Afro Urban Society x BAMBDFEST x  Fua Dia Congo

AFRO DANCE MEGA 2023!!!!! Dance Workshop & Jam
The Messengers That Move & Belong

Sat, Aug 19, 2023
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts
1428 Alice Street, Oakland | 2nd flr Studio A
For accessibility info: info@afrourbansociety.com

Instructors

Tango Leadaz (Dancehall), Special Guest from L.A.
Toba (Afrobeats)
Jamie Carter (Hip Hop)
Kanukai Chigamba (Afro Dance)

ABOUT

BAMBDFEST BIENNIAL 2023 INTERNATIONAL is a multi-day, multi-venue festival in celebration of the Black Arts Movement Business District, Black Arts & Culture, and economics in Oakland, CA. Founded in February 2019, produced by the Lower Bottom Playaz, Inc. in collaboration with BAMBD, CDC, funded by a Creative California Communities grant from the California Arts Council the festival was an annual event through August of 2021.

AFRO URBAN SOCIETY is an incubator and presenter of Afro-Urban performing and visual arts, culture, media, and social discourse. Through original and curated arts & event production, popular arts education, and cultural engagement, we ignite our communities to make meaningful connections, be inspired, and live vibrantly.

FUA DIA CONGO, founded in 1977, is guided by a Kikongo proverb, Wa Dia Fua Yika Dio, meaning “What you inherit, you must add value to.” For forty years the organization has been resolute in its dedication to preserving and presenting the music, dance, cultural arts of the Kongo Kingdom (the peoples of the Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola and parts of Gabon) as well as the Central African Republic. Its founder, Malonga Casquelourd, left a pioneering legacy of artistic excellence for the African and African Diaspora arts community in the Bay Area.

Join  Gbedu Town Radio & Okachamma Dance Troupe International for the inaugural Afro Dance Fest: Badagry.

Two days of dance workshops, performances, and communing featuring a combo dance workshop by Gbedu Town Radio and Okachamma at the historic Badagry Theatre, and a curated showcase of performances based on the theme ‘Dancing Through Grief’

Afro Dance Workshop

Sun Dec 17, 2022 / 2-4 PM WAT / Free

Sycomore Hotel, Badagry, Lagos

Performance Showcase

Sun Dec 18, 2022 / 1-5 PM WAT / N1000

Badagry Theatre, Badagry, Lagos

FEATURING

• Ijolomo Dance Company | Bariga, Lagos

• Hilary Jackson Dance Academy | Mile 12, Lagos

• Span Dance Crew | Lagos Island, Lagos

• Ijotayor Arts Concept | Alimosho, Lagos

• Alimosho Performing Troupe | Alimosho, Lagos

• D M X. Dance Troupe | Badagry, Lagos

• Flamesart Africa | Ikorodu , Lagos

• Okachamma Dance Troupe | Badagry, Lagos

• Gbedu Town Radio | Oakland, California
  
  

Hip Hop, Amapiano, Kuduro, Ogene - A workshop like no other, with some of the top dancers in the Badagry & the Bay Area! with Gbedu Town Radio & Okachamma Dance Troupe

Afro Urban Society x Gbedu Town Radio x Okachamma Dance Troupe

Join Gbedu Town Radio & Okachamma Dance Troupe International for the inaugural Afro Dance Fest: Badagry.

Workshop Details

• Saturday, Dec 17, 2022

• Time: 2pm - 4pm WAT

• Sycomore Hotels Limited (Sege Road, 103242, Badagry, Nigeria)

Join Gbedu Town Radio for another round of our Afro Dance workshop. This month we are going in with Badagry, Lagos & Bay Area Vibes, with some of the BEST movers. Different styles in one … all coming together for an experience like no other.

Afro Urban Society. an exuberant network of brilliant artists and culture workers dedicated to celebrating the unique expressions of Urban Africans through programs, performances and productions.

Gbedu Town Radio. Over-articulated and barely translated, Gbedu Town Radio tells dynamic stories for the culture. Led by Artistic Director, Nkeiruka Oruche, and featuring a dynamic group of performers, GTR explores social and political themes through Pan Afro-Urban music and dance including Afrobeats, Dancehall, Coupé-Décalé & varieties of Hip hop.

Okachamma An entertainment group in traditional dance, drama, folk song and many more, we teach traditional dances and collaborate in other theater productions. Okachamma is based in Badagry, Lagos.

