Free African Dance Workshop in Orlando

October 27, 2008
3:30 pmto4:30 pm

Date  listed is not actual date. Current Status: Mid to late October.

Kasa Panzu is a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the National Institute of Arts, in Kinshasa, Congo in Central Africa, where he majored in music interpretation as well as traditional African music. Mr. Panzu has toured the USA as a master drummer & dancer of traditional Congolese and other forms of African music & dance. He has performed & taught as a representative of African culture at schools, colleges, & universities, community centers, correctional institutions, & museums throughout the eastern USA. As a performer, Kasa has more than 20 years of artistic experience. He has been involved with Umoja Persussion Ensemble since 2000 and is currently its Artistic Director. He is also devoting his energy full-time to developing his own company in collaboration with other African artists. He specializes in instructing children, adults, & seniors in Congolese, Eastern, & Southern African traditional dance & drumming.

“Kanda ukondele kinkulu Kanda kia fua” or “People without culture are a dead people.” - Congolese Proverb

Kasa also teaches workshops locally at The Florida Cultural Dance Festival and performs almost daily at Disney’s Animal Kingdom along with Thobos Lubamba

at my old house

(Kasa at my house teaching an unexpected lesson for the Ngoma)

I’m pleased to be writing here that Kasa will be in collaboration with 3rd Wheel soon. . .

Weekly African Dance Classes

Drum Workshops

To get the ball rolling. . . .

To start, what I’m asking for is this: 50 people sign up for a Saturday late afternoon early evening hour long African Dance Workshop with Kasa. Once 50 agree, we’ll set a date and move from there. The workshop will be FREE, but I ask that everyone come with a mind open to the possibility of registering for more. It is then we can talk about a permanent time and schedule that will work for people. My goal is that if we start classes after the free workshop, they will be no more than 10 dollars per and maybe as low as 5 or 6. I want to offer discounts for students who carpool. I also want to have a core of at least 30 students to keep all of our costs low and our energy high. . .

So if you are interested, please put your name and email below or email me at mark@3rdwheel.org

And just wanted to mention at the bottom here that African Dance is a great alternative to going to the gym for hours and hours. There is no better total body workout on Earth than African Dance. Check some vids out for yourself on youtube.

We’ll also need drummers, so let me know if you are one and would like to work with some offbeat Congolese rhythms. Kasa a great master of drum as well as dance. Please remember that a real date and time will be set when we have 50 people. Most likely, we are not really going to do this on Labor day Weekend. . . but by setting a date wordpress links to this as an EVENT (and that is useful for me.)

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41 Responses to “Free African Dance Workshop in Orlando”


  1. 1 Sherry

    Yessssss…I want to go…when?

  2. 2 stephanie

    yes, as well. saturday mornings?

  3. 3 Mark DeMaio

    More likley evenings. Maybe a Saturday evening or maybe an evening during the week. Suggestions will be taken into consideration. :-) Please see updated post for more information.

  4. 4 Alex

    Mark,

    This is awesome man….count me in. I’ll do some word spreading as well if that’s cool.

    Alex Guzman

  5. 5 Amy Anthony

    Great plan! Kasa is awesome!add me to the list.knowing my schedule I probably can’t make a weekly class but would love to participate (dancing!) as I can.

  6. 6 sherry/sat prem

    Sounds great! Sign me up!

  7. 7 Monica Meditz

    That’s so exciting, I want to do it and I have a friend, so 2 of us. Monica

  8. 8 Mark

    Count me in as a drummer!

  9. 9 Tory

    Depending on where it will be held, I am VERY interested in attending

  10. 10 Holly Hurst

    Yes, I want to participate. Feel fortunate to have Kasa in our community.

  11. 11 Olive Mackey

    I love the thought and hope you get enough response. I will forward to friends to help the number manifest!

  12. 12 Aracelis

    Count me in!

  13. 13 Carolyn

    I’m interested. Please keep me informed.

  14. 14 Karl Miranda

    Sounds really great!!!

  15. 15 Sonia

    Early evenings except Sunday work for me. I’ll be there for sure. Thanks for the opportunity.

  16. 16 kristi

    definately!!!

  17. 17 Janel

    If the time works out for me, I’ll be there.

  18. 18 Jim

    This IS an opportunity not to be missed…. Yes

  19. 19 Jennifer Pyecha

    I’m interested! :)

  20. 20 Rachel

    I’m really interested. Count me in, plus at least 1 other person to go with me! :D

  21. 21 Linda

    Count me in. . .

  22. 22 kate

    Blessings Mark,

    What an exciting event!!!…Really looking forward to dancin’…See ya at the Drum Circle.

