Tuesdays 8:00–9:30 PM

NEA School of Dance

25 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060

(On the 4th floor; above the Fitzwilly’s restaurant)

For a map and driving directions to the class click here.

$12 per class, Or $80 for an 8 class card

For more information about the Afro-Cuban Folkloric Dance Class contact us.

Check for any changes to the regular Tuesday night class schedule on our Calendar Page.

To download a poster for the Afro-Cuban Folkloric Dance Class click here.

View some photos from the Afro-Cuban Folkloric Dance Class

Watch a video of the Afro-Cuban Folkloric Dance Class

If a photo is worth a thousand words, then what is a video worth? Click on the video window below to watch a video documentary about Grupo Folklorico Palo Santo and the Afro-Cuban folkloric dance class that was produced by Jerrey Roberts for the Daily Hampshire Gazette in the Spring of 2009. Find out for yourself why the Afro-Cuban folkloric dance class is one of the most fun and interesting dance classes in the Pioneer Valley!

These high-energy classes are accompanied every week by drummers from the Grupo Folklórico Palo Santo performance group playing authentic Afro-Cuban instruments and rhythms; and singing traditional Afro-Cuban songs.

The Afro-Cuban Dance Class is open to dancers of all levels--no previous formal dance experience is necessary.

Grupo Folklórico Palo Santo offers ongoing classes in Afro-Cuban dance taught by Miguel Periche, who is the principal dancer in the Grupo Folklórico Palo Santo performance group.

Join us to learn a wide variety of Orisha dances from the Santería/Yoruba/Lucumí tradition; Yuka, Makuta, Palo, Garabato and Trilla’o from the Bantú complex; and social dances such as the various Rumbas and Comparsa.

Each class includes a warm-up; instruction in basic movements; creation of choreographies out of the basic steps; and discussion of the historical and cultural roots of the various Afro-Cuban dances. The highlight of each week’s class is the traditional dance circle, where each dancer takes a turn to put what he or she has learned into practice by dancing before the drums.

Newcomers are always welcome to join these ongoing classes.

A photo is worth a thousand words. If you are thinking about attending the Afro-Cuban folkloric dance class for the first time and you would like to know what to expect, click here to view a photo album from the Afro-Cuban folkloric dance class. You will be able to see what types of movements are done, what is the typical attire for the class, and you might even spot a friend or two.