NEWSLETTER: breathing through the release

ALOHA!!

OK. I'll admit it, as have just about 60, 000 other people: the gLOW Festival was barely a flicker! That said, I just want to give thanks for the City of Santa Monica having the courage to offer an over night art festival to Southern California. They heard the message form the universe and responded. It is rare that an individual, let alone a civic entity, hears the universe and answers. So many thanks to them showing us just how high we have to take it when we invite everybody to our house!

I'm headed out of town back to Mississippi! I hope to post up some reports of dance and music Dirty South stylee while I'm gone, so send me those notices.

Afrologic. Afrological. Afrologica. How big is you 'fro?
Multiple, fractal, improvisational, polemical, but always moving with spirit and in the service of lifting it/us all up.
That's the Logic of the Afro--sign up, podcasts are dropping like gum drops out of small child's hand.

BLOWIN' BACK THE FRO this week is a local underground staple, a dance crew from up north, art from Down Under, and part two of the Redcat's New Original Festival. Thankfully, you won't need a pup tent to survive any of these.

OPENING TONIGHT
UNKNOWN THEATER
Lean To Productions San Francisco, "An Attic, An Exit"
Final weekend: Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm; Sunday at 6pm
"In this theatrical tour-de-force, Looney-tunes comedy meets magical realist mystery in a single room crammed full with riddles, levitation, baking supplies, and two meticulously explorative characters you will never forget."
$18 online at www.unknowntheater.com
$24 at the door or by phone (323) 466-7781
I am heading out to see this show tonight! I absolutely have fallen in love with this production collective and urge you to apply for their upcoming dance season. I think they are still taking applications.

I saw this show on Thursday and was VERY pleased. Usually, I spend a great deal of time thinking about how much I am paying per hour for the sitter when I go and see a show. I completely forgot that had kids. Go see this show. I actually would not call it looney-tunes as thy have above, it is somehow very French Butoh with feminist analysis of travel and situatedness, but it is superbly crafted, well honed, intricate, meticulous, and full of surprises.

ZANZIBAR
Afro Funké w/ Solsis Fashions!
1301 5th Street @ Arizona, Santa Monica, CA 90401
310.451.2221 / 21+ / $7; doors at 9 PM, fashion show at 10
www.zanzibarlive.com
www.myspace.com/afrofunke
www.rockydawuni.com/afrofunke.html
Time to shake that thang and get on the good foot. A weekly offering, Afro Funké has been around a number of years and tonight, one of us Afrologica members will present her work! Miss thang can certainly move, and her clothes are designed for maximum movement. Check out Stephanie Engel's fashions on MySpace.

REDCAT
Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater
631 W. 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
NEW ORIGINAL WORKS FESTIVAL 2008
JULY 24-26: PROGRAM TWO
Week two of this home-grown festival kicks off tonight. Next Tuesday, another dubset hits the lobby of the REDCAT. Could they make you want to move downtown any more?

Tonight through Saturday features:

Lionel Popkin's "Your Hand/My Mouth"

Holly Johnston's "Politics of Intimacy"

Poor Dog Group's "Hey. hey, Man. Hey."

redcat.org/season/0708/dan/now2.php


HIGHWAYS
at the 18th Street Arts Center, 1651 18th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404
Dandelion Dance Theatre, "Testiculish"
Final weekend, Thursday - Saturday 8:30 PM; $20/$15 students
SO, um, I really thought about not even mentioning this work at all, but, and it is a BIG but, maybe a rump, this particular attempt at deconstructing male identity deserves an audience, because finally, a bunch of guys are publicly putting their mess out on the table, sifting through it and hoping to come up with more than, "cause my dick is bigger than yours." MOSTLY NUDITY.

and then hot on their tails...

GRAND PERFORMANCES
Delfos Danza Contemporánea
July 25 & July 26 2008, 8:00 PM
Lovely, aggressive, and athletic dance out of Mexico, for FREE. Get there EARLY because standing up to see a dance show just feels wrong. Unless of course, you are being spontaneously choreographed. Plus, the sight lines are horrific if you don't get the fold-out seats.

