Dance Across Birmingham Classes 

• African Dance – Soukous

  Solomon Sholanke, Osumare African Drum and Dance Ensemble

  Soukous (also known as Lingala Dance or Congo, and previously as African rumba) is a musical genre that originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) in central Africa during the 1930s and early 1940s, and the dance form that goes with this music was also dubbed “soukous.” The name is derived from the French word “secouer,” which means “to shake.” The soukous dance is an elaborate social dance. During the dance, as the body moves to the polyrhythmic beats of the music, the hips, waist, and legs swirl around in syncopated beats while the arms sway gracefully either to the side or in the air. Although many of the movements by both men and women may seem sexually suggestive in the Western world, in traditional African dance, these movements are considered pure, sexless, and proper.

• DT in ‘da House

  Dance Trance Fitness

  A class for everyone! Learn a Hip Hop add-on routine with Dance Trance (DT) Birmingham.  DT will teach 8 counts of the coolest choreography, make sure you “got it,” then add-on with more. At the end of the session, you will have learned an entire hip hop routine and received a great work out at the same time. There is no other class like Dance Trance in Birmingham; it is “Fitness with an Attitude!”

• Dance to Grow!

  Children’s Dance Foundation (CDF)
  CDF’s Creative Movement curriculum for young children, Movement-to-Music, is an imaginative exploration of skills and concepts. These sessions for 3-5 year olds are taught with care and enthusiasm, creating an environment with both spontaneity as well as structure. Sessions are also accompanied by a musician, an essential element to CDF’s Movement-to-Music curriculum. Children should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

• Sizzling Salsa

  Anderson Brooks, Latinsoul Productions

  This beginning Salsa class will consist of basic Latin dance steps that are easy to follow and even easier to enjoy learning. The basics of Mambo and club style Salsa make for a high energy fun time.

• Hip-Hop 101

  Winston Strickland, M.A.D. Skillz Dance Company

  Join Winston Strickland, Artistic Director of M.A.D. Skillz Dance Company, and learn the latest hip-hop moves in this beginning routine. Choreographed by Winston, the routine is sure to be upbeat, sharp, and fun!

• Dance to Grow!

  Children’s Dance Foundation (CDF)
  CDF’s Creative Movement curriculum for young children, Movement-to-Music, is an imaginative exploration of skills and concepts. These sessions for 3-5 year olds are taught with care and enthusiasm, creating an environment with both spontaneity as well as structure. Sessions are also accompanied by a musician, an essential element to CDF’s Movement-to-Music curriculum. Children should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

• Hip-Hop M.A.D.House

  Winston Strickland, M.A.D. Skillz Dance Company

  Winston Strickland returns for a second session teaching a hip-hop routine that will surely impress your friends. Learn exciting hip-hop choreography that you can take anywhere! You'll leave with a smile on your face, guaranteed!

• South African Dance – Dirana

  Johannes “Jomo” Xulu, Umdabu Dance Company

  This class will focus on the dance Dirana, which means “come together.” It is an extremely strong dance of triumph and freedom that requires a lot of energy, while some movements of the dance reflect agility and spirit.

• Dance Trance Rocks Your Body
  Dance Trance Fitness

  A class for everyone! Learn dance routines to some of your favorite current songs from the radio, while getting an awesome workout. DT promises to get your heart pumpin’, your body jumpin’, and give you moves that you can take to the dance floor! Participants will learn 3-4 routines that are taught in segments based on the song structure (chorus, verses, bridge, etc.). Each segment will be broken down, and reviewed before putting all the combinations together. You will workout, and you will have fun!

• Basic Jitterbug

  Rinsel McIntosh and Pat Abbott, Birmingham Swing Dancers

  Learn the basics of this classic swing style of the 40’s and 50’s that is at the heart of the current swing dance revival. You’ll learn the 4 basic Jitterbug moves that will put you out on the dance floor enjoying the energy of this quintessential American dance.

• Introductory Theatre Tap

  Louise Beard, Time Step Studio

  This class will include a warm-up, some basic tap technique that all can enjoy, and a fun routine that lets showcases the pleasure of tap dancing on stage! The emphasis of the class is FUN! Bring your tap shoes if you have them, or just wear hard-sole street shoes.

• Praise Dance

  Sistah LaVondiah Bryant-Square, Nathifa Dance Companyand Outreach, Inc.

  Dance is a way of silent self-expression and communication. Learn techniques for how dance can also become a way of praise and worship.

• Basic Rumba

  Rinsel McIntosh and Pat Abbott, Birmingham Swing Dancers

  Rumba is the basis of more intricate Latin dances, yet its timeless rhythm can be easily learned by everyone. We’ll cover 3 basic steps that will help you look smooth and classy on the dance floor.

• Merengue Magic

  John Travis, Latinsoul Productions

  This beginning class will focus on the extremely fun dance of Merengue. Merengue is one of the most popular of the Latin dances for a reason... it's sexy, sleek, and lots of fun!

Dance Across Birmingham makes dance accessible to the Birmingham community and showcases local artists through free community classes and performances.