Afro Dance: Introductory Class for the “Roots & Groove” Dance Club
JNIIFA
Ready for infectious rhythms and new ways to move? Join us at our Open Day and discover our new Afro Dance club, launching this October!
This taster class offers a first glimpse into what the dance club is all about. Explore the diversity of African dance styles – from traditional dances from Ghana to contemporary Afrobeats styles such as Azonto, Shaku and Zanku. Alongside learning the movements and polyrhythmic structures, you’ll also gain fascinating insights into the cultural contexts and histories behind the dances.
The club is led by Jniifa (Jennifer Owusu) – choreographer, dancer and dun-dun player. Drawing on her roots, cultural journeys to West Africa and experience in the urban dance scene, she brings together dance technique, culture, empowerment and a genuine sense of community.
Come and meet Jniifa, discover the concept behind the dance club and try out your first steps in a relaxed, no-pressure setting. Find out whether the course starting in October is right for you.
No previous dance experience required!
JNIIFA – Jennifer Owusu is a choreographer, dancer and dun-dun drummer with many years of hands-on experience in traditional and contemporary African dance forms. Raised in a Ghanaian family, she developed a strong desire from an early age not only to understand her cultural roots, but to embody and express them through movement and artistic practice.
During numerous immersive cultural journeys to West Africa, she studied directly with experienced dancers, musicians and choreographers – artists deeply rooted in their respective cultures. Learning from these practitioners at the source has given her a profound understanding of the meaning, technique and cultural contexts of a wide range of African dances.
Her journey into the urban dance scene began with Locking, a style with which she competed throughout Germany and further developed her individual artistic expression. In 2020, she was a co-choreographer for the “Africanspirit” performance on RTL’s Let’s Dance.
JNIIFA is the founder of the Afro Dance group Afrotudedancers and the Wawa Aba Ensemble, as well as a board member of the cultural association Kaloyelen e. V., which is dedicated to promoting African culture and arts education.
Across her classes, stage works and projects, JNIIFA focuses on self-expression, cultural identity and the power of dance to create connections between cultures.
