Growing, Dancing, Drumming, Changing

13 May 2019 Leave a comment

by danceswithfire in Monthly Dance Updates, Special Workshops

SENY DAFFE RETURNS TO PORTLAND, ME (and beyond) IN MAY!

Guest artist Seny Daffe, alongside Namory Keita and our talented drummers rocked the house in Portland & Kittery last month!

Here’s some of the fun we had singing and dundun dancing with Seny, April 25:


Seny & Namory have a mini-tour together in Maine and New Hampshire, MAY 27th – MAY 31st ~ Catch them for drum, dance, or dundun dance in Bristol, NH or Portland, Kittery, or Camden, ME!

Seny&Namory


Monday MAY 27 ~ INT/ADV DRUM CLASS with Namory Keita
Wild Root Kombuchery, 135 Washington Ave, Portland, ME | 6:15-7:15pm |
$15/class or $13 per class for punch card of 4
Find and share on facebook HERE

Tuesday MAY 28 ~ SPECIAL DANCE CLASS with Seny Daffe at Embody the Rhythm! 
Portland New Church, 302 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME | 6:00-7:30pm |
$16-20 sliding scale – cash only please
Show support and share on facebook HERE

LINK for CLASS DETAILS  May 29 – May 31
Wednesday MAY 29, Bristol, NH
Thursday MAY 30, Kittery, ME
Friday MAY 31, Camden, ME

THIS JUST IN: Beautiful djembefola (master drummer) Sayon Camara will be visiting Maine next week, and be our special guest drummer in Tuesday Dance Class, May 21st!

sayon-camara-13-wp-r-sdi-ac-web

Come dance to the beautiful rhythm, Kassa, May 21! Drumming led by Namory Keita and Sayon Camara

 

 


*IMPORTANT* ~ CHANGES/NOTICES
at EMBODY THE RHYTHM:

 

  • Dance Class TIME CHANGE: Tuesdays JUNE – AUGUST
    7:00 -8:30pm* | Catch an extra hour of sunshine before coming to dance it out to live drumming!!    *If you’ve purchased a 4 or 8 class card and won’t be able to attend during this time change, please talk with Marita or Anne in class, or email me (Marita) 

    *

  • SEEKING OUTDOOR LOCATION for Dance
    I’m seeking a flat, open, (non-concrete) available space outside, to hold dance class on some Tuesdays this summer. Have ideas? Please email me.    If a Portland location is found, will be posted as *special notice* at top of homepage here, by midday of class. If rain is expected or nothing posted, you’ll find us @ Portland New Church.
    *
  • Our DANCE Class SUPPORTS SOCIAL CHANGE INITIATIVES
    A percentage of proceeds from every class is contributed to important social change initiatives. Please learn about the ones we support in 2019: VISIT THIS PAGE.
    *
  • SUMMER PERFORMANCES ~ SAVE THE DATES
    New Moon Ensemble     performs:
    Saturday August 24th ~ Free evening show at Congress Square Park, Portland, ME
    Saturday September 7th ~ at Henry Fest (Folk Music Festival), Falmouth, ME

 

HELP BUILD a LIBRARY for these children in KOUYA SIDIA, GUINEA, WEST AFRICA

Children.KouyaSidia

 

Our newest dance class drummer, John Marlowe, has created THIS FUNDRAISER to help build a library in the home village of our wonderful teacher, Sayon Camara. 

Please check out this awesome project, and share it with the librarians, book lovers, children and community change-makers in your life!

 

Flowers are blooming, the weather is warming, the air is fresh, the birds are singing…  SO many reasons to dance. See you on the dance floor! 

 

 

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Spring is Popping & so are Our Classes!

03 Apr 2019 Leave a comment

by danceswithfire in Special Workshops

Weekly Dance & Drum Class Details, CLICK HERE

Special Guest Teacher SENY DAFFE Returns to Maine!
COME DANCE ~ Tuesday, April 23

SenyDaffe.Dunun.jpg

Join us in welcoming back master artist Seny Daffe
to Embody the Rhythm, Tuesday April 23

6:00-7:30pm

Dance Class with Seny: $16-20 sliding scale – cash at the door
Portland New Church, 302 Stevens Ave
All levels welcome

Special Guest artist Seny Daffe, from Guinea, West Africa has a warm personality and a fun, lively dance style. We’re excited to welcome him back as our guest teacher to our Tuesday night dance class, April 23rd. Join this special opportunity!

