Online Dance Classes

Costs: 10.- € / hour

Full pass (all four classes): 33.- €

Classes will be held online live on Zoom and recorded for the participants.

For tickets and payment please contact

info@cubancontemporary.com

+43 676 361 38 71

Cuban Modern Dance Technique

Cuban professional dance education is based on Modern Dance technique in combination with movements from African traditions, popular Caribbean influences and classical ballet. The Contraction and Release technique is, e.g., applied to African spine undulation movements. The wave-like movement starts at the pelvis and moves up the torso in a complex rhythmic coordination. The dance is polycentric: the body is not thought of as a single unit but as a combination of isolated parts. We start with an intense and dynamic warm-up, starting with our respiration and moving to Tendu and Demi-Pliés. We will work on the movement patterns which are known under the names of their founders in Cuba, Anna Sokolow and Merce Cunningham. We will practice what every dance student in Havana knows as “the Sokolow” and “the Merce”! We finish with a total-space exercise! The Cuban Modern technique is a challenging!

Arara (Hebbioso)

Arara was the name given to the Gbè-language speaking slaves in Cuba and included various ethnic groups from the area of today’s Republic of Benin and Togo, like the Fon and Ewe. Their deities are called Vodun and Hevioso is the important god of thunder, sky and lightning. He is in Cuba often compared to the Orisha Shango. In their homelands, the Yorùbá and the Gbè language groups are also direct neighbors and similarities can be found in their cultures. The Arara expressions are defined through their typical singing to a distinct set of peg-drums played with sticks, a variety of rhythms and many different dance steps, which we well get to know in this class!

Afro Fusion

The primary focus of this class lies on the fusion of different Afro-Cuban dance elements with the contemporary dance technique, in Cuba known as “Danza Moderna Cubana“. We work on the spinal undulation, turns and total- and partial-space movements. We will also strengthen the presence, attitude and the maximum expression of the dancing body, which is required to bring these movements onto stage and the dance floor.

Salsa con Rumba

Here we will create new phrases to the rhythm of the clave and bring together all the nuances of Cuban Rumba and Casino dancing. Elements from Yambú, Guaguancó and Columbia will be integrated into this Salsa lesson. The goal is to understand and incorporate the essence of these dances, their enjoyment and their famous “sabrosura” (good taste), so that we can practice them in the future according to our own individual expressions! I am expecting you all in this class to “guarachar”!