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African Dance Classes NYC

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Discover the vibrant rhythm and energetic movements of African dance with a variety of classes in NYC. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage and gain strength, flexibility, and a deeper connection to the music and traditions of Africa.

1 class in-person in NYC has spots left, and 1 class live online is available.

AfroDance Workshop with VinsCrespo

WorldAfroDance @ 305 W 38th Street, New York, NY

You will be learning AfroDance moves straight from Africa. The techniques, new steps and so on. Come and train with Vins Our Official Dance Instructor, Vins (@Vinscrespo) will teach some HOT AFRODANCE MOVES straight  from AFRICA IN NEW YORK CITY #nyc! Come and learn the steps, history, and the techniques of Afrodance (AFROBEATS DANCE) ALL LEVELS ARE WARMLY WELCOMED, Lovers of AfroDance and all dancers , this is a class you don't want to miss!...

(5) All levels 10 and older

The Politics of Pregnancy: Gestation, Abortion, and Labor

Brooklyn Institute for Social Research @ Online Classroom

Delve into the complex terrain of pregnancy politics, exploring gestational labor, abortion rights, and reproductive justice. Join us at the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research for a deep dive into theoretical frameworks, historical perspectives, and contemporary debates surrounding the manufacture of human fetuses. Challenge conventional notions and scrutinize the intersections of gender, sexuality, and capitalist political economy in shaping reproductive realities.

(29) All levels 21 and older
$335

4 sessions

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African Dance: From the Continent to the Classroom

92nd Street Y @ 1395 Lexington Ave, New York, NY

This celebratory workshop explores the transformational movement vocabulary and dynamic cultural contexts of African Dance forms. Investigate effective teaching practices that inspire students to develop their personal creativity, cross cultural communication and respectful perspectives of the vast, diverse world around them.

(1061) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$200

2 sessions

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AfroDance Workshop With AJ in NYC "21

WorldAfroDance @ 520 8th Ave, New York, NY

The Azonto Legend has RETURNED! ItS been a long time, and we have so much in store for you ! INTRODUCING our first class of 2021,AFrodance Class with AJ. Come let's train and vybe out has a lot to share with you. Register Today, limited spots! LEARN, TRAIN,VIBE OUT, MEET NEW PEOPLE, NETWORK, HAVE FUN

(5) All levels 6 and older
No upcoming schedules

Ghana Meets Nigeria AfroDance Workshop

WorldAfroDance @ 520 8th Ave, New York, NY

One of the biggest Afrodance workshops to hit NEW YORK, bringing together the dance community. Join us as our dance coaches @AFRO_MVMNT from Texas and @dhatboyaj from NEW YORK, bring us some Ghana and Nigerian dance styles. Ever wanted to learn these styles? Get to know the difference? Train and lean more about our rich culture? This is the class for you! You do not want to miss out, come and train with us, its going to be fun !! Preparations/Materials:...

(5) All levels 6 and older
No upcoming schedules

AfroDance Workshop With Aj & Prince Bemes in NYC

WorldAfroDance @ 520 8th Ave, New York, NY

You will be learning AfroDance moves straight from Africa. The techniques, new steps and so on. Come and train with AJ  and Prince Bemes Our Official Dance Instructor, AJ (@dhatboyaj) will be having a collab class with special Guest Instructor PRINCE BEMES known on INSTAGRAM AS @iambemes . A professional dancer and instructor, performed for artistes such as DAVIDO, BURNA BOY etc Come and learn the steps, history, and the techniques of Afrodance...

(5) All levels 6 and older
No upcoming schedules

AfroDance Workshop With MrShawtyme

WorldAfroDance @ 520 8th Avenue, New York, NY

You will be learning AfroDance moves straight from Africa. The techniques, new steps and so on. Come and train with Mr Shawtymr Our guest instructor will be teaching some HOT AFRODANCE MOVES straight  from AFRICA IN NEW YORK CITY #nyc! Come and learn the steps, history, and the techniques of Afrodance (AFROBEATS DANCE) ALL LEVELS ARE WARMLY WELCOMED, Lovers of AfroDance and all dancers , this is a class you don't want to miss! COME WITH A...

