Ruedame Presents: Rumba Yambu & Guaguanco Workshops with Liethis Hechavarria

Ruedame is proud and honored to present a special Rumba (Yambu & Guaguanco) workshop with a terrific dancer and instructor, Liethis Hechavarria, on Monday, October 12 at 8pm! Originally from Santiago De Cuba, Liethis received her early training as a dancer from Danys Perez Prades, Sergio Gallardo, and Chuck Davis at esteemed institutions such as Alvin Ailey American dance, Djoniba Dance and Drum Center, Escuela Nacional de Danza Moderna de Santiago de Cuba, Balmir Dance Company Center, and Adiro Omode (Corazon de Niño). Liethis is a founding company member and principal dancer of Oyu Oro Dance Company in NYC and has performed at Jacob’s Pillow dance festival, BAM’s DanceAfrica, Latino Cultural Festival, La Tea Theatre, Heritage Sunday at Lincoln Center Outdoors, La Mama Annex stage, WOFABE African Dance and Music Festival, Los Angeles Center outdoor Dance Festival, and Minnesota’s International dance festival. Additionally she has performed at the opening of the UN Memorial Ark of Return and La Colmenita Children’s Theater Santiago de Cuba. Liethis has taught at Casa de Cultura and Ballet Nacional in Santiago the Cuba . Columbia University after school, Harlem School of the Art After school program, Lincoln Center Outdoors, Havana Viaje Ciudad en Movimiento festival, Alvin Ailey Extension, and Cumbe Center for African Diaspora. She has also assisted the director of Oyu Oyo, Danys ‘La Mora’ Perez during master workshops at Williams College, Tulane University, and Brown University. She has also assisted, taught and helped organize Dos Aguas, an annual international cultural summer program to Cuba focused on dance, music, songs, culture, and dance ethnology. Among the most well-known and celebrated Afro-Cuban folkloric dances, Yambu and Guaguanco first developed in the shipyards of Cuba with deep influences from Congo, Yoruba, and Dahomey social dances. Guaguanco in particular is characterized by sensual, soulful, and flirtatious movements and the interaction between the suitor and the pursued. For anyone interested in adding a unique element to their casino (including when we call "enchufla con rumba" in the rueda) or understanding the roots of Afro-Cuban folkloric dance, this is an opportunity you should not pass up! Here's all the info you'll need: WHEN: Monday, October 12, 8:00-9:30pm WHERE: 149 Christopher Street, St. Veronica Church - Creative Cultural Center (http://www.cccsveronica.org/), studio #2 HOW MUCH: $18 per student WHAT TO WEAR: Something comfortable (note that rumba is often danced barefoot) Please feel free to send any questions our way. Can't wait to see you there!