Hello Afro-Cuban enthusiasts,
The Explorations in Afro-Cuban Dance and Drum Workshops, July 19-26, 2008 at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California will begin accepting registrations on May 1st. Here is some information to wet your appetite.
We are very happy to announce that drummers Roman Díaz (Yoruba Andabo, Raices Profundas, Pancho Quinto), Toto Berriel (Los Muñequitos, Grupo Afro-Cuba de Matanzas) and dancer Freila Merencio (Raices Profundas, Yoruba Andabo) will be new additions to our stellar faculty this year. Lazaro Galarraga, who taught 2000-2003, will be returning as our song teacher. Francisco Aguabella is returning for his fourth consecutive workshop. The entire faculty lineup for 2008 is as follows:
Song: Lazaro Galarraga
Drum: Francisco Aguabella, Roman Díaz, Toto Berriel, Jesus Díaz, John Santos, Michael Spiro, Mark Lamson, Chris "Flaco" Walker, and David Peñalosa,
Dance: Reynaldo Gonzalez, Susana Pedroso, and Freila Merencio.
If you have never heard of the Explorations program, here is some information regarding our program.
Now in our twelfth year, we are proud of the reputation we have both in the United States, and in Cuba, as the most comprehensive Afro-Cuban dance and drum program in the U.S. We offer three levels of dance and five levels of drum classes as well as daily song classes, focusing mostly on the folkloric repertoire of the Yoruba, Bantú, Fon, and rumba. Efik, and Haitiano styles are also taught. The following is an outline of some of the many highlights of our workshop.
o Meeting other Afro-Cuban enthusiasts from all over the U.S and abroad.
o Learning in a multitude of settings.
- Classroom
- Traditional western approach where U.S. teachers break down and decode the beautiful drum systems of Cuba.
- Learning by rote, which our Cuban drum teachers tend to use.
- Cuban dance faculty breaking down the steps, upper body, and subtle nuances that makes up folkloric dancing.
Accompanied by our drum faculty, with their numerous years of experience and talent.
o Evening Parties
Informal house parties bring together our faculty, staff, and students. Here is where you see your classroom lessons in context.
This is where magical moments reveal themselves. Inspired in the moment, lost songs reappear, new songs are created on
the spot, drummers dance, the walls start sweating. You know, the usual stuff, only it is Francisco Aguabella and Lazaro
Galarraga, and on and on.....
This is just some of the highlights, of what for most is an unforgettable experience in one of the most beautiful settings on the planet.
The cost of the workshop will be $495. Dorm style housing with meals is available for $50 per day double occupancy and $57 per day single occupancy. But again, you will have to wait until May 1st to register.
Please check out our website
http://www.humboldt.edu/afrocuban for more information.
Thank you,
Howie Kaufman
Founder and Coordinator of the
Explorations in Afro-Cuban Dance and Drum Program
Humboldt State University