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:
Check out the important work of each organization and consider donating directly, by visiting the links provided above.
Movement, Music & Community
While we are dancing through precarious and trying times,
we also have new beginnings to celebrate.
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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.
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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!
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.
Our mental, emotional and physical bodies benefit from movement and music, and dancing in community is a proven uplifter.
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!
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.
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
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:
Hamana Art Center, Under Construction
You can also support this project online, at this link: Hamana Art Center
DRUM CLASSES with ANNEGRET BAIER
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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
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TUESDAY DANCE CLASS CONTINUES YEAR-ROUND AND IS GENDER-INCLUSIVE:
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!
Stay tuned for dance offerings for children/families, and new adult classes, coming soon – Subscribe to this newsletter by entering your email in the box on upper right.
Bring on the empowering medicine of movement and music!
New Moon Ensemble, performing at Henry Fest on Sep 8, 2018
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
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:
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.
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.
Saturday SEPTEMBER 8th,
join New Moon Ensemble at Henry Fest
New Moon Ensemble returns for a later summer outdoor performance at Henry Fest, in N. Yarmouth, Maine, joined by Seny Daffe of Jeh Kulu.
For weekly, on-going Dance & Drum Class info, please click HERE.
Henry Festis an annual celebration hosted by 317 Main, offering a day of outdoor workshops, performances and family style fun at Skyline Farm in North Yarmouth.
New Moon Ensemble (with Embody the Rhythm) performs amidst a line up of many fabulous local dance bands, including Primo Cubano (with Portland Maine Salsa), King Day & His New Imperials (with Portland Swing Project), and Joy Compass (with Portland Intown Contra Dance).
Each group is offering an open dance workshop to be included in your ticket to the Festival. We hope you’ll join us September 8, and come see what we’ve been up to!
Sunday SEPTEMBER 9th,
Drum & Dance Workshops
with Namory Keita & Seny Daffe
Namory Keitaand Seny Daffe will teach high vibes Guinea West African Drum & Dance workshops, right here in Portland, at Maine Ballroom Dance Studio.
10:00-11:00am – DRUM CLASS w/ Namory Keita – All-levels
11:30am-1:00pm – DANCE CLASS w/ Seny Daffe – All-levels
No experience necessary ~ All-levels welcome in both classes.
Maine Ballroom Dance Studio, 614 Congress St., Portland, ME Individual class = $16, or $30 for both (Cash preferred, small surcharge for credit) Enjoy free on-street parking on Sundays.
Wednesdays, starting Sep 5th 5 week Drum Workshop Series with Annegret Baier
Annegret Baier is a fabulous musician and teacher, cherished dance class drummer and New Moon Ensemble performer. She brings 25+ years of experience to her playing and teaching of West African rhythms.
These workshops will be 5 Wednesdays: 9/5, 9/12, 9/19. 10/3 & 10/10 6:00-7:30pm Friends Meeting House, 1837 Forest Ave, Portland, Me
$120 Pre-registration is required. To register and rent a Djembe, contact Annegret here.
Looking forward to seeing you at Henry Fest, dancing & drumming with you in September workshops, and in our weekly classes!
May you find your movement. May you find your medicine.
WE’VE BEEN HAVING SO MUCH FUN BUILDING COMMUNITY WITH SOME FABULOUS GUEST TEACHERS THESE PAST FEW MONTHS.
IF YOU’VE MISSED THEM, THERE’S STILL MORE TO COME IN JUNE:
Thursday June 14th, Seny Daffe returns to the Dance Hall in Kittery, to teach Dundun Dance & Namory Keita teaches Drumming. Visit the links for details, and see videos below from our recent workshops. Facebook Event Link / Seacoast Dance & Drum
Friday June 15th, Music on Main – A Night of West African Drumming & Dance with special guests, Theo Martey, Abou Sylla, Seny Daffe and Namory Keita! For more info and tickets, visit Music on Main.
Here’s a peek at the fun we had in Dundun Dance Class with Seny Daffe, April 3rd in Portland, ME:
*FROM GUINEA TO MAINE* 4 UPCOMING WORKSHOPS WITH SPECIAL GUESTS!