More about Seny Daffe: http://senydaffe.blogspot.com/

Class accompanied by live drumming with master drummer, Namory Keita and friends. See you soon!

AND on Thursday April 25,
Drum with Namory Kieta & Dundun Dance with Seny Daffe

in Kittery, Maine
CLICK HERE FOR KITTERY CLASS DETAILS

Team.Seny.Namory

Next 3 Week Session of Drum Classes with Annegret Baier starts April 24

Annegret

Wednesdays 4/24, 5/1 + 5/8
6-7:30pm
Portland Friends Meeting House, 1837 Forest Ave, Portland
 Register today by contacting Annegret HERE
$70 for 3 Classes  – Djembes available for rent

*

HAPPY SPRING!
PLANTS LOVE SOCIAL CHANGE

A percentage of our Tuesday Dance Classes is contributed to some fantastic social change initiatives. In April, donate an extra $10 or more in class, and you can take home a free jade plant!
IMG_3578.jpg

LINK HERE For our Weekly Dance & Drum Classes at Embody the Rhythm

Join this ever-growing community! All are welcome.


 

Spread Love, Be Love.

19 Feb 2019 Leave a comment

by danceswithfire in Uncategorized

Happy February, folks ~ So many great things to share with you this month! We’re welcoming Namory Keita back to his Maine community and he’s bringing the heat to dance and drum classes, fresh from Guinea! 


DRUM CLASSES WITH NAMORY RESUME, MONDAY NIGHTS IN PORTLAND

 

Namory Keita

Drum with Namory Keita

FIT MAINE RECENTLY FEATURED OUR TUESDAY NIGHT DANCE CLASS:
Check out the story by Shannon Bryan, catch the warm vibes and join us in class this month. We’re dancing the Malinké rhythm Soko, Tuesday nights in February.


ShannonBryan.photo.jpg
Photo by Shannon Bryan

FRIDAY MORNING DANCE class has been hopping & the next 8-Week session starts March 15 Grab the Early Bird Discount before Feb 28thYou can also register with check or cash at class to save the online fee. Invite friends in the Facebook Event.

 

SATURDAY MORNING CHILDREN & FAMILY series is the sweetest:
3 more Saturdays, 10:30-11:45am, 302 Steven’s Ave. 
3-5yr olds with a parent/guardian ~ dance, rhythm, song, play.

 

MORE FANTASTIC AFRICAN DANCE OPPORTUNITIES, HERE IN PORTLAND, MAINE!


Rwandan Dance with Ikirenga cy’Intore 
Fridays at YMCA, 6-8pm. 
Facebook Link

Ikirenga cy'Intore.jpg

 

Afrobeat Dance (contemporary African fusion) with Veeva Banga

Mondays at Hustle & Flow, 7-8pm
Thursdays at Bright Star World Dance, 8-9pm
VeevaBanga.jpg
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Congolese Dance with Grace & Jenny, of Coco Maine 
Saturdays Feb 23 | Mar 9 | Mar 23 |  3pm at Mayo St. Arts

 

 

INTERNATIONAL OPEN MIC ~ Have you been yet??
It only happens every few months, and is always an amazing event and great way to see some of Portland’s international talent, onstage. Next one: Friday, March 1st, Mayo St. Arts, 7-9pm.
 
 
It’s BLACK HISTORY MONTH and there’s still so much work to be done to end racism. Embody the Rhythm engages Movement as Medicine for Social Change by supporting these important initiatives with a percentage of proceeds from dance classes:  Please check them out
 
Keep an eye out for upcoming discussions on ways to deepen our awareness and take action together as a community. Meanwhile, join me at one of these events: 
*
Check out:
SO many reasons to get together and dance/drum/shake.
Can’t wait to see you on the dance floor!

