Umfundalai – African Contemporary Dance Class

As part of the NCCAkron Creative Administration Research Summit Convening, join us outdoors in The Bud and Susie Rogers Garden for an African Contemporary Dance Class led by Errin Weaver, Executive/Artistic Director of Mojuba! Dance Collective.

Umfundalai (pronounced mah-foon-da-lah) is a contemporary African dance technique with movement vocabulary from dance traditions throughout the Diaspora. The literal word, Umfundalai, means “essential” in Kiswahili.

All ages and abilities are welcome. Organizers recommend that participants wear sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and clothing for movement, and bring water. Walk-ups will not be allowed, so please register in advance, and encourage friends to do the same! We look forward to dancing with you.

Akron Art Museum is a co-host for this class.

This event is part of NCCAkron's Creative Administration Research (CAR) Summit Convening. Artists and Thought Partners from around the country who are participating in NCCAkron's multi-year CAR program will be in Akron for a full weekend of events. CAR is made possible through a three-year grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Click here to learn more about CAR.

You're also invited to join us for Against All Odds: Moving in Museums – An NCCAkron Dancing Conversation between Christy Bolingbroke, Brendan Fernandes, and Dr. Jeff Katzin on Thursday, June 1.

About the Artist

Errin Weaver (​Cleveland, OH) is a community activator and the Executive Artistic Director of Mojuba! Dance Collective. She is currently completing her thesis toward an MFA in Choreography and Interdisciplinary Studies from Wilson College. Errin has taught, been in residency, and sat on panels regarding sacred dance rooted in the Gospel tradition and Africanist dance forms extensively. Through her work, she has created the Emerging Black Choreographers Incubator, hosted countless workshops and festivals, and become a published author. Her choreography has been presented regionally and internationally and has received awards and commissioned support. She has been deeply vested in wellness and the community arts where she has facilitated training sessions, free outdoor movement workshops, and a collaborative evening-length work uniting professional and aspiring artists in a telling of Black American history.

Pictured: Errin Weaver (photo by Trestle Board)