6 Week Session: October 3 to November 7, 2009

Saturdays
from 1:00 to 2:15 P.M. $10.00 per class

Streetside Dance Studio – 6681 Arapahoe Rd. in Boulder,

Sign up now: info@Streetsidedance.com
or call 303-449-6789 www.Streetsidedance.com

Teachers:
Carmen Nelson and Marisa Mellizo

The class will teach popular dances from Latin America and the Caribbean. First, we will explore the roots of Latin Popular Dance in Afro-Brazilian and Afro-Cuban movement, including Rumba Cubana. Then, we will learn steps for Bachata and Merengue from the Dominican Republic, Salsa from the Americas, Salsa Casino and Sueltas from Cuba and others. Our focus will be on establishing a relationship between dancer and music, essential to the way people move in Latin America. We will also explore how rhythm and dance evolve. The class will follow one of the most important dance rules in Latin cultures – to enjoy ourselves.

Carmen and Marissa have 30 years of combined experience as teachers and dancers. Their style of teaching is relaxed and warm. They do not encourage
competition nor do they take the class too seriously. You will enjoy a good work out while learning to move to the different rhythms. This is not a partnering class; fun is guaranteed.

Carmen, a native of Guatemala, introduced popular dance from Latin America and the Caribbean to the Boulder community in 1992. Marisa, with roots in
Spain, is a certified Zumba instructor and a Spanish teacher.

www.macondodance.com

Alma, Corazon y Ritmo

Spiritual, folkloric and social dance from Afro-Indo-Ibero America:

A brief history of how Latin popular dance evolved in the Americas

May 19, 2009 at 7:00 PM

Boulder Public Library Canyon Theater

Program

Avaninha: In Afro-Brazilian culture, community events, such as this one, begin with invocation of the Orixas. In the Yoruba tradition, ancestors who possess “ache:” grace, blessing, and virtue, become Orixas. These are pure immaterial forces of nature that can represent both natural phenomena (e.g. thunder, minerals, ocean, forests) and the various ways that humans interact with nature (e.g. as hunters, warriors, nurturers, mothers).

Dance to Ogum and Oxum: Ogum is a warrior, always alert and moving rapidly. He represents metals, minerals, mountains and tools. Oxum is a seductress, always elegant and graceful. She embodies the essence of perfume and the brilliance of gold. This dance was taught by Rosangela Silvestre, Brazilian artist in residence, during her residence in April 2009. Choreography: Lizy Martin. Dancers: Ashley Natalia, Lizi Martin, Malaika Pettigrew, Carmen Nelson. Drummers: Alirio Da Silva, Larry Stephenson, Daniel Ondaro

“Mis Dos Abuelos” a poem by Nicolas Guillen (Cuba), read by Gustavo Reyna and Elena Klaver, danced by Onye Ozuzu with son, Enmanuel, and Rebekah West.

“Cancion con todos” sung by Mercedes Sosa (Argentina). Indians: Natasha Kerr, Yuana Diaz, Elena Klaver. Spaniards: Shireen, Monica Lettieri; Africans: Norma Johnson, Nii Armah Sowah. The audience is invited to sing along:

Todas las voces todas Canta conmigo canta

Todas la manos todas Hermano Americano

Toda la sangre puede Libera tu esperanza

Ser cancion en el viento Con un grito en la voz, en la voz.

Traditional Samba: from Brazil, Dancers: Tonja Van Helden, Melissa Swedlund, Marissa Mellizo, Cris Silva, Maristela Smith, Celia Macedo, Drummers: Alirio Da Silva, Larry Stephenson, Daniel Ondara

Rumba Guaguanco: from Cuba, Dancers: Ashley Natalia, Carmen Nelson, Adjei Abannkwa, Melissa Swedlund, Troy Burell, Judy Kreith. Drummers: Dave Crowder, Dave Lyons, Eric Walker, Tom Vanshctoick, Larry, and Reed.

Son Cubano: “Camina y Prende el Fogon” by Sones de Oriente

Carmen Nelson, teacher, with students: Chantal Deroos and Aitana Kampert

Dancers: Carl Nelson, Melissa Swedlund, Jae Parker, Victor Mendez, Antoinette Vastenburg, and Marisa Mellizo. Choreography by Carmen Nelson

Mambo: “Mambo # 5” by Damaso Perez Prado. Dancers: Norma Johnson, Malaika Pettigrew, Shireen Malik, Judy Kreith. Choreography by Judy Kreith

Cha-cha-cha: “Sabroso como el guarapo” by Orquesta Sublime. Dancers: Antoinette Vastenburg, Marissa Mellizo, Judy Kreith, Carl Nelson, Jae Park, Victor Mendez. Choreography: Judy Kreith and Carmen Nelson

Swing: “Dancing the Blues Away” by Albinia Jones, performed by Lavay Smith and her Red Hot Skillet Lickers. Choreographed by Pat Connelly, danced by members of the Blue Moon Company, funded in part by grants from BCAA and SCFD, Tier III.