90s Hip Hop, Turf Dancing, House- A workshop like no other, with some of THEE top dancers in the Bay: Ebonie Barnett, Carmu, Amber Julian!

Afro Urban Society x Gbedu Town Radio x Dance Mission

Afro Dance Workshop: Bay Area Vibes

Ebonie (90s Hip Hop), Amber (Afro-House), Carmu (Turf)

Join Gbedu Town Radio for another round of our Afro Dance workshop. This month we are going in with BAY AREA vibes, with some of the BEST Bay Area movers. 3 Different styles in one workshop 90s Hip Hop, Turf, & House… all coming together for an experience like no other.

Ebonie Barnett. One of Bay Area's most dynamic Afro-Diasporic dancers. Born in San Francisco and raised by her grandmother in Richmond, Ebonie developed her passion for dance at the age of 6. Studying multiple styles such as Guinea West African, Haitian, hip hop, Brazilian and Congolese with different Bay Area premier groups including Dimensions Dance Theater, Fua Dia Congo, Diamano Coura, to name a few. Ebonie continues to travel throughout the diaspora studying the Black experience through dance and returning to her community to mentor the youth. IG: e.bunnys

Carmu. A turfin/ freestyle dancer from San Francisco, ca who's been dancing for 12 years in various styles including turf dancing, tutting, contortion, pop locking, waving and footwork. IG: @wavymuu

Amber Julian. A professional dancer of over 20 years whose style is often described as fierce, strong, and groovy. Her background and primary training is in Hip Hop and House, and she considers herself a freestyle dancer with an emphasis on somatic healing. The experience: Vibe with groovy Afro-House steps while activating the root, core and crown. Explore range of expressions with fluidity, rigidness, and smoothness. IG: @create.elevate

Afro Urban Society. an exuberant network of brilliant artists and culture workers dedicated to celebrating the unique expressions of Urban Africans through programs, performances and productions.

Dance Mission Theater. a nonprofit performance venue and dance school located in the Mission District of San Francisco, California. The theater is operated by Dance Brigade, a female dance troupe with a focus on social change.

Gbedu Town Radio. Over-articulated and barely translated, Gbedu Town Radio tells dynamic stories for the culture. Led by Artistic Director, Nkeiruka Oruche, and featuring a dynamic group of performers, GTR explores social and political themes through Pan Afro-Urban music and dance including Afrobeats, Dancehall, Coupé-Décalé & varieties of Hip hop.

This workshop is presented with support by San Francisco Dream Keeper Initiative and Dance Mission Theater @dancemissiontheater.

Afro Urban Society x Dance Mission Theater x Feline Finesse presents:

Akụkọ ịhụnanya maka ndi ichie/Stories of Love about the ancestors

Join Afro Urban Society’s Gbedu Town Radio and the youth from Feline Finesse Dance Company for a moment of remembering, sharing love stories, and celebrating our ancestors through spoken word, dance, songs, and ancestor offerings. The ceremony is open to people of African Descent only.

Thurs. July 28, 2022
7-8 pm
Bayview, San Francisco

Free

Masks Required

Dress Code:

• Solid Orange/Coral & White

• Black or White T-shirt or Top that commemorates someone that you’ve lost or anyone who is dead

• NO VISIBLE Logos or Brands (independent/small/local Black-owned is fine)

• Bring framed photos or 1-2 artifacts that memorialize a loved one who is dead.

ABOUT

Afro Urban Society is an exuberant network of brilliant artists and culture workers dedicated to celebrating the unique expressions of Urban Africans through programs, performances and productions.

Dance Mission Theater is a nonprofit performance venue and dance school located in the Mission District of San Francisco, California. The theater is operated by Dance Brigade, a female dance troupe with a focus on social change.

Gbedu Town Radio Over-articulated and barely  translated, Gbedu Town Radio tells dynamic stories for the culture. Led  by Artistic Director, Nkeiruka Oruche, and featuring a dynamic group of  performers, GTR explores social and political themes through Pan  Afro-Urban music and dance including Afrobeats, Dancehall, Coupé-Décalé  & varieties of Hip hop. 

Feline Finesse Dance Company, est 2014, is a youth sisterhood stemming from the origins of the Bayview-Hunters Point community, San Francisco. Our mission is to create a safe haven for all young ladies to freely, creatively, and artistically express themselves through dance while empowering them to reach their full potential, goals and dreams. We self-identify thru genres of Hip-hop and West African; but most importantly, we philosophize a sisterhood of love and self-respect. We not only teach choreography, but we educate our young ladies in dance fundamentals, technique and overall etiquette.