BARKER HANGAR
Santa Monica Art Studios
3026 Airport AVE, Santa Monica, 90405
Regina Wilson, contemporary Aboriginal Artist, one woman show
After my fabulous experience dancing for Jeremy Hahn for the art exhibit, "Kung Pao Carnival," I eagerly signed up for the mailing list. The invite for the opening to this event last week came too late to let you all know about it, but the show is still up and it looks to be rather spectacular. Only up until August 3rd, so hustle. This is the FIRST show EVER of aboriginal art in Southern California.

AFRICAN DANCE FESTIVALS
This weekend, Congolese Drum & Dance Workshop gets going in Pike, CA on July 25th while Le Bagatae in Chicago closes its early registration. Classes begin in Chi-town on August 7th and American just announced a mega fare sale, so go! Denver hosts Camp Merveilles with a decidedly Guinea line up, also starting on August 7th. A hot weekend getaway is planned in upstate New York by the Magbana Dance ensemble of NYC for September 12- 14, 2008. Another steamy line up of instructors! Early registration ends on August 15th. here in LA, Alumata is winding down, but you would not know it! Moustapha Bangoura (who runs Le Bagatae in Chi, btw) teaches Friday night at the Debbie Allen Dance Studios, note the change in location; plus there has been a delay on the final finale, as three professors will arrive later. This could be bad, but it is GOOD. There is so much happening this Friday, this gives you a chance to go and take class!

SUMMER INTENSIVES
DANCEBank is a GO! The schedule long and enticing, so go check it out on Meg Wolfe's MySpace Page.

Today is the deadline to get your applications into Regina Klenjoski to apply for her annual dance festival, SOLA. Hustle! Details on her website.

Show Box presents:
Saturdays in July - visiting guest artist series
July 26th: Modern Garage Movement (NYC) 10:30am-1:30pm
class costs $12, and will be held at Farmlab + Under Spring
1745 N. Spring Street #4, LA, CA 90012


You can map it!
ONGOING CLASSES
Guest teachers continue to light up the back studio at the Dance Arts Academy for Viver Brasil. Every Tuesday at 8 PM

Just added!
Viver has a new class at the Dance Garden in Atwater Village, Fridyas 6:30 - 7:30PM . This is one of the funkiest studios I have been in. Should be groovalicious! 3407 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039 (323) 660-4556 $15./single class

Sarita Moore is back in Ozone Park this week. The park is between 7th Avenue in Venice and Ozone ST in Santa Monica. Yeah, confusing. Do you know the Coffee joint on Rose at 7th?, well it is "behind" it by one block of alleys.

Rae Shaolan Blum is at Katnap with her intermediate/advanced modern (she got certificates y'all. don't sleep!)

All of these classes are mapped!

LOVELY!
GLOW festival's biggest disappointment was the lack of roving street performers. There are so many of you who could have shown up and blown people's hair back, I was actually saddened by your absence. The other big error was leaving the sideshow rides open. Who knew that parents would actually allow their tweens out until 2 AM?! Oh yeah, and not having enough art. It must have been tough to get the idea through the legal department. I wish I could write a more cogent review, but I could see most of what I went to see do to the crowds.

Everyday while I'm away, I hope to offer a moving meditation class at the church where I grew up. I"m really looking forward to it. So next issue, I'll post up on the 5 Rhythms work and the Dance as Prayer team, plus a few others that have caught my attention.


in love,
-Anna

if you would like to get this newsletter directly in your inbox, drop me a line to subscribe! otherwise, you will see this usually on Friday evening on the blog. it is delivered on Thursdays.

NEWSLETTER: swirl

Peace & Time Y'all,

It's a full moon full of energy to get on the One, if you so choose, or at least go out and enjoy yourself IMMENSELY. There is a vertiable SWIRL of activity in the City of Lost Angels, defying demographics, grant makers and rush hours alike. Get your hover crafts ready because there is a Ben and Jerry's-esque palette of artistic offerings this weekend and the next. Time to call the sitter, get in a car pool, and hit the city with eyes and hearts wide open.


Afrologics...afroism, afronaut, afrolicious, Afrologica...how big is your 'fro?


BLOWING BACK THE 'FRO
Well, the FESTIVAL of course! The Republic of Santa Monica brings an overnight festival to the US this weekend and the REDCAT brings back artist from its local season for a two weekend extravaganza, and most likely, a neighborhood near you is throwing their own shindig; go investigate!

