Evolve Diaspora

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Evolve Diaspora, Art, New Orleans, LA.

11/05/2024

The inaugural Balbancha Dance Weekend has to come to a close. What an excellent time to be in a community with each other.

Thank you to our participants who traveled from far and near to support. You all were committed to the entire process!

Thank you to our teachers
Nadia Dieudonné
Emilio Hernandez Gonzalez
Iman Marshall
Zakiya L Cornish
Michelle Gibson

The classes were on fire! Participants were taught not only the movement but also given a rich introduction to the dances. The knowledge and energy shared were top-notch. Thank you to our live drummers. For your energy and musicianship.

Thank you to Sha’Condria Sibley and Kristal Jones for contributing to our brunch. The line dance session and poetry fed our souls. We were tapping into unabashed Black Joy!

Thank you, Nailah Smith, for stepping into the role of Grand Marshall for our 2nd line. You were a physical representation of the beauty of the African Diaspora by dressing up as a Gede. Leading a sea of movers dressed in white and ushering us to the ancestor tree was the perfect ending to the spirit-filled weekend.

Thank you to our weekend volunteers! This would not have gone as smoothly without your help.

A special thank you to Mama Ausettua Amor Amenkum, Stephanie V. Mckee, Ferneasa Cutno, Jmoonfruit Janese, Andrea Peoples, and Tianna Pourciau Sykes for helping to make this Inaugural weekend a success. Your role, whether small or large, has helped this vision come to fruition.

Thank you, Creator, for orchestrating this divine moment.

Thank you, Ancestors, for paving the way. For it’s your shoulders we stand on.

God willing, see you all next year!!!

11/02/2024

Balbancha Post

Yesterday”s kick-off was a great success!

Thank you, Mama Ausettua Amor Amenkum, for the libation, and Iman Marshall, who started our dance journey with a New Orleans Bounce class.

Today we continue!

All roads lead to Bell Arts Space located at 2117 St Phillip St and N Johnson

1:00 pm- Afro-Cuban w/ Emilio Hernandez Gonzalez
3:15 pm- W African w/ Zakiya L Cornish
5:30 pm- Second-line Aesthetics w/ Michelle Gibson
7:45 pm- Haitian w/ Nadia Dieudonné

Sunday, we have Brunch and Second Line!

11 am Meet us at Sweet Lorraine’s
Performance by Sha’Condria iCon Sibley and a Line dance session with Kristal Jones

10/31/2024

BALBANCHA DANCE WEEKEND
✨️Artist Spotlight✨️

We are days away, you all!!!
Let me repeat this: We are days away from the kickoff of the Balbancha Dance Weekend.

I’m so excited about this artist. Flashback to Quarantine, and the few dance opportunities were on virtual spaces. IG Live is where I encountered this fantastic powerhouse.

Emilio Hernadez Gonzalez
Afro-Cuban

Emilio Yasmel Hernández González native of Havana, Cuba. Emilio studied at the School of Art Instructors of Havana Dancer and choreographer of musical shows, 1st Level Solo dancer and principal choreographer of the Raíces Profundas Company Ramiro Guerra Award 2016 for Best Folkloric Dance Performance in Cuba National Choreography and Best Show Award 2018-2019 with my work *Patakkin* Participated as a workshop leader and jury member in international dance events and festivals in different countries.

The Inaugural Balbancha Dance Weekend
Nov. 1st-3rd!

Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of African Diaspora dance at “Balbancha Dance Weekend,” showcasing the rich diversity and powerful legacy of movement traditions spanning the African Diaspora.

REGISTER TODAY!
www.balbanchadance.com

10/30/2024

BALBANCHA DANCE WEEKEND

✨️Artist Spotlight✨️

Our fire lineup is not to be messed with. Kicking off the spotlight with my sister and teacher, Nadia Dieudonné

Nadia Dieudonné - Afro-Haitian

Nadia Dieudonné is a seasoned choreographer, performer, and dance educator who began dancing at an early age. By 12, Dieudonné was performing with well-known Haitian folk singer and community activist Myriam Dorismé. Dieudonné was also mentored by the Haitian dance icon Jean-León Destiné and worked with him for many years as a performer and assistant instructor. Dieudonné’s innate talent as a Haitian dancer grew stronger in 1990 when she began traveling to her homeland to research and study the origins, purpose of Haitian dance, and its connections to Africa. She honed her skills by attending several lakous in the countryside and attending esteemed dance schools in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and New York.
Today, due to her diligent work, research, and study of the heritage of Haitian dance, Dieudonné is known as one of the best banda dancers outside of Haiti. Her passion for dance led her to establish Nadia Dieudonné & Feet of Rhythm, a Brooklyn-based Haitian dance company specializing in theater performances with live instrumentation. In the founding of this organization, Dieudonné also created Feet of Rhythm Kids to include Haitian-American youth who are not aware of nor exposed to the vibrant culture of Haiti. Through their performances and signature cultural program called “Konbit,” Feet of Rhythm has been educating the community through the performing arts for almost three decades.

