Special Workshop
Donation – $10-25

Join Cumbe as we welcome the founder of the Garifuna Heritage Center for Arts and Culture, Luz Soliz, for an exciting workshop introducing the rich Garifuna culture through dance. Garifuna culture has West African and Arawak roots, which provides a refreshing, exciting and colorful experience. Dancers of all levels are welcome to learn how to move the hips,a lot, arms, head and feet to the Garifuna drums. Garifuna people originate from the island of St. Vincent and still practice their culture today in Central America (Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Belize) and now it is time to bring it to you, wherever you are in the world. The class begins with a warm-up to get your muscles loose and body ready for a workout to modern Garifuna music. Then students will be given a brief explanation of the traditional meanings behind the dances just before learning some simple and fun call-and-response songs in Garifuna. The workshop continues with a breakdown of the steps, ending with perfecting the choreography.

Luz Soliz is the founder of Garifuna Heritage Center for the Arts and Culture Inc. and artistic director of Wabafu Garifuna Dance Theatre (previously known as Hamalali Wayunagu Garifuna Dance Company). The dance company was established in 1992 in the Bronx, NY to preserve the Garifuna culture through dance, music, song, drama, poetry and more. She holds a master’s degree in dance education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Between her college education and training from various dance instructors, her mission is to continue presenting, sharing and preserving Garifuna culture through the performing arts.