Special Workshops & Events
Katherine Dunham Technique Class
Katherine Dunham introduced African and Caribbean rhythms to modern dance. The schools she created helped train such notables as Alvin Ailey and Jerome Robbins in the "Dunham technique." This technique concentrates on building strength, flexibility, and the ability to undulate your torso and hips fully and rapidly.
Samba Reggae Sundays w/Batalá
Join us for Samba Reggae Sundays – a Monthly Workshop and Open Rehearsal at Cumbe Center for African and Diaspora Dance! Get ready for an afternoon of rhythm and fun with Batalá New York! Dive into Afro-Brazilian percussion from Bahia, Brazil, and dance while you drum.
The Roots of Samba Series w/ Quenia Ribeiro
Experience the Vibrant Rhythms of Brazil in our Samba Workshop! From the soulful beats of Bahia to the lively streets of Rio, this class is a celebration of Brazil's iconic dance form. Get ready for an exhilarating journey through Samba's rich history and diverse variations.
Haitian Flag Day Konpa Class Celebration w/ Robenson Mathurin
Compas a traditional Haitain meringue, jazz and Vodou rhythm couples dance. Primarily focusing on movements of the hips; also known as Konpa, Kompa, Compas direct, or Kompa direkt, Compas originated in Haiti in the 1950's and the root of this dance style was created by the Haitian band, Ensemble Aux Callebasses.
Kekene at Cumbe w/Kotchegna Dance Company
Join us for Kekene at Cumbe and experience the energy of the Kotchegna Dance Company through dance and drum workshops culminating in a vibrant performance by Kotchegna Dance Company!
Kekene at Cumbe w/Kotchegna Dance Company
Day 2 of Kekene at Cumbe and experience the energy of the Kotchegna Dance Company through dance and drum workshops culminating in a vibrant performance by Kotchegna Dance Company!
Kekene at Cumbe Performance with Kotchegna Dance Company
Join us for the Kekene at Cumbe culminating performance with Kotchegna Dance Company!
Saturday, May 18 | 7-8pm | $25
Orisha Femininity Flow w/ Liethis Hechavarria
Orisha Femininity Flow is a transformative workshop curated by a resilient Afro-Latina woman deeply rooted in the performing arts and rich Cuban heritage.
Samba Reggae Sundays w/Batalá
Join us for Samba Reggae Sundays – a Monthly Workshop and Open Rehearsal at Cumbe Center for African and Diaspora Dance! Get ready for an afternoon of rhythm and fun with Batalá New York! Dive into Afro-Brazilian percussion from Bahia, Brazil, and dance while you drum.
The Roots of Samba Series w/ Quenia Ribeiro
Experience the Vibrant Rhythms of Brazil in our Samba Workshop! From the soulful beats of Bahia to the lively streets of Rio, this class is a celebration of Brazil's iconic dance form. Get ready for an exhilarating journey through Samba's rich history and diverse variations.
Orisha Femininity Flow w/ Liethis Hechavarria
Orisha Femininity Flow is a transformative workshop curated by a resilient Afro-Latina woman deeply rooted in the performing arts and rich Cuban heritage.
Samba Reggae Sundays w/Batalá
Join us for Samba Reggae Sundays – a Monthly Workshop and Open Rehearsal at Cumbe Center for African and Diaspora Dance! Get ready for an afternoon of rhythm and fun with Batalá New York! Dive into Afro-Brazilian percussion from Bahia, Brazil, and dance while you drum.
Samba Reggae Sundays w/Batalá
Join us for Samba Reggae Sundays – a Monthly Workshop and Open Rehearsal at Cumbe Center for African and Diaspora Dance! Get ready for an afternoon of rhythm and fun with Batalá New York! Dive into Afro-Brazilian percussion from Bahia, Brazil, and dance while you drum.
Orisha Femininity Flow w/ Liethis Hechavarria
Orisha Femininity Flow is a transformative workshop curated by a resilient Afro-Latina woman deeply rooted in the performing arts and rich Cuban heritage.
The Spirit of Carnival w/JouvayFest Collective
Experience the vibrant Spirit of Carnival with Cumbe! Join us for an electrifying workshop led by Sandra A. M. Bell, Kendall M. Julien, and Inga Lee Black of JOUVAYFEST. Delve into the heart of Trinidad & Tobago's Carnival as we explore the iconic "Rhythm Section" through captivating storytelling, music, dance, and delicious Caribbean cuisine.
Julio’s Birthday Celebration Konpas Class
Come move your hips and enjoy the sensuous style of Konpas Dance, led by Julio Jean. Danced solo or with a partner, this popular form is a Haitian meringue along the lines of Kizomba, and has influenced genres such as Soca and Kassav. This Saturday’s class will be an extra special gathering to celebrate Julio’s birthday!
