Hello beautiful community of dancers, drummers and supporters,
After much ado I’ve finally created a place to share with you (in a more colorful way than email) what is happening within and around our weekly West African inspired dance class. I figure after 7 years it’s about time.
Remember the beginning? World Arts Studio!
Dancing up a storm at World Arts...
Our wonderful drummers providing the vibes!
~And 7 years later we’re still going strong, now on street level in the Maine Ballroom Dance Studio~
Breakin' it down
We love our drummers!
This class has made it a long way, thanks to all of you!
From now on our monthly dance class updates will be posted on this page. In addition, I plan to share special events and happenings that I think you won’t want to miss on the tab for Community Connections. As time goes on there are sure to be new topics and new pages added. I hope you’ll stay tuned!
*DANCE CLASS NEWS FOR NOVEMBER, 2011*
Macru!
This month in class we will be dancing a celebratory dance from Guinea called Macru (ma-koo-RU). Some of my teachers say that Macru was traditionally danced in parts of Guinea as a celebration of a successful courtship which may have occurred within the dance Yankadi (yahn-kah-DEE). Therefore, often times Macru is a dance directly following Yankadi. I am also taught that in present day Guinea many traditional dances are enjoyed in all manner of celebrations, not necessarily specific to their original use. No matter where we are in life, we can all look for a reason to celebrate together with the lively dance, Macru!
A reason to Celebrate!
Speaking of celebrating, I have some very exciting personal news to share~
I am headed to Guinea, West Africa for the entire month of January, 2012 to study dance and drumming intensively with incredible master teacher, Youssouf Koumbassa! Some of you may remember him as our incredible guest teacher here in Portland this past June, or maybe you have danced with him in any number of cities world wide…
I am always so happy after a class with Youssouf Koumbassa!
As I further my studies in this dance form and seek to expand my offerings as a teacher and performer, I will be also be delving into all I can learn about the healing aspects of dance and movement on both the personal and community level. I am so excited for what I will learn while I am in Guinea and to be able to share it with you when I return!
I am fundraising for my trip by offering these
~DunDun Dance Workshops With 5 Gallon Buckets~ No Experience Necessary!
I will be teaching a mini series of Dundun dance workshops on 3 Tuesday evenings in November; the 8th, 15th and 22nd. Dundun dances are a very fun combination of drumming and dancing at the same time. The Dun Dun (also referred to as Doun Doun or Djoun Djoun) is the bass drum you will recognize from our weekly class.
The Dun Duns are stood up on one end and played with sticks in hand~
In these workshops I will be introducing a different Dundun dance each week, and we’ll be using 5 gallon buckets to drum on. Drummers from our weekly Thursday night class will be providing their professional accompaniment.
Drum on buckets!
Bust a move!
~DunDun Dance Workshops With 5 Gallon Buckets~ No Experience Necessary!
Nov 8th, 15th and 22nd
6:45-8pm
@ Bhakti in Motion Studio, 155 Brackett St., Portland.
(On the 3rd floor above Fresh Approach Market)
Sign up for 1, 2, or all 3 workshops. Buckets, sticks and chairs provided!
Dundun Dance Workshops are $12/class. As it is a fundraiser, any additional amount you want to pitch in will be graciously accepted. I will return from Guinea with many more rhythms and dances to share!
Don’t forget to see what else is coming right up this month by checking out the Community Connections link. And if you would be so kind, please share this DunDun Dance Flyer with your friends and feel free to post it widely. Thank you!
Hope to see you on the dance floor in November!
Peace
Embody the Rhythm 