Join FreEMotion/LibrEMoción Repertory Company for these weekly social dance nights, featuring Latin (Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Cha Cha Cha, Mambo, Mambo-Salsa, Samba, Lambada, Bolero, & Argentine Tango), Ballroom (Viennese Waltz, Foxtrot, Swing, Lindy Hop), Disco, & Funk lessons (2 styles each week), followed by open dancing. A fun & informal experience, where style, elegance, and passion, will take over the dance floor, & fill your body with energy and confidence!

Category: Event & World Dance

Class Level: All Levels

Class Type: Ongoing

Age Type: Teens & Adults

Age Range: 16 & Up

Notes: $15 for 8:00-9:00 pm lessons & open dancing; $10 for open dancing only. Classes taught by Dan Marshall & FreEMotion/LibrEMoción. No experience or partner necessary. Latina Tuesdays (by Noche Latina Dance Company), same time & place, on March 10th & April 7th.

Dan Marshall Biography:

Dan Marshall was born in Jerusalem to French-Moroccan & Latvian/Lithuanian-American parents. Combining his mechanical & electrical engineering degrees and dance education, and his experience in community projects and the arts, Dan works as a media production, engineering, non-profit development, finance, and commercial/arts/mixed-use redevelopment consultant, and volunteers as a synagogue cantor & with seniors. He serves as the Executive Artistic Director of the Brookline/Cambridge Community Center for the Arts (BCCA / CCCA - www.BCCAonline.org & www.CCCAonline.org) and his part-time dance company FreEMotion/LibrEMoción Repertory Company (www.FreEMotion-LibrEMocion.org), and is the leader of a community real estate development group, working to provide affordable housing to all income levels, and to create permanent arts facilities and maker spaces, in conjunction with his non-profit. Dan heads the development of BCCA's ground-breaking education web and institution, artist, educator, and student management software and website technology, for artist gainful employment and student reach.
A life-long student, performer, choreographer, and teacher of styles and fusions of Jazz, Funk, Latin, Hip Hop, Classical Ballroom, Ballet, Modern, and World/Folkloric/Ethnic dance, and Martial Arts, Dan has produced, directed, choreographed, and performed in many theatre, film, TV, commercial, and musical productions, taught for 5 years for the Performing Arts Division of UMass Amherst, and is a member of SAG-AFTRA. His choreography & dance credits include: Favorite Israeli Waltzes choreography, dancing, and partial musical arrangement for Amherst Ballet Theatre Company with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra; Café Latino premiere with his Latin-Jazz FreEMotion/LibreEMoción Repertory Company in collaboration with acclaimed artists from Tango Fever & OPED/Tango Mundo, in the styles of Salsa, Mambo, Bachata, Bolero, Cha Cha Cha, Jazz, & Argentine Tango, fused with live music & poetry; Original choreography (in collaboration with his wife Shira Price) for Acton (Theatre III), Cambridge (MIT Theatre Guild), and Colorado productions of Fiddler on the Roof, mixing authentic Jewish/Chassidic, Ukrainian, Russian, Spanish, Romanian, and Ballet genres of dance; Vintage recreations & choreography in the styles of Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers for Basically Broadway; The role of Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire with The Milton Players; Original Viennese & Folkloric Waltz choreography for Arlington Friends of the Drama's A Little Night Music (in collaboration Shira Price); Folkloric Waltz choreography & dancing (in collaboration with Shira Price) for Disney's feature film The Finest Hours; Polka choreography & dancing for Netflix's feature film The Polka King; Funk, Freestyle, & Ballroom Fusion choreography for Netflix's TV show The Society (in collaboration with Shira Price); Michael Jackson & Latin dance choreography & dancing for Justin Dean's MJ DejaVu productions; Strange Tea Modern, Jazz, partner, & Tap fusion co-choreography, dancing, singing, & poetry recital, with Jenny Herzog & Chavi Bansal for Catalyst at The Dance Complex; Hora (traditional Jewish/Israeli) choreography, singing, & dancing, & Ballroom dancing for HBO's The Plot Against America.
Dan's 32-year diverse martial arts training extends from traditional and modern styles of Chinese Kung Fu (Wu Shu) - Nam Pai Shaolin, Ba Ji Chuan, Pi Qua, Praying Mantis, Hua Mountain Style, Tai Chi, Hung Gar, Eagle Claw, Northern (Long) Fist (Chang Chuan), Southern Fist (Nan Chuan), and Long (Bow) Staff, Spear, and Double Broadsword Wu Shu weapons forms and applications - to Japanese Judo and Karate. Dan has taught Kung Fu and Cardio Kickboxing to all ages since 1993. In 1998 he joined the Boston Kung Fu Tai Chi Institute, and studied, taught, and competed under the guidance of Sifu Yao Li, earning multiple national and local titles. Dan has enjoyed the great synergy between martial arts and dance, which has drawn him closer to the modern Chinese Kung Fu art of Wu Shu, and has provided for great roles as a stunt actor in film, TV, and commercials.
Dan has been producing for about 30 years in arts and entertainment, has produced, co-produced, and/or directed over 1,000 live events and shows and 11 independent films and TV projects, has appeared in various roles in over 100 major motion pictures and TV shows, and has worked in many different capacities in Film and TV, including executive producer, producer, financier, development director, editor, special effects artist, director, choreographer, director of photography, videographer, costume designer, set designer, writer, artistic director, actor, dancer, singer, musician, line producer, audio engineer, boom operator, lighting assistant, production assistant, stuntman, stunt choreographer and coordinator, wardrobe manager, etc. He greatly enjoys the diversity and challenges of the entertainment industry, and has a strong track record of delivering on challenging productions, and keeping calm, composed, and focused, during high pressure situations, and under tight budgets and deadlines, while keeping the work environment positive, and preserving the vision of each project. As a SAG-AFTRA union member since 2007, Dan has served on the SAG-AFTRA board (newly elected), the National Dancers Committee (4 years), the National Stunt Committee (2 years), on the W&W caucus, and most recently on the New England Safety & Organizing Committees. Earlier this year, he led a well-attended union conservatory on dancing and movement for actors.

