Category: African Dance - African Queens Dance Company

Family Afro-robics 2017 is here

4/16/2017

Join us on the dance floor!
May Family Afro-robics
Malonga Center (Oakland, CA)
Thursdays in May
6:00-7:30pm
http://www.africanqueensdance.com/family-afro-robics.html

Join us for the 4th annual Family Afro-robics.
Early Bird Discount Passes Available!
It's a great workout for all ages and abilities!

Family Afro-robics 2016 is here...

3/8/2016

Join us on the dance floor!
March Family Afro-robics
Malonga Center (Oakland, CA)
Thursdays in March
6:00-7:30pm
http://www.africanqueensdance.com/family-afro-robics.html

Join us for the 3rd annual Family Afro-robics.
Family Discount Passes Available! Parent and children all dance for one price.
It's a great workout for all ages and abilities!

Congolese WorkshOp w/ Biza Sompa March 3rd

3/1/2016

We are in for a treat! Guest instructor Biza Sompa will be teaching this Thursday, March 3, 2016 during the 6pm adult class.

Biza Sompa began his professional dance career in Brazzaville, Congo with Ballet Damar and the Congolese National Dance Company. And as a member of Congolese dance companies based in Paris, he toured throughout Germany, France and Belgium.

In 1979, Biza Sompa founded Bichini Bia Congo Dance Theatre in Ann Arbor, MI. Bichini Bia Congo "promotes the preservation and practice of authentic Congolese Dance and African culture" and uses dance to "emphasize the common aspects of culture that unify us all". Biza and Bichini Bia Congo also travel throughout the US visiting elementary, middle and high schools and using Congolese dance as a creative teaching tool to educate and motivate students in the US.

Currently, Biza is also an instructor in the School of Music, Theater & Dance at the University of Michigan and at Washtenaw Community College in Michigan. Learn more about Biza Sompa and Bichini Bia Congo.

We are truly honored to learn from dancer-choreographer Biza Sompa this week! Join us on Thursday for this very special Congolese workshop. Thursday, March 3, 2016,
6-7:30pm, $15. Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice Street, Oakland, CA 94612 Studio A, 2nd Floor. For more info contact us.

See you on the dance floor!

Black History Month Dance Workshops

2/1/2016

In celebration of Black History Month, African Queens Dance Company has partnered with Oakland and Berkeley Public Libraries to offer one-hour dance workshops throughout the month of February. The workshops are free and open to the public. All ages, genders, and skill levels are welcome. If you've been thinking about taking a class, this is a great way to check it out!

DATE TIME    VENUE
February 13, 2016 11 am Golden Gate Library (Oakland, Ca)

February 13, 2016 1 pm    Claremont Library (Berkeley, Ca)

February 20, 2016 1 pm    81st Avenue Library (Oakland, Ca)

February 23, 2016 7 pm    Rockridge Library (Oakland, Ca)

February 26, 2016 2 pm    Eastmont Library (Oakland, Ca)

February 26, 2016        3:30 pm    Brookfield Library (Oakland, Ca)

March 30, 2016    3 pm   Elmhurst Library (Oakland, Ca)

No Classes Dec 24 and 31...See you in the new year!

12/19/2015

* Class Update *
No Classes Dec 24 or Dec 31!

In observance of Christmas and the New Year
There will be no classes or rehearsals for the last two weeks of December 2015.

We are so grateful to have danced through 2015 with you,
and we can't wait to see you on the dance floor in the new year!

Have a safe and happy holiday season.

Abbreviated Adult Class Thursday Dec. 10th

12/8/2015

* Class Update *
'Pay What You Can' Donation-based Adult Exercise Class
Thursday, December 10, 2015, 6-7pm

This Thursday, Leslie will host a shortened (1 hour) Adult Class to accommodate MCCA studio events occurring later in the evening.
The class will focus on strength and exercise and will run from 6-7pm.
The pricing for this class will be a 'Pay What You Can' donation.

No changes to Youth Class
Adult class will resume it's normal schedule on Thursday, December 17, 2015.

Workshop with Malang Bayo Nov 19

11/17/2015

Leslie Carter and African Queens Dance Company are honored to host master dancer and choreographer Malang Bayo of Casamance, Senegal for an exciting dance workshop this Thursday.

