Gabrielle Eggstein, a resident of Yachats, will offer a West African dance workshop at the Newport Recreation Center from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 23. The workshop will feature live drumming.
“We believe African dancing includes everything that a human being needs to stay healthy today on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual level,” Eggstein said. “We will draw from other techniques used in Yoga and Nia in preparation for the dance with live drumming.
“In our classes, we teach the basics of West African dance technique from Burkina Faso and Senegal, as well as its cultural and social significance,” added Eggstein. “Using live drumming, participants will learn to dialog with the drums. Drumming clarifies the connection between various rhythms and dances.”
The class will learn to appreciate the relationship between music and dance in the various cultures and countries involved, as well as the similarities between these dance traditions. In West African practice, for example, a great deal of communication is expressed through group dancing. “Bringing joy and empowerment to the community through West African dance is one of our major goals,” Eggstein said.
All age and experience levels are welcome. People should bring comfortable clothing, water to drink, a blanket and soft knee pads (if they have them).