Ever notice the difference between an advanced dancer and an intermediate dancer? Ever wondered how to communicate on the dance floor without talking? Have you ever thought about how to move your body expressively to the music? This FUN and EXCITING Salsa Class teaches some of these techniques through body isolation, styling, and shine steps; as well as how to show them off on the dance floor through combination routines that will raise your dancing to a higher level. This Salsa Class will be taught On 1.

Category: World Dance

Class Level: All Levels

Class Type: Ongoing

Age Type: Teens & Adults

Age Range: 12 & Up

Notes: All classes taught by Hedwige & NLDC. Put your skills to the test at our monthly Latin Tuesdays with Noche Latina, following every 3-week session!

Hedwige Louis Biography:

Hedwige J. Louis founded Noche Latina Dance Company (NLDC) in the Boston area in 2005. Hedwige began his dancing career studying Ballroom dance in Haiti. In 1998, he relocated to the United States and became involved in the Latin dance scene in Boston, MA. He then transformed his International Ballroom dance style into his own unique Latin club style. Hedwige teaches a variety of dances including: LA Style Salsa (On 1), NY Style Salsa (On 2), Cha-cha, Rumba, Bachata, Merengue, Tango, Cumbia, Konpa, and Kizomba. In addition to teaching, Hedwige specializes in choreography for couples and teams of all levels. Since 2005, NLDC has taught and performed Latin dance internationally and throughout the United States. The Company is known for running the longest salsa dance party in the Boston area for more than 12 years and the longest running Creole Addiction night (Kizomba, Konpa, Zouk) for 7 years, both at Ryles Jazz Club in Cambridge, MA. Hedwige and NLDC have participated in charity events, including: FATEM Dinner and Conference, fundraisers for Dana Farber and the Brookline Health Community, Denim and Diamond�s Gala to benefit the Greater Boston Wellness Community, and various other fundraisers for Puerto Rico and Haiti. He has also participated in a variety of organizations, teaching or performing at: Latino Law Enforcement Group of Boston (LLEGO), Boston University, Harvard University, City of Somerville, and other student organizations. The NLDC Staff is made up of Instructors who are passionate about dance and provide a fun and friendly learning experience for all levels of students. Our NLDC Staff will help you take your dancing to the next level whether you are looking to improve your social dancing, learn to dance for a special event, or to perform as a member of one of NLDC's Dance Teams! NLDC Staff also coordinate Dance Teams, plan events, and have important roles in the daily functions of NLDC. We are proud of our family of NLDC Staff!

