First Annual AfroLatin Dance and Drum Workshop Announced

Taller Portobelo Norte AfroLatin Dance & Drum Workshop
February 16th - February 26th
Portobelo, Panama

Atlanta, GA –Taller Portobelo Norte will sponsor a ten day AfroLatin Dance and Drum Workshop during Congo Carnival in Portobelo, Panama in collaboration with AfriSalsa TM. The unique Congo Carnival experience as celebrated in Portobelo is the perfect opportunity to explore the African retentions in dance and drumming as expressed through traditional West African, Salsa and the indigenous Congo dance and drum performances of the cimarrones in Portobelo.

Founded in 2001 by a group of Taller Portobelo/Spelman College Summer Art Colony alumni, Taller Portobelo Norte was created as a way for multidisciplinary artists throughout the United States to stay connected, share exhibition and career development information and help further the critical discussion and examination of the art and culture(s) of the African Diaspora, especially as they are manifested in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Congos of Portobelo today are the descendants of the cimarrones—runaway slaves who fiercely fought for their freedom during the Spanish colonial period. After escaping into the hills and rainforests, the cimarrones built fortified villages known as palenques from which they waged wars against their former enslavers. So successful were they in war, that the Spaniards were forced to recognize their freedom. Today, the Congos memorialize their ancestors during Congo Carnival in street performances, music, dance, and costumes.

Participants in the TPN AfroLatin Dance and Drum Workshop will have an opportunity to participate in Congo Carnival activities as well as take daily West African, Salsa and Congo dance classes from US and Panamanian dance and drum instructors, including Anana Parris, founder of AfriSalsa TM, a company dedicated to promoting healthy cross cultural exchanges.

As a dance instructor and choreographer, Ms. Parris has taught a variety of Salsa to West African dance classes. Her dance style has been said to include all of her years of Latin, African and Caribbean dance training, but the only label that truly fits is "pure energy and passion for dance."

Congo dance classes will be taught by local Congo dance performers. The class will also include learning a few of the local call and response songs that accompany the dances.

Drum students will have the opportunity to learn both West African and Congo drum classes from American and Congo drum instructors. Drum students will put what they learned to practice by drumming for the West African and Congo dance classes.

Participants will receive a wealth of historical and cultural knowledge that they will be able to immediately put to use by participating in the carnival activities, and practicing their Salsa and Congo dancing and drumming in the palenques with the local community.

To receive an application, as well as get a detailed breakdown of workshop activities, fees, and travel information, call Oronike Odeleye at 404-685-9190, visit www.tallerportobelonorte.com or email odeleye@tallerportobelonorte.com.

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Contact: Oronike Odeleye 404-685-9190