You Must Dance...

2009-05-25T04:49:00.000-07:00

CONGOLESE DANCE & DRUM FESTIVAL 2009
(updated 5/31/09)
JUNE 4 - JUNE 7

Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts
1428 Alice Street, Oakland, 94612

CDDF 2009 Schedule: (Below are the confirmed artists as of this date, however, schedule is subject to change**)

Thursday: June 4 (Studio A, 2nd floor)

6:00-6:45 Lecture – Isaura Oliveira
7:00-8:15 Dance Class - Biza
8:30-9:45 HAITIAN Dance- Colette Eloi

Friday: June 5 (Studio A, 2nd floor)

7:00-8:15 Dance Class – Bassouamina
8:30-9:45 Dance Class - Makaya

Saturday: June 6 (Studio E, 3rd floor)

9:00 - Lecture – Mutombo Mpanya
10:15-11:30 Brasilian DRUM
11:45-1:00 BRASILIAN Dance – Isaura Oliveira
1:00 – 2:15 Song/Drum Class - A. Mampouya
1:15-2:15 FREE Youth Dance/Drum – Biza (STUDIO C,3RD FLOOR*)
2:30-3:45 Dance Class - Bassouamina
4:00-5:15 Song/Drum Class – Mounzeo
5:30-6:45 Dance Class - Makaya
7:00-8:15 Dance Class - Biza

Sunday: June 7 (Studio E, 3rd floor)

9:00 –10:15 Song/Drum Class – Mounzeo
10:30-11:45 SOUKOUS Class – LaKiesha
12:00-1:15 CUBAN Dance – Emese’-MOTAD
1:30-2:45 Dance Class - Biza
3:00-4:15 Dance Class - Bassouamina
4:30-5:45 Dance – All Congo Teachers

CDDF FEES:

Dance Workshops: $15 each
Drum Workshops: $20 each
Youth Dance/Drum Workshop: FREE (all ages)
Lectures: FREE

All 13 Dance Workshops Only: $195
All 4 Drum Workshops Only: $80

4-day Complete Package: $275
Package includes:
DANCE WORKSHOPS-10 Congolese, 1 Haitian, 1 Cuban, 1 Brasilian
DRUM WORKSHOPS-3 Congolese, 1 Brasilian
2 Lectures
1 Youth Dance/Drum Workshop

CDDF VENDOR FEES/INFO:

VENDOR Registration Deadline: Friday, May 29, 2009

*PLEASE NOTE: All Vendors must PRE-REGISTER*

Saturday and Sunday Only (Limited space. Due to the nature of this event, we would like to keep vendors within our cultural theme). Please send an email to receive the application.

Make payable to: "LaKiesha Golden, P.O. Box 18576, Oakland, CA 94619
M.O. or CASH only please!

For Businesses (Selling of items)
Saturday or Sunday: $50 per day
Both days: $80

For Promotional/Informational (Display only, No selling of any items)
Saturday or Sunday:$40 per day
Both days: $60

CDDF CONTACT INFO:

CDDF Coordinator, LaKiesha Golden
CONGOFESTIVAL@YAHOO.COM
510-368-2475
WWW.YOUMUSTDANCE.BLOGSPOT.COM

2009-05-13T10:56:00.000-07:00

CONGOLESE DANCE CLASS

Location: DANCE MISSION THEATER

3316 24TH Street

San Francisco, CA 94110

(right across from 24th/Mission BART)

TUESDAYS*

8:oopm - 9:30pm

$12, drop-in

Live drumming!!!

*Please Note: Guest Teachers, Vivien and Makaya are currently teaching this class until further notice while I'm on a hiatus. You're support is still appreciated. Thanks.

SOUKOUS Dance Class
(Social/Contemporary Congolese Dance Class)

Location: TANGO MAGDALENA
580 Grand Ave Suite #305
Oakland, CA 94601
**FREE PARKING available underneath the freeway**
You must press # then 305 on call box to get in the bldg.

1st and 3rd SATURDAYS only*
3:30pm - 5:00pm
$15, drop-in

*Please Note: There is no class this Saturday, May 16, however, the next one is tentatively scheduled for May 23, 2009. There is no class Saturday, June 6th, due to the CDDF 2009!