Boxing and Soca team up in this beginner friendly fast paced 60 minute shadow boxing/dancing class. You will incorporate basic boxing moves and punch combinations with sexy Soca dance moves in a judgement free creative environment. Box n' Misbehave(TM) brings together your masculine and feminine energy and teaches you to embrace both. Your hands and your waistline are a weapon. Come learn the art of seduction vs. destruction.....come Box n' Misbehave(TM) with Jessica Liggero!

Category: Martial Arts & World Dance

Class Level: All Levels

Class Type: Ongoing

Age Type: Teens & Adults

Age Range: 16 & Up

Notes: All levels welcome, very beginner friendly. No contact and no equipment needed for participation. Hand wraps may be worn if desired but they will not be provided and instruction on how to wrap hands will not be covered in this class. Wear sneakers that are preferably flat soled, like cons or something similar. Try to avoid wearing a sneaker with a wedge or a high sole. Weight training or wresting shoes are ideal for boxing but not required for class participation.

Jessica Liggero Biography:

Jessica gravitated to boxing after going through a very difficult time in her life and found stability through the discipline of competition and training. She has experience competing as an amateur boxer both locally and nationally. She began dancing to improve her rhythm, coordination and footwork so that she could become a better fighter. Quickly she fell in love with dancing and specifically Soca music. She created Box n' Misbehave(TM) from her love of boxing and Soca music and to further explore the relationship between them. Additionally, Jessica is a NASM - CPT (Certified Personal Trainer), CES (Corrective Exercise Specialist) and Certified USA Boxing Coach. She teaches teaches boxing and works as a personal trainer throughout the Boston area.

This non-contact shadow boxing technique class is perfect for beginners or to touch up on your boxing skills. Each class with cover boxing stance, basic footwork, proper punch technique and basic punching combinations. Emphasis on individualized movement, style and creativity will also be encouraged. Each class will include a warm-up, review of stance/punches and 3 minute round intervals that focus of punching, coordination, movement/light conditioning and then a cool-down to conclude. Every one is welcome regardless of their experience or athletic background.

Category: Martial Arts

Class Level: All Levels

Class Type: Ongoing

Age Type: Teens & Adults

Age Range: 16 & Up

Notes: All levels welcome, very beginner friendly. No contact and no equipment needed for participation. Hand wraps may be worn if desired but they will not be provided and instruction on how to wrap hands will not be covered in this class. Wear sneakers that are preferably flat soled, like cons or something similar. Try to avoid wearing a sneaker with a wedge or a high sole. Weight training or wresting shoes are ideal for boxing but not required for class participation.

Jessica Liggero Biography:

Jessica gravitated to boxing after going through a very difficult time in her life and found stability through the discipline of competition and training. She has experience competing as an amateur boxer both locally and nationally. She began dancing to improve her rhythm, coordination and footwork so that she could become a better fighter. Quickly she fell in love with dancing and specifically Soca music. She created Box n' Misbehave(TM) from her love of boxing and Soca music and to further explore the relationship between them. Additionally, Jessica is a NASM - CPT (Certified Personal Trainer), CES (Corrective Exercise Specialist) and Certified USA Boxing Coach. She teaches teaches boxing and works as a personal trainer throughout the Boston area.

