Los Afortunados offers versatile and affordable opportunities for academic departments to collaborate on artist-in-residence/concert packages.

MIX AND MATCH: workshop/classes or lecture/demonstrations appropriate to:

AFRICAN STUDIES -- CARIBBEAN STUDIES -- MUSIC -- DANCE --

ANTHROPOLOGY --FOLKLORE -- ROMANCE LANGUAGES -- COMPARATIVE RELIGIONS

These programs can be requested separately or in combinations accommodating to students of each discipline.

INSTRUMENTAL, DANCE AND VOCAL WORKSHOPS

CLAVE: The heartbeat of the Caribbean

This is a beginner's class on the distinctive and complicating time structure of Caribbean rhythms. Repertoire will include both secular and ritual rhythms; and explore the roots, similarities and differences of a variety of Caribbean musical genres.

HANDS ON!

A drumming workshop for percussionist at levels (beginners to advanced) to be determined by the abilities of the participants. Instrumental focus will be on hand percussion instruments including; clave, conga drums, shekere, bells and rattles.

DANCIN' IN THE STREETS

A dance workshop featuring Afro-Cuban secular dance forms including rumba and comparsa ( Carnival's famous Conga line) .

DANCE OF THE DEITIES

In this workshop the liturgical dances of the Orishas of Santeria (Yoruba traditions) and the ceremonial dances of Palo ( Bantu and Congo traditions) will be studied.

CANTOS AND PATAKINS

Using the traditional call and response method, this vocal workshop will teach a selection of sacred ritual chants. Their meaning, applications and the stories of the deities to which they refer will be explained.

PARA GUARACHAR

Rumba is the word which describes both the art form and its joyous, party-style performance. Students will learn the history of rumba and how to sing a selection of the three forms: Yambu, Guaguanco and Columbia.

SYNCRETISM

An examination of the linguistic, musical and ritual interactions which engendered the syncretism of Hispanic, African and American cultures.

DEMYSTIFICATION

A frank discussion of the history, beliefs and applications of Santeria. This workshop will be led by group members whose backgrounds include anthropology, Musicology and initiation to Orisha and Anya (sacred drumming) .