Contact Info: golden2006@sbcglobal.net
call or text: 510-368-2475

2009-05-07T21:59:00.000-07:00

CONGOLESE DANCE & DRUM FESTIVAL 2009

JUNE 4 - JUNE 7

Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts
1428 Alice Street, Oakland, 94612

CDDF 2009 Schedule: (Below are the confirmed artists as of this date, however, schedule is subject to change**)

Thursday: June 4 (Studio A, 2nd floor)
6:00-6:45 Lecture – Isaura Oliveira
7:00-8:15 Dance Class - Biza
8:30-9:45 HAITIAN Dance- Colette Eloi

Friday: June 5 (Studio A, 2nd floor)
7:00-8:15 Dance Class – Bassouamina
8:30-9:45 Dance Class - Makaya Kayos

Saturday: June 6 (Studio E, 3rd floor)
9:00 - Lecture – Mutombo Mpanya
10:15-11:30 Brasilian DRUM
11:45-1:00 BRASILIAN Dance – Isaura Oliveira
1:15-2:15 FREE Youth Dance/Drum – Biza
2:30-3:45 Dance Class - GUEST
4:00-5:15 Dance Class - Bassouamina
5:30-6:45 Song/Drum Class – Mounzeo
6:45-8:00 Dance Class - Makaya
8:15-9:30 Dance Class - Biza

SATURDAY, June 6 Drum Schedule: (Additional Class that will occur simultaneously with the Youth class***)

***1:00 – 2:15 ~ A. Mampouya

Sunday: June 7 (Studio E, 3rd floor)
9:00 – 10:15 Song/Drum Class – Mounzeo
10:30-11:45 SOUKOUS Class – LaKiesha
12:00-1:15 CUBAN Dance – Emese’-MOTAD
1:30-2:45 Dance Class - Biza
3:00-4:15 Dance Class - GUEST
4:30-5:45/6 Dance – All Congo Teachers

PRE-REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Friday, May 29, 2009

Make payable to: "LaKiesha Golden, P.O. Box 18576, Oakland, CA 94619
Please Note: Payments may also be made in person, Sorry No Refunds or No Postdated Checks!

CDDF PRE-REGISTRATION FEES:

Any 5 or more classes: $13 each
All 15 classes: $195

**Please Note: There is no pre-registration discount for the drum classes although Pre-registration is highly preferred so teachers have an idea of the # of students

CDDF FEES:

Dance Workshops: $15 each
Drum Workshops: $20 each
Youth Dance/Drum Workshop: FREE (all ages)
Lectures: FREE

All 15 Dance Workshops Only: $225
All 4 Drum Workshops Only: $80

4-day Complete Package: $305
Package includes:
DANCE WORKSHOPS-12 Congolese, 1 Haitian, 1 Cuban, 1 Brasilian
DRUM WORKSHOPS-3 Congolese, 1 Brasilian
2 Lectures
1 Youth Dance/Drum Workshop

CDDF VENDOR FEES/INFO:

VENDOR Registration Deadline: Friday, May 29, 2009

*PLEASE NOTE: All Vendors must PRE-REGISTER*

Saturday and Sunday Only (Limited space. Due to the nature of this event, we would like to keep vendors within our cultural theme). Please send an email to receive the application.

Make payable to: "LaKiesha Golden, P.O. Box 18576, Oakland, CA 94619
M.O. or CASH only please!

For Businesses (Selling of items)
Saturday or Sunday: $50 per day
Both days: $80

For Promotional/Informational (Display only, No selling of any items)
Saturday or Sunday:$40 per day
Both days: $60

CDDF CONTACT INFO:

CDDF Coordinator, LaKiesha Golden
CONGOFESTIVAL@YAHOO.COM
510-368-2475
WWW.YOUMUSTDANCE.BLOGSPOT.COM

2009-04-20T12:26:00.000-07:00

SAVE THE DATES!!!!

THURSDAY, JUNE 4 - SUNDAY, 7, 2009

CONGOLESE DANCE & DRUM FESTIVAL 2009
Oakland, CA

Hello all,

I wanted to ensure that you mark your calendars for this year’s Congolese Dance & Drum Festival to take place June 4 – 7, 2009 at the (MCCA) Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice Street in downtown Oakland. This year’s conference will have a new face-displaying some of the Diaspora of the Congo. There will be workshops in Congolese Drum & Dance and its Diaspora, such as Haitian, and Cuban Folkloric dance. So, please join us as we bring you great local, national, and international artists to give you more than just a Taste Of The Congo. This may be the last year due to funding so, your support is greatly appreciated. Please help us by spreading the word and forwarding this email to all who may be interested. All dance workshops: $15 each, drum workshops: $25 each. A discount will apply if registration is complete by the pre-registration deadline, however, those details to follow at a later date. We look forward to seeing you at our festival!

