Afro Bhangra Show
Afro Bhangra Show is a vibrant, participatory celebration of rhythm, movement, and shared cultural experience, showcasing the power of live music and dance to connect communities across traditions and borders. It is a high-energy, celebratory fusion of music and dance from Southern Africa and North India, produced by Cohesion Plus. Bringing together powerful rhythms, dynamic movement, and joyful audience interaction, the show creates an electrifying cultural exchange that is both accessible and deeply rooted in tradition.
At the heart of the performance is a live fusion of Dhol drum and Djembe, layered with guitar and contemporary backing tracks. The result is a driving, infectious soundscape that propels bold choreography drawing on Afro-centric and Bhangra dance styles. The performers move seamlessly between live music and dance, creating a visually striking and rhythm-led experience.
Audience participation is central to the Afro Bhangra Show. Throughout the performance, audiences are invited to engage through call-and-response vocals and simple, inclusive dance participation. The show builds steadily towards an exhilarating climax, with audiences joining the artists on the dancefloor as the Dhol and Djembe rhythms intensify and the live fusion reaches its peak on stage.
The show is delivered by a dynamic ensemble of 6–8 artists, combining musicians and dancers with strong experience in participatory performance. Produced by Cohesion Plus, the Afro Bhangra Show reflects the organisation’s commitment to diversity, cultural exchange, and high-quality participatory arts experiences that bring communities together through music and movement. The production featured internationally at World Stage Design in Sharjah in October 2025.
Workshops and Participation
Alongside the main performance, the Afro Bhangra Show offers interactive workshops suitable for both festival and school settings. These workshops provide participants with an engaging introduction to the musical and dance traditions of Southern Africa and North India.
Participants learn about the Dhol and Djembe, explore Afro and Bhangra dance styles, and gain insight into the cultural significance of rhythm, movement, and costume. The workshops are inclusive, energetic, and designed to build confidence, creativity, and teamwork.
Each workshop concludes with participants taking part in a short performance of music and dance alongside the artists, offering a shared celebratory experience and a deeper understanding of the fusion at the heart of the Afro Bhangra Show.
Duration
The Afro Bhangra Show can be programmed flexibly to suit a range of events and settings. The performance runs for 45 to 60 minutes, depending on audience engagement and programming requirements.
Workshops can be delivered as standalone sessions or alongside the performance and run for up to 60 minutes. Timing can be adapted to suit schools, festivals, and community contexts.
Performance Settings and Adaptability
The Afro Bhangra Show is suitable for both indoor and outdoor performance. The artists are highly experienced and adaptable, with the flexibility to respond creatively to different spaces, audience sizes, and event formats.
Whether presented on a festival stage, in a public outdoor space, or within an indoor venue such as a theatre, hall, or school, the performers adjust staging, sound, and audience interaction to ensure a high-quality, engaging experience in all circumstances.
Artists Involved
Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL
Artistic Director – Cohesion Plus
Gurvinder Sandher MBE DL is the Artistic Director of Cohesion Plus and a highly respected performer and creative practitioner with over 40 years of national and international performance experience. He is widely recognised for his dynamic and expressive interpretation of traditional and contemporary Bhangra dance, as well as for his pioneering work in cross-cultural fusion.
Gurvinder has created and led a number of landmark productions that bring together diverse artforms and communities. These include The Dancing Maharajas, fusing street theatre and Bhangra; SamBhangraWood, a highly interactive collaboration combining Samba, Bhangra and Bollywood; and Street Bhangra, which merges street dance, theatre, and traditional Bhangra movement. His work is characterised by bold physicality, strong audience engagement, and a commitment to cultural dialogue.
He is the co-founder of the 4×4 Bhangra Group, established in 1994, and continues to be actively involved in the delivery of its weekly community classes, supporting participation, skills development, and cultural continuity across generations.
Lucky Moyo
Musician, Singer and Drummer
Lucky Moyo is an accomplished musician, singer, and drummer with extensive international performance experience. He has performed across the world both as a solo artist and with his group Uzambezi, sharing the richness of Southern African musical traditions with diverse audiences.
Renowned for his mastery of African drumming and vocals, Lucky brings depth, authenticity, and infectious energy to the Afro Bhangra Show. His performance style blends traditional rhythms with contemporary influences, creating powerful musical foundations for collaboration, improvisation, and audience participation. Alongside performance, he is also an experienced workshop leader, engaging participants of all ages in drumming, singing, and cultural learning.
