La Peña Cultural Center

Welcome to La Peña! Promoting social justice & intercultural understanding through the arts since 1975.

Contact Us
Donate Now!

Search Results for: 2

CANCELLED – Beat the Blues Dance with Sundown Blues

sundown blues

THIS CLASS WILL NOT BE HELD ON 9/11/19.

Beat the Blues Dance with Sundance Blues

Sliding scale $6-$16 for practice, drop-in, and social dance
Instructors: Rotating Instructors | Location: Theater Space

8 – 9 – Drop in beginner class
9 – 11 – Social dance to blues music

Director: Victor Lane

For more information: http://www.sundownblues.com/contact.html

Blues dancing is all about connection, musicality, partnership and having fun! It can range from sensual to sad to gritty to soulful and anything in between. Our DJs play a variety of vintage and modern blues music in many styles and tempos, suitable for many styles of blues dancing.

If you’ve never danced before, no worries. We teach a beginner-friendly drop-in lesson before every dance from 8-9, and it’s even included in the price of admission!

Your first time is free! No partner necessary, all ages welcome!

Beat the Blues Dance with Sundown Blues – CANCELLED FOR CHRISTMAS

sundown blues

THIS CLASS WILL NOT BE HELD ON DEC. 25.

Beat the Blues Dance with Sundance Blues

Sliding scale $6-$16 for practice, drop-in, and social dance
Instructors: Rotating Instructors | Location: Theater Space

8 – 9 – Drop in beginner class
9 – 11 – Social dance to blues music

Director: Victor Lane

For more information: http://www.sundownblues.com/contact.html

Blues dancing is all about connection, musicality, partnership and having fun! It can range from sensual to sad to gritty to soulful and anything in between. Our DJs play a variety of vintage and modern blues music in many styles and tempos, suitable for many styles of blues dancing.

If you’ve never danced before, no worries. We teach a beginner-friendly drop-in lesson before every dance from 8-9, and it’s even included in the price of admission!

Your first time is free! No partner necessary, all ages welcome!

Kizomba & Rhythm

What we teach
Kizomba, derived from the traditional dances Semba (Angola) and Pasada (Cape Verde) among others, is a sensual partner dance coupled with music from Angola, Cape Verde and the Caribbean primarily sung in Portuguese or French Creole.

Why we teach
Our chief goal is for dancers, especially Kizomba dancers, new or improver, to learn to experience a different dance each time, especially when dancing with the same partner to the identical song.

Our philosophy

– Have fun

– Make the dance your own

– Listen to your dance music over and over until you are very familiar

– Dance with EVERYONE in the dance community

– Turn your mistakes into possibly your signature move

– There is one leader, the music, and two followers:

– First follower follows the music

– Second follower follows first follower and the music

– Rhythm is key to a successful dance

On-going Class
$15 / $10 w/Student ID
Drop-Ins Welcome

Title: Kizomba & Rhythm

When: 7PM Tuesdays*

* Schedule subject to change … check this website for up-to-date information

Where: La Peña Cultural Center

3105 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA  94705



Instructor Bios
Influenced as a young child by Rhythm & Blues, Classical, Jazz, Country, Salsa, African Rhythms and contemporary music, among others, David started taking dance seriously after younger brother Christopher introduced him to Salsa. Introduced to Kizomba after four years of dancing Salsa and Salsa Rueda, he now teaches Kizomba with his brother as “The Brothers Kizomba.”
Also influenced as a young child by the same music as brother David (i.e. Rhythm & Blues, Classical, Jazz, Country, Salsa, African Rhythms and contemporary music, among others), Christopher was persuaded to try formal Salsa dance lessons. After five years of Salsa and four years of Salsa Rueda, a single Kizomba song led to Kizomba lessons and now teaching with brother David as “The Brothers Kizomba.”Attending well over 50 workshops and festivals, both domestically and internationally, both David and Christopher continue their Kizomba education from world-renown instructors including:Afro Latin Connection
Albir Rojas & Sara Panero
Cymeon Mopao
Helio Santos
Isabelle & Felicien
Joao Rocha & Giedre
Kwenda Lima
Mafalda Butterflies
Mandella & Lisa
Mestre Petchu & Vanessa
Ozy Shine
Sara Lopez
Tony Pirata & Sophie Fox
Yami Step One

David, a student and instructor of Martial Arts for over 30 years, has a B. S. in Recreation and an M.S. in Education from California State University East Bay where he is a lecturer in the Department of Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism.

