The Imazighen, or Berbers, consider themselves to be the original inhabitants of North Africa. Through centuries of rule by other cultures, the Amazigh people have managed to retain much of their language, dress and many customs. This workshop will introduce you to the energetic polyrhythms of Amazigh music and the signature moves of traditional Kabyle dance.
Janine Ryle, co-director of Danse Maghreb, is an Ethnic dance teacher, performer, and event producer. Her early training was in music and international folkloric dance. She has studied classical Egyptian and Andalusian, North African folkloric, Amazigh (Berber), Turkish Rom and Oryental, Persian, Uzbek, Tajik, Bokharan and Afghan dance. Janine has performed with Ballet Afsaneh, Hahbi ‘Ru Dance Ensemble and Magaña Baptiste’s San Francisco Royal Academy of Oriental Dance, at the DeYoung Museum, Asian Art Museum, The Palace of Fine Arts, McKenna Theater, Rosicrucian Museum Theater, Mexican Heritage Plaza Theater, Marin Showcase Theater, Stanford University and UC San Francisco. Janine has produced Ethnic music and dance performances, festivals, and fundraisers in the Bay Area since 1999.