Aretha Franklin tribute and Step Afrika! coming to Kalispell in March

R.E.S.P.E.C.T., an electrifying homage to the legendary Aretha Franklin, and Step Afrika!, a leading authority on the art form of stepping, take the stage in March at the Wachholz College Center in Kalispell.

On March 8, R.E.S.P.E.C.T will take the audience on a journey of love, tragedy, courage and triumph, tracing the life of Aretha Franklin through a stunning soundtrack of her iconic hits such as “Natural Woman,” “Think,” “I Knew You Were Waiting for Me,” “Chain of Fools,” “Respect,” and many more. The live performance starts at 7:30 p.m. Set to perform March 26, Step Afrika! blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities, traditional African dances, and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive and compelling artistic experience. Performances go beyond a typical dance show by integrating songs, storytelling, humor, and audience participation with the energetic and complex footwork of stepping. The show starts at 7 p.m.

Step Afrika! has earned Mayor’s Arts Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Arts Education, Innovation in the Arts, Excellence in an Artistic Discipline and was inducted into the National Association of Campus Activities Hall of Fame, the first dance company to earn this honor. Step Afrika! headlined President Barack Obama’s Black History Month Reception and performed at the first ever Juneteenth Celebration at the White House. The Company is featured prominently at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture with the world’s first stepping interactive exhibit.