Some of the confirmed artists are:
(More TBA**)

Biza Sompa
Makaya Kayos
LaKiesha Golden
Emese' (Cuban)
Vivien Bassouamina
Jean-Armel Mampouya
Colette Eloi (Haitian)
Mutombo Mpanya

For further information, email CONGOFESTIVAL@YAHOO.COM to be added to our email list or call (510) 368-2475.

Please send all mail correspondence to:
CDDF
c/o LaKiesha Golden
P.O. Box 18576
Oakland, CA 94619

In Dance,
CDDF Coordinator

2008-12-07T21:37:00.000-08:00

CONGOLESE DANCE WORKSHOP

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2008

TANGO MAGDALENA
(Professional Administration Building-need to be buzzed in)
580 Grand Avenue, Suite #305, Oakland, CA

2:30PM - 3:00PM - Meet/Greet, View Soukous Videos

3:00PM - 4:30PM - Dance Workshop
$15

**You may view info about me at @
http://www.tangomagdalena.com/guest_teachers.html

Contact me at golden2006@sbcglobal.net or 510-368-2475

2008-12-06T13:06:00.001-08:00

CONGOLESE DANCE WORKSHOP (LIVE DRUMMING!)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2008

WORLD DANCE CENTER
1901 SAN PABLO AVE @ HEARST, BERKELEY, CA

3:30PM - 5:30PM
$20

SOUKOUS CLASS/TRADITIONAL CLASS COMBO!!!!!!

2008-10-28T02:48:00.000-07:00

Congolese Dance w/ LaKiesha & International Guest MAIMOUNA (she's back...)

Maimouna is from Mali, West Africa and resides in Paris, France
she will teach the first half of the class as before with a variation of comtemporary styles including N'dombolo (Congo), Coupe Decale' (Ivory Coast), etc.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2008
DANCE MISSION THEATER
3316 24TH STREET (across from 24th/Mission BART)
San Francisco 94110
415-826-4441
$12.00

Come on out and bring a friend...Your support is needed to continue to bring in guest teachers. Thanks in advance! See you on the dance floor!!!!

2008-07-16T17:21:00.000-07:00

CONGOLESE DANCE CLASS

DANCE MISSION THEATER

3316 24TH Street

San Francisco, CA 94110

(right accross from 24th/Mission BART)

TUESDAYS

8:oopm - 9:30pm

$12, drop-in

Live drumming!!!

2008-03-31T17:00:00.000-07:00

CONGOLESE DANCE AND DRUM FESTIVAL 2008

June 5 - June 8

Thursday, June 5 – Saturday, June 7
@ LANEY COLLEGE DANCE STUDIO, D-100
900 Fallon Street, Oakland, CA 94607
(campus map - http://laney.peralta.edu/apps/page.asp?Q=CollegeMap&menutab=1)

Festival Schedule:

Thurs., JUNE 5 Dance Schedule:

5:45 - 6:45 - Mini Lecture ~ Mbala Nkanga

7:00 - 8:15 - Dance - Mouyabi
8:15 – 9:30 – Dance - Vivien

Thurs., JUNE 5 Drum Schedule:

7:00 - 8:30 ~ Titos

Fri., JUNE 6 Dance Schedule:

5:45 - 7:00 - Dance ~ Kayos (Makaya)

7:00 - 8:15 - Dance ~ Biza

8:15 - 9:30 - Dance ~ Titos

Fri., JUNE 6 Drum Schedule:
7:00 - 8:30 ~ Mouyabi

Sat., JUNE 7 Dance Schedule:

9 - 10 - Youth Drum/Dance ~ Massengo

10:00 - 11:30 - BEG. Dance ~ LaKiesha

11:30 - 1:00 - Dance ~ Mbayero

1:00 - 2:30 - Dance ~ Titos

2:30 - 4:00 - Dance ~ Mouyabi

4:00 - 5:30 - Dance ~Biza

Sat., JUNE 7 Drum Schedule:
10:00 - 11:30 ~ Kayos (Makaya)

