ADDLIFE! STUDIO: Addlife African Dance

AddLife! is happy to introduce VITALITY SPA in Florissant Missouri

12:26 PM

This Saturday, November 23 -- 10am- 2pm -- everyone in St. Louis, Missouri passionate about health, fitness, and innovative dance will benefit from going to the Grand Opening Fitness Extravaganza at the new Vitality Holistic Spa in Florissant!

Launched by the spunky fitness firecracker Sharita Davis, Vitality is here to help the whole family get fit by providing highly-inspiring and creative fitness classes, wellness programs, yoga and massage. [Vitality in the St. Louis American Newspaper]

African dance fitness specialist Diadie Bathily will feature his new Timbuk African Dance Fitness Workout at the event, in addition to other elite fleet experts in Zumba, Cardio Jam, Butts & Guts, Line and Step dancing.

A kids fitness demonstration, 2pm - 3pm, will teach Hip-Hop, Creative Crunk, and Cheer dance fitness!

Bring the entire family, for non-stop fitness, good music, raffles, and vitality!

Facebook RSVP today!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1388673914706915/?ref=br_tf

Your partner in dance and life!
Malena

Addlife African Dance

African dance starts in the soul

7:47 PM

Perhaps no other dance generates life in such great proportion that it demands.

In my 11 years of study, I see that African dance is an enthralling life course, no different than a master path followed by a spiritual guru. The more a dancer studies the art, the more the dance adapts to the needs of the dancer and her community, helping her stir and awaken her powerful soul and helping others do the same.

I first started African dance as an experiment, to prove to my athletic 17-year-old self that no physicality was above my ability. A championship volleyball player and track star at the time, African dance was simply another sport to add to my docket of achievements. That was until I first learned the West African dance of Mendiani, a dance taught to me by the ephemeral Diadie Bathily, the Ivory Coast-born director of Afriky Lolo in St. Louis, Missouri.

Within days, I not only excelled at Mendiani but I deeply loved the the rites of passage dance on a soulful level. The dance absolutely called out my artistry, added bold dimension to my firecracker energy, and invited my soul to transcend school and dive into world of discovery.

Now as a choreographer, teacher, and researcher I see how so many people try to learn African dance starting with the feet, or from the head.

But beyond the body, African dance starts in the soul, with a whimsical, mischievous desire determined to break to a higher level of expression. Through African dance, that very desire, that very soul has the power to communicate with the epic wisdom of the ancients, stir the masses, and set a vision for the future.

That very soul is the reason we dance African dance. Because it’s an art which ripples from the core of you, and it’s an art whose work is never done.

So, next time you plant a step in motion, start there, start from the soul. With many souls thrillingly propelled in the dance, we can energize lives, cities, and the world!

Malena Amusa

2720 Cherokee

This March 9, @ 6pm: A mega spring AddLife! Dance Workshop/ w Malena & Co.

10:35 AM

AddLife! is here to energize your artistry, blast our skills, our dancing, our dreams into the stratosphere.

This Saturday, we are hosting a so very special workshop of African dance, led by Malena Amusa, especially to capture the magic of spring, and the passion of change and growth. This workshop is also dedicated to techniques that bring about a strong body, strong mind, and strong dancing! The future awaits us and demands our excellence. I can't wait!!

LOCATION:
2720 Cherokee Performing Arts Center (2nd Floor)
2720 Cherokee St. -- STL -- 63118
(On Cherokee St., off Jefferson)

$10 for adults, $5 for kids.

RSVP TODAY!
Leave a note, email malenanow (at) gmail (dot) com.

Addlife African Dance

AddLife! African Dance & Music Super Workshops w/ Malena & Co. ::: Summer 2012, IMAGINATE & More!

7:17 PM

My motto for the summer is IMAGINATE!

Yes, it's time to put our ideas into full-throttle action and imagine a world where there is an ever-flow of progress, passion, and opportunity! IMAGINATE! It means to visualize and create your universe of personal enchantment and to indulge in your powers, your art, and your ambitions!
***

Now this Summer -- AddLife! Studio will be offering free, absolutely imaginatory African dance and music workshops at various St. Louis County and City Libraries. Take a look and join this vivacious movement!!

