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The people that I dance with are addicted to dancing. So what do you do when your addiction is running you upwards of $100 per week? You find alternatives. There really is no excuse for anyone not being able to dance...So here is a rundown of free classes in the New York City area. I know this isn't a complete list, but these are the ones I frequent:
Free African Dance Classes: Updated
Monday
6:00p-7:30p Nafisa @ Countee Cullen - African (PS194) at 242 W. 144th Street, bt. 7th & 8th Avenues) (212) 234-4500
*New Post* (4/9/07)
Monday
7:00p-9:00p Crystal at PS 198- Corner of 96th St. and 3rd Ave.
Tuesday
7:00-9:00p
Harlem Children's Zone
35 East 125th Street (125th & Madison)
New York, NY 10035
Phone: (212) 534-0700
Tuesday (Fall/Winter/Spring Only)
7:00-9:00p
Esther - African
Wadleigh High School (114th bet. Fredrick Douglas & Adam Clayton)
Wednesday
6:00p-7:30p Nafisa @ Countee Cullen - African (PS194) at 242 W. 144th Street, bt. 7th & 8th Avenues) (212) 234-4500
Wednesday (Summer ONLY)
7:00-9:00p
Esther - African
Wadleigh High School (114th bet. Fredrick Douglas & Adam Clayton)
*On hiatus*
Wednesday
6:30-8:00p
ACORN COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL
561 GRAND AVENUE bet. DEAN & BERGEN STs., Brooklyn
(2 to Bergen St.; Q to 7th Ave)
Thursday (Fall Only)
7:00-9:00p
Esther - African
Wadleigh High School (114th bet. Fredrick Douglas & Adam Clayton)
Friday
6:00-7:30p
Sandella - African
Children's Aid Society(14-32 West 118th Street)
212-942-3566
NEW TIME!
FREE African Drum Class (after Sandella's dance class)
7:30-9:00
w/ Frank
Children's Aid Society(14-32 West 118th Street)
Bring your own djimbe drum; if you don't have a drum, you will be provided with one!
Saturday
2:00-4:00p Sister Sewaa
Djembe, Kutiro, Sabar
Come early for registration.[Unregistered participants should arrive 10-15 minutes earlier. ID-a must!! ] (P.S. 181 1023 New York Ave, bet Tilden Ave and Snyder Aves, Brooklyn)
718 703 3633 (Thanks Ms. Sete!)
Tatiana
17 comments:
good to know! which one do you recommend?
(p.s. linked to your blog!)
thnx for the link! I recommend Sandella's class on Friday. It's really good because it's fast, so it forces you to pay attention, and it gets your stamina up. I love it!
The Saturday class (at PS 181) you suggested is GREAT!!!
They switch it up, so guest teachers come in from time to time and the teachers provide great technique.
Love it!!
Thanks so much for this list.
I am so excited for this list. I agree w/ Rene. I too really love the Saturday class at P.S. 181 w/ Sister Seewa. It is a great place to learn dance technique from continental as well as Diasporic Africans who are well versed, enthusiastic, and autenthic in their teaching. Plus...the class will work you out to the max!!
I'm so glad you guys like it. I really wanted to help spread the word about these amazing classes, especially if you want to get healthy, and work out--but don't have alot of money to take a class.
Hello!!! Has anyone taken a class instructed by Nafisa at Wadleigh High School?? How are her classes? How is it structured??
Nafisa teaches at countee cullen on 144th st. She starts with meditation, then goes into a warm up. She then talks about the dance for the day, and the class sings a song. Then we do choreography, followed by exercises across the floor. We then come back to the middle of the floor to do the choreography we've learned in the beginning of the class. Finally the class ends with meditation. Open Level. The Monday class is geared more toward beginners.
Esther's class begins with a warm-up, then she shows a brief choreography, followed by exercises across the floor. Open Level btoken into children, beginners, intermediate, advanced, super-advanced, and men.
Thank You!!!!!
i've been meaning and meaning and meaning to come and take a class or two ror FIVE and always manage to get sidetracked and not make it. but i will make point to be there on monday!
I love african dance, its tribal, its primative and its natural. It allows people to get in touch with their true selves. We must never forget our roots.
thanx for sharing this list!
Hello and thanks for sharing this list! Just a quick question is Sandella the young lady who does the performances at the African Street festival? If so, she is a great teacher and dancer.
I better go buy my danceskins and skirts and get ready to dance tot he drum, LOL.
Oh wow...it's great to see Nafisa is till teaching dance. I'm a 27yr. old female who took her class back in '99 for a gym credit. It was awesome. I can't wait to start her Monday sessions.
ARE ANY OF THE INSTRUCTORS TEACHING IN ONE OF THE COLLEGES?
OR ARE THERE ANY NOT ON THE LIST TEACHING IN A COLLEGE SETTING?
I don't believe that these teachers have an open class at any local colleges, but I can ask. I do know that Maguette Camera teaches an African dance class at Columbia University, but it may only be open to Columbia students.
Greetings! I'm visiting NYC Monday-Wed. and want to take an African Dance class while I'm visiting my fam. Someone suggested Sister Esther's class on Tuesday. Have you ever been and what's the pace like? Thanks!!!!! Oh and great blog by the way!
hi is there a free dance class for thursday afternoon\evenings?
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