Community Engagement > Global Party

Beyond the Curtain with Etienne Cakpo

Etienne Cakpo is an award-winning professional dancer, choreographer and musician from Benin, West Africa. He is specialized in instruction and performance of traditional African dance from Benin as well as contemporary African dance styles, and has been building his dance repertoire for nearly thirty years. He is director of Gansango Music & Dance, a dance company registered in Washington State. Gansango works closely with public libraries, schools and independent arts agencies locally and nationally to make performance of dance and music from Africa available to a wide range of audiences, including young children. This year Etienne was honored with the 2020 Dance Educator of the Year Award from DEAW (Dance Educators Association of Washington).

For more information about Gansango Music and Dance, please visit https://gansango.com.

Beyond the Curtain with Sinae Cheh

Sinae Cheh is the Artistic Director for Morning Star Korean Cultural Center, where she has been sharing Korean culture with the local community and around the world since 1985. She started dancing with Morning Star at the age of 5 and never stopped. With Morning Star, Sinae has choreographed and produced numerous shows, performed in 27 countries, at over 2500 events. Outside of Morning Star, Sinae has taught Korean dance and music in Boston, New York, and Minnesota for special programs and events, and was also commissioned by the Korean government to share Korean culture in various cities. Sinae is grateful that she’s been able to share her passion through Morning Star.

For more information on Morning Star Korean Cultural Center, please visit https://morningstarkcc.org.

Beyond the Curtain with Sheree Seretse

Sheree Seretse graduated from the University of Washington and studied the world of Zimbabwean Music and dance through Dr. Dumisani Maraire. Sheree was instrumental in developing several performing ensembles through the Langston Hughes Cultural Arts Center. Seretse has also taught at a number of locations including multiple schools in the Northwest, Northeast and Canada. She is currently teaching at the Spruce Street School in Seattle and Jewish Day School in Bellevue. Sheree is the music director of Anzanga, Zambuko and Simba Marimba Ensembles. Sheree’s mission is to make the music known and accessible for all ages by inspiring and highlighting the rich culture of the Shona people of Zimbabwe.

For more information, please visit http://anzangamarimba.band/.

Basic African Dance with Etienne Cakpo

Seattle-based choreographer Etienne Cakpo, originally from Benin, teaches basic African dance moves that can be learned by anyone.

• ARTIST: Etienne Cakpo
• ART FORM: African dance
• AGES: All ages
• SUPPLIES NEEDED: Open space to move
• LENGTH/TIME: 20 minutes

Exploration in Zimbabwean Music and Dance with Sheree Seretse

Dive into Zimbabwean culture and learn some basic elements on the marimba, drum and then learn simple movements to go along with it.

• ARTIST: Sheree Seretse
• ART FORM: Music and Dance
• AGES: All ages
• SUPPLIES NEEDED: None needed but if you have a drum, piano, keyboard to simulate a marimba and drum.
• LENGTH/TIME: 20 minutes

Channel Your Energy Through Korean Dance with Sinae Cheh

Transport thousands of years of history to the present through Korean traditional dance & music. We’ll learn graceful dance movements, exciting rhythmic variations, and create ways to bring it all together.

• ART FORM: Korean dance and drumming
• AGES: All ages
• SUPPLIES NEEDED: Flexible feet (ie: barefoot, socks, ballet slippers), 2 sticks & drum (optional), long and light fabric/scarf (optional)
• LENGTH/TIME: 27 minutes