Movement Medicine and Social Change

06 Jan 2019 Leave a comment

by danceswithfire in Monthly Dance Updates, Notice

movement medicine social change

There is a Need for Healing.  
All people, all genders, all ages, ethnicities, creeds…
We all need the healing medicine of movement.
*
We need spaces in which we become so present in the experience of our body’s movement that we forget our heartache, forget our struggles, and remember our Selves. Even for a moment. Even for an hour.
*
We need community.
We need safe spaces in which we can collectively align in movement, share in rhythm, and breathe in the company of others … to shed the heaviness, despair, anger, fear,
even if for the moment …
So that the lightness of our being, suspended in air, in rhythm, in movement, can return us to the presence of our own spirit, can grow our resilience, grow our strength, rekindle our fire and most importantly, inspire the actions we take to change the systems that are not working for the good of all. 
*
Let’s cultivate the healing energy we generate on the dance floor to go beyond ourselves and take outward into the world. Let’s find more ways to take action together to create the changes needed for all people to be safe, for all people to be free, for all people to thrive.

*
As a small step toward collectively channelling the healing medicine of movement directly toward social change – $1 from each student in our Tuesday dance classes in 2019 will be donated to these important initiatives
here in Maine and in Guinea:

For Us By Us (a fund for POC, by POC) in Maine. Learn more here:
https://www.patreon.com/forusbyus/posts 
Black Girl in Maine (BGIM media) – education, awareness, participation: 
https://blackgirlinmaine.com/
Hamana Arts Center (school for traditional cultural arts) in Guinea, West Africa:
https://www.gofundme.com/hamana-arts-center-project
Youssouf Koumbassa’s School for traditional cultural arts in Guinea, West Africa.
(link coming) 

Check out the important work of each organization and consider donating directly, by visiting the links provided above.

dance class 3

Movement, Music & Community

 

While we are dancing through precarious and trying times,
we also have new beginnings to celebrate.
*
Let’s continue to come together, build community, hold each other up and knit our neighborhoods together, celebrate one another and create space for the light to grow within each individual.
Let’s reach beyond preconceived boundaries and learn from one another.
*

Come dance.

Tuesdays, Fridays and some Saturdays! (link here FMI)
✨
Nobody turned away for lack of funds. Barters and discounts available.
All bodies, all genders welcome.
✨
See you on the dance floor! Welcome 2019!

Bring a Friend FREE this week, New Classes in 2019

18 Dec 2018 Leave a comment

by danceswithfire in Monthly Dance Updates

Happy nearly Solstice! As the days get short and chilly it can be tough to motivate for physical activities, but it’s one of the best things we can do for our spirit.

EmbodytheRhythm.DanceClass

Our mental, emotional and physical bodies benefit from movement and music, and dancing in community is a proven uplifter. 

IMG_7021IMG_6895

Round up a friend or two and make a little pact this winter to get each other out to a warm and welcoming dance floor ~ A little group motivation can help us keep commitment to our wellbeing.

As incentive, INTRODUCE A FRIEND to class THIS WEEK and they attend FREE for our final dance classes in 2018 ~
Tuesday Dec 18 & Friday Dec 21!

EmbodytheRhythm.Drummers

Keepin’ it toasty every TUESDAY you can’t beat the LIVE DRUMMING with dance moves offered for all levels of dancers.
Note: Classes prices increase by $1 in 2019. Nobody turned away for lack of funds.

FRIDAY morning classes  ~ Next series: Jan 4 – Feb 22*
9:00 – 10:00am
*Minimum # students needed ~ Please share.
Early Bird Discount before January 1st: $104 cash, check / $107 online
Link HERE to Pre-register
After January 1st: $120 cash, check / $124 online

No experience needed for either class, a self-loving attitude is encouraged, and all bodies are welcome.

