Online
Special Workshop
Donation – $10-25

Carnaval Dominicano is celebrated during the month of February dating back to as early as the 1500s with vibrant parades in each city with unique music, dance and characters. In this workshop we will learn the dances of a few member of the spiritual pantheon: El Diablo Cojuelo (the limping devil) - the main character of Carnaval who has many iterations unique to the different cities that celebrate Carnaval throughout the island; Guloyas - who represent Afro-descendants from neighboring English-speaking Caribbean islands who migrated to the DR in the early 20th century to work in the sugar industry; and Jacana- a subgenre of Sarandunga, a stately dance of courtship danced with a handkerchief.

TaDeo Asojano is a New York City based dancer, singer, drummer and actor who specializes in Afro-Cuban and Afro Puerto-Rican folkloric and popular dance. TaDeo has honed his training with renowned companies such as Asoyi Dance, Oyu-Oro, Global Rhythms and Bembe Collective. He most recently danced the principal role of Ogun in a production of “Guerreros Lukumies.” He was the featured principle dancer of the weekly “Midnight Rumba” with Roman Diaz at the Zinc Bar and has most recently choreographed the production of “She Wore Those Shoes” for the Power Street Theatre

Company of Philadelphia. TaDeo is currently working on a project that will be performed at the University of Pennsylvania that is a fusion of Afro-Cuban, Afro-Brazilian, Afrobeat, Dominican Palo and Stepping. TaDeo hopes to continue his utilization of Folkloric arts as a platform to unite communities and bring about cultural awareness and appreciation.