Upcoming Events
Afro Dance Workshop w/ Kanukai
Afro Dance Workshop with Kanukai | Sungura Edition
Sunday, January 14 2024
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Oakland (Receive address after registration)
LIMITED SPOTS | $20 - $ 25
Kanukai’s electrifying Afro Dance Workshop will take you on a journey through the beats of Afrobeats, Afro House, Sungura, Coupe Decale, Ndombolo, and more. Get ready to activate your waist, synchronize your footwork, and unleash high-octane energy in this immersive experience. This workshop promises to ignite your passion for movement and rhythm, leaving you invigorated and empowered.
ABOUT
Kanukai Chigamba is a multifaceted dancer, musician, performer, and burgeoning photographer. She started dancing at a young age in Harare, Zimbabwe, at Biras and as part of Mhembero Dance Troupe. She is the Assistant Director of the renowned Chinyakare Ensemble, and principal in Gbedu Town Radio, a Pan Afro Urban Music and Dance Ensemble. Chigamba has performed all over the United States, including at the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, Oregon Zimfest, Monterey Bay Reggaefest, Stern Grove Festival, Carnegie Hall, Princeton University, and Oakland Museum of California. She currently resides in the Bay Area where she performs and teaches in elementary and middle schools. Her travels to Togo, Nigeria, and her work with Yoram Savion/YAK Films, Julia Chigamba, Nkeiruka Oruche, Destiny Arts, and Afro Urban Society find her embarking on her photographic essay series featuring African women navigating complexities of emotional expression.
FREE Afro Dance Workshop
Dance Mission Theater’s Libration Academy presents
Afro Dance Workshop with Kanukai Chigamba
Saturday, November 11 2023
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Dance Mission Theater, San Francisco
FREE WORKSHOP
Kanukai’s electrifying Afro Dance Workshop will take you on a journey through the beats of Afrobeats, Afro House, Sungura, Coupe Decale, Ndombolo, and more. Get ready to activate your waist, synchronize your footwork, and unleash high-octane energy in this immersive experience. This workshop promises to ignite your passion for movement and rhythm, leaving you invigorated and empowered.
ABOUT
Kanukai Chigamba is a multifaceted dancer, musician, performer, and burgeoning photographer. She started dancing at a young age in Harare, Zimbabwe, at Biras and as part of Mhembero Dance Troupe. She is the Assistant Director of the renowned Chinyakare Ensemble, and principal in Gbedu Town Radio, a Pan Afro Urban Music and Dance Ensemble. Chigamba has performed all over the United States, including at the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, Oregon Zimfest, Monterey Bay Reggaefest, Stern Grove Festival, Carnegie Hall, Princeton University, and Oakland Museum of California. She currently resides in the Bay Area where she performs and teaches in elementary and middle schools. Her travels to Togo, Nigeria, and her work with Yoram Savion/YAK Films, Julia Chigamba, Nkeiruka Oruche, Destiny Arts, and Afro Urban Society find her embarking on her photographic essay series featuring African women navigating complexities of emotional expression.
This class is supported by SFAC and the Dream Keepers Initiative.
African Dance Class: Zimbabwe on the Map
Jaivah! Na Kanukai
Zimbabwean Traditional Dance w/ Kanukai Chigamba
May 20, 2023
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Freedom Community Clinic, 3134 International Blvd, Oakland
LIMITED SPOTS | $LIDING $SCALE
Scholarships Available
Zimbabwean Traditional Dance class with Kanukai will explore the techniques, rhythms, and traditional dances of Zimbabwe. We will learn and practice dance moves going across the floor and a mini choreography at the end. The class will be accompanied by live music on traditional instruments such as marimbas and ngomas.
ABOUT
Kanukai Chigamba is a multifaceted dancer, musician, performer, and burgeoning photographer. She started dancing at a young age in Harare, Zimbabwe, at Biras and as part of Mhembero Dance Troupe. She is the Assistant Director of the renowned Chinyakare Ensemble, and principal in Gbedu Town Radio, a Pan Afro Urban Music and Dance Ensemble. Chigamba has performed all over the United States, including at the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, Oregon Zimfest, Monterey Bay Reggaefest, Stern Grove Festival, Carnegie Hall, Princeton University, and Oakland Museum of California. She currently resides in the Bay Area where she performs and teaches in elementary and middle schools. Her travels to Togo, Nigeria, and her work with Yoram Savion/YAK Films, Julia Chigamba, Nkeiruka Oruche, Destiny Arts, and Afro Urban Society find her embarking on her photographic essay series featuring African women navigating complexities of emotional expression.
ABOUT FREEDOM COMMUNITY CLINIC
[FCC] envision a health revolution that nourishes and uplifts the bodies, minds, and spirits of under-resourced communities and brings care directly to where communities gather and celebrate. FCC became a community healing pillar for Black, Brown, and immigrant communities especially in 2020 when they held impromptu Healing for Black Lives clinics in response to racial injustice and street protests. Through the incredible support of the community, FCC was able to establish its first brick-and-mortar Community Healing Sanctuary in September 2021 and began collaborations with many institutions, hospitals, colleges, and universities.