Christopher holds an M.S. in Education and a B.S. in Management Information Systems.

Capoeira Angola

fullsizerender

Tuesdays at 7pm – 9pm
Saturdays at 2pm – 4pm

Instructor: Sergio Bitencourt

For more information: sergiobitencourt81@gmail.com

Capoeira Angola, a martial art and ritual combat dance, is one of the major expressions of an African, specifically Kongo-Angolan, continuum in Brazil. It is believed that its origins may go as far back as the 16th century, when Africans from western Central Africa were enslaved and taken to Brazil, specifically Salvador and the surround Recôncavo region.

In its history and practice, Capoeira Angola reflects the philosophy and aesthetics of its origins. Similar to many traditional African traditions, there are no clear-cut distinctions between the sacred and secular, work and play, fight and fun. Capoeira Angola integrates music, movement, theatrics, play, martial arts, philosophy, and spirituality. In the past, Capoeira Angola has been passed down from master to student orally.

Similar to the teachings of Mestre Pastinha, one of the central figures to the preservation and transmission of Capoeira Angola, I teach Capoeira Angola as a path to self-knowledge and a way of life. Central to my teachings is the shared belief that Capoeira Angola is more than physical confrontation and can serve as a vehicle for the development of ethnic pride and the fight for human rights. Within Capoeira Angola is the history of the political and cultural resistance and struggle of Afro-Brazilians and their role in the formation of Brazilian society.

Different from other traditions of martial arts, music is essential to play Capoeira Angola; without it the game is unimaginable. The intimate relation between music, movement, play, and spirituality facilitates the integration of the body and mind of the capoeirista while contributing to the playful character of the game. The traditional orchestra of Capoeira Angola as it has come together in Brazil, consists of three berimbaus of different pitches, two pandeiros (tambourines), one agogô (double bell), a reco-reco (a notched bamboo scraper), and an atabaque (tall drum). The berimbau is the most important instrument in the orchestra, serving as the musical heart of Capoeria Angola. The berimbau is a musical bow with a single string and a gourd resonator which has come to symbolize the authority of the capoeira mestre (master).

From an outlawed practice associated with criminality, Capoeira Angola has expanded throughout Brazil and the world. Capoeira Angola is an artform in which all can participate, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, sexuality, etc.

Therapeutic Yoga at La Peña

Sliding Scale Donation: $5-$20

Series: Tuesdays, January 8th – July 30th

All proceeds benefit La Peña Cultural Center’s mission of promoting social justice through the arts!

Join us in a friendly and supportive yoga class that encourages self-discovery, mind-body awareness, and community building.  

Taught by a certified yoga therapist, the class is designed to help students increase their physical, mental, and emotional strength, flexibility and balance through postures, movement, breathing techniques, and mindful attention.

All body types, physical abilities, and levels of experience with yoga are heartily welcome and accommodated.

Don’t have a yoga mat?  No worries—we have some to share!

Instructor: Pamela Perry
For more information: pperry0855@gmail.com

Pamela is a certified yoga therapist (C-IAYT) and teacher (RYT-500) who has been a supporter and member of the La Peña community since 1982.  Her teaching style combines over 25 years of experience as a yoga practitioner with in-depth training in anatomy, physiology, and therapeutic applications of yoga postures, breathing, and meditation.  It is with great love and enthusiasm that she is bringing the rejuvenating effects of yoga to the La Peña community.