All levels are welcome and all bodies belong here. Explore the heart and hip opening movements of Guinean traditional dance while honoring the source and original teachers of the form. Students will learn the foundation and feeling of the movements as well as cultural and historical context while sharing in the joy of the enlivening rhythms of Guinea.

Full Series Passes & Class Bundles: Purchase of a full series pass guarantees you a space in each class during the series. This option is recommended due to potential COVID capacity restrictions. A minimum number of Full Series registrants are required in order to run the series and registration is open from now until the registration deadline on March 4. After that date, Class Bundles and Drop-in options will become available as long as the minimum requirement has been met.

Registration Deadline for Full Series Passes: March 10

Full Series Pass & Class Bundles are valid for the duration of a single series (Autumn, Winter, Spring, or Summer) with no rollover credits.

Class Limit: 15 students, with priority given to full series pass and class bundle holders.

Drop-ins: Limited to 5 per class, due to capacity restrictions.

Arrival Time: Doors open 15 minutes before class begins; series pass and class bundle holders will be admitted at that time; drop-ins will be admitted 5 minutes before class begins, pending space availability.

If you plan to drop in at the door, you may call Mayo Street Arts beginning 45 minutes prior to class to check availability (207) 879-4629.

Liability Waiver: A signed general liability waiver will be required prior to participation in your first class. You may complete one in advance using the following Google Form.

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ABOUT GUINEAN DANCE

Dance and drumming are a rich part of the culture and community in Guinea. There are rhythms and dances to accompany all manner of life’s passages and natural cycles including births, weddings, coming of age ceremonies, the planting, and harvesting of crops, full moons, and celebrations of all kinds.

ARTIST BIO

Marita Kennedy-Castro (she/her) is a dance educator, embodied movement artist, and intercultural bridge-builder. She is the co-director and choreographer of New Moon Ensemble and founder of Embody the Rhythm. She was born in the Wabanaki Confederacy territory we call Maine under colonization.

Marita shares from a lifetime of dance and movement exploration and training, and over 23 years of study with master dancers of Guinea, West Africa. She received the encouragement and blessing to teach Guinean traditional dance from world-renowned dance artist and cultural ambassador, Youssouf Koumbassa.

Marita is passionate about contributing to cultural preservation, building intercultural community, and illuminating avenues to healing through movement as medicine. She completed her thesis in Dance & Performance Art for Healing & Social Change at Goddard College.

SLIDING-SCALE POLICY

No one will be turned away for lack of funds; contact MSA at 207-879-4629 or info@mayostreetarts.org for information on our sliding scale admission policy.

COVID-19 POLICY

Mayo Street Arts is committed to the safety of everyone at our events and will adhere to all Federal & Maine CDC guidelines on the day of the event. As we anticipate mid-season changes to our COVID-19 policy, please click here to visit our website and view the most current information.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Mayo Street Arts has a no refund policy for all reservations. In the event that MSA is forced to cancel an event due to weather, illness, etc., refunds will be offered via the Ticket Tailor platform. In case of inclement weather/snowstorms, West African Dance follows the Portland Public School System. If the Portland Public Schools are closed, class will not take place.