We will follow what is organic and natural to our body, exploring motion with freedom, as we break in and out of dance forms led by our breath, inner rhythm and body. Classes are composed of an ongoing guided and intuitive flow of energy, momentum, physicality and curiosity. This process is dedicated to accessing our own movement and arriving at a place of body awareness, strengthening, flexibility and high energy.

Category: Contemporary Dance

Class Level: All Levels

Class Type: Ongoing

Age Type: Teens & Adults

Age Range: 14 & Up

Kelley Donovan Biography:

Kelley Donovan splits her time between Boston and New York City, teaching and choreographing in both cities. She has performed work by Ann Carlson, Amy Spencer & Richard Colton and Liz Lerman. Her work has been produced in Boston by World Music/Crash Arts, Tufts University, Lesley College, MIT, Mobius, Harvard, Mass College of Art, Salem State College and The Federal Reserve Bank in Boston. Most recently she has shown work at Movement Research, DanceNow NYC, The Merce Cunningham Studio, The Duo Theater, Joyce SoHo, The Hatch, WAX, Green Space and the 92nd St. Y in New York City. Recently the New York Times and Boston Pheonix cited her work as among the best of 2009 and she has received financial support from The Artist Foundation of Boston and a Harkness Space Grant from the 92nd St. Y. Kelley studied choreography with Mark Morris and Bessie Schonberg and received a B.A. from Bradford College in 1989. Kelley Donovan & Dancers create dance that investigates the internal world of transformation and expresses the intimate self through movement, ranging from soft fluidity to athletic physicality. Exploring the gray area between the extremes of purely classical modern dance and theatrical narrative, Donovan creates movement rich with imagery, experienced viscerally and expressive of transformation.

This fusion class combines principles and elements from barre and Pilates to lengthen, strengthen and tone your entire body. Even without a barre, you can work your legs, glutes, abdominals and arm muscles effectively with exercises focusing on balance, symmetry and alignment. This Pilates-based barre fusion class will start with standing exercises focusing on legs and arms muscles, then transition to the mat for Pilates exercises to strengthen your core and improve your posture.

Category: Health & Fitness

Class Level: All Levels

Class Type: Ongoing

Age Type: Teens & Adults

Age Range: 18 & Up

Notes: For all fitness levels. Please bring water and wear comfortable, stretchy fitness clothes. Socks optional, no shoes needed. Mats are provided but we recommend bringing your own mat if you have one.

Fen Tung Biography:

Fen has been working in the fitness industry since 2002. She is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor. In addition, she has the following certifications and licenses: Zumba(R) (B1, B2, Toning, Pro Skills); BollyX(R) (original format, LIT low impact, BollyX for Kids); STOTT Pilates (Matwork Level I and II, TotalBarreTM) Les Mills BodyPumpTM, BodyCombatTM; ISCA Kick Boxing I and II, Kettlebell, Jump Rope, Primary Pilates; ARC First Aid, CPR/AED. Other classes she teaches include jump rope, bootcamp, cardio kickboxing, Tabata, and various strength training classes. Fen has been an athlete for most of her life, participating in various sports since age 6. In high school and college, she ran Varsity Cross Country, running the Boston marathon as a bandit her sophomore year. Fen is also a Co-founder and the Fitness Director of BollyX(R), as well as an ISCA Master Trainer certifying individuals in Mat Pilates and Kick Boxing. She became involved in fitness in order to help people prevent health problems and injuries, and simply, because she loves physical activity. In her spare time, Fen likes to cook and watch action movies. Her fitness philosophy is: Take it one day at a time. Each day is an opportunity to do something good for your health. Fen graduated from MIT with a BS in Biology.

Beginners introduction to breakdancing, basics of footwork, toprock, freezes and power moves.

