Archives

A Passport Journey: African Diaspora Drum, Dance and Folktales from the US, Brazil and West Africa

Join Jeannine Osayande & Dunya Performing Arts Company as they explore some of the ways West African Diaspora cultural practices are used to affirm community, communicate values, enhance cultural sensitivity, and inspire meaningful dialogue. Program options include storytelling, dance, drum, and song from Mali, Guinea, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Brazil, Haiti, and the United States. Please fill […]

Soul Steps

Soul Steps speaks the language of rhythm! This showcase of the African-American dance tradition known as “stepping” explores how step started among African-American fraternities and sororities on college campuses as a means of unity and self-expression, and has deep roots in the migrant labor culture of South African gold mines. Students enjoy the high-energy step […]

Civil Rights Movements

Kids learn best when they can actively take part in what they’re studying. Instead of just reading about the Civil Rights Movement, this program lets students experience those lessons through dance, music, theater, and storytelling. It makes history come alive in a way that sticks and helps students connect on a deeper level. With plenty […]

Stories in Motion

“Stories in Motion” is an engaging and educational assembly performance that combines the expressive power of dance and movement with key principles of SEL and storytelling techniques of ELA, creating an interactive and meaningful experience for students. The program features dances based on fables from around the world that address themes of honesty, empathy, identity, […]

Fundamental Rhythms

Students will amaze themselves as they learn basic moves and create their own choreography by exploring the American art form of Breakin’. This workshop is designed to build self-confidence and reinforce the idea that you can do anything you put your mind to doing. Students will learn key vocabulary, foundational movements and will be challenged […]

The Principles of Hip Hop: Peace, Love, Unity, and Having Fun

Peace, love, unity and having fun: our flagship program brings the energy of Hip Hop culture straight to your school community. Students will experience a thrilling dance performance, discover the rich history of Hip Hop and join us on stage to learn moves firsthand! Through interactive performance, storytelling, and live dance, students are invited to […]

Arabiqa with Karim Nagi

Karim Nagi is a native Egyptian and performs on multiple percussion and string instruments from around the Arab world. He describes the history of each instrument, shares how they are made, and writes out the names in Arabic script. In the program, Karim involves the virtual audience with rhythmic clapping, word pronunciation, line dancing, and […]

Origins of Uganda’s Rhythms and Dances

Students learn traditional drum rhythms and dances from different regions of Uganda in this workshop with Ssuuna. Working together—some as drummers and others as dancers—they explore the history and meaning behind the East African steps and drum beats.

Join the Celtic Revival

Join the Celtic Revival that’s sweeping the country! Try your hand (and feet!) at Irish set dancing—a form of social dancing similar to square dancing. Danced to jigs, reels, polkas, and hornpipes, set dancing—traditionally performed during a céilí (Irish dance/social)— promotes physical coordination, learning to count measures of music, and recognizing repeating patterns. Learn a […]