AFOUTAYI
Dance, Music & Arts
AFOUTAYI DANCE STUDIO
New Home & Renewed Programming!
Afoutayi is back with regular classes, rehearsals, performances and more! We welcome you to the AFOUTAYI DANCE STUDIO (2525 Nevada Ave North, Suite 211, Golden Valley, MN 55427), our new home for your regular dose of movement, tradition, sonorous folklore, and Haitian, African, and Afro-Caribbean spirit.
**IMPORTANT COVID-19 PROTOCOL: Please help us keep the space and each other safe by following CDC recommendations: wear a mask, bring your own water and hand sanitizer, and stay home if you feel sick.**
VIDEOS
Videos of Afro-Caribbean Dancing
Selections from the 2018 Afoutayi Haitian Cultural Festival theatrical dance performance, courtesy of Miko Simmons
Afoutayi artists perform Haitian music and dance for the Class Notes program.
The class Notes Artists program takes music performances to classrooms across the state of Minnesota. These videos were made possible because of a collaboration with Classical MPR.
Tik-Tak
A healing flash mob dance, Tik-Tak urges people to live their life to their fullest because life goes by fast like a clock. The rhythm is "Rabòday", a Haitian carnival rhythm that calls people to dance immediately.
Singer: Florencia Pierre
Choreographer: Djenane Saint Juste
Dancers: Hassen Ortega, Melissa Clark | Drummers: John-Paul Douglas, Eberle Fort
Lasirenn ak Labalenn
This song narrates the age-old Haitian folktale "The Mermaid and the Whale", in which an old man encounters - you guessed it! - the mermaid and the whale, who help him transform into his better and higher self in an underwater adventure. The rhythm used is Kongo.
Singer: Florencia Pierre song modified by Florencia Pierre,
Writer & Choreographer: Djenane Saint Juste
Narrator: Hassen Ortega
Dancers: Hassen Ortega, Melissa Clark | Drummers: John-Paul Douglas, Eberle Fort
Ibo Lele
This song honors the Igbo people from Nigeria who championed the cause of freedom and helped unite the maroons against colonization. The song is passed from generation to generation so youth grow up knowing the sacrifices of their ancestors worked for the freedom, voice, and power they enjoy.
Singer: Florencia Pierre song modified by Florencia Pierre,
Choreographer: Djenane Saint Juste
Dancers: Hassen Ortega, Melissa Clark | Drummers: John-Paul Douglas, Eberle Fort
Zanm Telele
Zamn Telele is a song about healing physically, emotionally, and mentally "Zanfan'm yo" my children with herbs and love. This song invites everyone to support their fellow community members in need.
Singer & Writer: Florencia Pierre
Choreographer: Djenane Saint Juste
Dancers: Hassen Ortega, Melissa Clark | Drummers: John-Paul Douglas, Eberle Fort
Balanse FoFo
Balanse Fofo is a song to invite the community to dance and connect with each other. Kontredans is an Haitian country dance and rhythm where the "Renn Chantrel" lead singer guides the dancers in a series of dance moves accompanied by live "Rada Tambou" Rada drums.
Singer & Writer: Florencia Pierre
Choreographer: Djenane Saint Juste
Dancers: Hassen Ortega, Melissa Clark | Drummers: John-Paul Douglas, Eberle Fort