About Grupo Folklorico Palo Santo
Grupo Folklórico Palo Santo is a group of dancers and musicians in and around the Pioneer Valley region of Western Massachusetts that has dedicated itself since 2006 to the study, teaching and performance of Afro-Cuban folkloric dance and music.
Grupo Folklórico Palo Santo is offering ongoing weekly classes in Afro-Cuban folkloric dance. Join us as we learn a variety of Orisha dances from the Santería/Yoruba/Lucumí tradition; Bantú dances from the Palo complex; and social dances such as Rumba and Comparsa.
Each class includes a warm-up; instruction in basic movements; creation of choreographies out of the basic steps; and discussion of the historical and cultural roots of the various Afro-Cuban dances. The highlight of each week’s class is the traditional dance circle, where each dancer takes a turn to put what he or she has learned into practice by dancing before the drums.
These high energy classes are accompanied by a battery of live drummers from Grupo Folklórico Palo Santo playing authentic Afro-Cuban instruments and rhythms; and singing traditional Afro-Cuban songs.
These ongoing classes are open to dancers of all different ability and experience levels. No previous formal dance training is necessary. Newcomers are always welcome.
Tuesdays 8:00 - 9:30 PM
Northeast American School of Dance
25 Main Street, Northampton MA
(on the 4th floor; above the Fitzwilly’s restaurant)
$12 per class; or $80 for an 8 class package (good for three months)
For more information and directions visit our website at
www.GrupoPaloSanto.com
About the teacher
Miguel Periche is from Holguín, Cuba, where he grew up immersed in Afro-Cuban culture and dance; and performed with the Conjunto Folklórico Okú. Since arriving in the US Miguel has performed with the SonRisa ensemble in New York; and has taught Salsa dance in the Smith College Dance Department, the Northampton Country Club, and at the East Street Studios in Hadley. Miguel is the principal dancer in Grupo Folklórico Palo Santo.
