11th annual Afro-Cuban Dance & Drum workshops - July 21 - July 28, 2007

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Postby davidpenalosa » Fri Mar 09, 2007 2:48 am

Howard Kaufman and Humboldt State University's Office of Extended Education presents the 11th annual Explorations in Afro-Cuban Dance & Drum workshops, July 21 - July 28, 2007, celebrating the folkloric music, songs, and dances of the Afro-Cuban people. Set in Arcata, amongst the towering redwoods and breathtaking coastline of Northern California, this workshop promises to be an extraordinary assembly of Afro-Cuban percussion and dance masters! This years' instructors include Francisco Aguabella, Ramon "Sandy" Pérez, Jesus Diaz, Rogelio "Noño" Kindelan, John Santos, Michael Spiro, Reynaldo Gonzalez Fernandez, Susana Arenas Pedroso, Silfredo La O, Sonyalci Feldman, Mark Lamson, David Peñalosa, Chris Walker, Charlie Chavez, Colin Douglas and more.

Havana, Matanzas and Haitiano styles of Afro-Cuban dance and drum techniques will be represented. The drum classes will encourage students to go beyond just learning parts, with special classes offered in Batá, shekere, quinto, technique, and basic rhythmic skills. The dance classes will be accompanied with live drumming. At all skill levels, the dance classes are certain to be rigorous and challenging. In addition, Afro-Cuban song instruction will be offered. Classes are progressive and cumulative. Thus, participants are encouraged to attend the entire program.

For one price, students will enjoy admission to any classes and events, including the faculty/student performance on the final evening. Special evening events will round out the program. Highlights include a beach party, rumba and salsa parties, and the student recital/faculty performance. The daily schedule is arranged to maximize exposure to the three components of Afro-Cuban folklore: singing, dancing and drumming.Whether you’re new to the program or returning, you will have a rich cultural and educational experience in the annual Explorations in Afro-Cuban Dance & Drum workshop at Humboldt State University.

For more information, go to www.humboldt.edu/afrocuban

or call (707) 826-3731
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Postby jorge » Sat Mar 10, 2007 6:02 am

I haven't been to the workshop yet, but it seems like it will be a great experience. This past week, I had the privelege of playing tres-dos and caja for a guest dance class taught by Susana Arenas Pedroso here in NYC. She is a master dancer and dance teacher, both orisha and rumba, and was in NYC performing with the show Palenque. Also, Sandy Perez, Susana, and several others from the cast of Palenque came to our weekly rumba in Washington Heights and tore it up, tremenda energia! Sandy played quinto, some of the others danced, Erick Barberia was singing. Between sets they started a Rueda de Casino, incredible. I definitely want to go to the workshop at Humboldt this summer. David, when will the registration open? The website just says to check back for registration information.



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Postby davidpenalosa » Sat Mar 10, 2007 7:39 pm

jorge wrote:>>David, when will the registration open? The website just says to check back for registration information.

Jorge,
I just got off the phone with the Director of the program Howard Kaufman. He will let me know when registration begins and I will then post that info here. Sorry you aren't able to register now. Oops. They should have had registration forms up by now.

I'd like to mention that I think one of the best aspects of the course is the five levels of drum instruction.
-David
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Postby jorge » Tue Apr 03, 2007 3:18 am

Hi David Peñalosa and others involved in the Humboldt U. Afro Cuban Dance and Drum program for 2007,

When they were in NYC for the Palenque show, Susana Arenas and Sandy Perez got me really interested in the Humboldt program. I called Humboldt this morning to get more information and register and spoke with a person at Humboldt who was able to answer general questions. I have a few more specific questions that I wonder if you could answer.

1. My main interest is rumba. For the drumming classes, will it be possible to mainly focus on rumba, rather than bata or other styles of drumming? I am probably somewhere between a level 4 and level 5. In particular, I want to learn more quinto for columbia, and more tumbador/cajon for guarapachangueo.