Sharing Afro-Brazilian Culture
Step into the heart of Brazil with Erminia as your guide! Join our immersive workshop to explore Portuguese basics, Afro-Brazilian songs, samba dance steps, and savory samples from ZKA Brazilian Soul Food.
Orisha Femininity Flow w/ Liethis Hechavarria
Orisha Femininity Flow is a transformative workshop curated by a resilient Afro-Latina woman deeply rooted in the performing arts and rich Cuban heritage.
Congolese Dance + Drum Takeover featuring Ikara
Come learn traditional Congolese dance with Ikara, visiting from Europe, and a dear friend of Andoche! Get your body moving, your waistline rolling and feel the vibrant spirit of Congolese dance to the lively sounds of the Ngoma Drum.
Andoche Birthday Special Congolese Master Class w/ Ikara
Come learn traditional Congolese dance with Ikara, visiting from Europe, and a dear friend of Andoche! Get your body moving, your waistline rolling and feel the vibrant spirit of Congolese dance to the lively sounds of the Ngoma Drum.
Guinea Master Class Mini Series w/Nafi Diabate
Discover the dynamic rhythms of Guinea's folkloric dance with Nafi Diabate at CUMBE! Join us for an exciting workshop featuring a warm-up with stretching, isolation, and fundamental movements.
Steppin’ for Love Valentine's Day Social
Join us for a special Valentine's Day edition of Chicago-Style Steppin'! Learn the smooth, sexy, and soulful art of this sophisticated partner dance in a social and fun gathering. Whether you're a beginner mastering the basics or an intermediate/advanced dancer refining technique and turns, this workshop is for you.
Farewell ‘23 Congo & Samba!
Join us for an electrifying New Year's farewell celebration as we bid adieu to 2023 and welcome 2024 with two sensational classes!
Soul. Life. DANCE! Performance and Dance Party Fundraiser.
This year's culminating performance and fundraiser, Soul. Life. DANCE! will be an explosion of dance and drumming, featuring Haitian, West African, Congolese, Brazilian, Belly Dance, and Dunham Jazz performances, followed by cocktails, refreshments and dancing to DJ Sabine Blaizin's global soul grooves.
West African w/Tamara Jones
Get moving in this energetic and exhilarating open level West African Dance class led by Tamara. Featuring live music and a focus on Guinean Dance, students will learn about the freedom of movement and spirituality conveyed through this dance style from an incredible artist who has been studying it since the age of four. By breaking down rhythms and movements while also explaining the meanings and principles behind them Tamara teaches the roots of traditional African dance by tearing down barriers as she eases you into it step by step making sure everyone is looking and feeling good by the end of class
West African w/Tamara Jones
Get moving in this energetic and exhilarating open level West African Dance class led by Tamara. Featuring live music and a focus on Guinean Dance, students will learn about the freedom of movement and spirituality conveyed through this dance style from an incredible artist who has been studying it since the age of four. By breaking down rhythms and movements while also explaining the meanings and principles behind them Tamara teaches the roots of traditional African dance by tearing down barriers as she eases you into it step by step making sure everyone is looking and feeling good by the end of class
Konpas Dance Class and Social
Come dance Konpa with us! This Saturday, October 14, is our monthly signature Konpa Dance Class and Social. Join us and learn the basics of this sensual style of dance, solo or with a partner. After class stay a while to hang out to show off your new moves!
West African w/ Tamara Jones
Get moving in this energetic and exhilarating open level West African Dance class led by Tamara. Featuring live music and a focus on Guinean Dance, students will learn about the freedom of movement and spirituality conveyed through this dance style from an incredible artist who has been studying it since the age of four. By breaking down rhythms and movements while also explaining the meanings and principles behind them Tamara teaches the roots of traditional African dance by tearing down barriers as she eases you into it step by step making sure everyone is looking and feeling good by the end of class
Sacred Brooklyn Yoga
Cumbe welcomes the Sacred Brooklyn Yoga community in the studio for monthly yoga classes with your favorite Sacred teachers. Since 2011, Sacred Brooklyn has been a treasured and integral part of the BedStuy community and beyond.
Gede Special Workshop w/ Julio Jean
Come celebrate life, fertility and death with Haiti’s raucous Gede spirits through song, dance and drums. During Fête Gede, Haiti’s Feast of the Dead, revelers dress up and dance to entice the spirits of the dead to celebrate with their living descendants. In this special workshop, you'll learn the traditional dances of Banda and Maskawon, mostly known as Yanvalou Gede in a dynamic one hour dance workshop led by Julio Jean and Alexandra Jean-Joseph.