African Dance, African Drums

Thursday, May 17 & 24 6:30pm – 8pm @ the St. Louis County Library – Natural Bridge Branch

Learn the vibrant movement and drum-music of West Africa with Malena Amusa & AddLife! Studio. Discover the rich stories and ceremonies of marriage, battle and celebration. Enrich your life with the folklore of Africa.

Black American Music: A Chronology from Africa to Hip-Hop America

Saturday, June 9; 3pm - 4:30pm @ the St. Louis Public Library –Schlafly

Malena Amusa, CEO of AddLife! Studio will present a vivid perspective using brilliant live instruments to guide the audience in a full-sensory learning party. This hour-and-a-half presentation invites three experts in Black Music to lead exciting and interactive lessons on the following topics: The Rock Music of Ancient Africa, The Rise of the Djembe Drum, and The Science of Hip-Hop Music.

West African Dance w/ Malena
Thursdays, June 21 & 28; 6:45 – 7:45pm @ St. Louis County Library – James Bluff Branch

Join us for this lively exploration of West African dance, rhythm and folklore. Enrich your dance techniques with African dance from head to toe. Recommended for all ages. Registration is required.

Love,
Malena!

Addlife African Dance

"POW!" A special African Dance class dedicated to the lives of women! MAR 31

11:45 AM

In honor of women's month and women across the world, we are hosting a class totally dedicated to the beauty, prowess, and creative brilliance of women everywhere. So grab your energy, a friend, and your voluptuous spirits and join us for this exciting celebration.

“Power of Women!"
A Celebratory African Dance Class
w/ dance dazzler Audra Morrow

Addlife African Dance

Happy February!! :::: "A Revolution of Dance!" MEGA African dance class was simply great!

1:51 PM

January's last class -- "A Revolution of Dance!" featured the very powerful instructors of Kreative Pandemonium, a home-grown performance force dedicated to sharing the knowledge of African and Diaspora culture, music, and dance.

"The class was fuuuuuun," said Andrea Peoples, co-founder of KP. Andrea and her partner, international drummer Weedie Braimah, taught a women's dance from Guinea, popularly performed at special events called Guinea Fares. Two hours later, and with sweat shining from everyone's face, we gathered in a big circle and took turns shouting to the heavens, and expressing our own razzle dazzle.

And that's the call of African dance: to not only master the brilliant forces of nature embedded in the art, but to interface with empowering community and our strongest, most impressive selves.

Later, after everyone introduced themselves, we learned that we had a room of stars! Creative leaders, business-starters, and globe-changers all coming to African dance to sweat it out and share a confidence and a pulse in the body so amazing, you just gotta scream "Yeeeeees!"

--Malena Amusa

Addlife African Dance

Countdown 2 IMMORTAL PASSION!: 17 days left to the night your desire has been waiting for!

10:00 AM

"She was so breath-taking that no man in Japan could see her in the day. For if they did, the shock of her beauty would send them straight to the grave."

---The story of the most powerful woman Japan and one of many secrets to be told at 'Immortal Passion!', August 13

****

IMMORTAL PASSION! is a fiery night of African dance, music, and legendary tales of women from Africa, America, India, and Japan -- directed by Malena Amusa -- SATURDAY, Aug. 13, 8pm!
The concert will move you to new heights, consume you in passion, and ravage you with inspiration! & Let's not forget the dance classes happening that same day....

+ The event also features a special day of dance workshops before the concert! Ah! Come get more...

Acting Master Class

April 30; Dive into India & Africa: An Inspiring Dance & Drum Class with WashU Bhangra!!

11:12 AM

AddLife! Studio is thrilled to present a brilliant collaboration of Indian Bhangra and West African dance & drum @ InPower Institute, Saturday, April 30 from 7pm-9!!

Together, dance force Malena Amusa, Djembe star Andrew Behnen, and Washington University's stunning Bhangra team, will lead a colorful and spectacular dance & drum class open to all!

