CELEBRATING THE CENTENNIAL: A BEHIND THE SCENE LOOK INTO HOWARD UNIVERSITY’S 100TH YARD FEST 

It was mid-September when Anaya Hunte, a Howard Alumni, and Kaitlynn Greaves, a Junior Psychology Major, got the call requesting their help to choreograph the Yard Fest Show. This would be the second time these ladies were asked to choreograph a Howard Homecoming event, but this was the first time it would be for Yard Fest.

 Howard’s Yard Fest is a natural crowd magnet; it’s free, and there are surprise celebrity guest performers and an abundance of food trucks and vendors on and around the yard. It’s pretty much a big cookout with relatives you haven’t seen in a while–but on a college campus. Baby bison decked out in Howard merch, recent graduates and alumni still gather to celebrate the community where they not only met but grew. 

When I reached out to Anaya about covering BTS for Yard Fest, she was quick to inform me that there was a lot going on and that the performance was subject to change due to logistics still being finalized with the higher-ups. Anaya, however, stayed confident in her and Kaitlynn’s ability to get the job done.

Yard Fest rehearsals in the Frederick Douglas Building, a Dancer conversing with the Choreographers: Anaya Hunte and Kaitlynn Greaves On Oct. 9  (Taylor Isaacs/101 Mag) 

“There! Right There!” Kaitlynn Greaves On Oct. 9  (Taylor Isaacs/101 Mag) 

Yard Fest rehearsals in the Frederick Douglas Building On Oct. 9  (Taylor Isaacs/101 Mag) 

It took the ladies at least two rehearsals to choreograph six dance sections and only an additional four weeks to perfect it with the dancers and student performers. The concept: a musical mashup of hits from different decades and genres all combined in a 10-minute choreographed routine. 

Yard Fest rehearsals in the Frederick Douglas Building On Oct. 9  (Taylor Isaacs/101 Mag) 

Yard Fest rehearsals in the Frederick Douglas Building On Oct. 9  (Taylor Isaacs/101 Mag) 

Yard Fest rehearsals in the Frederick Douglas Building On Oct. 9  (Taylor Isaacs/101 Mag) 

Yard Fest rehearsals in the Frederick Douglas Building On Oct. 9  (Taylor Isaacs/101 Mag) 

Yard Fest rehearsals in Trellis House Apartment On Oct. 15  (Taylor Isaacs/101 Mag) 

Yard Fest rehearsals in Trellis House Apartment On Oct. 15  (Taylor Isaacs/101 Mag) 

“We gon be alright! Do you hear me? Do you feel me?” Yard Fest rehearsals in Trellis House Apartment On Oct. 15  (Taylor Isaacs/101 Mag) 

The calm before the storm. Yard Fest Day 1 on the “Yard” on Oct 18  (Taylor Isaacs/101 Mag) 

View of the audience at Yard Fest Day 1 on the “Yard” on Oct 18  (Taylor Isaacs/101 Mag) 

Keeping God close: Before going on stage, the Dancers gathered in a huddle and prayed. Yard Fest Day 1 on the “Yard” on Oct 18  (Taylor Isaacs/101 Mag) 

Once the dancers hit the stage, you could hear the roar from the audience as they performed to tracks like “Otis” by Jay-Z ft. Kanye West  and “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar. Due to the size of the stage, dancers were placed on and off stage in the media pit.

From inside the media pit at Yard Fest Day 1 on the “Yard” on Oct 18  (Taylor Isaacs/101 Mag) 

Backstage view  at Yard Fest Day 1 on the “Yard” on Oct 18  (Taylor Isaacs/101 Mag)

All the Dancers, with their choreographers in a group photo Yard Fest Day 1 on the “Yard” on Oct 18  (Taylor Isaacs/101 Mag) 

Something that Anaya expressed know after the conclusion of the show and in relation to the process itself is that: 

“This art holds a special place for everyone who participated in Yardfest. Witnessing the passion pouring out through their movements or voices reaffirms to me that this art is timeless. It’s a reminder that it should never be taken for granted, as it brings unity and peace to those who share in it. From one creator to another, the cycle continues—endlessly, beautifully. Always.”