TONIGHT:
REDCAT
Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater
631 W. 2nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
http://www.redcat.org
NOW Festival 2008, Series One
BUY TWO TICKETS, GET THE THIRD FREE (deal available through the box office only - not the web).
213-237-2800 and this is with purchase of either series , into a mix n match

The bill is nicely streamlined, while still covering a lot of LA artsoup. This festival will remind why it is so important to go and see each other's work: it takes momentum to propel an object, and the same is true for art of any ilk. In addition to being your duty, attending this festival is just going to be fun. It's the REDCAT, darn it! They can produce an event! Go Hassan, Edgar and George!
Of Afrological interest: Baker & Tarpanga Dance Project is up TONIGHT with "Sira Kan/ON the Road." They are also appearing at the Ford in a bit.

Free beer tonight, if that appeals to you.
Baker & Tarpaga Dance Project: Sira Kan / On the Road
Performed by three captivating male dancer-musicians and directed by Olivier Tarpaga, Wilfried Souly and Esther Baker-Tarpaga, On the Road layers movement, music, and personal and oral histories as it journeys through the physical dangers and political realities of West African men seeking new opportunities across borders.
Cloud Eye Control: Final Space and Subterranean Heart
With an ingenious blend of projected animation, live theater and upbeat music, Cloud Eye Control generates hyper-live performances of technological fancy.
Theatre Movement Bazaar: Model Behavior
In Model Behavior, the acclaimed team of Tina Kronis and Richard Alger shred the story of Jekyll and Hyde into a collage of movement, theater and song that careens through cultural obsessions with mesmerism, CSI, the modeling industry, and more.


THE UNKNOWN THEATRE
1110 North Seward Street, LA, CA 90038
"An Attic, An Exit" Lean to Productions San Francisco
July 17 - 27, 2008 Thursday, Friday, Saturday @ 8 PM; Sunday @ 6PM
Free parking at Lexington and Seward
$18 online at www.unknowntheater.com
$24 at the door or by phone (323) 466-7781

I just went for the first time ever last weekend to see Meg's show, and I am LOVING the vibe of this production collective. The stage is a wee wacky in its relationship to the audience, but make no mistake, these folks LOVE them some dance. Street parking was easy on that Sunday, but I wonder how it is on Fridays: there are three other theatre spots within a one block radius. Definitely a part of town to watch.
Lean to Productions San Francisco slams into Hollywood like a meteor. Check out the press here. If I survive the GLOW Festival, I will go to this show on Sunday.

FORD AMPHITHEATRE
2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068
26th Los Angles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival: OUTFEST!
Started on Wednesday, but they go through July 20th
$18 each day at 8:30 PM, but the 20th, which includes award ceremony, is $30 and starts at 7:30 PM

Under the stars and a full moon, this should be a pretty amazing night of film for those celluloid junkies out there. Come early and picnic...and avoid the traffic trying to get to the Hollywood Bowl. Tickets here.

GRAND PERFORMANCES
300-350 S. Grand Avenue in the California Plaza
Parking $7.50, and precious...
Friday, July 18th, 8 PM
TCHEKA
My fav free concert series has an afrolicious afternoon of Cape Verdean music for you! This music verges on the easy-listening, but in classic Cabo Verde style, is infused with deep soul and will instill a longing for more tropical climes without all the hustle--yeah we got to hustle a bit too hard here to remember to enjoy the beauty of where we live, but we are letting that go, right? Bring your lunch.

TEMPLE BAR - SANTA MONICA, CA
July 18th, 10 PM; $12 in advance, $15 at the door which open at 9 PM
AFRO-FUNK FESTIVAL 2008!!
1026 Wilshire Blvd. 323-391-6611
SAMBADA with SILA & The Afrofunk Experience
Plus DJ Jeremiah & The Afrobeat Nation
http://www.templebarlive.com
Not much to say other than, SHAKE IT!

SANTA MONICA PIER
GLOW Festival
Perhaps the public event of the summer, the GLOW Festival runs from 7 pm Saturday July 19 to 7 AM July 20th and boasts an international exhibition of art and performance. It launches by a performance by SHINE at Palisades park. Then during the night, you want to make sure to check out TAGTOOL and Sasas with DUBLAB. Sunday morning the festival is closed by a procession by Viver Brasil, leaving from Palisades Park down to the ocean. You just can't miss this. Pack your white clothing in your day pack so you can help gift the event to Mother Sea and get your groove on with the fabulous Viver Brasil.

