Senegal is a country filled with rhythm, warmth, and a rich culture that permeates every step you take. Ecole des Sables, located in the charming village of Toubab Dialaw, is a world-renowned dance school founded by the legendary choreographer Germaine Acogny. The school is not just a place for training but an oasis for artists from around the world to come together, create, and evolve.
Get ready to immerse yourself in ten days of dance magic from January 2nd to January 11th, 2025 - an event you won't want to miss!
Picture yourself in Senegal, the stunning southernmost region of mainland West Africa, where the rhythm of the land will captivate your soul.
Your home during this incredible experience will be at Ecole des Sables in the charming village of Toubab Dialaw, nestled on the Petite Côte, a true gem sandwiched between Bargny and Popenguine. This oasis is tucked away in the rural beauty of Yenne, found in the Rufisque department of the Dakar region.
Embark on a journey of dance exploration as you delve into a vast array of dance forms guided by our talented instructors.
Indulge in 14 invigorating dance lessons, each a 90-minute session led by different maestros. Discover a rich tapestry of rhythms and styles, with classes diligently scheduled both in the morning and afternoon, set to the vibrant beats of live drumming. If you fancy, you can even partake in drumming lessons to further enrich your experience.
Your experience also includes:
- Delight in daily delectable meals, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner crafted to tantalize your taste buds.
- Rest peacefully in shared accommodation within a cozy triple-bed bungalow.
- Stay connected with access to Wi-Fi and enjoy a refreshing dip in the pool at the nearby hotel.
- Take a leisurely twenty-minute stroll to the majestic Atlantic Ocean, perfect for moments of tranquility and reflection.
- Enjoy the convenience of complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport for those arriving on January 2nd and departing on January 11th.
Now, let's talk logistics. You can choose to divide the total cost using Klarna, making it easier to manage your expenses.
Remember, all registrations must be completed by the deadline of October 31st to secure your spot. A registration fee of 4,800 SEK will be charged at the time of registration, with the remaining balance to be settled by November 30th.
The total cost is SEK 12,700
For your travel arrangements, consider booking with Brussels Airlines or explore flights via Momondo for a seamless journey. (Yellow fever vaccination i required for entrance in Senegal)
Get ready to dance, connect, and create unforgettable memories at this extraordinary event in Senegal.
Rokhaya THIOUNE is a Senegalese modern dancer born on December 25, 1981 in Toubab Dialaw, Senegal. She has a wealth of professional dance experience. In 2011, she took part in the creation of Patrick Acogny's "Afro Dites", touring Senegal, Gambia and Luxembourg. From 2008 to 2010, she toured France, the Netherlands and Africa with Opéra du Sahel. She has also been involved in dance training for elementary school pupils and participated in the creation of several choreographic pieces, including "Chaises et Math" in 2005 with choreographer Winship.
Rokhaya THIOUNE trained professionally in
contemporary dance at the École des
Sables in Toubab Dialaw, with workshops
led by renowned professionals such as
Pierre Doussaint, Sophie Locachevski and
Patrick Acogny. She has also participated in
choreographic encounters in Africa and the
Indian Ocean, and has been a member of
several dance companies such as Dialaw Art
and Espace Sobo Badé.
In short, Rokhaya THIOUNE is a talented
dancer with a solid training and diversified
professional experience in the field of
modern dance.
In 1994, he left school and joined his local troupe as a young actor/dancer, taking part in competitions during the rainy season (known as Navetanes), in which different troupes from different districts of Saint-Louis compete.
1995/1997: Zonal Champion with ASC Tonnerre de Saint-Louis in theater and with ASC Diaminar as choreographer.
Departmental vice-champion with ASC Diaminar
Awarded revelation of the year in dance 1998/1999: Creation of the "ALCAM Boys" dance group.
2000/2006: Choreographic creation in various establishments in Saint-Louis, as well as in sports and cultural associations. 2007: Dance workshop at Ecole des Sables 2008: Integration into Compagnie JANT BI as a tradi-modern contemporary dancer 2009/2016: International tour with Compagnie JANT BI
2016/2021: Organization of dance courses in France and Belgium in collaboration with associations such as:
PHOTOGRAPHER : Siaka Traore
Studio traart
Senegalese street dancer and choreographer. In 2004, she started her professional training in hip hop and house dance, moving between Paris, New York and the UK. In 2012, she decided to return to Senegal with the commitment to enriching dance in Africa. Two years later she opened in Dakar a dance school, the Sunu Street Dance Project, funded by the European Union, and created the non-profit Association "Maggando" to help promote urban dance in Senegal. As a freelance dancer, she performed across the world and won numerous international street dance competitions, such as Juste Debout and the Hip-Hop Games Concept, where she improvised the final duet withMehdi Baki. In 2018 she started a two-year workshop withCrystal Pite, after being selected as the Protégée for Dance in the Rolex Mentoring Art Project. AlongsidePierre-Claver Belleka, she is choreographer and founding member of "La Mer Noire Company". In 2020, she created "When the night comes", her first original work, performed in Cape Town, South Africa.
In 2004, Germaine Acogny established ECOLE DES SABLES, an International Center for traditional and contemporary African dances in Senegal. It serves as a hub for professional training, a platform for exchange, and a meeting point for dancers from Africa and around the world.
GERMAIN ACOGNY FOUNDER
On the arrival day, we will gather for a shared dinner and receive information about the upcoming days.
The Dance classes are primarily for those with dance experience. In the mornings, we focus on different rhythms and simpler choreographies. These classes are complemented by live drums, and for those interested, there is an option to incorporate drumming into the sessions.
In the afternoons, we pick up the pace. These classes are for those who want to challenge themselves with more advanced choreographies. Here, you can delve deeper, explore new movement patterns, and take your dance to the next level.
We dance various styles, House, traditional variations of Sabar, as well as technique Acogny. The rhythmic beats of the live drums add an extra layer of energy and excitement to the dance sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging atmosphere for learning and self-expression.
In the middle of the week, there is a free day, allowing time for longer excursions or simply a relaxing day at the beach.
Toubab Dialaw is filled with crafts, shops, and places to explore
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