Category: Contemporary Dance

Class Level: Beginner

Class Type: Ongoing

Age Type: Teens & Adults

Age Range: 12 & Up

Alex Diaz Biography:

Bboy El Nino is 29 years old and has been breakin' (Breakdancing) since the tender age of 6. He was born and raised in Boston and still resides there. El Nino has performed in shows with famous artists such as Missy Elliot, LL cool J, 50 cent, Busta Rhymes and many more. El Nino also competes all over the world with his groups, "Floor Lords", "Boogie Brats" and "Sqaudron". He has also appeared in the movie "Step Up 3D" and recently got a main role in a national "Airheads Candy" Commercial. He is a staple in the bboy community, judging events and teaching workshops all over the world. El Nino is actively still winning competitions worldwide, including most recently 2016 "Freestyle Session Undisputed" champion and 2017 "Battle In Shanghai" Champion.

Class will begin with a dynamic investigation of proper alignment. Through Cunningham and Limon inspired exercises, we will explore articulation of the spine, use of weight, and economy of movement. We will do short phrases across the floor to facilitate the learning of a physically dynamic final phrase that collects the elements explored in the class to hone our skills, apply our training and deepen the understanding and intelligence in our bodies with nuanced phrase material. Utilizing breath and a sense of grounding, to release the joints and activate internal muscles we will create a visceral understanding of expression in movement with an expansive use of space.

Category: Contemporary Dance

Class Level: All Levels

Class Type: Ongoing

Age Type: Teens & Adults

Age Range: 14 & Up

Kelley Donovan Biography:

Kelley Donovan splits her time between Boston and New York City, teaching and choreographing in both cities. She has performed work by Ann Carlson, Amy Spencer & Richard Colton and Liz Lerman. Her work has been produced in Boston by World Music/Crash Arts, Tufts University, Lesley College, MIT, Mobius, Harvard, Mass College of Art, Salem State College and The Federal Reserve Bank in Boston. Most recently she has shown work at Movement Research, DanceNow NYC, The Merce Cunningham Studio, The Duo Theater, Joyce SoHo, The Hatch, WAX, Green Space and the 92nd St. Y in New York City. Recently the New York Times and Boston Pheonix cited her work as among the best of 2009 and she has received financial support from The Artist Foundation of Boston and a Harkness Space Grant from the 92nd St. Y. Kelley studied choreography with Mark Morris and Bessie Schonberg and received a B.A. from Bradford College in 1989. Kelley Donovan & Dancers create dance that investigates the internal world of transformation and expresses the intimate self through movement, ranging from soft fluidity to athletic physicality. Exploring the gray area between the extremes of purely classical modern dance and theatrical narrative, Donovan creates movement rich with imagery, experienced viscerally and expressive of transformation.

Unveil the mystery of this beautiful dance. Learn or sharpen the fundamental belly dance movements from fiery hip-locks and shimmies, to slow serpentine snake arms, camels, belly rolls, figure eights and more. Discover Egyptian, Turkish, and American Cabaret, & fusion belly dance and fun combinations. Develop poise and gain a more toned and fluid body.

Category: World Dance

Class Level: All Levels

Class Type: Ongoing

Age Type: Teens & Adults

Age Range: 12 & Up

Notes: This multi-level class is suitable adults at any age and teens in moderate physical condition.

Johara Biography:

Johara has been a leading performer, instructor, and choreographer of traditional middle eastern and fusion belly dance for over 20 years. She is the Director of Snake Dance Theatre Company and has produced 15 grand scale theatrical shows. She believes in being rooted in strong foundation but also exploring other dance styles to cultivate self expression and creativity. Throughout her career as a performer to live music she has drawn upon Egyptian, Cabaret, Tribal, African and Caribbean dances to create her own unique Serpent Rock dance style. Besides being a dancer, Johara is a professional percussionist, certified yoga instructor, and an ESL professor.