THE MUSIC CENTER
135 North Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-972-7211
Fly to the Sky
July 25th, 8 PM
OMIGAWD!! if you know me well, you know that I have this goal of going to Seoul and dancing for 48 hours traight through various funk, soul, and hip hop clubs. So here comes a duet almost to my door. This is one of those scooby-head double takes, but don't sleep! The Soul is alive and well in Korea, and has been since 5th Century BC, yup, BC suckas! This particular crew used to come harder back in 2006, but lately, they have been crooning like lovesick puppies. Not sure what to expect, but it is worth checking out.

THE JAZZ BAKERY
Talita, Jazz Vocalist with special guest Maia, hosted by Nia Long
3233 Helms Ave, Los Angeles, CA
July 27th, 4 PM; $25/$15 for students
A sultry afternoon of avant-garde black 'oman music. Maia is a MUST SEE. You can check out a video I posted on Afrologica of a composition of hers. You must call to reserve your spot. 310-291-9039. Goodness, I'm gonna need me a press pass soon, lol!


Mercy!!! That's a lot in the next two weeks! I have not even included all the visiting artists and dance camps...


AFRICAN DANCE CAMPS
Fareta is a wrap, but the season has just begun with Alumuta here in LA launched and ready to take us through the rest of the month; Brazilian Dance on the platter this weekend. The Nate Holden hosts Yassinanga right now, literally, for $7 at 7 PM. Congolese Drum and Dance Workshop starts next weekend in Pike, CA July 25 - Aug 3rd. I think you can still pay online. And Chicago is home to Le Bagatae's dance camp in August 7 - 10, a very intense line up of master dancers. If you were unable to get it together to join Viver Brail's tour to Bahia, here is some late-breaking news for you:

Afro-Brazilian Dance workshop with Dandha of SambaDa!!! Friday July 18th, 4:30 - 6:00 hosted by
The Blankinship Ballet in Venice, at the corner of Brooks and Main, 132 Brooks AVe, Venice, 90291. $15 gets you in the door, and then you need to rinse off and head to SambaDa's show at the Temple Bar. Dandha throw down Ilê Aiyê stylee, so the funk will definitely be in da house. Bring a towel to wipe your sweat...

Oakland just launched Its 2nd Annual African Diaspora Arts & Culture Day last night, Wednesday July 16! Events will continue through the 20th. Covering everything from dance to film, to theatre and performance art, programmers show why Oakland continues to be a Chocolate City. For more info, contact organizers: [a Caribelinq intiative...510-451-6100]

ONGOING CLASSES
Even while traveling, classes will continue on Tuesday night for Viver Brasil at the Dance Arts Academy at 8th & Wilshire in LA. The line up:
July 22 Gracy Ferreguetti- from San Diego, combining Afro-Brazilian dance and capoeira.
July 29 Vida Vierra spirited orixa movement and samba
August 5 Badaró!! Back by popular demand with his brand of orixa dance movement and samba reggae.
August 12 Samantha Goodman- elements of Silvestre and orixa dance movement.
August 19 Badaró
August 26 Dani Lunn- back from Bahia full of energy and new movement
Live music by Viver Brasil drummers, Badaró, Mario and Sandie and guests.
Dance Arts Academy, 731 S. La Brea Ave,. Los Angeles, CA 90036
8-9:30pm

Sarita Louise Moore has also moved on from Shakti's Elements and is offering her class in Ozone Park, donation based. Class begins on July 20th.

Shelby Williams is on a much deserved vacation.

Rae Shaolan Blum is holding it down on Mondays at Katnap with an intermediate/advanced Modern class.
7:30 - 9:30 PM, 12932 Venice BLVD (between Walgroove and Beethoven)
She danced beautifully in 11 Missing Days and her class has been recommended to me by Ilaan Mazzini. This one we need to get to. She is also offering a special workshop FIELD: Improvisation Workshop:
Where: Farmlab and Under Spring
1745 N. Spring Street #4 LA, CA 90012
near the chinatown stop on the goldline
When: 8/2 & 8/3 11am-2pm
Cost: $40- both days (encouraged); $25- single day
registration and payments are appreciated in advanced. Please send checks (payable to Meg Wolfe) to
1631 Barry Ave., #10 LA, CA 90025

LA Contemporary Dance is offering the following:
PILATES FOR DANCERS!!! Wednesday, July 16th at 5:45pm- 7:00pm
Diavalo Dance Space, 618 B Moulton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90031
Are you interested in improving your core strength, flexibility, balance, turn out, leg extensions, foot/ankle strength and much more? Taught by LACDC company member and BASI certified Pilates instructor, Nichol Mason.
Come July 16th and take the class for only $8! Each additional class will be $15.
Please bring a mat if you have one or a towel. Therabands will be provided.
Please respond to Nichol Mason at nikida1163@yahoo.com to let us know if you will be attending.


