News

This fall, Portland State University will offer dance courses as a part of the World Cultures and Dance program, with a focus on the African Diaspora.

The program offers courses in dance and percussion that will explore the African-based cultures of Ghana, Senegal, Guinea, Cuba and Jamaica. The courses include studio and classroom sessions that allow the participants to learn the theoretical and practical aspects of dance through lectures, demonstrations, videos, movement experiences and readings.

Students will also have the opportunity to explore the current issues in dance research and also for independent study of other African Diaspora cultures. The courses will be taught by internationally renowned artists including Habiba Addo, Donna Oefinger and Catherine Evleshin.

The classes will be conducted at the downtown Portland YWCA, located at 1111 SW 10th, Ave. For more information about the courses and registration contact Mary King at 503-725-3940 or kingm@pdx.edu, or visit http://www.wcad.pdx.edu.

Courses Offered in Fall 2004
African Diasporan Dance in the Americas
4 Credits
Tuesday/Thursday noon-1:50 p.m.
Instructor – Cathy Evelshin
Explores the African-based dance cultures of Cuba, Jamaica and the United States including global forms such as salsa and reggae.

West African Dance
2 Credits
Tuesday/Thursday 12:15-1:45 p.m.
Instructor – Habiba Addo
This is a studio class that focuses on the dance, music and culture of Ghana, Senegal, Guinea and Cuba and will be accompanied by live drumming.

Afro-Cuban Dance
2 Credits
Monday/Wednesday 12:15-1:45 p.m.
Instructor – Donna Oefinger
This studio class focuses on dance, music and culture of the orishas, Yoruba deities that embody the many different forces of nature through movement and inner expression.

Afro-Cuban Percussion
2 Credits
Monday/Wednesday 10:15 a.m.-noon
Instructor – Jeff Burres
This course introduces the participants to Afro-Cuban percussion, focusing on rhythms played in ceremonial and secular contexts. Students will learn to play the music of Yoruba, Arara and Bantu.

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