2. Are there any song classes focusing on singing (coro or gallo) guaguanco or rumba columbia?

3. Are the rental congas decent quality, or do I need to bring my own conga? I would rather not fly on a plane with my Skin on Skin, I don't have a hard shell case.

4. Is there any son/salsa, would it make any sense to bring bongos (which I can carry on a plane)? I used to be a bongocero in salsa bands, but haven't played bongos for about 30 years.

Thanks in advance.

Jorge
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Postby davidpenalosa » Wed Apr 04, 2007 1:11 am

Hi Jorge,

>>1. My main interest is rumba. For the drumming classes, will it be possible to mainly focus on rumba, rather than bata or other styles of drumming? I am probably somewhere between a level 4 and level 5. In particular, I want to learn more quinto for columbia, and more tumbador/cajon for guarapachangueo.

Chris Walker and several others specialize in contemporary cajon music. At level 4 and level 5 you mostly study with the Cuban teachers. They don’t usually break down quinto, but teach by demonstrating quinto and other lead drum part’s “vocabulary”. Mike Spiro breaks down quinto in his rumba class. I’m not sure if he’s teaching rumba this year. I’ll ask. I have a very detailed quinto lesson plan with charts that I taught at levels 4 and 5 for five straight years. However, I’m teaching at Level 2 and 3 this year.

>>2. Are there any song classes focusing on singing (coro or gallo) guaguanco or rumba columbia?

It’s mostly or all orisha songs. I’ll ask about rumba songs.

>>3. Are the rental congas decent quality, or do I need to bring my own conga? I would rather not fly on a plane with my Skin on Skin, I don't have a hard shell case.

You can definitely rent congas of congas decent quality.

>>4. Is there any son/salsa, would it make any sense to bring bongos (which I can carry on a plane)? I used to be a bongocero in salsa bands, but haven't played bongos for about 30 years.

There are usually only one or two classes in popular rhythms. Those have mostly been about songo and timba arrangements. Jesus Diaz showed some of his very hip inventos. There’s Cuban-style salsa dance classes at night.
-David
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Postby jorge » Wed Apr 04, 2007 2:36 am

Thanks, David. I made my decision and went ahead and registered for the program.

The approach sounds just right, we usually don't need the quinto parts broken down, just hearing and seeing is enough. I also talked with Sandy Perez and Susana Arenas last night, and from what they tell me there will be plenty of rumbas during the week both in the classes and outside of the classes.

One request: It would be real nice if rumba were included in some of the song classes too. Maybe you can advocate for that with the Director. It would be great because, at least in NYC, we always have more drummers than (good) rumba singers at the rumbas. I imagine this is true in other places too. At least teach us some coro harmonies, we always wind up singing in unison. "Hablen que sin coro no hay na." Very few of us know how to harmonize so it sounds right, without killing our voices, and most of us wind up hoarse the next day!




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Postby davidpenalosa » Wed Apr 04, 2007 4:07 am

>>Thanks, David. I made my decision and went ahead and registered for the program. The approach sounds just right, we usually don't need the quinto parts broken down, just hearing and seeing is enough. I also talked with Sandy Perez and Susana Arenas last night, and from what they tell me there will be plenty of rumbas during the week both in the classes and outside of the classes.

Hi Jorge,
The parties are my favorite part of the week.

>>One request: It would be real nice if rumba were included in some of the song classes too. Maybe you can advocate for that with the Director. It would be great because, at least in NYC, we always have more drummers than (good) rumba singers at the rumbas. I imagine this is true in other places too. At least teach us some coro harmonies, we always wind up singing in unison. "Hablan que sin coro no hay na." Very few of us know how to harmonize so it sounds right, without killing our voices, and most of us wind up hoarse the next day!

Although I post the announcement for the workshop in the on-line forums I subscribe to, I’m just another hired hand and am not in the decision making process. I will however, pass along your request to the Director. Glad you are coming. Looking forward to meeting you.
-David
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