Join us for Athens' first annual Ritmos y Raíces Dance Weekender to celebrate Latin dance styles from Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic! A bailar!
TIMBAthens is hosting a 3-day event in Athens, Georgia in collaboration with the UGA Department of Dance and the Hugh Hodgson School of Music that will feature Latin dance performances, live music, dance workshops, and social dancing. Our organization has received grants from the UGA Willson Center and the Downtown Athens Development Authority, along with generous sponsorships from local businesses to support our thriving dance community and keep the costs low for attendees.
Schedule
Friday, August 22
Live Wire Athens • 7pm
Our kick-off event begins with doors and registration opening at 7pm, then an Intro. to Reuda class hosted by Julian Mejía of SALSAtlanta at 7:30 PM followed by dance performances, live music, and social dancing until 1 AM with DJ Mane & Mr. Clahvay. FREE and open to the public! Donations welcome!
Saturday, August 23
UGA Dance • 10am-4pm
10 AM Rueda de Casino with Julian Mejía
11 AM Salsa On1 Cali-Fusion with José Campaz & Bryan Rodríguez
12 PM Lunch & Learn: What the heck is soUlºsa? with Duane Wrenn *Pre-order your meal from Maepole*
1 PM soUlºsa with Duane Wrenn
2 PM Bachata Fundamentals with Nicole Fisichella
3 PM Brazilian Zouk with Nicole Fisichella & Joseph Cornejo
4 PM Rumba Fundamentals with Aramis Pazos
All classes included with the full pass and are OPEN level, but are not designed for those without dance experience. A la carte classes will be available for $15 each and may be paid at the door.
Saturday, August 23
Athentic Brewing • 8pm-12:30am
Our second night of dancing will be hosted at Athentic Brewing, beginning with a one-hour dance class at 8 PM hosted by Aramis Pazos followed by social dancing with DJ Mane and Mr. Clahvay from 9 PM until 12:30 AM.
*This is a ticketed event and is included with a full pass. Cover at the door is $20*
Sunday, August 24
Athentic Brewing • 10am-1pm
10 AM Sensual Bachata with Nicole Fisichella & Joseph Cornejo
11 AM Pachanga with José Campaz & Bryan Rodríguez
12 PM Insight: Vacilas & Enchuflas with Duane Wrenn & Julian Mejía
All classes included with the full pass and are OPEN level, but are not designed for those without dance experience. A la carte classes will be available for $15 each and may be paid at the door.
Sunday, August 24
Athentic Brewing • 1pm-4pm
Join us for our farewell party with social dancing until 4 PM with DJ Mane and Mr. Clahvay. A local food truck will be available for attendees to purchase food on site.
*This is a ticketed event and is included with a full pass. Cover at the door is $20*
Featured DJs
instructors
Duane Wrenn
Duane Wrenn is the Creator and Director of Energetic Soul. He combines music, dance, and fitness to provide a holistic approach to wellness and well‐being with a focus on movement. Duane has over 25 years of experience performing and teaching Latin dancing. He holds a degree in Exercise Science with a focus on biomechanics and Physiology. He also holds several certifications including Sacroiliac Joint Specialist, Tension and Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) under Dr. David Bercelli and is a disciple of Wu style Tai Chi Chuan under the Wu family. Duane’s focus is Cuban music and dancing, specializing in Afro‐Cuban folklore as well as popular rhythms. His last 21 years have concentrated around Cuban music and dances with a focus on Batá and popular rhythms. His three main master instructors are Roberto Borrell, Rene Thompson, and the late Felix “Pupy” Insua. Duane has developed his dance programs – “Energetic Salsa” and “soUl°sa” and he is the co‐developer of the “SoulChiSa” and “AFRO‐tImBa” programs. These programs focus on Afro‐Cuban movement concepts and mindful practices, such as "move the breath, move the mind, and move the body". These concepts are designed to benefit dancers of all levels. He has taught his concepts throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and South America. Duane’s dancing and teaching successfully intersects the creative aspects and health benefits through movement.
Aramis pazos
Aramis is a graduate of the National School of the Arts in Cuba with a degree in both Modern and Afro-Cuban Folklore dance and has been dancing professionally for over 20 years. While in Cuba he apprenticed with both the National Dance Company of Cuba and the National Folkloric Company before touring internationally with Ballet Tropicana. For eight years, he choreographed and produced musicals and cabaret shows in Mexico, and was a soloist and assistant choreographer for Richard Neon’s, the assistant director of Riverdance, internationally touring production, “Jarocho”. While in San Francisco, he performed with Robert Moses Kin among other companies, and taught Afro-Cuban, modern, Folklore and popular dance while directing his company, Latin Cabaret Productions. Aramis acted and danced under the direction of Neri Torres, once choreographer to Gloria Estefan, in her production “Musical de la Rumba” en Miami, Florida. He has been a guest artist at SUNY-Brocksport and International University in Vermont. Aramis is also the former Director of the Cuban Timba band, "Timba Street" and is an expert consultant to several groups in Rumba and Afro-Cuban fusion into other latin dance styles such as salsa, casino, rueda de casino and mambo.