The DANCEbank and SHOWBOX summer session courses are in full swing. The dance NInja, Meg Wolfe, continues to move us onward to our highest high. Go check out the schedule on her MySpace Page.

LOVELY!
The Watermelon Relay Race part one was very revealing! Just short of a full team, we managed to pull off a very amusing one hour of antics on Wilshire. Plans are in the work to do the full ethnic slur food olympics sometime in August on Hollywood BLVD. Video of our antics with the "time travel device" aka the watermelon, will be posted soon on YouTube. The NEST hosted by Pat Payne last Saturday was a real hoot. Please sign up at VISCERA on FaceBook to get details on how you can become a part of Pat Payne's NEST and work with me on future performance instigations through VISCERA. Meg Wolfe's show, "11 MIssing Days" was full, very very full. Unlike early work of hers which tends towards sparse staging and dense soundscapes, "11 Missing Days" was epic, and ultimately too large for the stage at The Unknown Theatre, which was shocking. It felt simultaneously too crowded and missing people! The themes were immense, and so was Rae Shaolan Blum's dancing. Jeremy Hahn needed some space to cut loose with his innate loveliness (I think he should play the femme fatale in the dress next time to see what happens). Mikki Delmonico surprised with her lust for performance, and her incredible abs (yikes!). The soundscape took up a lot of space, adding to the whir of images--both live and projected. Meg's solo was rapid and full of data, buzzing like those missing bees and already-dead divas. Perhaps in heels, it will take a different turn (Yes, I LOVE seeing Meg Wolfe in heels). All the makings of a masterwork are there. So Meg, can't wait to see the full, big blowout that this piece portends! Also on the bill, Caseboldt and Smith turned in a smoking, intense performance, though I was wondering what was gonna happen to the men on the floor. Meg's other guest punk rocked, leaving the 'fro stiff and a wee bored. A more complete review of these events and others will post at Afrologica just as soon as I manage to stop "relaxing" so hard. All in all, 11 Missing Days should be put up for a MAP grant so that our dear Dance Ninja can stop hustling so hard and deliver her masterpiece.

It's been great running into folks at shows! Let's stay connected. Send me your upcoming events! Missing you all dearly.

in love,
-Anna

NEWSLETTER: somersaults

Oh my! How are You?

The longest day and shortest night is upon us! What a perfect time to throw a party. School is out and nights are hot in most parts of the city, perfect for getting out and walking around a bit. But since this is SO. Cal, of course, we drive there first, then we get out and walk around! Take the bus if you can and enjoy some of the City's delicious free events. This weekend I'm back at Shakti's, so come party with me!


West African Dance with Anna Scott, 1:30- 3:30
Shakti's Elements, 717 Broadway @ Lincoln, Santa Monica.
$12 cash love offering; $10 if you ride the bus. children welcomed!

Best place to park is in the 7th ST public lot. 1st Two hours free!

Afrologic. Afrological. Afrologica. How big is your 'fro?
Multiple, fractal, improvisational, polemical but always moving with spirit and in the service of lifting it/us all up. That's the logic of the Afro.

The summer solstice is BLOWIN BACK THE 'FRO this weekend. A few events to marvel at the stars also caught my attention.


GRAND PERFORMANCES
If you like your groove thick, long and honeybuttah sweeet, you do not want to miss this FREE concert downtown tomorrow night! Fela Kuti's youngest son brings it like daddy, but knows he is his own man. Me and kiddies will be there, gettin our afrofunk on. Text WATA to 41411 on Friday night to find out where we are sitting and join us. Right now, if you are reading this on Thursday, you are missing Garth trinidad rippin up the 1s & 2s (turntables).