The Inaugural Balbancha Dance Weekend
Nov. 1st-3rd!

Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of African Diaspora dance at “Balbancha Dance Weekend,” showcasing the rich diversity and powerful legacy of movement traditions spanning the African Diaspora.

REGISTER TODAY!
www.balbanchadance.com

10/25/2024

Omg!
We are a week away from the Inaugural Balbancha Dance Weekend!

A promise of a fun-filled weekend of celebrating and learning the dances of the African Diaspora. This is not your typical festival but instead an experience. We can't wait to share space with you all ✨💚✨

Friday
Reg check-in
Libation
Kick-off dance class with Iman Marshall teaching Bounce

Saturday
Emilio Hernandez Gonzalez teaching Afro-Cuban
Zakiya L Cornish teaching W. African
Michelle Gibson teaching Second Line Aesthetic
Nadia Dieudonné teaching Haitian Gede

*There will be live drumming in each folkloric class

Sunday
A White Brunch performance by Sha’Condria iCon Sibley, a line dance session less by Kristal Jones
Honoring New Orleans culture bearers who have transitioned
A Second Line Processional to Congo Square
A bantaba at Congo Square

What are the many ways you can participate?
You can purchase a
✨Weekend pass
✨Saturday pass
✨Individual class
✨Brunch tickets

More info and purchase tickets
at balbanchadance.com

10/20/2024

I had a great time teaching at the Dance Grenada Festival. When I return, I will be in full swing with the final prep of the Inaugural Balbancha Dance Weekend.

November 1-3, come on out for three days of learning and celebrating the dances and culture of the African Diaspora.

Today is the last day to take advantage of the Early bird Special. Get 15% off tickets for the event.

For more info and to purchase packages, check out our website.
Balbanchadance.com

10/15/2024

So many things are happening over the next few weeks. This week, I’m getting ready and geared up to head over to Grenada to be part of
Produced by

07/15/2024

Hello, beautiful souls!

We are a week away from me hitting the ATL to teach at the 15th Annual Atlanta African Dance and Drum Festival. Come out for a jam-packed weekend of dance and drumming.

My class will take place on Sunday, 7/21/24 @ 10 am

Let’s dance together!

06/21/2024

Ok, I am back!

Back from one of my favorite places to visit.

Cuba has a special place in my heart, and it is hard to sum it up in a few words. It is a beautiful place full of love, joy, and life. Now, I have to be honest and say there are some sad and hard parts as life is not easy there.

All in all, whenever my sis, Amandla Haynes, and I go to Cuba, we feel whole, fulfilled, and exhausted! We started our group exploration trips back in 2017. Every year, we host a small group of people and show them the Cuba we have grown to love. I thank her every year for saying yes to my crazy idea ✨💚✨💚

01/14/2024

Happy Sunday Beautiful Ppl!

Y'all been asking! So, here is the official announcement!!! We are going back to Cuba in June.

Join Amandla Haynes and me on this memorable trip.

We are going to Havana and Matanzas
We have guided tours, community service, nightlife, beach time, a Spanish translator, and lots more.

All are welcome to come and experience the beautiful island.

For my dancers and musicians, there will be classes for you to take ✨

Dates: 6/12-19
Price: $1650

Includes 2 meals a day, welcome and farewell dinners, lodging, airport transfers, and transportation while on the island.

www.evolvediaspora.com

11/04/2023

🖤💜🤍🖤💜🤍🖤💜🤍🖤💜🤍💜🤍

🎶🎶Banda Rivé Wayo

Today is the day!!!!

Master Teacher Nadia Dieudonne Gede Class

This a free community class offering

Nola community come out wearing your purple, black, and whites and celebrate Gede season w us!

Saturday, 11/4/23
6 pm
University
McWilliams Building Dance Studio
Rm 300

💜🖤🤍💜🖤🤍💜🖤🤍💜🖤🤍

💜🖤🤍💜🖤🤍💜🖤🤍💜🖤💜🖤🤍

07/19/2023

What's next?!?!

Atlanta family and friends pull up. On Sunday, 7/23, @ 10 am, I teach at the Atlanta African Drum and Dance Festival.

I hope to see some of your beautiful faces on the dance floor.

Address

New Orleans, LA

Website

http://www.evolvediaspora.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Evolve Diaspora posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Establishment

Send a message to Evolve Diaspora:

Shortcuts

Want your establishment to be the top-listed Arts & Entertainment in New Orleans?

Dance and Cultural Instruction & Research

Evolve Diaspora was created by Kelly S. White and Winston Benons Jr. to provide opportunities for educators, researchers and professional dancers to get intensive dance instruction from Master teachers in Afro-Caribbean dance idioms. Programs such as “Evolve/A Moment With The Masters” and “Evolve Explorations” give individuals the opportunity to learn both stateside and in countries through out the Diaspora.