12:30 - 2:00 ~ Mbay

3:00 - 4:30 ~ Armel

PERFORMANCE @ 8:00PM - LANEY COLLEGE THEATER

Sunday, June 8, 2008
@ MALONGA CASQUELOURD CENTER FOR THE ARTS
1428 Alice Street, 3rd flr., Oakland, CA 94612

Sun., JUNE 8 Schedule:

9 - Lecture/Discussion - Mbala Nkanga

10:30-12-Soukous~LaKiesha/Kayos/Vivien

12:00 - 1:30 - Dance ~ Mbayero

1:30 - 3:00 - Dance ~ Titos

3:00 - 4:30 - Dance ~ Biza

4:30 - 6:00 - All Teachers

Contact Info:

CONGOFESTIVAL@YAHOO.COM OR (510) 368-2475

WWW.YOUMUSTDANCE.BLOGSPOT.COM

Pre-registration Cost:

6 or more dance classes-$13 each, Total Dance Pkg-$195

Pre-Registration due by TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2008 (M.O. or CASH, if in person)

Mail M.O.'s and make payable to: LaKiesha Golden, P.O. Box 22066, Oakland, CA 94623

Pre-registration does not apply to Drum Workshops!

General Cost:

Each Dance Workshop-$15, Each Drum Workshop-$20, Lectures-FREE, Youth Workshop-FREE

VENDOR INFO:

All interested vendors must pre-register!

Fees: Thursday or Friday - $30/day, Saturday or Sunday - $50/day, Saturday w/ performance - $75

Vendor Conact: Corinthia Peoples, (510)-757-4110 or corinthiapeoples@gmail.com

HOTEL INFO: (not affiliated with the Festival)

*Close to Venue*

Oakland Marriott City Center
· 1001 Broadway
· Oakland, California 94607 USA
· Phone: 510-451-4000

Courtyard by Marriot Downtown Oakland
· 988 Broadway
· Oakland, California 94607 USA
· Phone: 510-625-8282

*Close to Oakland Airport*

Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites, Oakland
66 Airport Access Road, Oakland 94603
Toll-free: (800) 651-1883, Phone: (510) 569-4400

*Cost efficient* & near Oakland Airport*

Days Inn San Francisco-Oakland Airport/Coliseum
8350 Edes Avenue
Oakland, CA, 94621
Phone: 510-568-1880
Fax: 510-569-4652

2008-03-08T20:43:00.000-08:00

CONGOLESE DANCE CLASS

DANCE MISSION THEATER
3316 24TH Street
San Francisco, CA 94110
(right accross from 24th/Mission BART)

TUESDAYS, 8:oopm - 9:30pm
$12, drop-in

Live drumming!!!

2008-03-08T19:03:00.000-08:00

**SAVE the DATES**

Thursday, June 5 - Saturday, June 7 @ Laney College
Dance Studio, D-100
900 Fallon Street, Oakland 94607

1 blk from Lake Merritt BART Station
(bet. E. 7th & E. 10th Streets)
(map-http://laney.peralta.edu/apps/page.asp?Q=CollegeMap&menutab=1)

Sunday, June 8, 2008 @ Malonga Center
1428 Alice Street, 3rd floor, Oakland 94612

Congolese Dance and Drum Festival in Oakland, CA

~DANCE~DRUM~YOUTH WORKSHOP~LECTURE/DISCUSSION~

FUN! FUN! FUN!

Scheduled Artists:

VIVIEN Bassouamina**
Francois (Makaya) KAYOS**
ARMEL Mampouya

BIZA Sompa

Constant MASSENGO

Jean-Armel MAMPOUYA

Jean Paul MOUYABI*

LaKiesha Golden

TITOS Sompa

MBALA Nkanga

MBAY Louvouezo

Patrice 'MBAYERO' Louvouezo

*International Guest via Paris, France
**International Guest via Congo-Brazza

To Be Added to Info List, Email: congofestival@yahoo.com

510-368-2475

2007-12-13T22:01:00.000-08:00

CONGOLESE WORKSHOP - SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 2007

Please pass the word to those who may be interested…….

Come join us for Congolese at the Le Hot Sauce Part Deux Event!!!!!

http://www.redwoodcityswing.com - click for directions, details, etc.