Link HERE for DANCE CLASS DETAILS
Location: Portland New Church, 302 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME

EnjoytheLittleThings

PRE-SCHOOL & FAMILY DANCE & RHYTHM ~ 5 Saturdays
Feb 9 – Mar 9, 2019
For 3-5 year olds with participating parent/guardian
10:30 – 11:15am
Class size limited to 20 little ones
Early Bird Discount before January 31st:  $65 cash, check / $68 online
Link HERE to Pre-register
After January 31st:  $75 cash, check / $78 online

Marita.Toddler

SPREAD LOVE. BE LOVE.
SEE YOU ON THE DANCE FLOOR

Connect on Instagram
Connect on Facebook

Dance Class photo credits to Kendra Smith

Across the ocean and in our hearts. Giving back to Guinea

29 Nov 2018 Leave a comment

by danceswithfire in Monthly Dance Updates, Notice

Do you have plans for staying warm and inspired, active and connected this winter? Come beat the winter blues with a community you can groove with!


Movement and music are languages that transcend words, helping to build intercultural understanding and connection.

Movement and music are medicines needed by all.

 


GIVING BACK TO THE PEOPLE OF GUINEA:


DECEMBER 4 – Right after dance class, POTLUCK PARTY & DONATIONS COLLECTION for Namory Keita’s annual winter trip.

Dance class 6-7:30pm, Potluck Party 7:45pm on,
Portland New Church, 302 Stevens Ave, Portland, ME

 What you can bring:

  • A dish or beverage to share and extra paper plates/cups if you have ’em (silverware provided – let’s keep it compostable/recyclable)
  • Donations of over-the-counter first aid supplies and children’s summer clothing to be delivered in the villages.
  • Financial contributions for the Hamana Art Center – This is a school Namory is building in the beautiful Hamana region of Guinea. Here masters and students from around the world will come together to exchange, teach, perform and study the traditional arts of the region. Photos of the school building progress:
     

    You can also support this project online, at this link:
    Hamana Art Center

DRUM CLASSES with ANNEGRET BAIER

Annegret Baier

*
*
Annegret offers small group and individual percussion/drumming lessons. A great gift for the holidays! Contact her: annegret@maine.rr.com

Stay tuned for weekly group lessons and workshops in the New Year and visit her website: www.annegretbaier.com

*

*

*

TUESDAY DANCE CLASS CONTINUES YEAR-ROUND AND IS GENDER-INCLUSIVE:IMG_7044
  • DID YOU KNOW? To encourage gender diversity on the dance floor, 1st Tuesday of every month is just $5 for male-identified and gender-non-conforming dancers. Dance is good for all bodies.
    We start a new dance every 1st Tuesday.
  • Our last Tuesday class of the year will be December 18, 2018. Winter weather cancellations are posted on the top of this page, and on our facebook page (see link below)
  • Our Friday morning series continues through December 21st (open to drop in. See classes page)

GIVE THE GIFT OF DANCE:

  • Purchase a 4-class or 8-class pass for someone you love (including yourself!) at this link:  Embody the Rhythm Store 

MORE DANCE CLASSES COMING SOON! 

Embody the Rhythm on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/EmbodyTheRhythm/
Embody the Rhythm on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/embodytherhythm/

A special thanks Kendra Smith of Mainer Media, for the video in this post. 

Let’s Dance it Out

09 Oct 2018 Leave a comment

by danceswithfire in Monthly Dance Updates, Notice, Special Workshops

Bring on the empowering medicine of movement and music!
EnsembleDrum

EnsembleDancers

New Moon Ensemble, performing at Henry Fest on Sep 8, 2018

Ensembledance

In response to the myriad reasons we need movement medicine, I’m excited to announce a
NEW DANCE CLASS OFFERING

 

8-Weeks | Fridays Mornings | 9 -10am
Oct 26 – Dec 21 (skipping Nov 23)
Portland New Church, 302 Stevens Ave

This class is now open for drop-in students. 

 

Accompanied by beautiful traditional rhythm recordings, this class will focus on the therapeutic aspects of Guinea style, West African dance; tuning in to breath and heartbeat as our guiding force and energy.

An opportunity to dip your toes in or dive deep into a new form of expression and connection through heart and hip opening movement. Beginners and experienced dancers welcomed. No experience needed.

