Two dancers from Amsterdam and Mumbai are teaming up to teach enthusiasts the moves of a sensual couple’s genre from Africa
Mary Lobo
During the lockdown, Mumbai-based dancer Mary Lobo, the co-founder of Latin Twist, connected with Amsterdam-based Akram Bouchiba, bonding over their shared passion. Their cross-border collaboration will now take the form of a dancing weekender, wherein Lobo and Bouchiba will share their knowledge of a couple’s genre from Africa — kizomba-semba.
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Lobo, who has been a dancer for 15 years, shares that kizomba and semba are both dance and music genres originating in Angola, Africa. “Semba is characterised by a touch of the bellies, and has an upbeat, carnival feel,” says Lobo. Kizomba, meaning ‘party’, on the other hand is recognised by its slow, sensual and romantic rhythms, and is influenced by semba music. “A very important element of the genres is swift, elegant footwork, which leads to smooth lower-body movements. It’s called ginga for women, and banga for men,” she explains.
Akram Bouchiba
During the weekend, Lobo, and Bouchiba, who has roots in Africa, will dedicate sessions on kizomba classico, semba movements, kizomba/ginga ladies’ styling, kizomba fusion, semba carnival and Afrodance vibes. The sessions are aimed at middle-to-advanced level dancers, who are encouraged to couple up before registering. A combination of Afrohouse and ladies’ styling will help dancers warm up, and incorporate grace and elegance in their style. “When you are dancing as a couple, you will look like one dancing unit, not two people,” Lobo assures us.
On March 12 and 13, 4 pm onwards
At The Habitat, 3rd road, Khar West, next to Khar station.
Log on to latintwist.in
Call 9820847636
COST Rs 3,000 (couple pass, one day) onwards
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