Master Teacher, Papa Sy, founding of the Pasy Naay Leer Dance Company  is offering a  two day Senegalese dance festival for families at your studio 550  Using the theme of a Senegalese village, the festival would kick off with families gathered around an imaginary baobab tree to hear about the origins of Senegalese dance, rhythm and song.  Children and families would then enjoy 2-3 dance classes – each class would focusing on a different style of dance.  In addition to learning the basic movements and rhythms of the style, participants would learn where the dance is from, which ethnic group it belongs to, and what the dance’s function is.  Other festival elements  might include film, an exhibition of traditional Senegalese clothes, and traditional African food or juices.  The festival would end under the baobab tree, with a dance performance highlighting the styles we learned about during the festival.

Get Involved and Donate to Make This Festival Happen!

In it’s inaugural year, Teranga Children’s Festival is seeking your support for administrative, material, and permitting costs associated with the festival.  We are hoping that this festival will continue in years to come and allow children to experience the dance, music, and flavors of Africa.  Starting this year in Papa Sy’s home country of Senegal, the children will experience (touch, dance, listen, play) the cultural traditions in a typical Senegalese village.  We aim to make this festival free of charge so that all can enjoy and experience the culture of Senegal.  Any contribution is appreciated and is tax-deductible via Studio@550 (a 501(c)3 non-profit organization).  You can click on the link below to donate online, or send a check made payable to Studio at 550, 550 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139. Thank you for your support!

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Papa Sy is a dancer, choreographer, and dance teacher from Senegal, and the principal member of 5 Dimension Company. After professional dance training in Senegal’s National Dance Academy, Papa Sy joined Germain  Acogny’s Écoles des Sables and Jant-Bi dance company. Working there opened Papa Sy’s artistic spirit, and he founded the Pasytef Ballet Theatre de Dalifort dance company in Dakar and the Pasy Dance School from a passion for sharing his knowledge with young dancers and contributing to their artistic education. He has created, produced, directed, and starred in over twenty shows. He is currently an I-ARE artist in residence and dance teacher at the Dance Complex (536 Mass Ave, Cambridge).

We are looking for sponsors for this new cultural program.  Please contact callie@studioat550.org to discuss options available.