embody the rhythm

Special Dance & Drum Classes 
TODAY! September 24th, Portland, ME
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR

Youssouf Koumbassa

Catch the experience! Dance class FOR ALL LEVELS,
true beginners alongside experienced dancers, with deeply beloved teacher, best of the best, world-renowned, grand master dancer, Youssouf Koumbassa! 

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TWO DAYS – Saturday Sep 24th, Portland
Sunday Sep 25th, Kittery

Youssouf leads a warm-up for dance class, Portland, ME 2015

Perhaps the world’s most sought-after teacher of Guinea-style African dance, Youssouf Koumbassa was born in Conakry, Guinea. For the past 25 years, Youssouf has taught countless devoted students around the world the beauty and energy of Guinea dance. He teaches at conferences and workshops from Mexico to Amsterdam, California to Japan, yet maintains his position at the center of his African dance community in New York City. Youssouf returns to Guinea every year to lead a month-long immersion workshop for international students in drum and dance.  For extended bio, click HERE.

Youssouf Koumbassa

Saturday, September 24th, 2016

DANCE CLASS w/ Youssouf Koumbassa
DRUM CLASS w/ Namory Keita

Fun for total beginners & advanced students alike!

Youssouf Koumbassa

Hosted by Marita Kennedy-Castro @ Embody The Rhythm, with special thanks to Maine Ballroom Dance, 614 Congress St, Portland

9:30-11:00am | All Levels Dance Class
$16 advance | $20 door | $14 students with I.D.
Maine Ballroom

11:15 – 12:45pm | All Levels Drum Class
$16 advance | $20 door | $14 students with I.D.
Maine Ballroom

These classes fill fast. Guarantee your space in class/get tix in Portland’s weekly dance class Tuesdays or Thursdays, or online at: dancedrumwiththemasters.bpt.me

Namory Keita

Master drummer Namory Keita, born in Sangbarala, Guinea has been the lead drummer in his village since 2006, and performs all over the world.  He moved to Portland, Maine in early 2015 and currently teaches drum classes throughout New England. Namory is a fun and patient teacher for all skill levels. 

Youssouf Koumbassa and Namory Keita, all smiles and talent.

Drum workshop with Namory Keita in Portland, ME 2015

Click HERE for classes September 25th in Kittery, ME

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Click HERE for Weekly Dance & Drum Class in Portland
with Marita Kennedy-Castro and Namory Keita. 

Marita Kennedy-Castro & Namory Keita

Marita Kennedy-Castro & Namory Keita

Namory Keita, Marita Kennedy-Castro, Youssouf Koumbassa & Elizabeth Fowler

Youssouf Koumbassa & Marita Kennedy-Castro

We’re excited to see you Tuesdays & Thursdays in September as we prepare to consolidate all our classes to Tuesdays in October ~ Stay tuned! 

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Can’t wait to see you September 24th & 25th, with Youssouf Koumbassa!!

Click HERE to visit us on Facebook, let us know you’re coming, share the event.

3 Special guest artists from Guinea return to Maine for
MINI GUINEA FEST in Kittery

Join us May 21st at the Kittery Dance Hall for an exciting day of workshops and an evening performance

These fantastic artists from Jeh Kulu Dance & Drum Theatre are great about making West African dance & drum accessible to all people. Join the fun! 

Saturday, May 21

12:00 to 1:30 pm
Drum class with Ismael Bangoura

1:45 to 3:15 pm
Dundun dance class with Seny Daffe (*videos of dundun dance below)

3:30 to 5:00 pm
Dance class with Sidiki Sylla
(Accompanied by Ismael, Seny, and Namory Keita)

No experience necessary for any of the classes.
$15 per class in advance or $17 at the door

7:00pm
West African Drum & Dance Performance with Guinean artists: Namory Keita, Ismael Lafori Bangoura, Seny Daffe, Sidiki Sylla, Sayon Camara, and other special guests!

Portland’s New Moon Ensemble, led by Marita Kennedy-Castro and Namory Keita and Seacoast West African Dance & Drum, led by Liz Fowler and Namory Keita will open up the show.

Performance tickets are $12 in advance or $15 at the door.
(Kids 10 and under are free!)

Register for workshops or buy tickets for the performance in advance:
http://m.bpt.me/event/2539581

More info:
https://seacoastwestafricandanceanddrum.com/2016/04/17/mini-guinea-fest-in-kittery/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/487503218122456/

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Thanks to all who came to the Dundun Dance Workshops
with Marita and Namory ~

We had such a great time with all of you!

Here are a few fun moments:

For info on weekly Dance & Drum Classes with Marita & Namory
in Portland, Maine click HERE

Drop in any time! Join us on Tuesdays in May to dance Gumbé, from the Tuba people of Guinea, and on Thursdays to dance Kassa from the Malinke people.

See you on the dance floor! 

