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The 9th Annual IFE-ILE Afro-Cuban Dance Festival will feature over 20 dance and drumming workshops as well as dance parties. The event culminates with a spectacular Dance Gala featuring guest artists and IFE-ILE Afro-Cuban Dance Company.

See the full schedule now.

We're offering workshops for beginners and intermediate/advanced students in ...

  • Orisha Dance
  • Afro-Modern
  • Arará
  • Makuta/Palo
  • Yuka
  • Rumba (Guaguanco, Columbia and Yambu)
  • Salsa Rueda
  • Son and Mambo
  • Haitian folkloric dance
  • Samba
  • Batá drumming (with Ezequiel Torres)

In persistently promoting Afro-Cuban dance, IFE-ILE has established not only a cultural experience to local and visitors; but a tradition that slowly has produced eager followers even from abroad.

Miami has the highest number of Cubans (including Afro-Cubans) in the U.S., and here Cuban and other African, Caribbean and Latin American cultures thrive and pulse in the neighborhoods. Here, culture is alive, living and present -- and not confined to a dance workshop.

The Arts & Mind Center, where the festival workshops and Gala will take place, is a gorgeous, Havana-style building with sun-filled dance studios, balconies and a spacious courtyard for outdoor events. It's located in the heart of Coconut Grove, two blocks from Coco Walk (a popular outdoor mall). Coconut Grove is an eclectic village and artist community made up of funky open air cafes, cool stores and ethnic restaurants, infused with sidewalk artists, an exciting nightlife and cultural activities.

Renowned Afro-Cuban choreographer and dancer Neri Torres founded the IFE-ILE Afro-Cuban Festival in 1998 and from 2002 through 2005 called it BAILA USA.

She began the festival to reflect the multiple ethnicities of South Florida, and include other dance traditions that share African roots. Says Torres, "Our festival gives people of all backgrounds -- whether they're dancers or not -- the opportunity to enjoy, learn and engage in a celebration of the folk traditions of the African Diaspora in Latin America and the U.S.”

Previous guest artists include La Familia Cepeda from Puerto Rico, the African American Ensemble and the late Dr. Katherine Dunham, as well as renowned scholars and instructors.

For more information email ifeiledancecompany@yahoo.com or call (305) 476-0832.

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