TMLAB at Plasmata 3: Gumboot Rhythms & West African Sounds Live Act

As part of the African Voices Festival, Monday, June 9 brings an electrifying evening of movement, rhythm, and cultural memory to Plásmata 3 at Pedion tou Areos. Through dance and music, this live event invites audiences to connect with stories of resistance, resilience, and celebration—expressed not through words, but through the body and sound. Presented within the framework of the TMLAB project and in collaboration with Onassis Stegi, these performances activate public space as a stage for African diasporic expression and collective memory.

19:00 | Opening Act: Gumboot Trio
Duration: 20 min
A dynamic presentation of Gumboot dance—a form born in the gold mines of South Africa, where Black miners, forbidden from speaking, transformed their rubber boots into instruments of rhythm and resistance. The percussive choreography evolved into a powerful dance of communication and solidarity, echoing through generations.

19:30 | Main Act: Kelenya Band
Duration: 120 min
A high-energy performance of music, dance, and traditional songs from West Africa. The Kelenya Band brings the festival’s ethos to life—where art becomes a language of identity, joy, and transnational connection.

This evening is more than a performance—it’s a tribute to embodied histories and a celebration of community-led artistic expression.

Learn more about the exhibition: Plásmata 3 | We’ve met before, haven’t we? — Exhibition, Art in Public Space | Onassis Foundation

Learn more about the African Voices Festival in Plasmata 3: The African Voices Festival at Plásmata 3 | The voices of the African diaspora at Pedion tou Areos park and the Onassis Stegi — Music, Dance, Workshop | Onassis Foundation