Rhythms of the Diaspora – Cultural Dance Intensive

Date: Saturday, November 22nd, 2025
Location: Acosta Dance Centre
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:15 PM
Price: £64.00 per participant/ Early Bird Price £60.00 Until 31st August 

Join us for a full-day celebration of African and Caribbean movement, blending cultural heritage with contemporary choreography. Led by acclaimed cultural dance artist Renee Miller-Reid and a special guest facilitator, this intensive will immerse participants in the stories, techniques, and grooves that have shaped global Black dance.

Schedule

• 10:00 – 10:30 AM: Registration & Welcome

• 10:30 – 12:00 PM: Workshop 1 – Amapiano & Afro House Footwork (Renee)

• 12:00 – 12:15 PM: Refreshment Break

• 12:15 – 1:45 PM: Workshop 2 – Dancehall (Guest facilitator)

• 1:45 – 2:45 PM: Lunch & Social Moment (optional DJ/activation by ROD)

• 2:45 – 4:15 PM: Workshop 3 – From Ghana to Global: Azonto & Afro-Fusion (Renee)

Workshop Details

Workshop 1 – Amapiano & Afro House Footwork
Explore the foundations of Amapiano and Afro House, from Southern African street culture to international stages. Learn core steps, groove mechanics, and bounce patterns, and discover how these styles have influenced choreography, TikTok trends, and commercial music videos. The session breaks down their evolution from community-led dance to global performance and viral media.

Workshop 2 – Dancehall (Guest Facilitator )
Dive into the vibrant world of Dancehall, from its Jamaican street culture origins to its modern-day styles. Learn foundational and contemporary steps, movement vocabulary, body placement, and groove, while understanding how Dancehall steps are named and evolve over time.

Workshop 3 – From Ghana to Global: Azonto & Afro-Fusion
Trace Azonto’s journey from Ghanaian street dance to a key influence in Afro-Fusion choreography. Learn signature steps, groove mechanics, and how Azonto shapes professional choreography for stage, music videos, and commercial work. Discover the cultural significance of its rise and its lasting impact on the global Afro dance scene.

About the Lead Artist – Renee Miller-Reid
Renee Miller-Reid is a professional cultural dance artist, choreographer, and founder of Rhythms of the Diaspora, a UK-based platform celebrating African and Caribbean movement through performance, education, and community.

Her credits include performances with Tyla, Fireboy DML, and Diamond Platnumz, appearances at the Royal Albert Hall, City Splash Festival, and national UK tours. She has been featured in national campaigns that blend creative direction with movement deeply rooted in the diaspora.

Renee has taught across primary schools, professional studios, and community spaces nationwide, working with people of all ages and backgrounds. Her workshops bridge ancestral rhythm with contemporary expression, ensuring cultural education remains at the heart of every movement.