CURRICULUM
A.C.B.M Isolations
Afro-Caribbean Body Movement & Isolations is the fundamental practice of Afro-Latin Funk. It is a system of exercises designed to develop range of motion, as well as fine control of the entire body. By isolating parts of the body and using them individually to repeat the characteristic movements of African based disciplines, this practice systematically conditions the body, section by section, to respond to music in the desired fashion.
Practiced consistently, A.C.B.M Isolations provides a separate time to deal with the body and feeling of Afro-Caribbean music, making the dancer much more receptive and adept in all other facets of their practice. It teaches the sequential structure of movement in coordination with sophisticated rhythmical structures to develop a high level of quality and musicality. This puts the dancer in a position to express themselves musically with every part of their body.
A.C.B.M Isolations practice can be applied to all types of Afro-Latin dance. It is beneficial for dancers of all genres looking to acquire and refine the tools to tap into our body’s potential for expression. Whether you’re a social dancer, performer, or a student simply hungry for more information, Isolation training is a practice that changes the body year after year and yields ever-growing maturity of movement and possibilities for expression.
Mambo Openwork/Open Shines
“Open Work” is the broad term given to Mambo without a partner.
This type of training consists of a short warm up to music, utilizing pre-arranged combinations of footwork, movements and gestures called "Shines". Shines are a training tool used to introduce and refine the basic principles of body mechanics, the possibilities of movement and footwork, and at the higher levels, as a base from which the practitioner can cultivate their ability to improvise freely over a set structure.
The instructional portion then follows the warm up, where the teacher choreographs sequences to introduce and apply concepts of movement and musicality to constantly explore the possibilities available for the truest personal expression.
Open work is practiced to Salsa, Mambo and Cha Cha Cha music as well as other Son based rhythms. It includes movements and patterns from the Puerto Rican Bomba and Plena, Cuban Rumba, Yoruba, West African, and Pachanga disciplines.
Mambo Partnerwork
As the term suggests, “Partner Work” is the expression of Mambo through the unique discipline of coordinated and synchronized movement and communication of 2 or more individuals.
The most interesting and exciting facet of this practice is the precise Lead/Follow relationship. Developing the skill of communicating our intentions and responses in a refined and subtle way, that remains hidden to the observer. This communication creates a sense of oneness and magic, and an intense feeling that only synchronized and rhythmical movement with another body can produce.
All facets from specific hand positions to the exact execution of footwork, as well as the subtleties of Lead/Follow, are addressed and practiced in depth.
Turns & Spins Training
Spinning practice is the training and exploration of the postures, balance techniques, and power principles involved in executing free "Turns" and "Spins". Turns are defined as rotation involving multiple steps or changes of weight, whereas Spins involve more than one rotation without changing the pivot foot.
Spinning practice begins with a warm up consisting of exercises designed to develop balance and proper use of the body to create momentum for rotation (torque). These exercises also drill proper use of the head or “spotting”, and develop the ability to maintain correct posture throughout different degrees of rotation.
The instructional portion consists of a short combination of Turns and Spins, each thoroughly broken down to their basic elements and drilled. This type of training develops the ability to execute multiple turns and spins smoothly, naturally, and powerfully both alone and with a partner. It also conditions the muscles and techniques used in all types of direction change in every facet of the dance.
Armwork
We do not use the popular term "Styling" as it implies that we are using something separate to enhance the aesthetics of our expression. Because our practice revolves around aesthetic personal expression with the entire body, there is nothing left to be considered separate or decorative.
In Arm Work, we train the subtle art of giving our arms and hands the type of expression they would have in conversation. The term "styling" can lead to improper understanding and an unnatural, overly dramatic set of poses. For this reason we refer to this practice as gestures - movements that convey information and context.
Practice begins with a warm up, drilling the fundamental gestures that comprise our core arm and hand movements. The instructional portion of class deals with the footwork that will be used first. After this is broken down, arm work is then systematically added and described in detail.
This practice deals directly with high-level coordination and develops the ability to use the body in a precise and sophisticated manner.
Cha Cha Cha
It has been said that the Mambo is the groom and the Cha Cha Cha is the bride. Because it is essentially just a slower, more rhythmically pronounced form of this music, it serves as a magnifying glass, giving us a deeper understanding of the subtleties of faster Son-based rhythms.
The basic step is executed almost exactly the same as the Mambo basic with the addition of the signature "shuffle step," bridging the front and back halves of the pattern. The sound of the feet during this shuffle gave rise to the term "Cha Cha Cha".
Cha Cha Cha is the secret. It is the other side of the coin that gives us the complete view of the unique flavor of this music and its physical manifestation. To understand Mambo and Salsa is to study Cha Cha Cha. The person who is well versed in Cha Cha Cha exhibits a soulfulness and musical connection that is the doorway to becoming a physical representation of this music.
This practice is run in open work format and includes Boogaloo. Boogaloo is simply the fusion of African American Soul and Funk music in the Cha Cha Cha structure, giving it a unique sound and feeling, and often using English lyrics.
Pachanga Intensive
This Intensive is designed for a more detailed and focused practice of Pachanga. Using various training exercises, we will work towards acquiring the skills necessary for developing this dance and maturing it over time.
The Pachanga Intensive aims to build our foundation from the ground up, introducing variations to expand our Pachanga repertoire and feed our ability to create and improvise musically to this unique rhythm.
Pachanga is an inherently difficult dance, but one with infinite possibilities for training and refinement. This Intensive is sure open to everyone and sure to challenge dancers of all levels!
Intro to Movement Mechanics
Intro to Movement Mechanics is an open-level conditioning course led by Abakuá dancer, Lia Robertson. It is designed to introduce new students to the Afro Latin Funk method of creating movement, and provide existing students with a separate time to deal with these concepts in a more focused way.
During this practice, we will work on applying the fundamentals of Afro-Latin movement through weight transfer exercises and drills, using Frankie Martinez's ground-generated movement theory.
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