(MC)2 Festival: August 24-29, 2026
(MC)2 is a multi-cultural dance festival curated by George Staib & staibdance, taking place August 24-29 presented by Roswell Cultural Arts Center and in partnership with Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance / Roswell Dance Theatre.
The festival unites Atlanta based culturally rooted dance organizations under one roof for six days of classes, performances and community conversations. Join us for the most varied and diverse assembling of culturally rooted dance organizations in Atlanta!
View the Daily Schedule
Classes will be held at Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance from August 24-27
Performances will be held at Roswell Cultural Arts Center on August 28 & 29
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6:00PM CLASS - Flamenco Basics led by Berdóle Flamenco
6:00PM CLASS - Kuchipudi with Academy of Kuchipudi Dance
7:30PM CLASS - Irish Dance with Atlanta Irish Dance
7:30PM CLASS - African with Giwayen Mata
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6:00PM CLASS - Alma Mexicana, danza folklórica
6:00PM CLASS - Chinese Dance with Atlanta Chinese Dance Company
7:30PM CLASS - Hip-Hop with Lyrik London
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6:00PM CLASS - African with Dr. Theresa Howard
6:00PM CLASS - Kuchipudi with Academy of Kuchipudi Dance
7:30PM CLASS - Flamenco with Flamenco Underground
7:30PM CLASS - Hip-Hop with Lyrik London
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7:30PM PANEL DISCUSSION: The Closeness of Continents
Join us for an energized kick-off celebration with community, culture, conversation and food! This must-be-experienced event kicks off with a Family Feast, with food provided by Rumi’s Kitchen followed by a moving panel discussion: The Closeness of Continents. Meet the dancers and Artistic Directors of each performing organization and hear them reflect upon the journey of preserving the DNA of their historic, cultural dance forms. Let their stories bring you closer to your own.
Doors open at 6:00PM
6:30 PM | Family Feast
7:30-8:30 PM | Panel DiscussionLocation: Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance
Price: Free, Registration requiredPanelists: Academy of Kuchipudi Dance, Alma Mexicana/danza folklórica, Atlanta Chinese Dance Company, Atlanta Irish Dance, Berdolé Flamenco, Flamenco Underground, Giwayen Mata, Lyrik London, Haus of London, Dr. Theresa Howard
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7:00PM PERFORMANCE - Featuring: Berdolé Flamenco, Academy of Kuchipudi Dance, Atlanta Chinese Dance Company, Lyrik London/Haus of London, Atlanta Irish Dance, Giwayen Mata
Location: Roswell Cultural Arts Center
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7:00PM PERFORMANCE - Featuring: Flamenco Underground, Academy of Kuchipudi Dance, Atlanta Chinese Dance Company, Lyrik London/Haus of London, Alma Mexicana/danza folklórica, Giwayen Mata
Location: Roswell Cultural Arts Center
Meet the 2026 Festival Participants
CLASSES
CLASSES
MONDAY AUGUST 24
6:00PM CLASS - Flamenco Basics led by Berdóle Flamenco
6:00PM CLASS - Kuchipudi with Academy of Kuchipudi Dance
7:30PM CLASS - Irish Dance with Atlanta Irish Dance
7:30PM CLASS - African with Giwayen Mata
TUESDAY AUGUST 25
6:00PM CLASS - Alma Mexicana, danza folklórica
6:00PM CLASS - Chinese Dance with Atlanta Chinese Dance Company
7:30PM CLASS - Hip-Hop with Lyrik London
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26
6:00PM CLASS - African with Dr. Theresa Howard
6:00PM CLASS - Kuchipudi with Academy of Kuchipudi Dance
7:30PM CLASS - Flamenco with Flamenco Undergroud
7:30PM CLASS - Hip-Hop with Lyrik London
All classes will take place at Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance - 601 Houze Way, Suite 100, Roswell, GA 30076
All classes are beginner-friendly and attendees are encouraged to wear comfortable clothing.
Single Class: $18
3-Class Package: $45
5-Class Package: $60
PANEL DISCUSSION
PANEL DISCUSSION
The Closeness of Continents
Thursday August 27, 7:30pm
Join us for an energized kick-off celebration with community, culture, conversation and food! This must-be-experienced event kicks off with a Family Feast, with food provided by Rumi’s Kitchen followed by a moving panel discussion: The Closeness of Continents. Meet the dancers and Artistic Directors of each performing organization and hear them reflect upon the journey of preserving the DNA of their historic, cultural dance forms. Let their stories bring you closer to your own.
Doors open at 6:00PM
6:30 PM | Family Feast
7:30-8:30 PM | Panel Discussion
Location: Tolbert Yilmaz School of Dance
Price: Free, Registration required
Panelists: Academy of Kuchipudi Dance, Alma Mexicana/danza folklórica, Atlanta Chinese Dance Company, Atlanta Irish Dance, Berdolé Flamenco, Flamenco Underground, Giwayen Mata, Lyrik London, Haus of London, Dr. Theresa Howard
PERFORMANCES
PERFORMANCES
FRIDAY AUGUST 28, 7:00pm
Featuring: Berdolé Flamenco, Academy of Kuchipudi Dance, Atlanta Chinese Dance Company, Lyrik London/Haus of London, Atlanta Irish Dance, Giwayen Mata
Location: Roswell Cultural Arts Center
SATURDAY AUGUST 29, 7:00pm
Featuring: Flamenco Underground, Academy of Kuchipudi Dance, Atlanta Chinese Dance Company, Lyrik London/Haus of London, Alma Mexicana/danza folklórica, Giwayen Mata
Location: Roswell Cultural Arts Center
THE STORY
THE STORY
The heart hungers for a home, well, mine does.
Inside the unspoken understanding among family members, the smell of that dish cooking and those particular instruments playing those particular chords resides the usher to our pasts and our current sense of belonging. You know it when you feel it, and you delight in the fact that you can’t describe it.
I came to know the pertinence of this sensation the more distant “my people” became. It's a longing that I forget exists until I am among the elements of my culture. When it’s stirred, it is all consuming - as though I want the world to know about this most precious and private DNA.
Sometimes I feel the need to quiet the otherworldliness of my history, and other times feel compelled to use it as a shield, my motive for being. All the while, whether dormant or active, the sensations of home can take on their full glory in the blink of an eye.
While you may never understand the embodied hand gestures, the odd grunts nor the oddball logic that moves an idea around my brain, you will always be welcome at any table I set.
This is (MC)2.
It is an opportunity to witness and celebrate otherworldliness in its pristine and gritty glory.
It is an opportunity for varied cultures to temporarily build their unique and beautiful homes on the same street.
It is a chance to join hands, sit at the table and bathe in the intimate and personal stories that define many people from many places.
Join hands with us,
George Staib
Funding for this program is provided in part by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners and The Foster G. McGaw Educational Foundation.