Support IFE-ILE

IFE-ILE's many cultural and educational programs and events are made possible by our supporters -- whether funders, donors or volunteers.

Become a Sponsor of IFÉ-ILÉ' Annual Afro-Cuban Dance Festival!

Now is your opportunity to support our annual dance festival -- a celebration of the rich artistic and cultural contributions of South Florida's communities of Caribbean and African origins. Our festival attracts diverse participants and audiences from across the United States and abroad.

about the festival | about IFE-ILE | festival audience
IFE-ILE's commitment to community

About the Festival

The IFÉ-ILÉ Afro-Cuban Dance Festival features a series of 18 Afro-Cuban dance and music workshops taught by both local and out-of-town master artists, bilingual discussions and dialogues on Cuban arts and culture, dance parties and a dance gala performance featuring workshop participants and teachers.

Every year, participants of the dance workshops hail from as far away as Japan, Canada, California, Belgium, Chicago, Boston, New York City, Atlanta, Michigan and Washington, DC. The festival performances are always well received by the audiences. Last year's festival was also covered by numerous media outlets including the Miami Herald, El Nuevo Herald, Miami New Times, El Diario de las Americas, Neighbors and various articles in independent printed and online magazines and websites such as those of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Previous festivals have been similarly successful, featuring renowned artists such as the late Katherine Dunham. More information about the IFE-ILE Afro-Cuban Dance & Music Festival

About IFÉ-ILÉ

IFÉ-ILÉ is a non-profit (501c3) organization dedicated to the preservation, promotion and cultivation of Afro-Cuban culture and dance. IFÉ-ILÉ aims to develop cross-cultural understanding and to educate community members and visitors through traditional and contemporary dance, festivals, and lectures.

Founded in 1996, the organization is led by internationally renowned, award-winning Afro-Cuban choreographer and dancer Neri Torres, who has performed worldwide and has served as her community's cultural ambassador. From 1996 until 2003, she toured with and was principal dancer and choreographer for international Latin singer Gloria Estefan, whose video "No me Dejes de Querer" (choreographed by Torres) obtained a Grammy award in 2000. In 2001, Miami's mayor declared September 28th "Neri Torres Day" in recognition of Neri's personal achievements and her organization's cultural contributions to the city. In 2013 she received the State of Folk Heritage Award for her significant contributions to Florida's cultural heritage through her outstanding achievements as a performer, teacher, and advocate of Afro-Cuban traditional dance.

Neri Torres weaves the elements of entertainment, social impact and education into all of the organization's programs and performances. In addition to its annual festival, IFÉ-ILÉ performs throughout Miami-Dade County and gives interactive, educational workshops at schools, colleges and universities, museums and other festivals and events. More information about IFE-ILE

Festival Audience

We anticipate 200 participants in our festival workshops and an international and local audience nearing 1,000. Our workshop participants generally reflect an 80/20 female to male breakdown, with a 40/50 breakdown for attendees of other festival events. Workshop participants have an average income of $30,000, with the majority of this group (40%) ages 23-35, 30% ages 18-22 (mostly college students), 20% ages 36-55, 5% teenagers, and 5% seniors. The average income of those attending our other events is $40,000, with a majority (40%) ages 36-55, 35% ages 23-35, 10% 18-22, 10% seniors, and 5% teenagers.

Collectively, our target audience is multicultural, with 45% Hispanics/Latinos, 15% Caucasian, 30% African American, and 5% Asian. Primarily, conference participants are Cultural Creatives, cultural heritage tourists and urban trendsetters with an interest in African/Afro-Latino culture. Most workshop participants are dancers, students, scholars and instructors who enjoy recreational dance, travel and healthy living. Attendees of our other events also include patrons of the arts and young professionals.

IFÉ-ILÉ's Commitment to Community

Recognizing the many roots and routes of immigrant populations in Miami, the festival program celebrates the interdependency of cultural traits among and between Cubans, Latin-Americans, Anglo-Americans, Europeans and other peoples of Caribbean and African origins. We also recognize the financial hardships that prevent many talented youth from participating in quality programs. As such, we will offer 10 scholarships to underrepresented/inner city youth to attend conference workshops and classes. Doing so will afford youth an opportunity to be exposed to professionals, build cultural competency and grow critical skills for meaningful personal and professional development. The IFÉ-ILÉ Afro-Cuban Dance Festival undertakes this objective each year with a dynamic program, thanks to the support of our sponsors.

Again, we thank you for your interest in supporting our festival. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions or would like to discuss sponsorship opportunities.

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