Welcoming back Youssouf Koumbassa

24 Sep 2017 Leave a comment

by danceswithfire in Monthly Dance Updates, Special Workshops

Happy Fall Equinox!
(A few days belated, but feels like peak summer in Portland, ME today).
Mark your calendar and get yourself registered for classes with Youssouf Koumbassa (Dance) and Namory Keita (Drum),
October 24th, 2017 in Portland ~ See below for additional dates in Maine

West African Dance Class Youssouf 2017 final

Many exciting things happened at Embody the Rhythm over the busy summer… So much so, that I couldn’t keep up with posting. So there’s more good news to come ~ Embody the Rhythm’s summer in review, plus some very exciting *new developments and opportunities for dancers, coming soon.*

Meanwhile, world renowned and beloved master teacher, Youssouf Koumbassa returns to Maine to teach West African Dance.

Portland’s well-known master village drummer Namory Keita will teach a special drum class, and lead the smoking live drumming accompaniment for dance class.

October 24th, 2017 at the Woodford’s Club, 179 Woodford St., Portland

*All levels welcome. No experience necessary.*

DRUM CLASS with Namory Keita: 5:15-6:15pm 
DANCE CLASS with Youssouf Koumbassa: 6:30-8pm

Pre-register in any of our weekly dance classes in Portland: 
(LINK HERE for dance class info),
OR by contacting Marita:
(LINK HERE to email me),
Join in and please help spread the word on Facebook:
(LINK HERE for facebook)


DON’T MISS THE RARE OPPORTUNITY TO DANCE WITH SPECIAL GUEST, YOUSSOUF KOUMBASSA, IN MAINE 

CATCH 1, 2 or all 3 CLASSES:
October 24th @ the Woodford’s Club*, 179 Woodford St., Portland, ME
October 26th @ Kittery Dance Hall, in Kittery, ME
October 27th @ High Mountain Hall, in Camden, ME

*Access Woodford’s Club via Beacon Street if road construction continues at Woodfords Corner.

See you on the dance floor! 
Peace & Love  

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Celebrating Cultures

14 Jun 2017 Leave a comment

by danceswithfire in Monthly Dance Updates, Notice

Come dance or drum with us!
Check HERE for weekly class info

Now more than ever we need to engage our communities with creative visions of cross-cultural collaboration, build opportunity for more intercultural exchange and togetherness, and create supportive and celebratory environments for the expression of traditions that come from afar. 

Join the ensembles of Many Waters (June 25) and New Moon (July 13) in celebrating cultures, building community, and raising up some positive energy for the healing that is much needed in the world:

 

13709915_10153553905307163_1648242248180838027_nNEW MOON ENSEMBLE

Presents:
Tides ~ Les Marées ~ 
A Celebratory Performance of West African Dance and Drumming

Thursday July 13th, 7:00-8:30pm
Mayo St. Arts, in Portland.

New Moon Ensemble’s performances offer intoxicating rhythms and energetic dances into the world as prayers for peace and well-being for all. Join us for this special evening!

Learn more about New Moon Ensemble
Reserve your spot. Purchase TICKETS
Share/Follow on Facebook

 

 

 

Photo by Tony Castro

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ManyWaters1 MANY WATERS ENSEMBLE


Representing an exciting new intercultural arts exchange, our initial formation brings together devoted dance artists from 4 different countries of origin.

Like the streams and rivers of the Earth we all call home, when we flow together we create something bigger than ourselves. Many Waters creates inspirational fusions drawing from present day culture as well as deep cultural traditions brought together by the artists involved. 

Many Waters will be sharing our very first dance collaboration in the Theatre Ensemble of Color’s community arts showcase on Sunday June 25th, 12-2pm at Mayo St. Arts in Portland. We hope you’ll come see and support our work, and learn more about this exciting collaboration and exchange. Donations graciously accepted.

 

 

 

 

~ Meanwhile, come dance or drum with us ~
Check HERE for weekly class info
See you on the dance floor!

 

 

 

 

 

Inhale, Exhale, Repeat.

01 May 2017 2 Comments

by danceswithfire in Uncategorized

coastalmainesunset

Dance class will begin at 6pm, starting this week.
All-levels dance class with live drumming.  
Every Tuesday, 6-7:30pm
Come dance in Spring, 2017! What better time than now?
*
Loads of fun things being cooked up, behind the scenes, at Embody the Rhythm.
So much so, that this post needs to remain brief… Inhale, exhale, repeat.  Join me on the dance floor!

Start with your heart. beat.

03 Apr 2017 Leave a comment

by danceswithfire in Monthly Dance Updates

CommunityDance2.jpg

Community Celebrates after a New Moon Ensemble performance. Photo credit to Sage Heyes

 

On Friday, April 14th, Embody the Rhythm will have our first Dance & Drum Community Potluck. Bringing together our ever-expanding dance & drum community to share food and stories, in a casual setting.
We hope you can join us!  6-9pm in the community space at Portland New Church, 302 Stevens Ave. (Same location as dance class). 

WHAT TO BRING:

~A potluck dish to share

~Any extra paper plates, bowls, cups and plastic (or compostable!) dinnerware you have kicking around, to contribute

~ Donation ($1-3) to help cover the rental. *Any additional donations from the evening will go toward supporting the construction of the Hamana Arts Center, in Guinea, West Africa*: https://www.gofundme.com/hamana-arts-center-project

RSVP for Potluck by visiting the event: on Facebook

This week we will celebration the Malinke dance, Kassa (intermediate steps from this dance can be seen in the video above) once more, before switching to a new dance for the rest of April… quite possibly Soboninkun!