West African Guinean w. Mouminatou Camara
Join Mouminatou Camara, former principal dancer of Les Ballets Africains (Guinea’s national dance company) in a high energy class exploring traditional dances from Guinea and West Africa. All levels are welcome. This class is accompanied by live music on traditional instruments such as the djembe and the djun-djun.
Spiritual Movement Through Praise Dance
Liturgical or spiritual dance that incorporates music and movement as a form of worship. Praise dances use the dancers' body to express the words used in spiritual songs as a way to offer praise and worship to God.
Free - Chicago Style Steppin’ at Governors Island
Learn the smooth, sexy, and soulful art of Chicago-Style Steppin'. Originating in Chicago, Steppin’ has its roots in Lindy Hop, Jitterbug, and the Bop, and is a sophisticated social partner dance usually done to R&B, Soul, Neo-Soul, Jazz, and Funk music. It grew in popularity in the ‘90s with the release of R. Kelly's song, "Step In the Name of Love,” and with classic songs like, “Be Thankful for What You Got” by William DeVaughn in the ‘70s.
Free - Traditional Congolese at Governors Island
Get your body moving and those waist lines rolling to the lively sounds of the Ngoma Drum with Master Artist Andoche Loubaki in this lively and colorful Traditional Congolese Dance and Drum class. This class will introduce you to the sacred dances and celebratory rhythms of the Congo. Class begins with a warm-up with isolations and stretches to prepare the body to move. Next you will learn information about the dances in the Kongolese tradition along with associated songs. Drums used in this workshop.
Free - Creative Caribbean Movement at Governors Island
Come explore the ways dances of the divine spirits from across the African Diaspora and the Caribbean can inform the essence and personality of creative movement. This slow paced fusion class uses traditional folklore movements that represent varying themes such as play, passageways, flow, beauty and strength as a foundation to color and inform a modern dance combination. The class will begin with a gentle warm up that includes body articulations, isolations and flow to prepare the body to move.
Spiritual Movement Through Praise Dance
Liturgical or spiritual dance that incorporates music and movement as a form of worship. Praise dances use the dancers' body to express the words used in spiritual songs as a way to offer praise and worship to God.
Sacred Brooklyn Yoga Reunion
Cumbe welcomes the Sacred Brooklyn Yoga community in the studio for monthly yoga classes with your favorite Sacred teachers. Since 2011, Sacred Brooklyn has been a treasured and integral part of the BedStuy community and beyond.
Konpa Dance Class and Social
Come dance Konpa with us! This Saturday, October 14, is our monthly signature Konpa Dance Class and Social. Join us and learn the basics of this sensual style of dance, solo or with a partner. After class stay a while to hang out to show off your new moves!
Free - Jazz at Governors Island
Dancers will look at vernacular Jazz and its roots, Dunham's movement vocabulary used in Jazz dance, and traditional modern Jazz motifs, and experiment with the three to ultimately create a concert Jazz movement piece. This high-energy class encourages fun and the freedom of expression through artistry, improvisation, and embellishment of choreography regardless of skill and dance experience. For each meeting, a classic Dunham warm-up will be given followed by lively, Dunham-inspired Jazz progressions and a creative rehearsal session.
Free - Creative Caribbean Movement at Governors Island
Come explore the ways dances of the divine spirits from across the African Diaspora and the Caribbean can inform the essence and personality of creative movement. This slow paced fusion class uses traditional folklore movements that represent varying themes such as play, passageways, flow, beauty and strength as a foundation to color and inform a modern dance combination. The class will begin with a gentle warm up that includes body articulations, isolations and flow to prepare the body to move.
Free - Belly Dance at Governors Island
Build core strength, improve posture, aids in digestion, increases balance, increases circulation, helps relieve stress excellent brain exercise for focus, memory, creativity and coordination. The fluidity of many movements incorporated may also benefit osteoporosis, arthritis, back and circulatory issues.
Free - Congolese Dance and Drum at Governors Island
Get your body moving and those waist lines rolling to the lively sounds of the Ngoma Drum with Master Artist Andoche Loubaki in this lively and colorful Traditional Congolese Dance and Drum class. This class will introduce you to the sacred dances and celebratory rhythms of the Congo.
Free - Afro-Soca at Governors Island
Shakira 'Kira Divine' Marshall, one of the FELA! queens, returns to Cumbe with Afro-Soca! Whine your hips to the upbeat rhythms of Soca music and learn other popular Caribbean dances in this workshop that fuses both African and Caribbean dance styles often seen in fetes and Carnival celebrations around the world.
Free - ASA! Fitness at Governors Island
ASA! Fitness is a low-impact, high-intensity, total body dance fitness program. Set to the latest tunes in Afrobeat, Azonto, Akayida, Makossa and Ndombolo, ASA! Fitness infuses the latest and most classic African dance movements with innovative exercise.