Shango Orisha, Sundays May 28-June 18th, 12:30pm-2:00pm
Shango Orisha, Sundays May 28-June 18th, 12:30pm-2:00pm. $99.99 for 4-classes/$30 drop in.
4-class series focusing exclusively on the steps, body movement, and rhythms of the King: Shango! His powerful dance movements reflect him as the deity of dancers, drumming, virility (masculine energy), thunder and lightning! Many Afrocuban Salsa shines come from Shango dance movements. Join us as we explore the steps, body movement, and rhythms of Shango in detail with Sarita Leyva, professor of Cuban Traditional dance in York University's School of Fine Arts & ENA graduate.
Shango is the king in the Orisha pantheon of West African deities from the Yoruba dance complex in Cuba. These ryhthms precede the dances of modern-day Cuba, but the rhythms, steps & body movement of the Orisha dances influenced the development of Rumba, Son, & Salsa.
Sarita’s extensive dance history includes being an alumna of:
-ENA(Escuelas Nacionales de Arte); one of the top national dance schools in Cuba.
-Domingo Pau; a living encyclopedia of Cuban dances.
-Isaias Rojas; director and founder of Compañía BanRará.
-Juan Teodoro Florentino; choreographer and musician of Ballet Folklórico Cutumba.
-Ernestina Quintana "Nenita"; dancer and founder of Compañía de Danza Contemporánea de Cuba.
Each Afro-cuban dance complex (Yoruba/Kongo/Arara/Carabali/Rumba) has many dances within them, and they are all difficult enough to learn on their own. This series is focusing exclusively on Shango of the Yoruba complex.
Sarita will teach the steps, intention, rhythms, body movement & history of this specific Afro-Cuban dance. Limited spots available, so book early to reserve your spot!
*15% of proceeds will go straight to over-the-counter medicine to locals in Havana, Cuba.