[Wadabo_updates] Gede! An Intensive Workshop on Haitian Dance & Culture

[wadabo_updates at wadabo.com]

Dear African Dance & Drum Community,
Yes, it is that time of year again.
 *In Honor of Our Ancestors,
**Jean Appolon Presents Gede! An Intensive Workshop
**on Haitian Folkloric Dance and Culture*

*Saturday, November 11th & Sunday, November 12th, **3:00-6:00pm*

*Master dancer/choreographer, Jean Appolon, presents a two-day intensive
workshop on Haitian folkloric dance and culture. The series will focus on
the Haitian folkloric dances performed during Gede Season, a time of
celebration and homage for ancestors in Haitian culture. Mr. Appolon's
course will feature Dunham & Horton techniques in a daily warm-up and
Haitian folkloric technique & choreography in two 3 hour sessions. Each
class will also include assigned readings and discussions of the
Gede(ancestor) traditions relevant to the featured dances.
Participants
will have the opportunity to attend a Gede celebration hosted by the local
Haitian community on Saturday night, 11/11. All classes will be accompanied
by live percussion played by Haitian drum masters. Some dance experience is
required, please ask for details. **Answers to FAQs below.*
 PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED FOR THIS WORKSHOP

*$60.00 for entire 2-session workshop ***

*$30.00 for Saturday or Sunday ONLY (one class)***

*$70.00/$35.00 if registered after 11/09***

*To register call 617.909.4489 or email daryamarusa at yahoo.com.
*

*Please Visit www.JeanAppolon.com <http://www.jeanappolon.com/>.*

** *Frequently Asked Questions:*

*1: How are these workshops different from his regular, weekly class?*

The extended length of the workshop classes will allow for more detailed
explanations of both the Dunham/Horton and Haitian movement techniques and
illustrate their interrelatedness in Haitian performance. In addition to an
expanded study of traditional Haitian dance technique and movement, Mr.
Appolon will teach short sets of dance choreography, which will allow for
the students to 'get a feel' for the dance steps and develop a firm
foundation in Haitian movement sensibilities.

The workshop classes will also include discussions of Haitian Gede Season
celebrations and dance genres, specifically their relationships to the
Haitian Voudun traditions.  Mr. Appolon would like to educate the
participants about Voudun traditions in order to illustrate Haiti's rich
culture and to create understanding about the nature and texture of the
dances. The overarching goal of the workshop is to engender a more informed
dance community and to provide a space for all community members (teachers,
drummers and students) to learn and grow together.

*All participants are invited to attend a Gede celebration hosted by the
local Haitian community on the evening of Saturday, November 11th. This will
allow the student to see the traditions explored within the classroom as
they are joyously enacted in the community. Transportation will be arranged.
*

* 2: What are Dunham and Horton techniques?*

*Dunham technique* was created by Katherine Dunham to train the body
specifically for the rigors of African traditional dance genres. Dunham's
specialty was Afro-Caribbean dance genres, particularly Haitian Folkloric
dance. In essence, Dunham technique was created to develop Haitian movement
and performance skills in the professional dancer. *Horton Technique* was
created by Lester Horton, which focuses on developing core strength and
symmetrical balance in the body. Alvin Ailey was a student of Lester Horton
and used this technique throughout his career. Both of these techniques are
used by professional dancers of African and African-rooted genres (and all
contemporary dance) to condition and train the body.

*3: What about registration and payment?*

·        *$60.00 for entire 2-session workshop, $30.00 for Saturday or
Sunday only (one class).*

·        *$70.00 after November 9,  $35.00 for one class after November 9.*

·        *Half payment is due at registration; **The remainder of the total
fee is due at the workshop.*

* Registration deposits will not be refunded if cancellation notice is given
after November 9. Only cash, money orders and personal checks will be
accepted.
*

*For information & to register call 617.909.4489 or email
daryamarusa at yahoo.com.*
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