Workshops
On this page you will find information about the workshops and a registration form for the weekly workshops. At the bottom of the page you will find more information about the courses and teachers!
Ngoma Drum-making 200 €, price includes all equipment and two days of instruction.
Price for one dance workshop: 20 € / 90 min
Three dance workshops of your choice for a total of 50 €
All dance workshops total 100 € (7 workshops)
By paying by 30 June you confirm your place in the workshop.
For those who have signed up for the drum making workshop, we will send you more information before the course. The drum will be made outside, under a canopy in case of rain.
For the class, please dress in sporty clothes and bring your own water bottle. You can dance barefoot or with comfortable shoes. No previous experience of African dance is necessary.
Just a cheerful spirit!
Monday & Tuesday 8. - 9.7.
@Haiharan Taidekeskus, Haiharankatu 30, 33710 Tampere
Mon 18-20 / Tue 15-21 Drum-making workshop
In the drum making course you will learn how to make a traditional Ngoma drum, played with sticks/ sticks. The drum is made from cowhide on a metal frame, which can be painted or patterned to your liking.
The drum is a two-day process and each drum is completely unique and personalised. During the course you will also learn about the history of the Ngoma tradition through to African dance and music. More information will be sent to all registrants before the course
before the course. The teacher will be Menard Mponda.
Menard Mponda
Menard Mponda is a Tanzanian dancer, dance teacher, choreographer and musician. Menard has taught Tanzanian singing, dancing and drumming in Finland and for over 25 years and is also the artistic director of Fest Africa.
Wednesday 10.7.
@Tanssistudio Razzmatazz, Aleksis Kiven katu 18 B, 33210 Tampere
17:00 – 18:30 Absa / Sabar
Absa will teach an open level sabar workshop suitable for all. Sabar is a traditional Senegalese culture that includes dance and drums. Sabar is danced to the beat of drums and is a very energetic and joyful dance.
18:30 – 20:00 Abeneko / Afrofusion
Afrofusion is a mix of African and American social and street dances. Afrofusion aims to strengthen the student’s ability to embrace different styles and gain an understanding of how these movements relate to each other. Get ready to sweat, exercise and enjoy the sounds of popular African music.
Absa Mbaye
Absa Mbaye is a Senegalese dancer and dance teacher. In addition to Sabari, he also dances other West African dances and more modern Afro-dances.
Absa has performed and competed in Senegal with professional dance companies such as Africa akay degg, and has danced in concerts and music videos by major Senegalese artists. She has also performed at several festivals in Europe. Absa has worked as a dance teacher in Dakar and in Finland and has taught intensive courses all over Europe.
Abeneko
Abeneko is a Tanzanian live performer, singer, songwriter, guitarist and dancer. Abeneko’s music is a blend of contemporary East African beats, melodies, funk and afro-fusion combined with traditional dance, melodies and rhythms.
Thursday 11.7.
@Tanssistudio Razzmatazz, Aleksis Kiven katu 18 B, 33210 Tampere
17:00 – 18:30 Awa / Waistline
The class focuses on learning to recognise the different rhythms of pelvic and hip movements. The aim is to learn to listen to your body and feel the movement rather than watching the movement. Each body is unique, as is the movement we create with our pelvis.
18:30 – 20:00 Abeneko / Afrofusion
Awa Sowe
Awa is a self-taught, passionate and culturally driven dancer. She is known for her twerk project Twercture, through which she has taught very popular twerk classes around Finland. Awa’s work focuses on twerk technique and lectures on the history and culture of twerk.
Friday 12.7.
@Tanssistudio Razzmatazz, Aleksis Kiven katu 18 B, 33210 Tampere
17:00 – 18:30 Lokoko / Ndombolo
Ndombolo is a highly energetic and hip-shaking dance style that originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It involves fast-paced movements, rhythmic hip movements and quick footwork. It’s a great way to relax, have fun and show off your dancing skills.
This class mixes traditional and modern Congolese and Ivorian coastal music. If you’re looking for a dance style to get the party started, Ndombolo is definitely worth checking out!
Lokoko Ndabarewe
Lokoko, originally from the Congo, teaches afrobeats, amapiano and ndombolo. Lokoko focuses on body acceptance, positive self-esteem and good health. She has a broad knowledge of the entire field of dance, as well as in-depth knowledge and training experience.
Saturday 13.7.
@Tanssistudio Razzmatazz, Aleksis Kiven katu 18 B, 33210 Tampere
15:00 – 16:30 Sikujua / Afrobeats
Afrobeats is a mix of traditional African dance moves and modern dance elements. It is about self-expression, self-acceptance and having fun on the dance floor.
Afrobeat originated in Nigeria, derived from the Afrobeat music style of Fela Kuti. It has gained worldwide popularity thanks to its catchy rhythms and lively movements. This class features powerful dance moves that will give you a more confident feel for your dance skills.
Sikujua Mponda
Sikujua Mponda is an experienced and talented performer and dancer. She is known for her pioneering work as one of the first female brown Afro & Twerk dancers in Finland. One of her biggest goals is to bring cultural awareness to the dance industry and show what Afro dance is all about.
16:30 – 18:00 Heini / Mbalax
Sabar is a dance style from Senegal, danced to traditional sabar rhythms played on drums. Sabar has its own fascinating rhythmic world and a strong movement language unlike other West African dances. Mbalax, on the other hand, is Senegalese pop music based on traditional rhythms. Sabar and Mbalax share the same dance movements.
Heini Keipinen
Heini is an experienced dance teacher whose main styles are Senegalese Sabar and Congolese Ndombolo. In addition to her weekly classes, Heini has led intensive courses all over Europe. In addition, Heini has brought to Finland several top names of different Afro dance styles in workshops and organised the annual Ndakarou dance camp in Dakar, Senegal.