(5) All levels 6 and older
No upcoming schedules

AfroDance Workshop with Aj NYC "23

WorldAfroDance @ 520 8th Avenue, New York, NY

The Azonto Legend has RETURNED! ItS been a long time, and we have so much in store for you ! INTRODUCING our first class of 2023,AFrodance Class with AJ. Come let's train and vybe out. Register Today, limited spots! LEARN, TRAIN,VIBE OUT, MEET NEW PEOPLE, NETWORK, HAVE FUN

(5) All levels 6 and older
No upcoming schedules

Waltz Level 1

Piel Canela Dance School

Learn Beginner Waltz with an amazing instructor. Note: Piel Canela classes work in cycles. If you purchase an individual class, it will be the first lesson of the long term cycles. Should you take the first class and decide you'd like to purchase additional classes through CourseHorse, please contact us and we'd be happy to help you.

(55) Beginner 18 and older
No upcoming schedules

Kukuwa

Fit4Dance @ 778 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY

Get ready to explore Africa without a passport and learn to move muscles you didn't know you had! KUKUWA® African Dance Workout is not only a workout, its an education and journey one experiences each time they move their boombsey®.  The workout has you immediately moving your arms, waist, legs and hips to a blend of Central, East, South, West, and North African rhythms. It will take you on an exotic African Expedition pumping FUN through...

(29) All levels 15 and older
No upcoming schedules

Family Capoiera

Fit4Dance @ 778 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY

Capoeira is a fusion of Afro-Brazilian martial arts, music, dance, rhythm and acrobatics. Practiced together, Capoeira promotes fun, cooperation and harmony in the community.

(29) All levels 15 and older
No upcoming schedules

Whining 101

Fit4Dance @ 21 Snyder Ave, Brooklyn, NY

Get ready to move your waist and hips like never before in this beginner-friendly class at Fit4Dance. Learn rolling and isolation techniques at various tempos and levels to improve your fluidity. Perfect for anyone interested in Caribbean-style whining to Soca music, with occasional additions of Afro and Dancehall.

(29) All levels 15 and older
No upcoming schedules

​AfroDance Workshop

WorldAfroDance @ 520 8th Ave, New York, NY

Students get to learn the basic steps and moves of Afrobeats Dance and also get to learn a routine. Classes are filmed, in this way,they will always get to look back at how their progressing in these classes. So they know what to work on next time. Our guest Dance Instructor will teach us some HOT AFRODANCE MOVES straight from AFRICA and INTO NEW YORK CITY! All levels are welcomed, Lovers of AfroDance and all dancers, this is a class you don't...

(5) All levels 6 and older
No upcoming schedules

​AfroDance Workshop With Boun & WhiitoSloco

WorldAfroDance @ 520 8th Ave, New York, NY

Students get to learn the basic steps and moves of Afrobeats Dance and also get to learn a routine. Classes are filmed, in this way,they will always get to look back at how their progressing in these classes. So they know what to work on next time. Our guest Dance Instructor will teach us some HOT AFRODANCE MOVES straight from AFRICA and INTO NEW YORK CITY! All levels are welcomed, Lovers of AfroDance and all dancers, this is a class you don't...

(5) All levels 6 and older
No upcoming schedules

Afro Pop

Piel Canela Dance School @ 500 8th Ave, New York, NY

Try a fusion of African movement and Pop music Note: Piel Canela classes work in cycles. If you purchase an individual class, it will be the first lesson of the long term cycles. Should you take the first class and decide you'd like to purchase additional classes through CourseHorse, please contact us and we'd be happy to help you.

(55) All levels 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$100

4 sessions

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African House Open Level

Piel Canela Dance School @ 500 8th Ave, New York, NY

Try a fusion of African movements and House Music. Note: Piel Canela classes work in cycles. If you purchase an individual class, it will be the first lesson of the long term cycles. Should you take the first class and decide you'd like to purchase additional classes through CourseHorse, please contact us and we'd be happy to help you.

(55) Intermediate 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$100

4 sessions

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African Dance Open Level

Piel Canela Dance School @ 500 8th Ave, New York, NY

Experience African Dancing with an amazing instructor Note: Piel Canela classes work in cycles. If you purchase an individual class, it will be the first lesson of the long term cycles. Should you take the first class and decide you'd like to purchase additional classes through CourseHorse, please contact us and we'd be happy to help you.

