Harvest Fest African Dance Wkshp Sat Nov 15

Saturday, November 15, 2014

5:00 - 7:30 PM

Centro Cultural de la Raza

2004 Park Blvd, SD. CA 92101

Cost: $25

Join us for a celebration of the harvest season with an invigorating dance class that will work your body and feed your spirit this holiday season.  Harvest Fest African Dance Workshop will alternate between West African & Afro-Cuban dances that tell stories of daily life traditions and will be accompanied by Live Drumming!  Workshop taught by Juan Carlos Blanco & Suzanne Forbes-Vierling.  All levels & abilities are welcome.  *Please arrive early for registration. (No checks accepted)

For more, visit: omoachecubanculture.org

Experience the movements, Feel the energy, Be transported, Let yourself go!

    

"If you can walk, you can dance.  If you can talk, you can sing"     - African Proverb      

Noche Cubana Sat. Nov 1st!

 

Noche Cubana

Saturday, November 1st
7-11 PM
$15 cover
Children 12 and under FREE

Enjoy a night of San Diego's best Cuban Music & Dance entertainment, authentic Cuban cuisine, and
Cuban-style dance party!

World Beat Center
2100 Park Blvd, SD, CA. 92101 (Balboa Park)

Featuring music & dance performances by:

Rueda de Casino by San Diego Rueda Casino &

Encinitas Casineros

Live Cuban Band Warapo

Omo Aché's "Fantastic Five"

and

"El Puro"

Cuban-style dance party featuring a FREE Cuban Salsa lesson (free-style/no partner required) taught by Master Dancer Juan Carlos Blanco. Dance the night away to the best in Cuban classic & contemporary hits!

Cuban Cuisine by Las Criollitas

Mojitos, Ice-Cold Beverages & more by World Beat Café

TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE @ omoachecubanculture.org

New Sunday Class Series!

Sundays, August 31st - September 21st

Percussion: 12 - 1 PM

Dance: 1 - 2 PM

$7/each class

World Beat Center, 2100 Park Blvd, SD, CA 92101 (Balboa Park)

 

Learn to play and/or dance Rumba Columbia, an Afro-Cuban rhythm & dance derived from African & Spanish traditions.  Accompanied by this dynamic rhythm, the dancer demonstrates their agility, strength, confidence, even sense of humor while always maintaining a strong connection to the drum.  The drummer must also maintain a connection to the dancer's spontaneous changes in movement whenever they occur.  Classes are taught in a fun, ensemble setting.  All levels are welcome - No previous experience needed.

Taught by Master Artist Juan Carlos Blanco

Summer Dance Schedule

Summer Class Schedule

Centro Cultural de la Raza         Stage 7 School of Dance          World Beat Center

2004 Park Blvd, SD 92101           3980 30th St, SD 92104              2100 Park Blvd, SD 92101

JULY

Thursday, 17th  Afro-Cuban Dance - Beginner Level @ Centro Cultural de la Raza,  5:15 - 6:45pm, $10, Teacher: Juan Carlos Blanco

 

Saturday, 19th  Afro-Cuban Dance - All Levels @ Stage 7 School of Dance, 3:30 - 5pm, $15/   $12 students, Teacher: Juan Carlos Blanco

 

Sunday, 20th  Cuban Percussion & Dance - All Levels @World Beat Center, 12-1pm Percussion & 1 -2pm Dance, $7/ea. class, Teacher: Juan Carlos Blanco

 

Thursday, 24th West African Dance - Beginner Level, Centro Cultural de la Raza, 5:15 - 6:45pm, $10, Teacher: Kiki Ogulu

 

Saturday, 26th  West African Dance - All Levels @ Stage 7 School of Dance, 3:30-5pm, $15/ $12 students, Teacher: Kiki Ogulu

 

Sunday, 27th  Cuban Dance [Mambo, Rumba, Son, Cha-Cha-Chá & Comparsa] - All Levels @ World Beat Center, 1-2 pm, $7, Teacher: Lica

 

Thursday, 31st  West African Dance - Beginner Level @ Centro Cultural de la Raza, 5:15-6:45pm, $10, Teacher: Kiki Ogulu

August

Saturday, 2nd  West African Dance - All Levels @ Stage 7 School of Dance, 3:30-5pm, $15/$12 students, Teacher: Kiki Ogulu

 

Sunday, 3rd  Cuban Dance [Mambo, Rumba, Son, Cha-Cha-Chá & Comparsa] - All Levels @ World Beat Center, 1-2pm, $7, Teacher: Lica

 

Thursday, 7th  West African Dance - Beginner Level @ Centro Cultural de la Raza, 5:15-6:45pm, $10, Teacher: Kiki Ogulu

 