What’s New:

Dundun Dance Workshops, modern community rituals, plus special guest artists from Guinea returning in May… Happy Spring! 

DunDun Dance – April Workshops

Dundun Dance is the incredibly fun art of simultaneous drumming and dancing, from the country of Guinea, West Africa.

Saturdays April 23 and 30
Hustle & Flow Studio, Portland, ME
10am-12pm
$20 per Workshop
Drums and sticks provided

Instructed by Marita Kennedy-Castro
Djembe accompaniment by Namory Keita
**SPACE IS LIMITED**

Pre-register at hustleflowstudio.com
or in a weekly class with Marita
Join event on Facebook: Dundun Dance Workshops, Portland Maine

Many more dundun dance videos to be found online

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Click Here for Weekly Dance & Drum Class Info

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Bring the Ritual of Dance & Drumming to Your Occasion

In our modern communities the celebration of our interconnectedness is often forgotten, yet can be transformative when remembered. West African dances and rhythms honor interrelationship with the rhythms of nature and with one another, celebrating and sharing life’s cycles and seasons.

Marita & Namory, along with New Moon Ensemble are available to provide modern community rituals catered to your occasion, incorporating traditional rhythms and movements danced for centuries in West Africa.

Bring the international ritual of dance and music to your:

BIRTH CELEBRATIONS  *  WEDDING CELEBRATIONS  *  HARVEST PARTIES

BRIDAL SHOWERS  *  BIRTHDAY PARTIES  *  GRADUATIONS

                                                         *  OTHER SPECIAL OCCASIONS  *

Performances and lessons available. Please be in contact here, with inquiries.

Guest Artists from Guinea Return to Maine, May 21! 

Sidiki Sylla, Seny Daffe & Ismael Bangoura from Jeh Kulu will return for Mini Guinea Fest 2016 in Kittery ~ Save the date and stay tuned! 

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Dancing Back to the Earth 

In honor of interconnection and in recognition of Earth Day, I encourage folks to walk, bike or carpool to class, give back to this Earth Mama that sustains us and take part in movements for Cultural Survival.
MAY WE ALL THRIVE. 

I made this video in honor of our interconnection. The song is “Fala”, by Tom Diakuté, and the quote is from Anna Halprin. Photographers listed in video notes.

See you on the dance floor! 

Tuesdays & Thursdays all year long.

If you’re ready to try West African Inspired Dance, 2016 is your time! 

~ Spreading the Love ~
NEW special offers

• New Student Discount: $20 for 4 classes in 4 weeks. Try both classes!
• Introduce a Friend to Class: If they buy a pass, you get a FREE class.
• 4-pass: $52 (lasts 8 weeks), 8-pass: $96 (lasts 12 weeks)
• Passes may be used in either class.
• Additional Details: Dance & Drum Class Page

~ Dancing for Love ~

On Tuesdays in February we will dance Yankadi and Makru, dances for courtship and love from the Susu people of Guinea, West Africa.
Learn some sultry moves to take home and
share with your sweetheart.

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Thursdays we will dance Djolé, a celebratory dance
from the Timiné people of Sierra Leone, West Africa. Inspire the ones you love with your powerful new moves.

~Giving Back the Love ~

Sending out immense gratitude and love to some of my amazing teachers:
Check out this powerful dream team (click photos to enlarge) ~

Youssouf Koumbassa

Djeneba Sako

Dejenba Sako – she flies!

Moustapha Bangoura

Mamady Sano

Abdoulaye Sylla – May he rest in Peace

Mabiba Baegne (left), Djeneba Sako (right)

(Photos from Camp Fareta, July 2015)

More good things coming !

 Connect with us on Facebook and help us spread the word

See you on the dance floor!
Peace and blessings

Happy New Year! I am still beaming from New Moon Rising on January 2nd. The very first show of the New Moon Ensemble was a fabulous success, thanks to an absolutely wonderful ensemble, and to the amazing community that showed up and packed the venue to the rafters! 

~ Here are a few photos from New Moon Rising at Mayo St. Arts ~
from photographers, Sage Hayes and Tony Castro

It begins with a blessing and a song

Namory Keita tears it up!!

Special guest, Abou Sylla!!

I dedicated this performance with a prayer for the expansion of interconnections in community that celebrate diversity, and the creation of beautiful and transformative ways for us all to learn from one another. May there be ever-growing energy, action and change-making that benefit the good of all.

We sold out all the seats, and even the standing room for this show. For all who couldn’t make it in the door, there will be more! Meanwhile, come dance with us Tuesdays and Thursdays, and enjoy the beautiful grooves for yourself. 
For weekly dance and drum class info, click HERE. 

This month in class we are dancing Sinté on Tuesdays and Gumbé on Thursdays.
Visit us on Facebook and Instagram at: Embody The Rhythm 

Here’s to the healing power of music and dance!