On March 2nd, 2023 professional dancers Mcebisi and Amy from the Izizwe Dance Studio held an African dance workshop from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Student lobby.

Students learned multiple dances taught by Mcebisi for some fun and exercise, while also getting a closer look at what is important in African culture.

Izizwe Dance Studio is a dance school in Lawrence which teaches all types of dances to all ages. From African dance to hip-hop to jazz to ballet and more, they offer a variety of dances to those who are interested in learning.

Students started off the workshop with slower dances that were performed while dancing in place. This eased them into the workshop as they were the easiest dances of the day

Then Mcebisi picked up the intensity, along with the difficulty of the dances. Students then were taught and performed faster dances that required them to move forward while dancing, which really made everyone break a sweat.

The main instructor who led and taught all the dances was Mcebisi, a man who was originally born and raised in South Africa.
African dance has played a big role for him much of his life. He believes that it is not only significant to African culture, but also important for people of other cultures to learn about as well.

This is an African Workshop, I’m sharing culture, I’m sharing with them. It’s also therapeutic to a lot of other people and I think everybody should have access to things like this.” Mcebisi on their motivation to hold the workshop.

Along with an increase in intensity and complexity of the dances came a change in music. At first the music that was danced to was African music being played off of a phone but nearing the end Mcebisi changed up the music by playing it off of his own djembe.

A djembe is an African drum that’s shaped like a goblet and is used in much of African music.

The finale to the hour of African dances was one long and challenging dance by the group of students which involved combining the dance moves they learned into one big dance performance.

It took some practice and repetition to get it down considering the length of the performance along with them already being tired out. But the students were able to perform it well while Mcebisi was performing a beautiful beat in the background with his djembe.

The African dance workshop was a success and was well received by the students who attended.
Danielle, a student currently at NECC who attended the workshop, had nothing but positive things to say about the event.

“I enjoyed it a lot. It’s very powerful and energetic so I really enjoyed it. I had ballet classes and dance classes before, so this was an amazing mix of timing and exercise” Danielle said when asked to rate the workshop.

When asked about what her favorite dance of the workshop was, Danielle replied “The last part when we could combine all the parts that we learned.”

Jasmine Mateo, another NECC student and attendee of the event, says she was recommended by a friend to attend the event.

“A friend referred me, so I came, and I ended up having a really good time today.” said Mateo

Through all the excitement and enjoyment that African dance can give to people , whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newbie to the dance, Mcebisi doesn’t want the importance of African dance to African people’s culture to get lost.

“As much as you see it as a dance, this is a form of healing for a lot of people. This is used in many many forms, it’s a language itself. And with access to it and the love of it, you get to see all of those things.”