Saturday, 9th  West African Dance - All Levels @ Stage 7 School of Dance, 3:30-5pm, $15/$12 students, Teacher: Kiki Ogulu 

 

Sunday, 10th  Cuban Dance [Mambo, Rumba, Son, Cha-Cha-Chá & Comparsa] - All Levels @ World Beat Center, 1-2pm, $7, Teacher: Lica 

 

Thursday 14th  West African Dance - Beginner Level @ Centro Cultural de la Raza, 5:15-6:45pm, $10, Teacher: Kiki Ogulu

 

Saturday 16th  Afro-Cuban Dance - All Levels @ Stage 7 School of Dance, 3:30-5pm, $15/$12 students, Teacher: Juan Carlos Blanco

 

Sunday 17th   Cuban Percussion & Dance [Mambo, Rumba, Son, Cha-Cha-Chá & Comparsa]- All Levels @ World Beat Center, 12-1pm & 1-2pm, $7/ea. class, Teacher: Juan Carlos Blanco

Kiki Ogulu

  Lica

 

Master Artist Juan Carlos Blanco












"IF YOU CAN WALK, YOU CAN DANCE.  IF YOU CAN TALK, YOU CAN SING"
                                                                                                                  -African proverb

African Dance Saturday June 28th in L.A.!

In Los Angeles . . .

AfroCaribe presents a 2 week specialty workshop with Master Juan Carlos Blano

SATURDAY, JUNE 21st & 28th!
10:40 AM - 12:10 PM
Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave. Venice, CA. 90291

Juan Carlos who is a former principle dancer and soloist for the acclaimed Cuban folklore company "Raices Profundas," will be offering two energetic and dynamic Saturday dance classes from the Congo/Bantu region.  Juan Carlos is one of the most respected and elevated leaders in the traditions of AfroCuban music and dance.

In San Diego. . .

We are celebrating Juneteenth with African Dance!

This highly invigorating class has become a Special that San Diego's African dance community looks forward to every year!  Come enjoy three hours of Live pulsating rhythms, alternating between West African & Afro-Cuban dance traditions!  This is a mixed level class and is appropriate for all levels!  All are welcome!

Taught by Master Artist Juan Carlos Blanco & Suzanne Forbes-Vierling

Stage 7, 3980 30th St. San Diego, 92104 (North Park)
3:30 - 6:30 PM
$25 / No Checks
*Please arrive early for Pre-Registration 

Noche Cubana Saturday, May 10th!

New Beginner Level Afro-Cuban Dance Class on Thursdays!

Afro-Cuban dance comprises the rich folkloric dances that have been preserved actively in Cuba for over 500 years as part of Cuba's African cultural heritage.  Learn the essentials of these dances as you explore movement and technique made fun and simple for Yoruba, Congo, Franco-Haitian, & Arará traditions.  This class is designed for newcomers to Afro-Cuban dance as well as for intermediate or advanced students who wish to improve their form.

Class is taught by Master Artist Juan Carlos Blanco of Havana, Cuba.  Blanco is a Master Dancer and Percussionist who has been teaching professionally for 30+ years and is former lead soloist for Raices Profundas, a nationally renowned folkloric company of Havana, Cuba.  For more information on this and other classes, visit omoachecubanculture.org

 

All abilities & levels are welcome

Class Cost: $10

Thursdays @ Centro Cultural de la Raza

2004 Park Blvd (Balboa Park)

San Diego, CA. 92101 

"If you can walk, you can dance.  If you can talk, you can sing."  - African proverb

Combined African Dance Class, Saturday, March 15th!

The combined African dance class is back!  Join us this Saturday, March 15th as we celebrate the beauty, strength and power of the woman.  Class will alternate between West African & Afro-Cuban dances for a fantastic 3 hour experience accompanied by live percussion!  Class is appropriate for men & women. All are welcome - all levels & abilities.  Get ready for an explosion of energy - this class is known for it!

Stage 7 School of Dance

3980 30th St. SD, 92104 (North Park)

3:30 - 6:30 PM

$25/ No checks

*Please arrive early enough for pre-registration.

Noche Cubana, Sat. Feb 8th!

Noche Cubana

Saturday, February 8th

San Diego's biggest Cuban Music & Dance Party is back for 2014!  Don't miss this celebration of Cuban culture featuring Special guests, Los Hermanos Arango - live & direct from Habana, Cuba.  This Cuban fusion band will blow you away!

Enjoy Free Salsa Dance Lesson (Free-style, no partner necessary),
Keep grooving on an open dance floor to the best Cuban jams,
Savor delicious authentic Cuban cuisine by Las Criollitas,
& enter to win awesome Raffle prizes!