Julián Mejía
Julián Mejía, born in Manizales Colombia. Started to dance salsa at an early age. His interest in Cuban music started at age 9 and since then, Cuban, classical and classic Rock have been his passion. Julián moved to Miami in 1995 after receiving his MA in Marketing Communication & Advertising in Boston and soon after started learning Casino with Ramani Nicola (Salsa-Casino Dance Studios) and Henry Herrera (Verdaderos Reyes de la Salsa Dance Studios). During his time in Miami, Julián traveled to Cuba as he was interested in learning more about the culture and the music of the island. In Spring of 1999, Julián moved to Atlanta and under the name of SALSAtlanta, started the first Casino school and Casino performance group in Georgia. Julián has been teaching and promoting Cuban music and dance in Atlanta. Julián has contributed to spreading the Casino style in Atlanta and beyond by conducting workshops in different cities around North and South America. In 2007 was recognized during the 6th Annual International Salsa Congress in Miami by the school Salsa Lovers with the "Alex Award" for his contribution to the world of Latin Dance. Julián works as a graphic designer during the day and is the director and producer of BAILAtlanta, the 3-Day Cuban Party, the largest event dedicated to Cuban music and dance in the East Coast.
Bryan RodrigueZ & Jose Campaz
Jose S. Campaz is originally from Cali, Colombia, a two-time Colombian National Champion of On1 Salsa (2009 & 2010) and 2009 winner of the Salsa Open Championship in Bogotá. He started dancing at a very early age doing tours for various schools eventually joining the dance school Stilo y Sabor Academy in Calí. Training alongside Ricardo Murillo and Viviana Vargas, World Champions of Salsa, he became a choreographer and dancer instructor at the academy. He has represented Colombia as a soloist champion in international competitions such as, The World Salsa Federation (WSF) in Miami, the 4th Annual World Salsa championship in Ft. Lauderdale, and the Los Angeles Salsa Congress, where he received 1st place in the couples category and 2nd place in the team category. During the World Salsa Open in Puerto Rico he represented Colombia at the top of the competition. José is now in the United States utilizing his dance knowledge and artistry to support both individuals seeking to improve their skills, choreographing quinceañears, and participating at events such as the Tennessee Salsa Congress, Hotlanta Salsa Congress, Atlanta Bachata Festival, Charlotte Bachata and Salsa Festival, Orlando Salsa Congress, Tallahassee Salsa Festival, and Bachateando Miami. Bryan Rodríguez, originally from Cali, Colombia, is a Cali Style(Salsa Caleña)/Colombian Style professional dancer with over 22 years of experience dancing and designing choreography. He has been a pioneer of Colombian styles of dance along the East coast and in Greenville, South Carolina where he's currently performing, teaching, and training in other dance styles. Additionally, Bryan is a dance event promoter in the Southeast region, helping to expose new talent and build the community. He produced and organized the only regional Salsa competition in 2016, the "Southeast Salsa Open,” where he worked alongside Giovanni Medellin to provide a platform for dancers in the area to showcase their skills. Bryan also learned percussion and has played with different bands in Greenville and the surrounding areas where his overall knowledge and passion for Salsa music has earned him recognition as a community leader. He hopes to continue as an ambassador of Colombian styles of dance, exposing the region to even more talent, as well as offering his knowledge via teaching and performing.
Nicole Fisichella & Joseph Cornejo
Nicole Fisichella started dancing when she was very young as a hip-hop dancer. She trained in hip-hop for many years before finding latin dance, which became her love. Nicole is a co-director and instructor for Crown Zouk, a Brazilian Zouk company in Charlotte, North Carolina. She is also an Elite Dancer for Sensual Movement, one of the biggest Bachata companies in the US. Nicole actively competes, performs, trains, teaches weekly classes, and holds events for her community. She is passionate about dance and is excited to share her passion with you all. Joseph Cornejo was born in Miami Florida and started his career in dancing around 2014 while attending college. Joseph has studied, in depth, dances such as Argentine Tango, West Coast Swing, Salsa, Bachata, and his most recent endeavor, Brazilian Zouk. Joseph has trained and danced Brazilian Zouk in Europe, Brazil, and all over North America. Joseph trains and teaches in the city of Atlanta. When not running weekly classes, monthly socials or special events, he travels all over the US to train with internationally renowned Brazilian Zouk Instructors to refine his craft.