Get ready to try the luscious movements of the North Indian harvest Dance! Get ready to tap the might of grandiose African - inspired movements & rhythms. Get ready to have a remarkable time!

--> Here's WashU's Bhangra team in one of their awe-inspiring performances!

This rare workshop will also feature a West African drum lesson by Andrew rehnen & performances by WashU Bhangra & Malena Amusa & friends. Amazing live drumming and life-charging music will ensue.

Addlife African Dance

Friday, April 15: Join us for an African Dance Class Happy Hour!

10:27 AM

Tremble. Pulse. Ignite. Open. Close. Open. Left. Right. Up, up up!

This Friday, founder of AddLife! Studio Malena Amusa will lead a FREE African Dance Class Happy Hour at Legacy Books & Cafe, from 6-7:15pm!

Malena & a group of amazing drummers will cover 3 spectacular dances and rhythms... So bring your friends. You and your cheer are more than welcome!

Where:
Legacy Books & Cafe
5249 Delmar Blvd. off Union Blvd.
63108

Addlife African Dance

African Dance on Mondays! Awakening the Gods Within Us!

10:20 AM

If you could embody any qualities-- in an epic, godly, mythological form -- what would they be? Intelligence? Courage? Self-Belief? Compassion? Health? And if you know the answer, what's the one thing in the way of being ... here's a hint: starts with an 'N', ends with 'othing'!

	Jumping into our 5th week, our Monday classes come alive with amazing movements, life-transforming exercises, and powerful rhythms! One dancer, Darlene, said "the class charged me up for the entire week!" Another dancer, Redina, said "We awoke the gods!" It's true. Our Monday classes are amazing. And the more we dance together, the more we see how great it is to grow, explore, and achieve the impossible, with others.

Jumping into our 5th week, our Monday classes come alive with amazing movements, life-transforming exercises, and powerful rhythms!

One dancer, Darlene, said "the class charged me up for the entire week!" Another dancer, Redina, said "We awoke the gods!"

It's true. Our Monday classes are amazing. And the more we dance together, the more we see how great it is to grow, explore, and achieve the impossible, with others.

Addlife African Dance

When We Dance, We Come Alive!

10:09 AM

Addlife African Dance

Learn the West African dance of the 'Strong Men' : April 4!

10:28 AM

We're happy to present Malena Amusa's latest Monday class April 4 @ InPower Institute in South St. Louis, from 7pm - 8:15.

The class will be particularly special because participants get to delve into the intricacies and magic of Dununba, a warrior dance from Guinea called the dance of the 'Strong Men."

Dununba is undoubtedly one of the most popular celebration dances in West Africa, and Monday, we are going to learn and re-enact several key parts of the dance including: dancing in process, drumming, and soloing.

While we explore and perform the opulent and confident steps of Dununba, we will also harness the soul of the dance -- improvisation!

Drummers Andrew Behnen, Stephanie Kusmer and other special guests will lead exercises in call & response and the innovative punctuation of the dancer's movement and energy!

This class will no doubt arouse the warrior inside you !!

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AddLife! is happy to introduce VITALITY SPA in Florissant Missouri

African dance starts in the soul

This March 9, @ 6pm: A mega spring AddLife! Dance Workshop/ w Malena & Co.

AddLife! African Dance & Music Super Workshops w/ Malena & Co. ::: Summer 2012, IMAGINATE & More!

"POW!" A special African Dance class dedicated to the lives of women! MAR 31

Happy February!! :::: "A Revolution of Dance!" MEGA African dance class was simply great!

Countdown 2 IMMORTAL PASSION!: 17 days left to the night your desire has been waiting for!

April 30; Dive into India & Africa: An Inspiring Dance & Drum Class with WashU Bhangra!!

Friday, April 15: Join us for an African Dance Class Happy Hour!

African Dance on Mondays! Awakening the Gods Within Us!

When We Dance, We Come Alive!

Learn the West African dance of the 'Strong Men' : April 4!

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