Ailey Extension Presents 'World Dance Performance Workshops', 4/9

Ailey Extension's annual World Dance Performance Workshops kick off the week of April 9th, bringing together all communities to celebrate and share rich heritages from around the world. For eight weeks, students will be immersed in traditional dance styles and cultural rhythms through weekly two-hour workshops taught by renowned Ailey Extension instructors. All levels are welcomed and encouraged to participate in the range of workshops from NY Style Mambo to Afro-Cuban to West African. The experience culminates with a performance open to family, friends, and fans at The Ailey Citigroup Theateron Saturday, June 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 11 at 2 p.m.

Nine workshops will be offered in the following techniques:

• Afro-Cuban with Noibis Licea (Wednesdays, April 19 - June 7, 8:30 p.m.): Participants will learn traditional Afro-Cuban movements while being energized by live drums.

• Contemporary Latin Jazz Fusion with Sekou Miller (Mondays, April 17 - June 5, 8 p.m.): This workshop teaches participants Latin rhythms and techniques deeply rooted in the Caribbean, while blending urban dance, modern, jazz and contemporary styles.

• GrooveFit Bellydance with Jannelle Cortes (Saturdays, April 22 - June 3, 5 p.m.): Native to North Africa, Middle East, and the Mediterranean, students will explore this ancient, mystical dance that emphasizes intricate torso movements.

• Masala Bhangra with Sarina Jain (Wednesdays, April 19 - June 7, 8:30 p.m.): A high-energy workshop that blends the Indian folk dance Bhangra with the exhilaration of Bollywood moves.

• NY Style Mambo with Katherine Jimenez (Thursdays, April 20 - June 8, 8:30 p.m.): With humble beginnings at the infamous Palladium Ballroom, NY Style Mambo is a flirtatious partner dance with points, kicks, exaggerated hip movements, and sharp quick steps that has become a popular dance style.

• Sabar with Babacar M'baye (Saturdays, April 15 - June 3, 8 p.m.): A traditional dance performed to the Sabar drum from Senegal, West Africa that combines arm swinging, knee lifting, and hip twisting.

• Samba/Afro-Brazil with Quenia Ribeiro (Sundays, April 23 - June 4, 5 p.m.; Fridays, May 26 & June 2, Time TBD): One of Brazil's most popular cultural expressions, samba incorporates the country's Afro-Brazilian roots with live drumming and rhythms.

• West African with Maguette Camara (Fridays, April 21 - June 9, 8 p.m.): An energetic union of music, dance, and oral tradition of the people of West Africa with live djembe and dundun drumming.

• West African with Vado Diomande (Sundays, April 9 - June 4, 5 p.m.): With live drumming, this workshop will teach students the fundamentals of traditional West African dance.

Each eight-week World Dance Performance Workshop is $225 per student. To register, visit www.aileyextension.com/classes/world-dance-performance-workshop. Performance tickets go on sale in May - $25 in advance, $30 at the door.

Other spring highlights at Ailey Extension include Afro Flow Yoga™ with Pilin Anice (Sundays, April 9, May 21, and June 11 at 2 p.m.) and Djembe and West African Drumming with Mangue Sylla (Sundays, April 16 and May 21 at 2 p.m.).

For the complete class schedule, visit www.aileyextension.com.

ABOUT AILEY EXTENSION

Since its inception in 2005, Ailey Extension has fulfilled Mr. Ailey's life-long commitment of bringing dance to everyone by offering "real classes for real people." Ailey Extension offers over 25 different dance and fitness techniques such as Horton, Ballet, Masala Bhangra, West African, Samba, Jazz, Zumba, House and Hip-Hop. Over 125,000 people have taken classes at Ailey's home, New York's largest building dedicated to dance, where dancers of all levels and walks of life can learn and be inspired - body, mind, and spirit! For additional press materials, including photos, videos, and class descriptions, visit pressroom.alvinailey.org.

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