The drums scream out like gun shots, but with a rhythm felt by every dancer in the room, whose smiling faces are only outshone by their swaying hips and lightning-fast feet.
West Africa on American soil? It might as well be, with the expertise of Senegalese sabar dance teacher, Babacar M’Baye and his crew of sabar drummers. M’Baye has taught and toured around the world, performing with African ballets and running workshops in Atlanta, California, Puerto Rico and Japan, though he calls New York City home. He was born to a Wolof Griot family, traditional storytellers and the keepers of West African oral history, who recount their stories through dance and song. In the States for many years, M’Baye has a loyal following of studied dancers and his spirit and energy light up the studio and the dance floor, welcoming new students and seasoned dancers alike.
“How are y’all doing?” M’Baye asks before he begins to teach his choreographies, flashing a million-watt smile. He explains the dance he is going to teach, where it comes from and its tradition. Whether a dance to celebrate a birth or marriage, or to acknowledge circumcision rituals or a harvest, there is a story behind every step.
With the story in place and the significance understood, the drum pops and the feet fly. Tens of dancers and drummers from throughout the world, converged in one studio to carry on a tradition of centuries right here in New York City.
Classes are held throughout New York City’s studios each week, from the Alvin Ailey Extension to the Chelsea Studios, and are all accompanied by the music of live drummers. M’Baye’s weekly class schedule, as well as a winter dance workshop trip to Dakar, Senegal are detailed here: http://babacarmbaye.com/.
Waaw waaw!