Malang Bayo is a former member of the Great Ballet D'Afrique Noir of Mansour Gueye and the National Ballet of Senegal. In 1992, he formed his own performance company, Mussukeba Sane West African Ballet, which performed extensively throughout Southern California, often working with the film industry.

In addition to an amazing body of work onstage, Malang has been involved with many popular productions such as the 1988 Olympics, feature films Congo and Poetic Justice and performances with the likes of Ziggy Marley and The Rolling Stones.

This class is perfect for all ages and skill levels. Dancers will be treated to live drumming and extraordinary dance instruction!

Mr. Bayo will instruct class during Leslie's weekly adult class time slot, Thursday, November 19, 2015, 6-7:30pm, $15. Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice Street, Oakland, CA 94612 Studio A, 2nd Floor. For more info contact us.

Don't miss this opportunity to dance with master artist Malang Bayo!

Can't make Thursday's class?

Read more about Malang Bayo and check out other opportunities to dance with Malang Bayo at
the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts:

Saturday, Nov 21 - 2:30pm (2nd Floor)
Sunday, Nov 22 - 4:00pm (3rd Floor)
Monday, Nov 30 - 7:30pm (2nd Floor)

October Class Updates

10/3/2015

*No Classes Thursday, October 15th*

All classes taught by Leslie Carter are canceled for Thursday, October 15, 2015.
Both Adult and Youth classes will resume Thursday, October, 22, 2015.

Congolese Workshop W/ Titos Sompa Aug 20

8/13/2015

Join us as we take a trip to the Congo without ever leaving Oakland!

Leslie Carter and African Queens Dance Company are honored to host Congolese dance pioneer, master musician and noted choreographer Titos Sompa for a Congolese dance workshop next Thursday.

This class is perfect for all ages and skill levels. If this is your first experience with Congolese dance you are in for a lovely welcome. If you are an experienced dancer, get ready to move!

Titos Sompa is a renowned dancer and musician who has been instrumental in cultivating an awareness and appreciation for Congolese culture in the US through his pioneering success in Congolese music and dance instruction and performance. Read more about Titos and his amazing work at Mbongi Village.

Mr. Sompa will instruct class during Leslie's weekly adult class time slot. Thursday, August 20, 2015,
6-7:30pm, $15. Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice Street, Oakland, CA 94612 Studio A, 2nd Floor. For more info contact us.

Don't miss this opportunity to dance with one of the greats of our time! All levels welcome.

February Events

2/14/2015

Join African Queens Dance Company in honoring Black History Month
through our February Events and Activities!

Feb 15
Coffee & Canvas Fundraiser
Coffee with a Beat (Oakland, CA)
Sunday, February 15, 2015
3:00-5:00pm
http://www.africanqueensdance.com/coffee-and-canvas.html

Join us as we celebrate Black History Month through art. During a 2-hour painting session attendees will create a 12x12 work of art inspired by African/African-American cultures. No experience necessary. All materials included.
Seating is limited. Advanced purchase encouraged.

Feb 20
Coffee & Canvas Fundraiser (Encore)
Coffee with a Beat (Oakland, CA)
Friday, February 20, 2015
6:30-8:30pm
http://www.africanqueensdance.com/coffee-and-canvas.html

African Queens will host a second session of the Coffee & Canvas fundraiser. During the 2-hour painting session attendees will create a 12x12 work of art inspired by African/African-American cultures. No experience necessary. All materials included.
Seating is limited. Advanced purchase encouraged.

Feb 21
Black History Month Dance Workshop
Elmhurst Library (Oakland, CA)
Saturday, February 21, 2015
3:00-4:00pm
http://www.oaklandlibrary.org/events/elmhurst-branch/african-queens-oakland-public-library

African Queens will be instructing a children's dance class at Elmhurst Library. After the class there will be a short performance by African Queens Dancers. This community event is free and open to the public.

SAVE THE DATE!!
March Family Afro-robics
Malonga Center (Oakland, CA)
Thursdays in March
6:00-7:30pm
http://www.africanqueensdance.com/family-afro-robics.html

Save the dates for our annual Family Afro-robics month.
New this year: Family Discount Passes! Parent and children dance for one price.
Join us for a great workout for all ages and abilities.