Afro-Latin Blend: “Manuela” by Bopol Mansiamina, sung by Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca. Dancers: Nii Armah Sowah and Norma Johnson

Salsa: a blend of Salsa and Tango. Dancers: Rico and Lindsay

Grand Finale: Music: “Aguanile” by Hector Lavoe, sung by Marc Anthony.

Credits:

Still Photography: Nathan Rist Video: Nicholas Caiazza

Sound: Jordan Dill Publicity: Carmen Nelson, Victor Mendez

Muchas gracias, many thanks to all of the performers and to Donna Gartenmann, Mary Wohl Haan, Elena Klaver, Gustavo Reyna, Pat Connelly and the Blue Moon Dance Company, Ashley Natalia, Frances Charteris, Margaret Alfonso, Alirio and Neisha Da Silva, Gabriel, Carl and Chris Nelson, Lizy Martin, Rico, Lindsay, and Troy of Streetside Dance Studio, Rebekah West, Onye Ozuzu, Grupo Macondo.

For more information visit: macondodance.com, streetsidedance.com, and bluemoondancecompany.com

Press Release

Grupo Macondo is a multicultural dance troupe composed of professional and non-professional dancers of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds who, since 1995, have performed popular and folkloric dances of Indo-Afro-Ibero America.

Boulder, CO. May 1, 2009 – The local dance troupe will perform at the Boulder Public Library on Tuesday May 19 at 7:00 PM. The program this year presents a short history of Latin popular dance, opening with an Orixa dance from Brazil. Orixas are pure, spiritual forces of nature, worshipped in Africa and brought by enslaved Africans to the Americas. Orixa song, dance and rhythm provide the foundation for Latin popular dances. Following the Orixas, there will be folkloric dances such as Rumba from Cuba and Samba from Brazil. Then, the program moves on to social dances with presentations of Cuban Son, Cha-cha-cha and Mambo. Finally, we end with modern social dance including a swing from the Blue Moon Dance Company, An Afro-Latin dance by Nii Armah and Norma,  and a very modern salsa by Lindsay and Rico from Streetside Dance Studio.

About Carmen Reina de Nelson

Carmen Reina de Nelson, the Guatemala-born director of Grupo Macondo, has been teaching and performing in the Boulder Community since 1990. The performance this year features a number of local artists and dance teachers who share Nelson’s love and respect for Latin popular dance forms. As Carmen likes to say, “Latin popular dance should nurture the spirit rather than the ego and should come from the heart. This is the voice of a culture, with deep historic and religious roots. At Grupo Macondo, we try to replace the prevailing “hot and sexy” image with a genuine and respectful appreciation of the tradition and cultural significance of our Latin popular dances.”

Grupo Macondo wishes to thank the Boulder Arts Commission for its grant in support of this performance and the Boulder County Arts Alliance who serves as fiscal agent.

Images, Events and Blog

http://www.macondodance.com

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Contact Us :

Carmen Nelson
email: CarmenRnelson @ aol.com

Download PRESS RELEASE at boulder library

Location: Cantina Laredo

When: 8pm -10:00 pm Every Saturday starting May 2nd.

Free admission to all ages!

They have 3 dollar margaritas and $2.50 drinks.

Son Siete (a bigger version of Son Tres will be playing there with Maria, the singer from Quemando and three horns.

Also, La Sabrosa (a new seven piece band with Kelly singing from Quemando) will rotate with Son Siete on Saturdays.

We will have a great Salsa environment in Boulder.

See you there!

Macondo dances to help promote “Whole Planet Foundation Prosperity Campaign” at Whole Foods.

To make it more tropical, Carl and Carmen, from Macondo, dance by the tropical fruit and vegetables at whole foods supermarket.

Macondo dances to help promote “Whole Planet Foundation Prosperity Campaign” at Whole Foods.

Antoinnette and Alan dance to the rhythms of son tres and salsa music by the grapes.

Macondo dances to help promote “Whole Planet Foundation Prosperity Campaign” at Whole Foods.

Antoinnette plays the squash to the tropical rhythms of salsa music.

Macondo dances to help promote “Whole Planet Foundation Prosperity Campaign” at Whole Foods.

Antoinnette plays the squash to the tropical rhythms of salsa music.