06/20 - 8:00 PM: Seun Kuti & Egypt 80


BRAUDE CENTER PLAZA
6262 Van Nuys Blvd. Van Nuys 91401
DanceCamera West: Videodanza
Saturday, June 21, 8 pm, 10 films, 70:00
FREE - bring blanket or lawn chairs
The Plaza is behind the Van Nuys City Hall street parking or underground
parking is located off of Sylvan St.

This lineup looks so interesting. Dancefilm from across Latin America--with a very strong Brazilian presences--are presented in this 70 minute show. Too bad I have a gig at the same time...


SANTA MONICA ART STUDIOS
3026 Airport AVE, Santa Monica, CA 90405; 310-397-7449

Kong Pao Carnival : Deliciously Uncivilized
June 21 - June 28, 2008 a series of completely invigorating unstable art makers and works!

Saturday, June 21 6 - 10 PM
Opening Reception Performance ART by Jeremy Hahn at 8:45 PM; followed by Lucent Dossier Circus Art
Jeremy has invited a boat load of us fellow crazy-makers to join in him creating an event. Please come and check us out! I'll be howling at the moon...

FARM LAB
is hosting a very interesting artist next week, and Meg Wolf would likely say "you should go."
Visiting from Berlin, Yuko Kaseki, is doing a 2-day workshop.
Participation in the workshop is limited, so make a reservation right away.
June 23,24 7:00-10 pm.
Butoh Dance Improvisation Workshop taught by: Yuko Kaseki
at Farmlab + Studio for Social Sculpture
1745 N. Spring Street #4, LA, CA 90012
$50 for both days 323-226-1158 or email: studioforsocialsculpture.ignite@gmail.com




REMINDERS:
SKIRBALL
2701 N. Sepulveda BLVD, LA, CA 90049
"Rammed Earth," Tere O'Connor Dance
Thu- Fri, June 26th & 27, 8PM; Sat June 28th 7 & 9 PM; Sun June 29th, 7 PM
$20, general; $18 members; $15 full time students
enter 99522 at on-line purchase and get %15 discount

THE UNKNOWN THEATER
Eleven Missing Days
Meg Wolfe/Show Box
with Faye Driscoll & Arianne Hoffman July 3 - 6; with Sam Kim and casebolt & smith July 10 -13th

JOHN ANSON FORD AMPHITHEATER
"The Gift on the Water"
Viver Brasil, July 5th

SANTA MONICA PIER
GLOW, dusk to dawn festival
July 19th



ONGOING CLASSES
Viver Brasil
The Water Series continues through September with an extravagant line up of guest teachers! Class packages are available. Dance Arts Academy, 8 PM. $15/class

Modern Roots with Sarita Moore @ Shakti's Elements a fusion of Modern,Yoga and Afridance!
Saturdays, 11-12:30, Shakti's Elements, 717 Broadway in Santa Monica (btw Lincoln & 7th)$12 or 4 classes for $40

Kimberly Mullen throws down at Electric Lodge at 10:30 AM every Saturday, don't sleep! Afro-Caribbean..

Shelby Williams and 27Juncture Dance has class at 8PM @ THE DANCER'S STUDIO
5772 W. PICO BLVD @ OGDEN!!! Afro-Brazilian and release technique

DANCEbank, Thursdays 7:00 - 9:00 at The Open Space, $10 for Bankers, $12 drop in
209 S. Garey St., 2nd Floor. LA, CA 90012
(3 blocks east of Alameda off 2nd St. Ample street parking is available!)
Mira Kingsley up this week! (Her class merges release-based phrase work with structured improvisations to create a wildly physical forum where an imaginative body can engage rigorous, personal investigation within a consciously communal setting.)Go to Meg Wolf's MySpace page to get on the list...

Christophe is offering a Roots Dance Class@ the Pacific Arts Center in Westwood. Tues @7:30-9:00.
pacificartscenter.com for address and info on other classes offered there.

And don't miss...
Anna Scott and my Afrologic West African Dance @ 1:30- 3:00 PM on Saturdays @ Shakti's Elements. Come get elevated and free, really. Sometimes a little structure is liberating.
717 Broadway in Santa Monica$12 drop in; $10 bus rider; $40 4 class series


PERFORMANCE OPP (this does not pay in money, but is flush with good vibes!)
Viver Brasil invites you to become a pre-show procession for Its 6th season at the Ford Amphitheatre on Saturday, July 5. This same processional will join them again on July 20 at 7am (yes a.m.) at the Glow Festival in Santa Monica to march down to Mama's hemline and dance on the beach! The final event in the Water Series will be the World Festival of Sacred Music on September 28 with "Honoring the Sea" preparation workshops prior to the event. Dates and location to be announced. Viver Brasil thanks Swing Brazil for the collaborative vibrations!! Let it FLOW!!!