Location for Congolese Workshop:

Imperial Ballroom
822 Cassia Street
Redwood City, CA 94063

(650) 366-0504

5:30pm - 6:45pm, $20

general contact info:

www.youmustdance.blogspot.com

golden2006@sbcglobal.net

2007-09-18T13:48:00.000-07:00

**SAVE the DATES**

Thursday, June 5 - Sunday, June 8, 2008

Congolese Dance and Drum Festival in Oakland, CA

~DANCE~DRUM~YOUTH WORKSHOP~LECTURE/DISCUSSION~

FUN! FUN! FUN!

Scheduled Artists:

Armel Mampouya

Biza Sompa

Constant Massengo

Jean-Armel Mampouya

Jean Paul Mouyabi**

LaKiesha Golden

Titos Sompa

Mbala Nkanga

Mbay Louvouezo

Patrice 'Mbayero' Louvouezo

**International Guest from Paris, France

To Be Added to Info List, Email: congofestival@yahoo.com

510-368-2475

2007-07-15T21:59:00.000-07:00

COME CHECK OUT MY NEW FALL CONGOLESE CLASSES w/ LIVE DRUMMING

ALAMEDA - POSTPONED until Spring Schedule is determined, time/day will change*****

RHYTHMIX CULTURAL WORKS (RCW)
2513 Blanding Avenue, Alameda, 94501
(next door to Nob Hill Grocery Store)

Begins SEPTEMBER 17TH, 2007!!!!!!
MONDAYS, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
6-week session - $78
12-week session - $144

**Please Note: (If you choose the 12-wk option, there is a 1-wk break between the two 6-wk sessions-no class Oct. 29)**

click here to register: http://www.rhythmix.org/congo.html

___________________________________________________________

SAN FRANCISCO has been EXTENDED, Now Ongoing! Thank You 4 the Support!!!!!

DANCE MISSION
3316 24th Street, San Francisco 94110
(across the street from 24th/Mission Bart)

Classes:
WEDNESDAYS, 8:00pm-9:30pm
$12 per class
drop-ins

___________________________________________________________

BERKELEY - POSTPONED until Further Notice
**Childrens' class may be added, if you are interested, please use the contact info listed**

BLACK REPERTORY THEATER - the Purple Bldg.
3201 Adeline Street, Berkeley 94703
(1 blk from Ashby BART)

SATURDAYS (9/22-TBA)
11:00am-12:15pm
$11/drop-in
no discounts

Note: schedule subject to change
___________________________________________________________

SAN RAFAEL - WORKSHOP

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2008, $20

Osher Marin JCC
200 N. San Pedro Road
San Rafael, CA 94903

REGISTER @ 415-444-8000
15 people minimum to avoid cancellation****

*Located half a mile east of Highway 101

Directions
http://www.marinjcc.org/about_us_location.html#location

2007-06-30T11:10:00.000-07:00

CONGOLESE DANCE CLASSES
(Teens/Adults)

Summer Session: July 7 - August 18, 2007

*Continuing students pay $5 for the first class on 7/7 if you bring a new guest*

We're also looking for people to commit to the entire session.

WHAT: Congolese Dance Classes (Central African)

WHERE: Black Repertory Group, 3201 Adeline St., Berkeley, CA 94703 (Purple Bldg.)

WHEN: SATURDAYS, 11AM – 12:15PM

COST: $11 per class, drop-in ok.

Contact info: golden2006@sbcglobal.net, 510-368-2475, http://www.youmustdance.blogspot.com/

For those who are new to this information, here are a few details. Congolese dance is Central African from the Congo. The dance, culture and people from the Congo all fall under the name Congolese. This dance is typically accompanied by live music from a cylindrical heightened drum called “Ngoma”. The dance is depicted by its smoothness, soulfulness, groundedness, funkiness, and pelvic rotations.

Class Format: Warm-up stretches are done center floor to recorded music, Soukous, which is contemporary music from the Congo. Some movements are done center floor as well. Then students will cross the dance floor in rows/columns with the given movement from the instructor and return to their starting point. Live music is provided by master drummer, Constant Massengo, and in his absence other wonderful musicians will accompany the class.

Please note: class format is subject to change.

2007-06-30T10:34:00.000-07:00

For your dancing pleasure, here are some links to the upcoming conferences, camps, etc that will take place through the end of the this year.

