The Pulse of Africa | A One-Day Immersion in Traditional African Rhythms

Full Program Schedule

Location: Acosta Dance Centre
Date: 25th October 2025

Price:  Full workshop £100.00, Sabar workshop (only) £35.00,  Rwandan traditional dance (only) £35.00 & Dundun dance workshop (only) £35.00

A 15% student discount is also available at the centre on the day of the workshop. Please bring your student ID to receive it!

9:30 AM – 9:45 AM: Registration & Welcome

Doors open!
Join us for check-in, get settled, and prepare for a day filled with vibrant rhythm, cultural expression, and joyful movement.

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Traditional Sabar Dance from Senegal

Instructor: Aida Diop

Immerse yourself in the celebratory and dynamic rhythms of Senegalese Sabar dance, accompanied by live drumming.
Let the beat guide your body in this high-energy, expressive session!

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch Break

(Note: Food is not available for purchase onsite. Please bring your own lunch.)

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Traditional Dance from Rwanda

Instructor: Kamanzi Ndori Yannick Nicolas

Discover the elegance and power of Rwanda’s traditional dance, a captivating experience enriched by live traditional music.
This session offers both cultural depth and creative inspiration.

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Refreshment Break

Take a breather, stretch, and refuel for the final session of the day.

3:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Dundun Drum Dance from Guinea

Instructor: Aida Diop

Connect deeply with the pulse of West Africa through Dundun Drum Dance.
In this powerful session, your movements directly echo the rhythm of the drum.

We look forward to sharing an inspiring day of cultural exploration and movement with you!
Doors close at 5:00 PM

Meet the Artists

Aida Diop

Aida brings infectious energy, joy, and a deep well of knowledge to her teaching.
Born in Ouakam, Senegal, within the Lebou ethnic group, she began dancing Sabar as a child and went on to tour internationally with renowned companies such as Ballet Africain de Sanghoma and Ballet Nimba.

Aida has taught dance at the U.S. Embassy’s American School in Senegal and continues to offer regular workshops and classes in the UK. She is passionate about sharing her culture with heart and authenticity.

🔗 Follow Aida: @a.idance on Instagram

Kamanzi Ndori Yannick Nicolas

Kamanzi is a visionary Rwandan movement artist, choreographer, and theatre director whose work blends traditional dance with contemporary storytelling.

Trained at the Jacques Lecoq International School of Theatre, his pieces such as Generation 25 and The Black Intore (performed at Théâtre Chaillot in Paris) explore themes of identity, memory, and cultural rebirth. He regularly leads workshops at institutions like the National Opera and Théâtre Chaillot, empowering others to connect with their creative roots.