ABOUT US

Welcome to an Afro-& Caribbean dance & rhythm oasis in the middle of Stockholm!

 Urkraft has over 20 years of experience in dance classes, drum classes & shows in both traditional and urban African dance & music!
With a burning interest in African culture
and we want to spread the knowledge of its roots to urban dance forms and music around the world to EVERYONE!



Our history
When Urkraft moved into Sveavägen 128 in Stockholm in January 1999, the premises were threatened with demolition and were completely destroyed. A month later they had been transformed into a charming Afro-inspired oasis with 2 dance halls and an accompanying café and art gallery.
Jenny Ajland got the basic idea for Urkraft while still in high school: to create a multicultural place with an aesthetic, warm and open atmosphere where people could relax, enjoy themselves and get new inspiration. Jenny got the inspiration to realize her ideas when she spent six months in West Africa dancing.
“I had had anorexia, went to art school and had to some extent processed the illness, but through African dance and music I really found home and got incredible energy! It was so much more than just dance…
A whole philosophy of life.
When I got home, I felt like I wanted to let others share what I had received:
everything from office rats to dancers.
I realized that this was something for, well actually, everyone. In Africa, everyone has been dancing... for years.
There they have understood how important dance & music are for body and soul."

Today
Today, Urkraft is one of the leading companies in the Nordic region within African and Afro-inspired dance and music. In our central, cozy premises in Stockholm, daily courses in dance and drumming are held.
We are appreciated for our personal approach, genuine teachers and our open, warm atmosphere with world-class drummers in several of our dance classes.
Over the years, we have organized over 10 dance/music trips to West Africa, from which we have gained solid experience and knowledge of dance and music in its cultural context.
Urkraft has also participated in several festivals and TV recordings and we are known for our charismatic artists and energetic shows.
The artistic director and driving force behind Urkraft is still Jenny Ajland, who is also a dance teacher, choreographer and music creator.

A warm welcome to us!