Minimum number of pre-registrants needed to run the class. Sign up for the Early Bird discount and help this class fly.*

Early Bird Price = $110

After October 15 = drop-ins $15/class

*Once minimum # of pre-registrants is met to run the class, it will open to drop-ins

REGISTER TODAY:

SHARE WITH FRIENDS:
  https://www.facebook.com/events/245969029421873/


NEW MOON ENSEMBLE PERFORMS at
York County Mini Makers Faire
Saturday, Oct 13 | Pepperell Mill Campus, Biddeford, ME | 4:00pm

11403415_10205232613509275_1997932697536233202_n

For details about York County Mini Makers Faire, SEE THIS LINK.
For directions and parking info, SEE THIS LINK. 


HENRY FEST WAS A SUCCESS 

Thanks to everyone who came out to support all of the fabulous artists and the annual fundraiser for 317 Main, last month.

We had a great time performing in the field, and I loved offering this mini dance workshop with our drummers bringing the fire ~ Check out the overflowing dance floor energy:

View this post on Instagram

We had so much fun bringing Guinea style West African Drum & Dance to all ages at Henry Fest last month. Thank you to all who danced with us!! That dance floor was overflowing. ✨Thanks to @317main & @unfaithfulservant ✨Thank you to the parent who sent us this video ✨Thank you New Moon Ensemble drummers and dancers @embodytherhythm ✨ #embodytherhythm #movementismedicine #movewithspirit #danceforthesoul #bodypositive #bodyempowerment #trysomethingnew #danceforallbodies #livedrumming #comedancewithus #Guineadanceanddrum #cultivatecommunity #peace #love #unity #dancelove #drumlove #danceforallpeople #danceforhealing #artismedicine #supporttraditionalarts #diversityisbeautiful #dancelife #drumlife #findyourmovementmedicine #portlandmaine

A post shared by Marita (@embodytherhythm) on


Thank you to all who came out
for the drum & dance workshops with Namory Keita and Seny Daffe!!

Your presence in these workshops makes them possible.

View this post on Instagram

Amazing class with Seny Daffe yesterday! ✨ So grateful to everyone who showed up to support our guest artist. Thank you to our fabulous drummers @namorydjenekeita, @jerickson002, @jeffreyahowe !! Thanks to @alisongreenparsons for the delicious sorrel and handmade jewelry market. Thanks to everyone who helped make it such a great day. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 Come dance with me ✨ West African Dance, Guinea style, every Tuesday, 6-7:30pm 302 Stevens, Ave Portland, Maine • Live drumming. ✨ All levels welcome ✨ No experience necessary✨ New student discount: $20 for 4 classes ($5/class!) Returning student discounts too ✨ Spread love. Be love. Find your movement medicine. EmbodyTheRhythm.com • #embodytherhythm #movementismedicine #movewithspirit #danceforthesoul #bodypositive #bodyempowerment #trysomethingnew #danceforallbodies #livedrumming #comedancewithus #Guineadanceanddrum #cultivatecommunity #peace #love #unity #dancelove #drumlove #danceforallpeople #danceforhealing #artismedicine #supporttraditionalarts #diversityisbeautiful #dancelife #drumlife #findyourmedicine #portlandmaine

A post shared by Marita (@embodytherhythm) on

 

 

COMING UP NEXT MONTH
JEH KULU’S ANNUAL WEST AFRICAN DANCE & DRUM FESTIVAL BURLINGTON, VT

Are you aware there are many annual West African Dance & Drum festivals throughout the nation, as well as world-wide? These cultural traditions have inspired an international family, bringing people together from all over the globe through dance, drum and song.

Join dancers and drummers from Embody the Rhythm community in attending Jeh Kulu’s Annual West African Dance & Drum Festival this year!

 

For all who, like me, feel little rattled by what’s going on in our world, I invite you to move it on out with me on dance floors, here there and everywhere. 

Movement is medicine.
Let’s dance it out. 

 

A post shared by Marita Kennedy-Castro (@embodytherhythm) on

 

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