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 performing arts. This year, as the theater undergoes renovations, The Z’s Creative Classroom is on the road, offering classes in locations throughout the city. To lead these classes, we’ve selected the top teachers, performers, and artists in the Southcoast.
The Z’s Jazz Jam during AHA was such a success it’s now a class!
“And the Jam Continues” breaks down the nuanced art, unspoken rules and free play of a jam session. In the first of a three-part series, join saxophonist Manny Escobar and vocalist Tina B. as they go beyond the AHA! Jazz Jam to teach the core concepts of the blues. Explore the world of improv, its African roots and emotional core. You will learn basic blues progressions and call and response improvisation.
No experience required, but please bring your own instrument or noise-making device to jam.
Location: Co-Creative Center at 137 Union Street, New Bedford, MA 02740. Street parking around the Co-Creative Center is FREE after 6PM. The Zeiterion Parking Garage is also a block away
Enrollment for this class has ended.
Interested in upcoming classes? Subscribe to The Z’s weekly email to learn about the next semester of Creative Classroom offerings.
Want to surprise people the next time you go dancing? In this class, you’ll learn the fundamentals of Cuban motion, basic steps, and figures. No prior dance experience or partner required.
Mondays, 6-7PM, September 16 to November 25
No classes on Indigenous Peoples’ Day (10/14), October 28, and Veterans Day (11/11)
Fort Taber Community Center, 1000A S Rodney French Blvd, New Bedford, MA
Enrollment for this class has ended.
Interested in upcoming classes? Subscribe to The Z’s weekly email to learn about the next semester of Creative Classroom offerings.
Want to learn how to choreography a salsa dance? In this 8 week course we will be working on several figures and steps, with an emphasis on cuban motion, styling, musicality and easily transitioning from one figure to the next. At the end of this course participants will be able to dance and perform “our” salsa routine. Prior salsa experience IS required for this class but partners are not.
Mondays, 7-8PM, September 16 to November 18
No classes on Indigenous Peoples’ Day (10/14) and Veterans Day (11/11)
Fort Taber Community Center, 1000A S Rodney French Blvd, New Bedford, MA
Go beyond AHA! Jazz Jam with “And the Jam Continues!”
In this second installation, Manny Escobar and Tina B continue to explore the African, European, and Indigenous music that inspired jazz music. Through the jam, you will learn to play not only African rhythms, melodies and oral traditions but also learn rhythmic patterns over a simple jazz form.
No experience required but please bring your own instrument or noise-making device to jam.
Location: Co-Creative Center at 137 Union Street, New Bedford, MA 02740. Street parking around the Co-Creative Center is FREE after 6PM. The Zeiterion Parking Garage is also a block away
It’s time to Jam!
In the series’ third and final class, Manny Escobar and Tina B. join participants in listening to the recordings of well-known artists and identify traditional jazz elements in their music. Through this listening session, participants will learn to play short excerpts from those recordings to create short compositions, focusing on the balance of playing what one knows and creating something fresh.
This session will conclude with a jazz jam session with peers encompassing collaborative improv, listening, and responding with an ensemble and spontaneous musical creation. No experience required but please bring your own instrument or noise-making device to jam.
Location: Co-Creative Center at 137 Union Street, New Bedford, MA 02740. Street parking around the Co-Creative Center is FREE after 6PM. The Zeiterion Parking Garage is also a block away.