*Afro-Cuban workshop to LIVE Bata rhythms HERE*
Register online to ensure your spot!
Live Bata Rhythms in Ogun & Yemaya
We will be hosting an Afro-Cuban dance workshop in Ogun & Yemaya rhythms with 3 LIVE bata drummers to directly understand the link between percussive rhythms & Afro-Cuban dancing! Join us as we explore this fundamental concept in Afro-Latin dance and explore their deep roots in Afro-Cuban rhythms. This Afro-Cuban workshop will focus on 2 powerful Orisha bata rhythms; Ogun (warrior & blacksmith) & Yemaya (Mother Goddess of the seas).
From Afro-Cuban, to Rumba, to Salsa, to Bachata... the steps to these dances were created in sync with percussive rhythms. Join us as Sarita Leyva leads us with 3 live bata drummers in this special 2-hour workshop at Toronto's house of dance; Dovercourt House.
Where: 805 Dovercourt rd.
When: Sunday May 19th 12:30pm-2:30pm.
What: Ogun & Yemaya Afro-Cuban dancing with live bata drummers.
Cost: $50 before May 19. $60 at the door.
Sarita Leyva is one of Toronto's leading figures in traditional Cuban dances. Her dance education include 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.
Ogun rhythms, Sundays Mar 17- May 12, 12:30pm-2:00pm
Afro-Cuban Ogun rhythms, Sundays Mar 17- May 12, 12:30pm-2:00pm. $199.99 for 8-classes (includes taxes) or $30 drop in.
8-class series exclusively on the steps, body movement, and rhythms of the warrior orisha Ogun, the powerful warrior Orisha associated with iron, truth, & justice. Ogun's powerful dance movements & steps are featured often in Salsa Afro-Cuban shines, and here we're exploring the dance much deeper! Join us as we dance in detail to the steps, body movement, and rhythms of Ogun....with Sarita Leyva; professor of Cuban dance from York University's School of Fine Arts & alumna of Cuba's prestigious Arts school; ENA(Escuela Nacional de Arte). Come explore the roots!
To give context, this Cuban folkloric dance is from the Yoruba dance complex in Cuba. These Afro-Cuban ryhthms precede the dances of modern-day Cuba, and 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.
The Afro-cuban dance complex (Yoruba/Kongo/Arara/Carabali/Rumba) have many dances within them, which are challenging enough on their own. This series is focusing exclusively on Ogun of the Yoruba complex to ensure maximum retention. Sarita will focus exclusively on the steps, intention, rhythms, body movement & history of this specific Afro-Cuban dance. Limited spots available, so book early to reserve your spot!
*No classes on long weekends
*15% of proceeds will go straight to over-the-counter medicine to locals in Havana, Cuba.
8 classes option
1 person for 8 classes of any Level 2+ Salsa/Afrocuban classes
OR
2 people for 4 classes each of any Level 2+ Salsa/Afrocuban classes.
$149.99 + HST.
The 4-classes option is $89.99 + HST.
Salsa Level 1, Tuesday 9:00-10:00pm. May 7-28 2024!
4 classes, begins Tues May 7th. Salsa level 1, Foundations is a bimonthly 4-class course for complete beginners.
Each class focuses on the basic steps, their relation to Salsa music, and a Salsa foundational move, which is reviewed every class to maximize retention of the material. YOU WILL BE DANCING SALSA BY THE END OF THIS COURSE!
Special Introductory price of $69.99+HST for 4 classes.
Salsa Level 2, High-Beginners, Thursdays 8:45-10:00pm.
4-classes option. Salsa Level 2 (High Beginners) is a recurring 8-class course that combines the Foundation moves, shows their simpler variations, and introduces 2 new figures. The foundation moves are always reviewed before combining them and showing their variations. Students can join anytime after an assessment with an instructor. $89.99 + HST for 4 classes or $149.99 for 8 classes (see 8 classes option).
Salsa Intermediate, Thursdays 7:30pm-8:45pm.
4-classes option. Salsa Intermediate, mostly On1 timing. An ongoing course that explores the more advanced variations of the foundation moves, traveling turns, & directional changes. Shines (solo steps) are done at the beginning of every class, and the concept of breaking to On2 vs On1 timing is gradually developed. We always combine the previous week’s material with the current week, so regular attendance maximizes the learning! An assessment with an instructor is required before joining. Students need to come to our weekly practice or have social dancing experience before joining this level. $89.99 + HST for 4 classes or $149.99 for 8 classes (see 8 classes option).
Private lesson 1 hour
A private lesson with either Sam, Claudia, or Carol that is personalized to focus exclusively on your specific needs in dance that you would like to improve on. $89.99+HST