IG | FB | YT |

This workshop is presented with support by San Francisco Dream Keeper Initiative and Dance Mission Theater @dancemissiontheater.

Afro Urban Society x Feline Finesse x Dance Mission Theater presents:

Afro Dance Workshop w. Gbedu Town Radio 

Join Gbedu Town Radio  for our monthly Afro Dance workshop outdoors. Each month, The Gbedu Town Steppaz will lead the workshop focusing on different dance styles. Get the vibe! 

Dance workshop open to all levels. Schedule details below:

2022 | Tuesdays
Apr 26, May 24, Jun 28, Jul 26, Aug 23,
Sept 27, Oct 25, Nov 22
6-7:30pm | Location TBA | SF & Oakland

Masks Required

ABOUT

Afro Urban Society is an exuberant network of brilliant artists and culture workers dedicated to celebrating the unique expressions of Urban Africans through programs, performances and productions.

Dance Mission Theater is a nonprofit performance venue and dance school located in the Mission District of San Francisco, California. The theater is operated by Dance Brigade, a female dance troupe with a focus on social change.

Gbedu Town Radio Over-articulated and barely  translated, Gbedu Town Radio tells dynamic stories for the culture. Led  by Artistic Director, Nkeiruka Oruche, and featuring a dynamic group of  performers, GTR explores social and political themes through Pan  Afro-Urban music and dance including Afrobeats, Dancehall, Coupé-Décalé  & varieties of Hip hop. 

IG | FB | YT

ACCESS NEEDS: If you have questions, we're happy to discuss. Please send an email to afrourbansociety.dance@gmail.com if you have access needs that aren't included below.

COVID SAFETY:
We'll maintain COVID safety protocols appropriate to conditions in the community at the time of audition. Bring a well-fitted mask, hand sanitizer, and your own reusable bottle of water.

BATHROOMS:
Latham Square: we'll be outside the entire time, so that means no bathroom access, although there may be public bathrooms around the square.

ADA & WHEELCHAIRS:
Latham Square is centrally located in an ADA accessible space in downtown. Latham Square is wheelchair accessible

TRANSIT:
Latham Square is about 3 blocks from the 12th and 19th BART stations and right next to an AC Transit hub. There is no dedicated parking. Parking available is street parking.

SCENT FREE SPACE: To support our community needs for those who have fragrance sensitivities and allergies, we ask all attendees not to wear any scented products on days that you attend workshops/auditions-- lotions, shampoos, essential oils, etc. Natural scents like essential oils and incense can still have these effects. Here's a useful resource from East Bay Meditation Center on what products do and don't contain scents (it includes info around black/POC specific hair/body products): https://eastbaymeditation.org/res.../fragrance-free-at-ebmc/

If you have questions, we're happy to discuss. Please send an email to afrourbansociety.dance@gmail.com if you have access needs that aren't included above.

Afro Urban Society's Gbedu Town Radio x Dance Mission Theater x CounterPulse:

The Art of Performance Afro Dance Tour with SayRah

• Tues. April 26, 2022

• 6pm-8pm

• CounterPulse

• 80 Turk St, San Francisco, CA 94102

MASKS REQUIRED

SayRah‘s The Art of Performance Afro Dance Workshop will allow you to delve deep in movements from the motherland. Exploring African street/social dances (mainly West African Street/social movements). These dances are then married in choreography! For this specific class series, SayRah will be focusing on the art of performance! Exploring the various components that make a great performer as if you were on stage or on screen, not just learning moves.

ABOUT

Sarah (SayRah) Olaniran, a Nigerian native has been dancing since a very young age. Well-versed in various styles including Latin, Ballroom, Ballet, Nigerian traditional dance, Jazz, HipHop, Salsa and, Contemporary, she also has Modern, Ballet en pointe, improv and Traditional West African in her vocabularty

Currently a top Afrobeats dancer and choreographer she has worked with prominent African artists including DavidO, Olamide, 2face, Timaya,Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Flavor, Tekno, Kcee, Wande Coal, Awilo Logomba, PSquare, Waje, JMartins, Omawunmi, Darey Art Alade, Efiya, CDQ, Orezi, Falz, Dammy Krane, Dbanj, and more

In between touring the world performing, she teaches Afro-fusion dance classes around the United States exploring African street/social dances (mainly West African Street/social movements) with a focus on Nigeria and Ghana.