(55) Intermediate 18 and older
No upcoming schedules
$100

4 sessions

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AfroDance Workshop With AJ in NEW YORK 2023

WorldAfroDance @ 520 8th Avenue, New York, NY

We are more than excited to announce the RETURN of our Dance Workshops this year! ItS been a long time, and we have so much in store for you ! INTRODUCING our first class of 2023, AFrodance Class with AJ. Come let's train and vybe out,we have a lot to share with you. Register Today, limited spots! This is an Intermediate Class but its open to all  LEARN, TRAIN,VIBE OUT, MEET NEW PEOPLE, NETWORK, HAVE FUN

(5) All levels 8 and older
No upcoming schedules
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Reviews for African Dance Classes in NYC

African Dance Classes in NYC are rated 4.5 stars based on 1,179 verified reviews from actual CourseHorse.com purchasers.

Discover the Best African dance Classes in NYC

African dance covers a wide range of dance rituals from across the African continent. A central part of tribal and cultural practices, African dance is as diverse as the many countries and regions that it came from. Blurring the lines between dance, music, and theater, African dance features complex polyrhythmic beats that are heavily reliant on drums. 

Dancers and drummers engage with each other to tell a story or share history, prepare for battle, encourage a good harvest, or honor the dead. Some dances are even used to celebrate a community member’s coming of age, honor the feminine, or show off masculine strength. Divided into two main categories, African dance can be either utilitarian and local, as it was before colonialism, or it can be artistic and expressive like the culturally-diffused dance that developed during and after colonialism.

The influence of African cultures on all modern art, music, and dance is indisputable. Taking an African dance class can be a way to celebrate that influence and honor the places and people from which it originated. Commonly used to enforce social structures and express one’s role within the community, African dance offers you the opportunity to explore new cultures and broaden your horizons for a more interconnected perspective.

Why You Should Learn African Dance in NYC

There are over 2 million people of African descent in New York City, including those from the Caribbean and West Indies, those that are Afro-Latino, and immigrants from the continent of Africa. These ethnic groups add to the vibrant multicultural environment of NYC by honoring their own traditions and practices, like the art of dancing. Learning African dance can be a great way to explore the diversity of where you live and connect with your neighbors that are from these fascinating cultures. African dance offers so many benefits, whether you’re just looking to have some fun or want to learn more about the histories and social structures of various African communities. 

Dancing has long been considered an interpretive form of emotional expression, allowing an alternative way to communicate your feelings when spoken language fails you. It can also be a great workout as dancing releases endorphins, also known as the happy hormones. Dancing is an ideal combination of both physical and emotional release, so you can burn calories and alleviate your stress, all at once!

Taking an African dance class can be a great way to form a community and make friends. Playful and joyous, African dancing is a social activity that requires collaboration between the dancers, musicians, and the audience. Moving your body with others lets you form connections rooted in deeply meaningful cultural practices. Dance, much like joy, is contagious, so you’ll soon find others wanting to take part in this hobby with you.

Originating from various countries and tribes throughout the continent, learning African dance can be a way to connect to your roots or develop a deeper understanding of cultures outside your own. You can explore the Shona tribe in Zimbabwe through the ritual dance called Mbira or learn more about the Zulu tribe’s tradition of ceremonial wedding dancing called Indlamu. Some dances, like Zaouli from Ivory Coast, incorporate art as well, with dancers wearing handmade masks that honor and celebrate the feminine.

You can also develop a greater understanding of modern music, dance, and art by studying the influence of African dance. Being able to acknowledge these influences creates a greater sense of respect for these cultures, encouraging a more connected and humanistic perspective of the world.

In-Person African Dance Classes & Schools in NYC

New York City is considered a major cultural hub of the United States, so it’s no surprise that there are a multitude of African dance classes available. With a large range of experience levels, dance styles, and multicultural fusions, there’s bound to be an in-person class near you in NYC.

African Dance Open Level is put on by the Piel Canela Dance Studio. This is a full cycle of classes, led by an expert instructor, that aims to build the skills and techniques of African dance over the course of the entire series. Considered intermediate, it’s recommended you have a basic understanding of dance prior to attending.

