African Diaspora Dance Weekend with Donna Oefinger, Dec. 1 to 4

[sunny suit]

*** African Diaspora Dance Weekend with Donna Oefinger, Dec. 1 to 4 ***

Mark your calendars and help us spread the word about this amazing opportunity to experience a full weekend of traditional and modern dance styles found in Cuba and Brazil! Donna Oefinger, director and choreographer of Axé Didé Music and Dance Co. (Portland, Oregon), will be coming to Austin to teach four days of Afro-Brazilian and Afro-Cuban dance classes.

All classes are open to the public. Prices vary for each class; discounts are available. Live drumming will be provided on Friday night and Sunday.

Class details, instructor bio, and video links are below. For more info, please email samba....@gmail.com. Donna’s demo reel can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MAIJQplQAs

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THURSDAY, DEC. 1

Afro-Brazilian Orixá Movement Class (beginner/intermediate)
Beginner: 7 to 8 pm
Intermediate: 8 to 9 pm

WHERE: Ballet Afrique Dance Studio
Highland Mall, 2nd level (opposite Radio Shack)
6001 Airport Blvd, 78752

COST: $15 per class ($12 for students w/ID)
Discounts: $25 ($20 for students) if you take both classes


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FRIDAY, DEC. 2

Cuban Folkloric and Orisha Movement (all levels)
7 to 8:15 pm
**Live drumming will be provided for this class.**

WHERE: Austin Dance Collective
2015 E. Riverside Dr., 78741

COST: $10 to 15 sliding scale fee

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SATURDAY, DEC. 3

Rio-style Samba (intermediate level; prior experience in samba strongly recommended)
11:45 to 12:45 pm

WHERE: Esquina Tango
209 Pedernales, 78702

COST: $15 drop-in ($12 for students w/ID and Esquina Tango members)


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SUNDAY, DEC. 4

Rumba (all levels)
2:30 to 3:45 pm

Afro-Brazilian Dance [samba reggae/samba] — (all levels)
3:45 to 5 pm

**Live drumming will be provided for both classes.**

WHERE: Capoeira Evolução Studio
2015 E. Riverside Dr., #7B (back entrance), 78741

COST: $15 per class ($12 for students w/ID)
Discounts: $25 ($20 for students) if you take both classes



ABOUT DONNA OEFINGER:

Donna Oefinger is the director and choreographer of Axé Didé Music and Dance Co. and New Lineage, the owner of Center Space Studio, and a professional dance instructor/ performer. She is based in Portland, Oregon.

Donna’s demo reel can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MAIJQplQAs

Donna teaches many dances that fall under the categories of Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian dance, including social dances such as samba and rumba, as well as the meaningful movements of the orisha/orixá. Donna’s love of American street dance styles has led her to a creative process combining the rich culture of hip hop with the intricate movements of Afro-Cuban dance: Afro-Cuban Hip Hop. She also teaches a class called The Roots of House.

As a teacher, Donna is known for her enthusiasm, passion, and respect for the origins of these dances. Her classes are a workout and challenge people with all levels of experience. As an artist, she inspires and supports her students to further embody the movement, not just imitate form.

For the past 12 years Donna has performed in other groups as a dancer, director, and percussionist including Jujuba, The Lions of Batucada, New Lineage, and Black Angel. As the artistic director of Axé Didé, Donna masterfully combines rhythms and dances mainly from Cuba and Brazil, but also from the diverse lineages of the African Diaspora.


More videos:

A clip of an intermediate samba reggae class at her Portland studio: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=152011858164416

Clip of a Cuban class: http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=152010261497909

Ochun: http://www.youtube.com/AxeDide#p/a/u/2/VlngCnH6yAg