    Abundant Angel Blessings
    Kate (Ad Sach Kaur)

    Peace to All…Life to All…Love to All

  23. 23 Mark DeMaio

    and i got this email:

    Thank you so much for thinking of me. I perused it since I have to run to class but see that its an undetermined Saturday??? Please sign up myself, husband and son (11 years old) for the free class Saturday class.

    My husbands family is from DRC as well and I think it would be wonderful to participate in this. As soon as you get a date let me know.

    I will forward to friends.

    Zahide Mukoie

    This puts us right about the halfway point (and in only about 3 days). 25 more to go and I’ll book this thing.

  24. 24 Alejandra

    I’m going! ;)

  25. 25 Jon Kraft

    Sounds cool.

    I’d be interested in that.

    Lemme know!

  26. 26 Carrie

    Thanks for sending this Mark. I have a student who I think would enjoy this.

  27. 27 Heather Gleason

    Mark

    I appreciate your email regarding the August 30th African dance class with
    Kasa Panzu.

    I teach dance at Deland High School and would love to speak with you about
    the possibility of bringing your group (and or guest) in to our dance
    department to give a master class or teach for a day (6 classes with one
    planning break) around the time your guest will be in town.

    With state budget cuts funding is at an all time low and out of county field
    trips are costly with mileage, gas, and driver fees. I do hope you continue
    to keep me informed about upcoming events 3rd wheel is hosting because I am
    extremely interested in bringing world dance into our program.

    If you are interested in working something out w/ our dance program at Deland
    High School, could you send me your rates?
    We will be on 7 peirod days this year which breaks down to 6 - 55 min classes
    a day w/ one planning period.
    In the past, guest have either taught one 2 hour master class or the
    individual classes. I am flexible :)
    thanks for your information & hope to hear from you soon.
    Heather Gleason
    DHS Dance Dept

  28. 28 Susan Baker

    I would like to come. I am not certain if I can make the Labor Day weekend date because I may go away. But I am interested in an ongoing class, depending on where it is held and what time. Please keep me updated. Sue (attended Seguenon Kone workshop)

  29. 29 D2

    Very interested in free class and ongoing. I took African Dance masters class in college and LOVED IT!

    Do you need a venue for classes ongoing? I may have just the thing! And I may also be able to help publicize to get the remaining students you need.

  30. 30 Brooke Adkins

    I received notice from Heather Gleason and I, too, teach Dance but at Spruce Creek High School. Both of us have a real need for World Dance with our IB curriculum and would love to possibly share you and/or your guest for a workshop opportunity.

    I hope you will contact Heather soon and she will keep me informed. I will share this with my students.

  31. 31 Dr. Margo Blake-Tyler

    Hi,
    I’m interested in weekly classes and the workshop on the 27th. I perform and teach African dance and my husband drums. I taught a workshop for Heather Gleason. I also know Seguenon Kone very well. If you need drummers I know a few; let’s talk. Email me and I’ll give you my phone number if you are interested. Suggestion: if you hold the free class in the evening my daughter can come after work as may other dancers from Disney and Universal.

  32. 32 Karen Jackson

    Hi, I am also very interested in attending this class. I haven’t danced in years being from Tallahassee. I would love to get back involved in African Dance. I am unsure of the date (9/27) at this time due to prior engagements, but I will definitely be interested in attending classes. I will inform others of this website. This is wonderful!

  33. 33 stephanie

    oh yay~ because i didn’t realize it was labor day and would not be able to participate. will mark down sept. 27th. :-)

  34. 34 Holly Hurst

    Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend on this date……… but I will continue to let friends know about the class and want to hear about what happens and how the concept grows………. all the best to you and Mr. Kasa.

  35. 35 Zahide Mukoie

    R we there yet? Don’t forget to add:
    Nadine Mentor + 3

    Also send the email to Queen B! She might like to come.

  36. 36 Mark DeMaio

    Heads up to anybody stopping by: we are getting close. I will be emailing everyone who has contacted me soon with details. I think I’ve found a spot big enough to hold us and capable to manage with it’s potential growth and continuance (fingers crossed).

    To move, however, I need to first have liability insurance. That will be in place within the month and I’m planning on early October!

  37. 37 Zarena Leblanc

    SOunds great, I would love to be a part of African dance workshop I have been away for too long

  38. 38 Asia Strother

    I would love to attend!! I cannot go on the 27th but if you have more classes in the future, you will be my top priority. Thanks!

  39. 39 addis alem

    hi I am interested especially for my two daughters who love dancing. Is it also for children.. cant wait for the response, much blessings

  40. 40 Roneasha Bell

    I am definately interested in the dance class.

  41. 41 Monique

    Wow! I would love for you to perform an African Dance at my wedding 12/26/08….Please let me know if this is something you do and your rates.

    Thanks

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