Dances from the Diaspora: Afro Russe with Elsie Mufuka

Join the kick-off of our diaspora dance series with the unique movement of Afro Russe!

Inspired by our featured exhibit Inter | Sectionality, the Gantt Center will provide programs that celebrate artistic and cultural traditions of the African diaspora. Dancing has always been a rich form of expression and for this special program, we will learn Afro Russe, a fusion of Zimbabwean African, Contemporary, and Ballet dance styles. We will tell stories via traditional, repetitive dances that are designed to get your body in a movement reminiscent of our ancestors. Elsie Mufuka, founder of MufukaWorks Dance Company and creator of the Afro Russe dance style, will lead participants through the workshop, accompanied by live drumming from Baba Ayinde "Freddie". Open to all ages and experience levels, join us for a fun, effortless experience of southern African movement.

Comfortable clothes and bare feet are all that is needed for the workshop. Participants can wear lapas -- a cloth tied around the waist in many African dance traditions -- but it is not required. You will also get a chance to showcase your moves at the end of the workshop!

To participate in the live workshop via Zoom, click/tap here. Use/enter the passcode "28202".

If you prefer to watch without participating, visit the Harvey B. Gantt Center's official YouTube channel here.

Originally from Gardens Corner, SC. The blood that runs through her veins is from Zimbabwe, Africa. Elsie Mufuka's pre-professional training is credited to Shannon Kelly of Kelly Studios in Georgia. Mufuka's education includes Masters of Arts Administration from Winthrop University and Coker College of dual Bachelor of Art degrees in Dance under the direction of Angela Gallo and Dr. Wanda Ebright and Communications, some of her references are The Amy Marshall Dance Company residency of New York City, The Wanda Project, and Choreographer/Mentor Natty Mncube. After her undergraduate completion, she accepted her first professional opportunity in Johannesburg, South Africa with Ntosana Contemporary Dance Theatre director Sello Pesa. Mufuka worked with this company as well as Taelo Dance Theatre-Gustin Makgeledisa, DTL Entertainment-Tumie Letsoenyo, and Lorcia Cooper.

As a dance educator, Mufuka has proved to transform anyone into his or her inner dancer. This was evident in her additional work of teaching in the townships of Soweto and Alexandra in South Africa. Additionally, Mufuka currently works with Charlotte Ballet Reach! (nationally recognized outreach sponsorship program) as the lead dance teaching artist, curator for Boom Festival, Board member of Unity Voices of Union County Public Schools and dance teacher for McClintock Middle School. Mufuka is a member of the Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society and North Carolina Dance Educators Organization. Former Chair of the Board of Charlotte Dance Festival and dance teacher of Benton Heights Elementary School of the Arts, she has been awarded full scholarship to Dance/USA Conference in Miami, selected choreographer to attend Creative Capitol (hosted by NC Arts Council and Dance Project), teacher award from Dance Machine, 2018 Outstanding Young Alumni, 2019 Dance Educator of the Year, and 2019 Teacher of the Year. Both internationally and locally, Mufuka has developed even more experience in her craft of dance and enlightens her skills back into her own dance company entitled MufukaWorks Dance Company. Through all her success in Dance, she credits her family, love of her life, stepson, daughter, Amani Solstice and one on the way for their inspiration.

Mufuka is the standing NC Dance Educator of the Year, Teacher of the Year of Benton Heights Elementary, Top 20 Teacher of the Year of UCPS and Diamond Award Winner for McClintock Middle.