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Dancing to the beat
8:00 am Jul 29 - by Elizabeth Bradley – buzz Writer
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The African dance class starts off slowly letting people stretch before they move into fast paced traditional african dance.
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Channing-Murray Foundation »Address: 1209 W. Oregon St. Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: (217) 344-1176
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Illini Union »
Address: 1401 W. Green St. Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: (217) 333-4636
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When Djibril Camara was growing up in Guinea, West Africa, a friend told him, “never stop dancing: it is so good for you.” Now, C-U can be thankful Camara heeded this early advice. After years of dancing and choreographing for the Ballet d’Afrique Noir, the Troupe Federale Conakry, and Ballet Bougarabou, Camara has brought his vibrant dance and culture to our community.
Camara offers traditional West African dance classes twice a week – on Tuesday, 4:00 pm, in the Illini Union Ballroom, and on Sunday, 6:00 pm, in the Channing Murray Foundation. The classes are accompanied by the roborant rhythms of the Mara-Giri Ensemble, but participants also learn to make music with their own bodies, through song, clapping, and pounding feet. It’s a dynamic experience, designed to restore the body as a source of strength and storytelling. It’s also an intense workout. Participants can expect ninety minutes of heart-pumping cardio, and are encouraged to bring water and wear loose, comfortable clothing.
Camara said envisions his class as a way to share his cultural heritage with the community, and he incorporates a lesson about the symbolic meaning of dance into each session. Recently, the class learned a dance performed during the annual rice ceremony of the Baga people. Camara said the dance, which is meant to ensure a good harvest, traditionally lasts for three days and is performed around a baobab tree. The Champaign dancers didn’t continue quite so long, but they filled the room with lively energy and their calls and claps could be heard across Oregon Street.
Camara said the jubilant energy is perhaps the most rewarding aspect of the West African dance classes. When remembering his own training, Camara smiles and recalls, “I was always so happy to see my teacher dance.” Camara said he tries to brings this joy to his own dance, and to the dance of his students. The atmosphere is open and welcoming. Young children, adults, trained dancers, and beginners all sway together to the djembe drums, encouraging each other throughout the class. According to regular dancer Jennifer Queen, the dance is so powerful because “it doesn’t matter if you do it right, as long as you do it from your soul. It’s another way to talk to the universe, express yourself, get out your frustrations, and give thanks.”
Those interested in the West African dance class are encouraged to attend a session. The cost is $10, no registration or previous experience is necessary. More information about Djibril Camara and the West African dance classes can be found at www.djibril-camara.com.
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