Camp Fareta (Youssouf Koumbassa), July 8 – 15, 2007

http://www.westafricandance.com/camp_fareta.html

http://dancingvillage.com/camp_fareta_artists.php

Congolese Dance & Drum Workshop, Pike, CA, July 20 -29, 2007

http://www.congorhythms.org/

Moustapha Bangoura’s Won Na Won Malan conference in Chicago, August 23 – 26, 2007

http://www.clarence-webpage.com/AfricanArts/WonNaWonMalan2007.html

Kankouran Conference, Washington D.C., August 30 – September 2, 2007

http://www.kankouran.org/Conference%202007%20-%20Workshop%20Schedule.pdf

Kukundi Camp in North Carolina, October 5 - 7, 2007
http://www.kukundicamp.org/

SAN FRANCISCO/ BAY AREA AFRICAN DANCE & DRUM FESTIVAL-Oakland

November 7 - 11, 2007

http://www.celebrateclitoris.com/SFafricandance.html

2007-05-16T20:45:00.000-07:00

YES, it's back, the Kongolese Dance and Drum Conference that everyone loved last year has come back for a second go round. Let's make this year even more wonderful than last year! Bring one, bring all and bring your good, positive energy once again so that everyone enjoys themselves. There are a few changes from last year, and from earlier announcements, some pluses and some minuses so, please read the schedule. Most of your (FAQ) Frequently Asked Questions can be answered by reading the information listed. If you need a registration form or brochure, email golden2006@sbcglobal.net. This year's conference is sponsored by Dimensions Dance Theater, Laney College Dance Club and the Malonga Caquelourd Center for the Arts. Any other questions, you may also contact 510-368-2475.

See ya at the conference!!!!!!!!

LOCATION~ Thursday, May 31 - Saturday, June 2, 2007:

Laney College Dance Department
900 Fallon Street, Rm., D-100, Oakland, CA 94607
1 blk from Lake Merritt Bart Station (bet. E. 7th and E. 1oth streets)
(campus map - http://laney.peralta.edu/apps/page.asp?Q=CollegeMap&menutab=1)

LOCATION~Sunday, June 3, 2007:

Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts (MCCFTA)
1428 Alice Street, 2nd & 3rd floors, Oakland, CA 94612
4 blks from 12th St/City Center Bart Station (bet. 14th and 17th streets)

2007-05-16T20:32:00.000-07:00

Kongolese Dance & Drum Conference 2007 Schedule (updated instructors)

Cost: Dance Workshops~$15 ea., Drum Workshop~$20, Youth Dance/Drum Workshop~$8 (ages 4-18, ages 3 and under are Free), Lecture/Discussion~FREE
***Youth may also take Adult classes for $8)***

LOCATION: Thursday, May 31 - Saturday June 2 @ Laney College Dance Studio, D-100

Thursday, May 31

5:00pm - 6:00pm ~ Mini Lecture - Titos
6:15pm - 7:45pm ~ Dance - Titos
7:45pm - 9:00pm ~ Dance - Alain

Friday, June 1

5:15pm - 6:30pm ~ Dance - Wanuke
6:30pm - 7:45pm ~ Dance - Biza
7:45pm - 9:00pm ~ Dance - Mouyabi

Saturday, June 2

9:00am - 10:30am ~ DRUM - Titos
10:30am - 12:00pm ~ Beg. Dance - LaKiesha
12:00pm - 1:30pm ~ Dance - Alain
1:30pm - 2:30pm - YOUTH CLASS - Titos
2:30pm - 4:00pm ~ Dance - Mbayero
4:00pm - 5:30pm ~ Dance - Mouyabi
5:30pm - 7:00pm ~ Dance - Biza

LOCATION: Sunday, June 3 @ Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 2nd & 3rd floor

Sunday, June 3

9:00am - 10:30am - Lecture/Discussion - Titos
10:30am - 12:00pm ~ Dance - LaKiesha & Biza
12:00pm - 1:30pm ~ Dance - Mbayero
1:30pm - 3:00pm ~ Dance - Wanuke
3:00pm - 4:30pm ~ Dance - Titos & Mouyabi
4:30pm - 6:00pm ~ Dance - All Instructors

2006-12-30T12:57:00.000-08:00

Greetings everyone,

The Congolese class at the Black Repertory Theater in Berkeley will resume for its Spring session on January 20, 2007 and end on Saturday, May 19, 2007. The day and time is still the same, Black Rep, 3201 Adeline St., Berkeley, 94703, Saturdays, 11:00am-12:15pm, $11 per class. Drop-ins are fine. F.Y.I. CLASS WILL NOT BE HELD ON February 17th or on March 10th. If there are any other dates to be canceled, I will attempt to let everyone know in advance. Please read other posts for details about this class or email me to be added to my list at mailto:lakieshag@excite.com. Thank you for supporting this class in advance. Have a wonderful holiday season and a very Happy New Year throughout the entire year!!!

