Columbia Community Moves to the Beat at 'Shall We Dance '

Columbia’s annual "Shall We Dance" brought New Yorkers together to learn how to samba, ballet and vogue on Low Plaza. (1:08)

On July 22, Low Plaza became an open-air dance studio for Columbia’s fourth annual "Shall We Dance?", sponsored by the Office of Government and Community Affairs and the School of Continuing Education , Summer High School Program. Leading dancers and choreographers from around the city taught more than 250 community members four different dance styles: ballet, samba and waacking and vogue.

Choreographer Robert Garland of the Dance Theatre of Harlem led the first workshop on ballet. The Dance Theatre of Harlem is a legendary local ballet school founded by dancer Arthur Mitchell in 1969. Participants in the ballet class included first-timers as well as the more experienced who came to practice their pliés and reléves. The samba workshop that followed was taught by Quenia Ribeiro from New York-based Grupo Ribeiro Productions. Ribeiro is a Rio de Janeiro native who grew up going to samba dances with her mother, and her teachings are rooted in the rhythm and fluid movement she learned during her upbringing.

The third "Shall We Dance?" class focused on waacking and vogue, two urban dance styles that evolved out of the disco and house music scenes. Aus Ninja, from New York-based Imperial House of Waacking, led the workshop.

"’Shall We Dance?’ is a proud example of learning that takes place every day on our campus," said Lamar Lovelace, project coordinator for Columbia’s Office of Government and Community Affairs. "Each style represents a culture and a history that is being performed and observed throughout the world." Lovelace adds that, in the near future, his office hopes to expand the program into a full summer schedule.

Dr. Wafaa El-Sadr, director of the International Center for AIDS Care and Treatment Programs, has been named one of Essence magazine’s "40 Fierce and Fabulous Women Who Are Changing the World," which celebrates the accomplishments of African American women who are leaders in their fields.

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