annual Afro-Cuban workshop update
Posted: Fri Jun 27, 2008 6:09 amHowie Kaufman the Director of the annual Afro-Cuban workshop, asked me to post this update.
-David
Hello Afro-Cuban Enthusiasts,
The Explorations in Afro-Cuban Dance and Drum Workshops, July 19 - 26, 2008 at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California is still accepting registrations. Students from Bolivia, Ireland, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Colorado, Maryland, Illinois, Washington D.C, Hawaii, and California will all be coming together to study with our internationally recognized faculty. Now in our 12th 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 3 levels of dance and 5 levels of drum classes as well as daily song classes, focusing on the folkloric repertoire of the Yoruba, Bantú, Arara, Carabali, and Haitiano styles of music and dance. Some highlights of our workshop are 1) Evening song classes with legendary singer Lazaro Galarraga; 2) Having master drum and dance teachers from Havana and Matanzas. We have 3 strands of dance classes, one entirely dedicated to the Matanzas repertoire lead by dancer Reynaldo Gonzalez and drummer Toto Berriel, from Grupo Afro-Cuba de Matanzas and Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, and two entirely dedicated to Havana styles lead by dancer Susana Arenas & Freila Merencio (both originally in Raices Profunda, as well as groups Ban Ra Ra, and Yoruba Andabo respectively), and legendary drummer Francisco Aguabella, who started his career in the U.S. accompanying dance, something he only does now at our workshop, and who Susana Arenas says is fantastic at following her on the dance floor; 3) Our U.S. drum teachers offer their unique perspective of learning as a foreigner. They were once like us, trying to unlock the code to the beautiful drum systems of Cuba. They balance the rote approach of our Cuban drum faculty. 4) Our evening rumba/salsa parties, where faculty and students come together and inspire each other. This is just a part of what for most is an unforgettable experience in one of the most beautiful settings on the planet. 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
-David
Hello Afro-Cuban Enthusiasts,
The Explorations in Afro-Cuban Dance and Drum Workshops, July 19 - 26, 2008 at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California is still accepting registrations. Students from Bolivia, Ireland, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Colorado, Maryland, Illinois, Washington D.C, Hawaii, and California will all be coming together to study with our internationally recognized faculty. Now in our 12th 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 3 levels of dance and 5 levels of drum classes as well as daily song classes, focusing on the folkloric repertoire of the Yoruba, Bantú, Arara, Carabali, and Haitiano styles of music and dance. Some highlights of our workshop are 1) Evening song classes with legendary singer Lazaro Galarraga; 2) Having master drum and dance teachers from Havana and Matanzas. We have 3 strands of dance classes, one entirely dedicated to the Matanzas repertoire lead by dancer Reynaldo Gonzalez and drummer Toto Berriel, from Grupo Afro-Cuba de Matanzas and Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, and two entirely dedicated to Havana styles lead by dancer Susana Arenas & Freila Merencio (both originally in Raices Profunda, as well as groups Ban Ra Ra, and Yoruba Andabo respectively), and legendary drummer Francisco Aguabella, who started his career in the U.S. accompanying dance, something he only does now at our workshop, and who Susana Arenas says is fantastic at following her on the dance floor; 3) Our U.S. drum teachers offer their unique perspective of learning as a foreigner. They were once like us, trying to unlock the code to the beautiful drum systems of Cuba. They balance the rote approach of our Cuban drum faculty. 4) Our evening rumba/salsa parties, where faculty and students come together and inspire each other. This is just a part of what for most is an unforgettable experience in one of the most beautiful settings on the planet. 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