If you’re looking for a modern twist on these traditional dances, Piel Canela Dance Studio also offers African House Open Level, an intermediate class that fuses iconic African movements with House music. Structured similarly to their standard African dance class, this is a cycle course with skills that build off of each other over the course of the series. 

Located in Midtown, this Afrodance workshop is hosted by WorldAfroDance. Led by their official dance instructor, AJ, this workshop will teach the techniques, history, and new moves of Afrodance. WorldAfroDance is made up of professional choreographers, creative directors, dancers, and dance groups that share their joy and knowledge of Afrodance through classes, battles, dance championships, and workshops.

Combining cultural sources from Africa, the Americas, and Europe, Haitian Dance is offered by Fit4Dance in Flatbush and led by the highly-skilled Peniel Guerrier. You’ll learn original dance combinations that are influenced heavily by Haitian folkloric dance and set to different traditional Haitian rhythms. It’s ideal for all levels and open to anyone over 15 years of age.

Fit4Dance combines fitness and African dance in their class called KUKUWA® African Dance. Students will move their arms, legs, waists, and hips to a blend of African rhythms. This course is an entry-level exploration of African music and culture with the added benefit of having you burn up to 1,000 calories in one 60-minute class. Fit4Dance is conveniently located in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn.

You can also try your hand at Family Capoeira at Fit4Dance. Capoeira is a popular fusion of Afro-Brazilian martial arts, music, dance, rhythm, and acrobatics. Suitable for anyone over the age of 15, this class focuses on having fun, practicing cooperation, and encouraging community harmony. 

Afrocardi Party is another class that combines fitness and African dance styles. This high-impact class incorporates strength training and features four sessions, each with its own fitness focus. This class series is designed to make you sweat, so you may want to bring a towel and a water bottle. Students are invited to grab drinks next door at Spritzenhaus after class each week.

If you’re located on the Upper East Side, the 92nd Street Y offers an African dance class. Designed for those who wish to teach African dance, this course explores the transformational movements and dynamic cultural contexts of African Dance forms. You’ll learn to inspire creativity in your students, as well as effective teaching practices that respect cross-cultural communication.

Virtual African Dance Classes & Schools

If you prefer virtual learning, you can take an online African dance class. Online classes can be attended from anywhere, allowing you to work from the comfort of your home (or any place you choose). There’s no need to sit in traffic or deal with parking and, often, there are more class options available virtually. 

While there currently aren’t any online African dance classes available, there are a few other courses that can help you explore the rich cultural traditions of Africa. Take a class on Yoruba traditions for an in-depth study of the spiritual practices of the Yoruba people. You’ll learn the ways those traditions have remained and transformed as Yoruba descendants have moved throughout the Americas. Students will be taught through lectures, readings, films, sacred dances, and interactions.

You can also explore the strong ties between modern hip-hop and African dance in a virtual beginner hip-hop dance class. Ideal for anyone new to the scene, this course teaches the fundamentals of street and commercial dance forms to boost your confidence and enhance your technical skills. Hip-hop is a crucial part of the modern African diaspora with deep roots in traditional African dance forms and cultural practices so this class can serve as a gateway to learning more about African culture and dance.

Private Group African Dance Classes in NYC

Are you looking for a fun, intimate event for your work or organization team? Coursehorse offers African dance classes for private groups that can be tailored to fit your exact needs. There currently aren’t any African dance classes available, but you can reach out to Coursehorse through the contact form on the site to learn about more options. 

Booking (or creating) your private group class is simple and stress-free. You’ll receive confirmation of your booking within 24 hours and there’s no need to worry about upfront costs as there are absolutely no booking fees. You can even change the size of your group after booking – typically until a week before your event – if you have attendees cancel or want to add more people to your class. And last-minute changes or accommodations to your event details (like what specific African dance you’ll be learning) can be made if given at least a 72-hour notice, in most cases. 

You can also request that a venue space be provided or that the event comes directly to your office or home. These requests do typically come at an additional cost but you can create your ideal private class, just the way you want it. If you’d prefer your private group class to be virtual, Coursehorse also utilizes Zoom and multiple other supported platforms, for your convenience.

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