats will be cleared to make room for a dance floor.