Dancers with any level of experience are invited to learn from some of the best Afro-Cuban dance teachers in the country for three vibrant days of workshops and celebration at the Acosta Dance Centre in South East London in July.
At the Centre’s annual Alafia, the UK’s biggest Afro-Cuban dance festival, live music, dance and song lift the roof off their Woolwich Royal Arsenal studios, while participants get the opportunity to engage with celebrated Cuban artists and musicians and Salsa, Timba and Conga the days – and nights – away with like-minded dance lovers.
Over 15 artists including dance teachers and musicians, many of whom will travel to the UK from across Europe, will take participants on an exhilarating journey into Afro-Cuban dance and music across the three-day fiesta. Dancer, teacher and choreographer Master Domingo Pau, who is travelling from Cuba for the event, has a 60-year career in Afro-Cuban arts. He will join his daughter, Lead Teacher, Afro-Cuban dance educator, dancer and Acosta Dance Foundation’s Artistic Programmes Manager, Luanda Pau, along with seven other specialist teachers in facilitating dance workshops for participants. This includes Damaris Hechavarria, Niurka Aguero, Maikel Mota, Ariel Rios, Paul Brando, Alexander Barrera and Federica Fusco.

Live musicians across the weekend include Martha Galarraga and Julio Molina Pérez who will work alongside a stellar line-up of singers and percussionists including Juan Carlos Angarica, Gerardo de Armas Sarria, Jose Ferrera Mulen, Gaspar Sena and Ohad Lustigman.

Acosta Dance Foundation Managing Director and co-founder and director of Alafia International Dance Festival, Javier Torres, says, “At Alafia, we bring the spirit of Cuba to the UK. We know how to throw a great party in Cuba and this year we’re bringing that same energy to the second edition of Alafia here in London, but bigger, bolder and better. Afro-Cuban dance is at the heart of our culture and we can’t wait to share the authenticity of this tradition with dance lovers from across the UK.”