Al-Wahda Workshops: Public workshops featuring the dance and drumming traditions of SWANA and Arab-American artists. No Prior Experience Necessary.
We welcome any interested person aged 12 and up (minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult) will have the opportunity to take 90 minute free dance/movement class with one of our partners: Somali Dance, Yalla Drum, Shabbal Dance (guest artists from Oakland), and Mirah Ammal and Al-Bahira Dance Theater. You can sign up for one or all four workshops. All workshops take place on Friday, September 18.
Yalla Drum Workshop: Arabic Drumming Experience
3:00-4:30pm
This workshop will be a hands on introduction to Arabic percussion. Drums will be provided, and participants of all experience levels are invited to learn foundational Arabic rhythms, explore traditional drumming techniques, and make music together in a fun, welcoming environment.
Mirah Ammal: Dabke
4:30-6:00pm
A traditional social dance, dabke is a feature in social gatherings, celebrations, and movements with local variations throughout Southwest Asia. In this workshop, you’ll learn some key elements of dabke—steps, techniques, rhythms, and cultural significance associated with the form and diverse communities in the region and in diaspora.
Shabbal Sudanese Dance Workshop
6:00-7:30pm
The workshop will begin with a short video presentation introducing participants to the colorful and diverse dance traditions of Sudan and the communities, landscapes, music, and stories behind them. From there, participants will explore the stories, rhythms, and movements that shape Sudanese dance, traveling from the Nubian lands and the Red Sea region to the Nuba Mountains, Kordofan, and Darfur. Through guided movement, participants will experience dances and rhythms including Halfa (North), Kassala (East), Al-Keran, Al-Mardoum, and Al-Jarrari (West) while learning what these traditions represent and the communities they come from.
Somali Dance Workshop
7:30-9:00pm
This workshop will teach Somali traditional dances from different regions in Somalia.