Winter West African Dance Series

Live drumming will accompany this traditional West African dance class in our new location at Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Middlebury, located near the Middlebury Union High School and Mary Johnson Child Care Center.

All levels, abilities, and bodies welcome!

Classes involve vigorous movements with a focus on rhythm, songs, culture, and dances traditionally performed for rites of passage, courtship, celebrations, and other events.

Musicians provide live accompaniment to help participants understand the communication between drummers and dancers. You will learn the unique “break” for different dance rhythms that signals a change in the music and/or dance.

Learn more on our Facebook page.

Pricing

Sliding scale of $15–20 for single class; $80–$110 for entire 6-class series. We also welcome donations to subsidize those with tighter budgets.

What to wear/bring

Dancing is done barefoot. Wear loose, comfortable clothing you can move (and sweat!) in. Lapa (wrap skirt) or dabas (loose pants) optional. Don’t forget a water bottle!

About the Instructor

Master teacher Soriba “Simbo” Camara began his traditional African dance training at the age of five in Conakry, Guinea, West Africa.In 1998 he joined the National Ballet Djoliba, where he was a soloist for five years. Simbo subsequently became a principal dancer at the acclaimed Les Ballets Africains de Guinée. He has also directed and choreographed for Ballet Sourakhata de Guinee, with over 50 dancers and drummers.Simbo is now based in Bristol, VT, teaching locally, around the country, and internationally.