Dancing!

Compas Dance

We went to listen to some amazing music. One of my favorites was Compas Dance. This is a community project meaning that the government doesn’t give them any money so they survive off of tours, shows and selling their art. Here it is a place for female performers that not only dance, but also use percussion. They use any element at hand: drumsticks, castanets, heels, wood slippers, claves, chequerés, and percussive chairs-all that they’ve made there. The women also learn to play the bata, which is an African drum that is forbidden for women to play. The batas at Compas Dance were handmade there by the director. Since he was making them especially for the women to use, they were allowed to use them. I brought back a clave which is essentially a rhythm stick. 

The women dance and play African music, the Rumba and the Salsa. There is also a traveling group. It was more than amazing to watch. At Compas Dance, a few of us from the tour took Salsa lessons on one of the days. Where we didn't have the rhythm of our instructor, it was a blast!

Wall that is made of cardboard, painted by the same man who makes the instruments

Playing the Bata. Made by the man in white, playing drums

Getting ready to dance, sitting on percussion chairs

Same guy who gave us salsa lessons, showing off the chequeres

Battle of the beat