Welcome to the online home of the Congolese Dance & Drum Workshop, celebrating over 30 years of excellence in teaching Congolese performing arts in the San Francisco Bay area. We are headquartered in Oakland, CA at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Performing Arts, a multi-story cultural center of music and dance dedicated to the memory of the founder of the Congolese Dance & Drum Workshop, Malonga Casquelourd. On this website you will find a wealth of information about the traditional performing arts originating in the Congo basin as well as practical information about our dance and drum classes and workshops. Our visionary instructors are some of the top Congolese dancers and drummers in the United States, and we are proud to come together in dance and music. Our students range from casual first-time beginners to serious performing arts professionals; everyone is welcome, and all our classes are drop-in.
CDDW News Update, Jan. 4, 2012: It is with much regret that we inform you that there will not be a Congolese Dance & Drum Workshop in Maui in 2012. We will continue to host (and co-host) Congolese dance events and workshops with guest instructors in the SF Bay Area throughout the upcoming year. The schedule for these events will be announced on this website as they are confirmed. We hope you can attend!
2012 Class Schedule
Please check out our 2012 schedule of Congolese dance and drum classes in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our classes are taught for a range of dance abilities and experience, starting relatively easy and working up. First-time students of African dance are welcome. Give it a try... No prior registration is required, and all classes are drop-in. SERIOUSLY LIVE DRUMMING! All of our dance classes are accompanied by a fiery drumline of traditional Congolese ngoma drummers. Come feel the energy!
The Palo Alto Congolese dance class (Sundays, 3:30 - 5:00) is pleased to announce that it is being taught by master Congolese dance & instructor and Fua Dia Congo dancer Cady Ndounda, daughter of Regine Ndounda, who is taking a personal leave of absence.
Jan 9 - we had six (6!) ngoma drummers accompanying last Sunday's class! Serious energy for our dancers! Planning to come next Sunday, too...
Video Clips from the Congolese Dance & Drum Workshop in Maui
