African Dance
Instructor: Upendo-Ghe'le [OO-pen-Doh-GayLay] (Richard Anderson)
Description of African
African dance is not what an African would do in a nightclub it is something more than that. An African dance is traditionally executed with a purpose. Each particular dance is done for a reason and many occasions. It could be considered, depending where you're from, a necessity. There are celebration dances, harvest dances, preparation for war, healing (not only the sick) dances, funeral, birth dances, believed to ease the mother's pain and welcome a new child, and several more. So, African dance's soul purpose is not for entertainment, most traditionally, a dance is done because it must be done. That is part of the aesthetic. A correctly executed dance is not a dance that could be just seen, but also be felt by the collective. Kind-of-like if you hear a good drum beat, you would somewhat want to move with it right?
Class sessions are 1 hour, two days per week, and we will dance to the rhythm of a live drum. Time of class and days are still to be determined.
Dance attire should be nonrestrictive clothing. I say nonrestrictive because even loose clothing can be restrictive. The arm and leg movements of the dances would be easiest in nonrestrictive clothes, kind-of-like playing basketball with a sleeveless T-shirt. Shoes are an option. Whatever you think is best is fine with me, however, from experience it is A LOT easier to execute the dance movements without them.
Richard will be teaching
during the camp for 3rd
and
4th
graders
June 2-6 and June 9-14
He will also teach during the Dance Intensive June 30th-July 3rd
If any other ages are interested in working with Mr. Anderson, we could get him to come out side of camp times. Please let me know if you would like for me to talk to him about coming again and if so when would be a good time.