IG @sayrahchips

Afro Urban Society is an exuberant network of brilliant artists and culture workers dedicated to celebrating the unique expressions of Urban Africans through programs, performances and productions.

Dance Mission Theater is a nonprofit performance venue and dance school located in the Mission District of San Francisco, California. The theatre is operated by Dance Brigade, a female dance troupe with a focus on social change.

Gbedu Town Radio Over-articulated and barely translated, Gbedu Town Radio tells dynamic stories for the culture. Led by Artistic Director, Nkeiruka Oruche, and featuring a dynamic group of performers, GTR explores social and political themes through Pan Afro-Urban music and dance including Afrobeats, Dancehall, Coupé-Décalé & varieties of Hip hop. Gbedu Town Radio performances and workshops have graced many venues including Zellerbach Hall, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Stern Grove Festival, Oakland Museum of California, Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, UC Davis, The Umoja Festival, Yoshi’s SF, Dance Mission Theater, San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, the Independent, the California Academy of Sciences, and more. And our performers have shared stages with Onyeka Owenu, Magic System, Seun Kuti, Yemi Alade, Mr. Eazi, Burna Boy, Mokoomba, Tribu Baharú, Les Twins to name a few.

To learn more afrourbansociety.com | IG: @afrourbansociety | FB: Afro Urban Society

This workshop is presented with support by San Francisco Dream Keeper Initiative and Dance Mission Theater @dancemissiontheater.

Afro Urban Society's Gbedu Town Radio presents

Afro Dance workshop outdoors. Get the vibes, get the moves, with a line up of different dance instructors and styles.

Ft. Uzo Nwankpa [Igbo]

Jamie Carter [ Hip Hop]

Philip Agyapong[ Afrobeats/Azonto]

Tango Leadaz [ Dancehall]

Tues. March 8, 2022

6-8 PM

Outdoor Location TBA | Oakland

Donation | Masks Required

Register & Info afrourbansociety.com

ABOUT

TANGO LEADAZ Tango Leadaz is a Los Angeles based movement instructor, choreographer and actor that has quickly made a name for himself as one of the leading choreographers for authentic Dancehall in LA. With well over ten years of Dancehall experience, he uses his extensive Dancehall vocabulary and knowledge to spread joy and help bring awareness to the culture. Prior to moving to LA, Tango Leadaz danced for years in the underground Dancehall scene in Florida and relocated to California for the purpose of spreading authentic Dancehall culture into the industry. He is the creator of globally popular Dancehall moves such as "Good Chemistry," which was used by major artists such as Chris Brown and Omarion, and "Get Use to It," which was globally performed by the one and only Beyoncé during Coachella and OTR2 tour. Described as being "animated" and "full of life" he is gaining notoriety for his high energy classes, flavorful choreography and creative skits. Tango Leadaz performs worldwide and has taught workshops in the United States, Asia, Canada, South America and Europe. Because of his ability to create amazing vibes and good energy, whether in a party or on set, he has been dubbed the Vibes Architect. Tango Leadaz’s credits include choreographing Omarion’s “Distance” and “W4W” and featuring in performance/music videos for Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Black Eyed Peas, and Gwen Stefani, to name a few.

AFRO URBAN SOCIETY is an incubator and presenter of Afro-Urban performing and visual arts, culture, media, and social discourse. Through original and curated arts & event production, popular arts education, and cultural engagement, we ignite our communities to make meaningful connections, be inspired, and live vibrantly.

GBEDU TOWN RADIO Over-articulated and barely translated, Gbedu Town Radio tells dynamic stories for the culture. Led by Artistic Director, Nkeiruka Oruche, and featuring a dynamic group of performers, GTR explores social and political themes through Pan Afro-Urban music and dance including Afrobeats, Dancehall, Coupé-Décalé & varieties of Hip hop. Gbedu Town Radio performances and workshops have graced many venues including Zellerbach Hall, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Stern Grove Festival, Oakland Museum of California, Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, UC Davis, The Umoja Festival, Yoshi’s SF, Dance Mission Theater, San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, the Independent, the California Academy of Sciences, and more. And our performers have shared stages with Onyeka Owenu, Magic System, Seun Kuti, Yemi Alade, Mr. Eazi, Burna Boy, Mokoomba, Tribu Baharú, Les Twins to name a few.