This rotating repertory of 3-week workshops is designed to teach the basic principles of prop use in dance and circus arts, finishing in a short piece of choreography in a variety of fusion styles. Each cycle focuses on a different handheld object (fans, hats, umbrellas, hoops) or textile (silks, sequined scarves, skirts/cloaks, flamenco shawls), and its incorporation into dance and circus arts. Dance experience is not required, but a sense of adventure is! Props will be available both for classroom use and optionally for purchase. For more information on current and upcoming workshop topics, see the Found Objects website at foundobjects.dance.

Category: Contemporary Dance

Class Level: All Levels

Class Type: Ongoing

Age Type: Teens & Adults

Age Range: 15 & Up

Notes: Props price list TBD, but ranges from $5 for simple hand fans to $45 for a set of 2.4m silk fan veils.

Circe Rowan Biography:

Circe Rowan is a Boston-based multi-modal artist, working in film, stage, textiles, and the written word. In addition to acting with Breaking Light Productions, the originator of the Mrs. Hawking series of serialized stage shows, she has designed props and costumes for the Post-Meridian Radio Players, Arlington Friends of the Drama, and Papa Sy. Her dance credits include performing with groups such as FreEmotion/LibreEmocion and Yosi Karahashi Flamenco, as well as guest appearances in shows for Peter di Muro's Public Displays of Motion, LadyBOS Productions, and NACHMO Boston. She is the creator and artistic director of Found Objects (foundobjects.dance), a dance/circus arts company dedicated to exploring the movement potential of everyday things.

Test-drive a wide variety of props and textiles to a soundtrack of upbeat international pop music in this freeform exploration of objects. Learn how to juggle umbrellas, flip sequined veils, and flow with hand-held hoops as an extension of your body in a friendly environment, encouraging experimentation without the bounds of choreography or genre. This improvisational jam is a community event requiring no dance or circus arts experience -- only curiosity and the willingness to try something new! Family-friendly, all ages and all levels welcome.

Category: Contemporary Dance

Class Level: All Levels

Class Type: Ongoing

Age Type: Teens & Adults

Age Range: 12 & Up

Notes: Kids under 12, only with supervising adult (free with child admission).

Circe Rowan Biography:

Circe Rowan is a Boston-based multi-modal artist, working in film, stage, textiles, and the written word. In addition to acting with Breaking Light Productions, the originator of the Mrs. Hawking series of serialized stage shows, she has designed props and costumes for the Post-Meridian Radio Players, Arlington Friends of the Drama, and Papa Sy. Her dance credits include performing with groups such as FreEmotion/LibreEmocion and Yosi Karahashi Flamenco, as well as guest appearances in shows for Peter di Muro's Public Displays of Motion, LadyBOS Productions, and NACHMO Boston. She is the creator and artistic director of Found Objects (foundobjects.dance), a dance/circus arts company dedicated to exploring the movement potential of everyday things.

Joins us for a pop-up dinner event in at CultureHouse in Kendall Square, Cambridge. Open Kitchens is offering Zimbabwean cuisine cooked by Tatenda Shumirai Ngwaru, an immigrant from Zimbabwe. She is an asylum seeker, intersex advocate, and believes nothing gets a conversation going better than delicious food on the table.

Our conversation curator will invite us to celebrate Black History Month through a richer reflection of Black history and culture from a unique perspective (outside the dominant/European viewpoint).

Our Zimbabwean menu will consist of the following delicious and authentic items:

* "Fat Cooks", a minced curry filled appetizer (wheat)
* Sadza, a flavorful side dish made with cornmeal (gluten-free)
* Nyama Yehuku, a traditional chicken stew slow-cooked with herbs and spices that offer it a unique flavor. (Meat or vegetarian alternative with meatless mince/beefless meat is available only upon request.)
* Murio Nehohwa, spinach and mushrooms with flavors by the herbs it is cooked with (vegan)
* Queen Cake with ice cream (wheat, eggs, dairy)