Hailing from Guanabacoa - the epicenter of Afro-Cuban traditional culture in Habana, Cuba - this musical family, directed by Feliciano Arango, is known around the world as the only Cuban band to use purely unaltered Afro-Cuban traditional vocals & hand-drumming as the basis for a modern or contemporary repertoire.  Drawing extensively on the spectrum of Afro-Cuban folklore and fused with jazz, their powerful harmonious blend will surely blow you away!  Don't miss these special guests on their brief U.S. visit!  Check out Los Hermanos Arango's YouTube Channel!

The dance floor is calling!  Master Dancer Juan Carlos Blanco (former lead soloist of Raices Profundas -Deep Roots in Havana, Cuba) will lead us all in a fun Salsa Suelta Dance lesson; Teaching free-style salsa moves that only require your own two feet.  No partner needed, unless you want one. Then, the dance floor keeps sizzling as the DJ plays the best Cuban jams for you to keep grooving!

Enjoy Las Criollitas savory cuisine including Arroz Congri (red beans & rice), Fricase de Pollo (Cuban-style chicken), Yuca con mojo (yucca with mojo sauce), Ensalada (salad), Mojito, plus Frituras, Croquetas, & Empanadas (veggie, chicken & beef). All available for purchase.

Raffle Prizes

Enter to win Raffle Prizes including Havana Club (authentic Cuban Rum) &

Tix. to SD Brazil Carnival Mardi Gras Ball 2014!

Click here for more info on Brazil Carnival 

Noche Cubana

Feb 8, 2014

7-11 pm

All ages/ $15 cover

WorldBeat Center

2100 Park Blvd. SD, 92101

A GOZAR!

For any questions or further information, contact us here!

Sat. Jan 18, Multi-Cultural Festival

16th Annual Sheila R. Hardin Multi-Cultural Festival

Celebrating San Diego's diversity!

When:  Saturday, January 18th, 11am - 5pm

Where:  Martin Luther King Jr Promenade 

(Harbor Drive, Downtown San Diego)

Admission: FREE

Omo Aché Afro-Cuban Music & Dance Company performs at 12 noon!

Enjoy this FREE annual festival celebrating our city's diversity with multi-cultural music & dance performances, all-age activities, food & retail vendors, plus a Children's special activities area. 

NEW January Series - Cuban Carnival Percussion & Dance!

CUBAN CARNIVAL 

Percussion & Dance Class Series: 

"Las Congas de Cuba"

(The Congas of Cuba)

 

Looking for something fun to do in 2014?  Try the NEW Cuban Carnival Class Series taught by Juan Carlos Blanco, Las Congas de Cuba - The Congas of Cuba. This wonderfully exhilarating annual class series is being offered for a 3rd year at World Beat Cultural Center for a limited time only! Now thru Feb 23, 2014.  Students have the option of taking classes individually or can enjoy both.  

Cuban Carnival  Percussion                            

Time: 12 - 1 pm

Cost: $7

WorldBeat Center, 2100 Park Blvd

San Diego, CA 92101 (Balboa Park)

 

Students will be taught Cuban Carnival or comparsa rhythms with emphasis on proper and authentic technique in a fun ensemble setting.  (See more info about comparsas below). Class will be taught in a progressive format, building upon an arrangement on a weekly basis.  For maximum learning, consistent attendance is recommended.  Drums Available. Drop-ins, beginners, and all levels are welcome! 

Cuban Carnival Dance 

Time: 1 - 2 pm 

Cost: $7

WorldBeat Center, 2100 Park Blvd.

San Diego, CA. 92101 (Balboa Park)   

Students will be taught various authentic dance styles, movements, vocabulary and technique reflective of a variety of different comparsas found in Cuba.  (See more info about comparsas below).  Class will be taught in a progressive format as we build choreography for our very own comparsa.  Class is accompanied by Live Percussion! 

 

Las Congas de Cuba is a reference to the various types and styles of Cuban comparsas that will be explored in this series.  'Congas' is a popular term that is used to refer to comparsa groups in Cuba.  These are groups made up of percussionists and dancers who prepare pulsating carnival rhythms and exciting choreography for their annual parading in Carnaval, where the public will follow behind and around them, dancing and singing along with them.  They will also compete against other congas - comparsas to be the best group. This is the epitome of dancing in the street! Carnival is an opportunity for everyone to celebrate together and is one of Cuba's many great traditions that has endured the test of time; dating as far back as the 17th century, it continues to be celebrated throughout many cities in Cuba today.

Students of this series will have the amazing opportunity to participate in the 22nd Annual San Diego Mardi Gras Brazil Carnival!  Students who wish to participate must learn to play rhythms and/or dance choreography. Therefore, consistent attendance is highly recommended.  Participation in this event is optional and not required in order to take the series. Click here for more info. about SD Mardi Gras Brazil Carnival 2014.

 

 

For more info about the Cuban Carnival Series, visit omoachecubanculture.org