At House of Wingz, Inimfon Ekpenyong Iniama celebrated black excellence and culture while deepening the dance aesthetic. The event, Roots in the House 2025, took place on October 26, 2025, at House of Wingz in Blackpool, marking Black History Month and honoring the cultural contributions of African and Caribbean communities.
A Celebration of Identity and Joy
The gathering brought together artists, creatives, performers, and community members for an afternoon of connection and culture. It provided a powerful platform for Black excellence, showcasing artists shaping the local cultural landscape. Among the featured performers was Inimfon Ekpenyong Iniama, whose work stood out as a vibrant cultural offering.
Through movement, music, collaboration, and audience engagement, Inimfon presented a performance that celebrated African dance, Afrofusion, joy, and artistic connection. Her performance was created in collaboration with dancer Franklin and live violinist Melika Queeley. This combination of Afro dance and live violin created a striking artistic contrast, blending rhythmic African movement with the elegance of the violin.
Artistic Collaboration and Theatricality
Inimfon's choreography showcased the richness of African movement. The choice to perform to a violin version of Rema's Baby Come Down, played by Melika Queeley, gave the piece a familiar Afrobeats foundation while feeling fresh and theatrical. Queeley's violin shaped the mood of the piece, and the dancers moved around her with controlled energy, showing respect for the live musician and creating a collaborative atmosphere.
Interactive Workshop
Inimfon also led a mini workshop that invited direct audience participation. She introduced participants to Afro movements such as shoki, Azonto, power blow, and Guda, before combining them into a simple routine. The workshop was beginner-friendly and inclusive, focusing on participation, confidence, rhythm, and enjoyment rather than perfection.
One of the most meaningful aspects of the workshop was how it encouraged connection between participants. Audience members moved around, greeted one another, smiled, and shook hands before returning to formation. This turned the session into a social and communal experience, reflecting the wider purpose of Roots in the House: bringing people together through culture, creativity, and shared celebration.
Cultural Education
The workshop educated participants about Afro dance as more than a trend. By explaining aspects of the movement and culture, Inimfon gave people a deeper appreciation of what they were learning. This was important because Afro dance is often enjoyed globally, but its cultural roots are not always fully understood. Through her teaching, Inimfon created a space where people could enjoy the movement while respecting its cultural background.
Audience response was positive, with many expressing enjoyment and appreciation for the opportunity to learn Afro movements and experience the culture in an accessible way. Inimfon's performance at Roots in the House was a confident and meaningful presentation of Afrofusion dance. It celebrated Black excellence, honored African culture, highlighted collaboration, and created a bridge between performance and community participation.