In Other Embody the Rhythm News:

  • Want to be our Social Media Rockstar? Seeking technical support for such things as website help, facebook posts, and other media savvy assistance. Got skills? Want to exchange for free classes? Get in touch with Marita.
  • New Moon Ensemble is entering a new phase. We’ve added some new members to the crew, and still seeking a few more dancers! If you have a depth of experience in West African Dance (or even just dance/choreography, plus the stamina and drive to learn quickly, and deepen your relationship with this form) consider getting in touch with Marita. 
  • Dance Class Time Change ~ Starting in May, 2017 Dance Class start time shifts to 6pm. Class will be 6-7:30pm.  If you are looking for drum classes, you have choices of Mondays or Wednesdays. Click HERE for more info on dance & drum classes.

 

Come dance with us! If you think you, “don’t have rhythm”, remember that every atom in your body vibrates with rhythm.
It starts with your heart. Feel that beat. Let it move you.
May we all move from our hearts! 

 

Community, Culture & Connection

07 Mar 2017 Leave a comment

by danceswithfire in Monthly Dance Updates, Notice

NOTICE: Drum Classes and workshops on Monday & Wednesday nights. Link here FMI. 

Have you heard? Our friend, local master Guinea drummer, Namory Keita is developing his dream project ~ The Hamana Arts Center ~ in Guinea, West Africa, and he needs our help to build it.

The Hamana Arts Center will be a school where masters and students from around the world come together to exchange, teach, perform and study the traditional arts of the Hamana region. 

NamoryBreakingGround.Hamana

Namory, breaking ground at the Hamana Arts Center.

For all of us who enjoy the study of West African arts, helping to fund this project is a wonderful way to show our gratitude and support.

Together we can help ensure that young artists in Guinea can continue to learn their traditions, and carry them on for generations to come. Click here to link to Namory’s GoFundMe account, and help the Hamana Arts Center get off the ground. Donate, spread the word, and help support a vibrant future for Guinea! 

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This Saturday, March 11th New Moon Ensemble will be performing in this righteous event:
Rise! Release! Dance! ~ A Dance & Poetry Showcase
benefiting the Maine Sex-Trafficking and Exploitation Network’s Survivor Support Fund. First Parish Church, 425 Congress St., Portland, ME – 7pm.
We hope to see you there!
Rise.Release.Dance.

Join us this month in weekly West African Inspired Dance & Drum Classes ~ Every Tuesday!
Click the link above, FMI | Find us on facebook
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AND… SAVE THE DATE: 
Dance & Drum Community Potluck ~ Friday April 14th, 2017
Come share some food, meet friends and build community outside of class time.

Movement is Medicine

08 Feb 2017 Leave a comment

by danceswithfire in Monthly Dance Updates, Notice

A movement for social change, and a syncopated step/jump/spin on the dance floor; intersectional movement building, and a communal arm raise to the heavens and back to Mother Earth. . . We need the medicine of movement.
We need each other.

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Move, rise, love, and lift up those who need it most.

This month we’ll be practicing the  rhythm/dance, Yoki/Guinea Faré.
Guinea Faré translates as “women dance”, from the Susu people of Guinea, West Africa. It is traditionally danced the day before weddings, accompanied by the balafon – a type of xylophone made of wood, with gourds resonating the sound.

In honor of my beloved teacher Youssouf Koumbassa, and the blessing he gave me to teach these dances, it is a joy to share my passion for Guinea dance and music with our community. Join me this month, and let’s dance for healing ~ May the good energy we generate on the dance floor resonate out for the good of all. 

SPECIAL NOTICE:
Time and Location change for one-class-only ~ Tuesday February 21st
We will bring our regular Tuesday class with live drumming to:
Equilibrium Studio in the Pepperell Mill, 40 Main St., Biddeford, ME
Class will be 6:15-7:30pm.
Regular dance passes and drop-in fees will apply.

Otherwise, classes continue as usual (Feb 14th, 28th and beyond) at the community space in Portland New Church, 302 Stevens Ave. 5:45-7:15pm.
Visit this LINK for more info

REQUEST & BARTER PROPOSAL:
Embody the Rhythm is seeking someone with experience to exchange tech and web based media support for dance classes. Please contact Marita if interested. 

See you on the dance floor!

May we dance through the darkness

23 Dec 2016 Leave a comment

by danceswithfire in Monthly Dance Updates

May we dance through the darkness and back again through light. The cyclical seasons reminding us, we are rhythm. Life is rhythm.

May we all know our part in contributing to the swift creation of a safe, and more just and more open minded society
for ALL people to thrive. 

all-are-welcome-here-1

Beautiful print by Mel Shapiro, via Pickwick Independent Press.

Weekly Tuesday classes continue through 2016, and right on into the New Year.
Sweat it out. Bring a friend.
Dance for sanity. Dance for peace.
Dance your prayers.
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REQUEST & BARTER PROPOSAL:
Embody the Rhythm is seeking someone with experience to exchange tech and web based media support for dance classes. Please inquire if interested.

EMBODY THE RHYTHM TEACHERS & NEW MOON ENSEMBLE:

Marita Kennedy-Castro
Namory Keita 
Annegret Baier
New Moon Ensemble

 

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