PARKING
Currently, there is no available parking in the unit. Only street parking is available. Suggest carpooling or using public transportation such as Bart or AC transit buses.
Register & Info kanukai.com
African Dance Class: Zimbabwe Independence Edition
Jaivah! Na Kanukai
Zimbabwe Independence Edition
April 22, 2023
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Freedom Community Clinic, 3134 International Blvd, Oakland
LIMITED SPOTS | $20
Scholarships Available
Join Kanukai for this month’s Jaivah! Dance series, celebrating Zimbabwe’s 43 years of Independence. Get the Chimurenga music and dance vibes.
Zimbabwean Traditional Dance class with Kanukai will explore the techniques, rhythms, and traditional dances of Zimbabwe. We will learn and practice dance moves going across the floor and a mini choreography at the end. The class will be accompanied by live music on traditional instruments such as marimbas and ngomas.
ABOUT
Kanukai Chigamba is a multifaceted dancer, musician, performer, and burgeoning photographer. She started dancing at a young age in Harare, Zimbabwe, at Biras and as part of Mhembero Dance Troupe. She is the Assistant Director of the renowned Chinyakare Ensemble, and principal in Gbedu Town Radio, a Pan Afro Urban Music and Dance Ensemble. Chigamba has performed all over the United States, including at the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival, Oregon Zimfest, Monterey Bay Reggaefest, Stern Grove Festival, Carnegie Hall, Princeton University, and Oakland Museum of California. She currently resides in the Bay Area where she performs and teaches in elementary and middle schools. Her travels to Togo, Nigeria, and her work with Yoram Savion/YAK Films, Julia Chigamba, Nkeiruka Oruche, Destiny Arts, and Afro Urban Society find her embarking on her photographic essay series featuring African women navigating complexities of emotional expression.
ABOUT FREEDOM COMMUNITY CLINIC
[FCC] envision a health revolution that nourishes and uplifts the bodies, minds, and spirits of under-resourced communities and brings care directly to where communities gather and celebrate. FCC became a community healing pillar for Black, Brown, and immigrant communities especially in 2020 when they held impromptu Healing for Black Lives clinics in response to racial injustice and street protests. Through the incredible support of the community, FCC was able to establish its first brick-and-mortar Community Healing Sanctuary in September 2021 and began collaborations with many institutions, hospitals, colleges, and universities.
PARKING
Currently, there is no available parking in the unit. Only street parking is available. Suggest carpooling or using public transportation such as Bart or AC transit buses.
Register & Info kanukai.com
Makinu! Sundays 2022 - Free Zimbabwean Dance Workshop
Weekend #5 of "Makinu!". Bottle Tree Culture’s FREE Summer Music & Dance Series Exploring the Culture of Africa & the African Diaspora!
Join Kanukai Chigamba for 2 different workshops
2:30 - 4 PM | Zimbabwean Song Workshop
4:15 - 5:45 PM | Zimbabwean Traditional Dance
Live Music by Chinyakare EnsembleLocation: Bell Street Park, 550 Bell Street, East Palo Alto, CA 94303
ABOUT
Kanukai Chigamba is a multifaceted dancer, musician, performer, and burgeoning photographer. At a young age in Harare, Zimbabwe, she danced at Biras and later joined the Mhembero Dance Troupe, performing traditional Zimbabwean dance. In 2010, Chigamba moved to Oakland, CA and has since expanded her dance repertoire in both traditional and urban styles as a lead performer of the renowned Chinyakare Ensemble, and principal in Gbedu Town Radio, a Pan Afro Urban Music and Dance Ensemble.
The Chinyakare Ensemble is a family of musicians, dancers and teachers committed to preserving and sharing traditional Zimbabwean culture, and promoting community building and education through music and dance. Chinyakare presents an electrifying performance of the traditional dance, music, and culture of Zimbabwe and Southern Africa. The music (played on mbira, ngoma, marimbas, and chipendani), songs, and dance weave colorful stories that show scenes from everyday life, while teaching important life lessons, such as goal-setting, perseverance, and thankfulness. Chinyakare provides audiences with a glimpse of the beauty, excitement, and spirit of traditional African dance and song.
Chinyakare Ensemble - Oregon Country Fair
Chinyakare Ensemble will be one of the performers at this year’s Oregon Country Fair. In very interactive performances, Chinyakare will be sharing Zimbabwean traditional music and dance for all ages.
All performances will be at the Dance Pavillion Stage
Friday, July 8, 2022
4:15PM - 5:00PM
Saturday, July 9, 2022
1:15PM -2:00PM
Sunday, July 10, 2022
1:00pm - 1:45pm
Learn more about the fair here