AFROLOGICA
Thanks to those of you who have signed up! Look soon for a BEATIN" THE BUSH podcast with Pat Payne! We just went to the African American Museum, and found ourselves wondering, "what for?" You'll be able to listen to our discussion on Afrologica sometime on Friday. Become a member of my free on-line community, AFROLOGICA, to hear this and other madcap adventures. I love the 'net, but nothing beats hanging out at a show, or even making one! It is housed at www.ning.com, so you will need to sign up and sign in. Reviews, podcasts, YouTube recommendations, live calendar with eventual push to hand held device written by YOU and me...working smarter, not harder to connect artists and their audience.



LOVELY!

So normally, I sign off right here, but below you will find the beginning of my African Dance class Inventory. please help me out and tell me all about your favorite class! Best place to do that is either by friending me on Face Book, or joining up to Afrologica. Soak up the sun, but remember to kiss and thank the moon.

in love,
-Anna






African Dance Classes, an ongoing project

Why am I doing this? Well, I would love to be able to dance much more in the idiom of my first love, Senegalese/Mali dance. There has lately been a surge in Guinea classes around the US, driven mainly by drum masters coming to stage drum camps with very loyal students across the US. Here in LA, we have a gathering of drummers from all over the Songhai Empire, who drum for classes from just about any heritage. In addition to this, there is a group of very loyal African-American drummers and dancers who came into African Dance and Music through Olatunnji and early tours of Les Ballets Africain from Senegal. Needless to say, this makes for a very INTENSE 'community' of meaning makers. As someone who was trained in Oakland during the 1990s by a former Ballets Africain drummer and dancer, I am often intrigued by the shifts in emphasis in the body and rhythm as time marches on. So it is my goal to get to EVERYBODY"S dance class that I find, to learn more about how "African" dance resonates in Southern California. It is also my goal to get more of you to more of OUR classes. To receive, you have to give.

Lula Washington Studio
Lula employs Roshada to teach a teen class on Saturdays 3:30-4:30 . Lula also hosts on Tuesdays from 6:30 - 8 and Saturdays 4:30 Marieme Faye; live drumming can get a wee chaotic due to sheer number of drummers and breaks are not played for the students. LOTS of folks, highly competitive, very advanced. Not for beginners.

Your Neighborhood Studio
Niancho gives a class Wednesdays 7:30 - 9:00. I've never made this class because of my teaching schedule in Riverside. If you have been and are a regular, please let us know what the class is like. I do know that he is recently back form a visit home and has a big fan in the African Beat moderator.

Long Beach
I KNOW there are classes jumping off in Long Beach, but I am not finding a schedule. People to look for: Khaleah London (OMG can sustah DANCE!); Jeffrey (he goes to Senegal regularly); Nzinga Camara is on the faculty of CSULB as a lecturer. Cabrillo College hosts special workshops all the time--who is teaching there regularly?

Debbie Allen Dance Academy
So...their website is not the friendliest, but the studios are lovely. Currently Titus Fotso is no longer at DADA, but Nzinga Camara continues on Thursdays 7:45 - 9:15 PM. On Wednesdays a person by last name Mack is teaching 7:45 - 8:45. Mama Camara's class is very intense and advanced. I do not know much about the other class.

Dance Arts Academy
On Sundays 1 - 2:30 PM you can find a sauna-of-a-class taught by Aziz Faye. This is a Sabar class and is full of very loyal students, many who began dancing with Aziz. It's a party! But an advanced one at this point.


Shakti's Elements
This studio hosts my class, Saturday 1:30 - 3:30. I would have to say that the level of the class is open and it varies depending on who shows up as the class is more focused on instruction and learning. The goal is to learn and respect the dance-rhythms, express joy, and enjoy one another. Sarita Moore teaches a African dace fusion class earlier in the day at 11:0-12:30 that leans more towards a Caribbean style of movement.

SO, if you have info, especially on Pasadena and Long Beach, please let me know ASAP. Next installment I'll look in Fontana, San Bernadino and Riverside.