Room Island, Guinea
Hamana region, Guinea
With our friend, Namory Keita, and his son.
The beautiful location where Namory has begun building Hamana Art Center.
2018 began for me amidst the beauty of Guinea, West Africa, with dear friends old and new, to study at the home of my long-time teacher, Youssouf Koumbassa:
Grand Master Dancer and Teacher, Youssouf Koumbassa
It has taken me a Moon or more to settle back into Maine’s long winter, and tonight as I reminisce these sunny photos, we prepare for another big snow storm.
This beauty, dear friend and long time student Steph Harmon, came along for the month-long dance and drum immersion studies.
We invite our community to join us for a sharing of stories & slideshows from our trip: SUNDAY, MARCH 18
7pm, Hustle & Flow Studio, 155 Brackett St., 3rd floor, Portland.
I will continue to share Guinea stories here too, bit by bit. There is so much!
*FROM GUINEA TO MAINE* UPCOMING DANCE & DRUM WORKSHOPS
WITH VERY SPECIAL GUESTS!
Bolokada Conde
Seny Daffe
THURSDAY, MARCH 29
All Levels Drum Class with Grandmaster djembefola,
BOLOKADA CONDE The Dance Hall, 7 Walker St., Kittery, Maine
5:30-6:45pm, $20 Bolokada will lead the drum accompaniment for Liz Fowler’s dance class, directly to follow.
TUESDAY, APRIL 3
All Levels Drum Class with Master Village Drummer,
NAMORY KEITA The Portland New Church, 302 Steven’s Ave. Portland, ME
5:00-6:00pm, $15 Contact Marita to reserve a drum.
TUESDAY, APRIL 3 *Dundun Dance* Class with Master Drummer & Singer, SENY DAFFE The Portland New Church, 302 Steven’s Ave. Portland, ME
6:15-7:45pm, $18
*Space is limited. ALL DUNDUNS HAVE NOW BEEN RESERVED, which means we’re at capacity, but we do have a WAITLIST. You may join the waitlist by contacting Marita.
Namory Keita
SUNDAY, APRIL 15th
Special *Advanced* Drumming Workshop with NAMORY KEITA 1:00-3:00pm, $25 Portland New Church, 302 Stevens Ave. One-Time Event. Register HERE
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Guinea Story #1
FIRST AID, FROM NEW ENGLAND TO GUINEA
Guinea, West Africa is rich in culture, contributing incredible music and dance to the rest of the world, the roots of which are seen in many popular contemporary art forms worldwide. As you might have noticed, as a follower of West African dance & drumming, Guinea has *incredible* talent.
Meanwhile, the reality remains that the average person in Guinea has only the very basics for survival. While colonizing countries have established businesses there, and imported all manner of packaged items, there is no place to deal with trash and plastic waste, no sanitation system, no running water, and scant/rationed electricity for the non-elite. The average person has no access to basic health care or even first aid such as antiseptic, bandages, fever-fighting medicines and pain reducers, no simple life-saving conveniences such as bug spray (while malaria, and other mosquito born illnesses are rampant). My friends and fellow artists whom I became close with are not even guaranteed to have food to eat each day, nor a bed to sleep in.
On my recent journey to the country, I was able to bring along a suitcase full of traditional first aid items and lovingly prepared herbal medicines, coming from many of you in our local community. I cannot tell you how incredibly far this went. A special shout out to wise herbalists, Angel Putney Noe and Isa Beaulieu for your beautiful healing remedies ~ the herbal medicines were most deeply appreciated.
An amazing group of friends and community members in Guinea volunteered to help with separating all of the donations into smaller units, which we then distributed home by home, around numerous villages. Local volunteers came along to ensure that proper use of the medicines was translated into the local languages. It was a most beautiful effort, linking together communities that I love and cherish from both sides of the ocean. Thank you to all who donated, and to all who helped.
As I would hear people say every day in Guinea, “Wontanara” (We are together / We are one). Let’s find more ways to give back, to share the wealth, and to honor this truth of our common humanity with care and action.
