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In this 5 week course, you'll learn Acogny: the only recognized contemporary dance technique created in Africa. Acogny is based on traditional African dances from Senegal and Benin and Western dance techniques like classical ballet, release, and Graham technique. Acogny asks us to place ourselves inside the community and nature and encourages us to become aware of our own bodies: by feeling, touching, and enjoying them. Acogny celebrates that every body is different and talks about life and the connection between human beings and nature. Joy, play, love and music are at the heart of this technique. You will receive 2 free passes to practice yoga at the School of Yoga New Bedford, valid during the Creative Classroom time period, when you sign up for the class!
Participants need to be in conformable clothing, bring water and towel. Participants are encouraged to dance barefoot.
Saturdays, May 6, 13, 20, 27 and June 3, 10 -11am.
Ages 18+
You can now purchase a single class for a drop-in rate of $10!
This class is at the School of Yoga New Bedford, located at 628 Pleasant St., New Bedford.
Mekbul Jemal Tahir is an international choreographer, dancer, and teacher. He is one of the founding members of Adugna Community Dance Theatre Company, which is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Since completing a five-year training program accredited by Middlesex University (UK) in 2001, he has been performing and teaching African contemporary dance, contact improvisation, and community dance and theatre in Ethiopia and abroad. Among others, his projects have included the 2005 Kin-Addis Project in the DRC, Ethiopia, and France, and the 2006 Can Do Can Dance Project in Hamburg, Germany. In 2007, he performed a lead role in As the Mother of a Brown Boy, which opened at Chickenshed Theatre Company in London and later traveled to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where it was nominated for two awards. Most recently, he was an invited participant in two international dance workshops at L’Ecole des Sables, Toubab Dialew, Senegal, under the direction of Germaine Acogny. He is also one of the the dancers who was selected to study Germaine Acogny’s dance and certified to teach her technique. Now a resident of Massachusetts, he divides his time between work with Adugna in Ethiopia and projects in Africa, Europe, and the United States.
The Z’s 2021/22 season is on sale to Z Supporters starting July 13. Join our community of supporters and get access before the public on July 27!
The Z’s Creative Classroom offers performing arts classes to learners of all ages and abilities in a variety of mediums. It’s a safe and inviting space for all to explore their curiosity and interest in the arts. To lead these classes, we’ve selected the top teachers, performers, and artists in the Southcoast. Not only do they leverage their talent and experience to bring out the best in each student, these local artists are also employed for work in their craft.
The arts are a powerful tool that deepens our connection to the world and can reveal new ways to see it. That’s why we aim to make Creative Classroom as accessible as possible with a “pay what you can” model. Choose a price at check-out.
Please note that a limited number of tickets are available at each price point, so register early! Registration closes a week after the first class.
