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SILVINA FABARSSilvina is one of the most respected teachers and performers of folkloric dance in Cuba and around the world, with more than four decades of performing and teaching experience of Afro-Cuban dance styles. As a priestess in the Afro-Cuban religion of Santeria, Silvina's knowledge of the Orisha, (the Yoruba deities) - surpasses the theatrical aspect and includes a deep knowledge of the spiritual and ritual domain. She first made her name as a co-founder of the internationally acclaimed Conjunto Folklorico de Oriente and was later recruited as principal dancer and teacher by the Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba, the foremost state-sponsored troupe in both Cuba and abroad. For the past two decades Silvina has conducted workshops in the USA, Canada and Japan. This is her third visit to the UK by public demand, following the success of her previous workshops.
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KEVIN FALEKE HAYNESKevin Faleke is a percussionist and alto-sax player with a professional dance background. British born of Trinidadian descent, he has been involved in practising and promoting Yoruba art forms in the U.K. since 1994. Kevin Haynes is the creator of Grupo Elegua, which is an elegant fusion of modal jazz and Afro-Cuban rhythms. He is also the founder of Egbe Oduniyi Productions and Oduniyi Bata Ensemble and is a percussionist of 20 years and has been deepening his understanding of Orisha music in Cuba and Nigeria over the past decade. |
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The Oduniyi
Bata Drums Ensemble
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Iyawa OrishaIyawa Orisha means our mothers Orisha, our divine mothers. The workshop will focus on three main female Orisha , the divinities, of the Yoruba pantheon: Yemaya, Oya and Oshun. The classes will be a chance to explore how the different natural energies embodied by those Orisha are creatively expressed and invoked through dance, song and rhythm. During the singing classes we will be focusing on learning some songs from the "Warriors", Elegua , Ogun and Ochossi, who are always invoked at the beginning of a ceremony to clear the path and protect us from dangers. We will then proceede to sing a few songs for each Orisha, which will be covered during the dance classes: Yemaya (goddess of the sea, the universal mother) Oshun (goddess of fresh water, love, procreation and beauty) and Oya (embodied in the energy of the wind, owner of the cemetery, who is closely linked to ancestors, a fiery warrior goddess). The dance classes will be divided into two parts. The first part will be dedicated to a meticulous warm-up and to technique exercises. which prepare the body and develop movements characteristic of Yoruba Orisha dance. The second part of the class will be dedicated to learning the specific movements of each Orisha and how they relate to different rhythms and songs. This will be done also within the construction of simple choreographies and improvisations. The Oduniyi Bata Drums Ensemble will provide live accompaniment for the entire dance workshop. |
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IYAWA ORISHAwill be held at: PADDINGTON
ART CENTRE
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