Do you have plans in place to stay warm and inspired, active and connected this winter?
One of my favorite ways to beat the blues is gathering with community for energetic movement and inspiring live music ~
There’s a lot of love here.
West African Dance & Drum is alive and thriving here in Maine, thanks to an incredible, ever-growing community. Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this post for some big updates, relevant this month.
Post Dundun Dance Class with Seny Daffe in Kittery, ME. November 30, 2017
We had a fantastic turnout for our special day of classes with Youssouf Koumbassa and Namory Keita in Portland last month, and a great class with Seny Daffe in Kittery last week.
Dance Class with Youssouf Koumbassa in Portland, ME. October 24, 2017
~ GIVING & RECEIVING ~
In the tradition of West African drum and dance,
there is a constant exchange. Energy is given out by each dancer and drummer, and received in turn by each, as well as the rest of the community.
IN THE SPIRIT OF GIVING AND RECEIVING WE SHARE THIS NEWS AND INVITE YOUR PARTICIPATION:
Click Here to SupportFirst Aid supplies for Guinean Families
I will return with photos and stories from those whom you’ve helped, and I’ll be on fire with new dances to share.Please donate before December 27th for First Aid supplies.
YOU’RE INVITED – Tuesday December 19th, will be our last class of 2017. Join Embody the Rhythm for a community potluck gathering right after dance class at the New Church. Bring your dinner, or something to share. Funds and First Aid items can be donated that evening as well.
No class Dec 26 * Classes Resume Jan 2nd and continue on, weekly!
Ashley Edmondson and Anne Esguerra, from New Moon Ensemble, will be subbing for Marita while she’s in Guinea. Our solid drummers will keep it hopping, so there’s no need to lose your groove.
Join the ever-growing community here at Embody the Rhythm!
All are welcome.
Our lively dance classes bring community together through the healing power of movement and music, and the gift of cultural exchange. Classes are designed for beginner students together with intermediate students. No experience necessary.
TUESDAY OCTOBER 24
World renowned master teacher, Youssouf Koumbassa returns to Maine.
Master village drummer, Namory Keita will begin the night with Drum Class, and lead the smoking drum accompaniment for dance class.
ALL LEVELS WELCOME. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY.
YOUSSOUF KOUMBASSA Perhaps the world’s most sought-after teacher of Guinea-style African dance, Youssouf was born in Conakry, Guinea. He was a principle dancer with Ballets Djoliba, one of Guinea’s most important national dance companies, for 13 years, training and touring extensively throughout the world. With his prodigious skill and thrilling talent, as well as the precious pedagogy and choreography of his teachers before him, Youssouf relocated to the United States to share his passion and his legacy with dancers and audiences everywhere.
NAMORY KEITA Namory Keita, Master Drummer, is a sought after teacher and performer with a unique style and a wealth of traditional knowledge very rare to find outside the villages of Guinea. His resources include not only his wonderful ability to engage any audience but also his relationships with dancers and drummers locally, and around the world.
Tuesday October 24, 2017 Woodford’s Club, 179 Woodford St, Portland, ME 5:15-6:15pm – DRUM CLASS with Namory Keita
6:30-8pm – DANCE CLASS with Youssouf Koumbassa
Preregistration Price*: $17/class or $32 for both classes Preregistration is closed, but you can still pay at the door ~
See you tonight!
$20/class or $34 for both classes (Discounts offered for New Mainers/low-income. Inquire at the door)
HOW TO PREPARE: `No prior experience is needed.
`Bring an open mind, and an interest to learn.
`Wear comfortable clothing that you can move and sweat in.
`Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated. `Dancing is with bare feet (dance shoes but not street shoes) are okay, if needed.
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES to Dance with Youssouf in Maine:
Embody the Rhythm had a busy summer, so there’s more good news to come, including exciting developments and opportunities for dancers coming up in early 2018.
Follow this newsletter to keep up to date.
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:
NEW 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!
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 createsinspirational 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.
MANY WATERS ENSEMBLE
Embody the Rhythm 