Dance Mission Theater: Workshops

Wednesdays, 8-9:30pm
January 11 - Febraury 29
$13 drop-in or just $75 for all 8 classes
Live drumming!
You may pre-register by calling 415-826-4441 or on the first day of class if space permits

Jan 11, 18 Tumba Francesa, Mason, Yuba, Fronte
Jan 25, Feb 1,Yambalu, Masun, Petro
Feb 8, 25 Congolaye, Gaga,Vodu
Feb 22, 29 Merengue, Nago, Ibo,Tahona

This 8 class workshop will cover many of the Afro/Haitian/ Cuban dance forms found in Oriente Province in Cuba. These distinctive forms are the result of the cross pollination of Afro-Haitian and Afro-Cuban styles. After the Haitian revolution, many French colonists left with their slaves for the eastern part of Cuba. The Haitians brought their beliefs, customs, music and dance, as well as the fundamentals of their Vodu religion. These influences were assimilated by the Cubans who lived in that area and created an exciting cultural hybrid. These styles are rarely seen outside of Cuba and this workshop provides a unique opportunity to study these exciting dance forms.

Temistocles Fuentes Betancourt (Temi) has over 35 years experience as a principal dancer, regisseur, professor and choreographer with the Ballet Folklorico de Oriente. This company is the oldest folkloric company in Cuba. In Santiago de Cuba, he also served as regisseur for Ballet Folkloric Cutumba, Director of Conjunto Folklorico Kazumbi, Professor of Salsa at Ateneo Cultural Antonio Bravo Correoso and Choreographer of the youth Carnaval group, "Los Chicos Alegres de Veguita de Galos". Since coming to the US he has appeared in "Oyuoro" a folkloric performance in New York City and choreographed for the Cuba Caribe Festival in San Francisco. He currently teaches at Dance Mission, the San Francisco Park & Recreation Department and the YMCA.