2006-10-02T07:12:00.000-07:00

I will begin my Congolese dance class this month at the Black Repertory Theater in Berkeley, located at 3201 Adeline St., 94703 (1 block South of the Ashby Bart) off of MLK Jr. Way. Come celebrate my birthday, October 14th, with the gift of a free class to kick off my fall session! The classes will take place on Saturdays, 11am-12:15pm, cost: $11, October 14 - December 23. There will not be a class on November 11, Veteran's Day weekend, as I have a prior engagement. The phone number to the BRG is 510-652-2120. I can reached by email or 510-368-2475. Though everyone is welcome to this class, my target audience is new dancers, those new to African dance, new to Congolese or wanting more help with Congolese technique. Again, those that are experienced, come on over! Also, for those that know what a wonderful musician Constant Massengo is, well, he'll be there, too! Nothing but the best. See ya soon!

For those that are new or not knowledgeable of Congolese, here's a little bit of information. Congolese dance is a type of African dance originating in the Congo, a country in Central Africa. There are two countries that are referred to by this name and region. They are the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in which Kinshasa is its capitol, and the Republic of the Congo (RC), in which Brazzaville is its capitol. The DRC is often still referred to as Zaire or just by Kinshasa and the RC is commonly referred to as Congo-Brazza. Both of these countries hold the same people whom are also called Congolese as is the culture, yet there are also differences. The two countries are separated by the Congo River. The contemporary music from the Congo, called Soukous comes from the DRC, but is currently played and danced throughout Africa, Europe, and the U.S. The official language of these countries is French, however, many Congolese combine their native languages with French or simply speak their native languages.

2006-10-02T05:43:00.000-07:00

LaKiesha's Bio:

LaKiesha Golden is a performing artist of more than ten years with a specialization in Congolese African Dance, Central African. Currently, Ms. Golden is an Artist in Residence, teaching dance in Oakland Unified School District high schools via Dimensions Dance Theater. At the end of each school year, she co-produces a community concert that is performed by the high school students. LaKiesha has most recently been one of the core members of "Fua Dia Congo" Dance Company, which means "heritage of the Congo", directed by the late Malonga Casquelourd in Oakland, CA. Among many performances in the local area, she has performed for events such as Carijama, Art and Soul Festival, Les Collages des Africans, and the Black Choreographers Festival. Also, LaKiesha was featured in a contemporary Congolese (Soukous) music video that was released in the summer 2005 entitled "Knockout" by Shimita El Diego, she was the choreographer for the production as well.

Previous to residing in Oakland, CA, LaKiesha's dancing career was dedicated to Bichini Bia Congo Dance Theatre, which means "dancers of the Congo", directed by Biza Sompa in Ann Arbor, MI. She was the Director's Assistant and lead member for four of the six years she studied with the company. LaKiesha was the Assistant Choreographer for "Liyanja", a theatrical work produced by Bichini Bia Congo at the University of Michigan's True Blood Theatre in 1999. In the same year, she also choreographed a dance segment in the play, "A Woman Called Truth" at Eastern Michigan University. Among many performances in the Michigan area, Ms. Golden has performed at The Ark (Ann Arbor), Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity's Miss Black and Gold Pageant (Ypsilanti), the annual Afro-World Festival (Detroit), Medical College of Ohio (Toledo), and Lisanga Ya Bato Dance Camp in New York.

Astonishingly, LaKiesha had the opportunity of studying Congolese dance and culture in Congo-Brazza (RC), Central Africa in 2005 and in Paris, France in 2002 and 2003. Due to living in the Midwest, Ms. Golden also learned an urban style of Ballroom Dance that she gained a great passion for. Among training through Congolese and other African dance classes, LaKiesha has had experience with other forms of dance such as Afro-Haitian, Salsa, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Ballet, Modern, Dancehall, and a mid-western form of Ballroom dance.