Dancing during Multicultural Week

Where: Klingran, Dansistovan, Skálin
Duration: 45 min

The Nordic House is looking forward to a celebration of cultures when the Municipality of Tórshavn invites you to a series of exciting dance workshops from 10 am to 4 pm in connection with this year’s Multicultural Week 2024.

Participants can expect a good time, some nice movement; and a great introduction to various dance styles under the expert leadership of instructors, who regularly teach these dances. The workshops will all be held in English, participation is free and the classes are made to fit anyone regardless of prior dancing experience.   

We look forward to welcoming you, whether you plan to attend alone or joined by workout buddies, the senior’s club, your knitting club, or just some friends. Who knows? You might develop a taste for dancing.

Remember to bring some good dancing shoes and wear clothes that you feel comfortable to move in. The workshops last 45 minutes each.

WORKSHOPS 

Peruvian rhythms with Patricia Rasmussen 
Let your mind rest and let harmonic urban beats sway and lead the body for a while. Here you can enjoy the luxury of being yourself, generating good vibes, and harmonizing every moment. 

Afrohouse with Yann Sadembou 
Afrohouse is a lively and energetic modern dance to the rhythm of Angolan and South African house music. The moves are inspired by tribal dances from these two countries and contemporary hip hop.

Bachata with Sharon Sivertsen
Bachata is a South American couple dance that is rooted in salsa. The tempo is lower than salsa, and an emphasis is placed on styling, connection, and musicality. At the workshop, you will start with the basic beginner steps, that can be done with or without a dance partner, before you are invited to try some of the more advanced techniques.

Faroese chain dance with Elin Maria Olsen 
The oldest ballads we have were composed in the 14th century. These have been passed down through generations, first orally, and have helped preserve the Faroese language until they were written down in more recent times. These centuries-old ballads are still sung and danced today, just as they were hundreds of years ago.

The steps are simple, so everyone can participate. Furthermore, everyone dances together, so individuals, couples, and groups are all welcome. In the workshop, you will receive a basic explanation of the history behind the dance, the ballad tunes, and their cultural significance today.

PROGRAM 

At 10 am: Peruvian rhythms with Patricia Rasmussen in Skálin.

At 11 am: Learn to dance afrohouse with Yann Sadembou in Klingran.

At 12 pm: Learn to dance bachata with Sharon Sivertsen in Klingran.

At 1 pm: Peruvian rhythms with Patricia Rasmussen in Skálin.

At 2 pm: Learn to dance afrohouse with Yann Sadembou in Klingran.

At 2 pm: Learn to dance Faroese chain dance with Elin Maria Olsen in Skálin.

At 3 pm: Learn to dance bachata with Sharon Sivertsen in Klingran.

At 4 pm: Learn to dance Faroese chain dance with Elin Maria Olsen in Skálin.

 Signs will show you where the classes are held or ask a staff member

INSTRUCTORS 

Yann Sadembou 
Dancing has always been part of my life, from the streets of Yaoundé to the dance stages of Rouen and Paris. Born and raised in Cameroon, I moved to France at the age of 18 to pursue my education where I fell in love with the rhythm of Angolan and South African house music when I met an Angolan kizomba dancer and started watching Afrobeats video clips. Since then, I have been sharing my passion around me, a journey that took me to several countries in Europe and now to the Faroe Islands.

Patricia Rasmussen
I am a Peruvian living in the Faroe Islands for seven years, a lover of music and dance, especially urban music. I love connecting with people and more through dance, because when you dance you can enjoy the luxury of being yourself, generating good vibes, and harmonizing every moment.

Sharon Sivertsen
I have always loved dancing and attended classes in hip hop, zumba and other dances from a very early age. I never had a particular favorite dancestyle until I tried bachata. I fell in love with the dance right away, and I am nú among the group of instructors that regularily teach bachata at Yndi fitness.

At first glance, bachata may look sensual, but once you try it you really realize how much fun it is. 

Elin Maria Olsen
Our oldest ballads were composed in the 14th century. These have been passed down through generations, initially orally, and have helped preserve the Faroese language until they were written down in more recent times. These centuries-old ballads are still sung on the floor today, just as they were hundreds of years ago.

The steps are simple, so everyone can participate. Moreover, everyone dances together, so individuals, couples, and groups are all welcome. In the workshop, you will receive a basic explanation of the history behind the dance, the ballad tunes, and its cultural significance today.