(Re)-Discover Talawa Technique with Latanya d. Tigner
Join us for a dynamic workshop introducing the Talawa Technique, a movement method rooted in African and Caribbean dance traditions. This technique emphasizes grounding, fluidity, and rhythmic precision, helping you connect with the natural energy and power of your body.
Through guided exercises, you’ll explore isolations, polyrhythms, and posture work designed to build strength, flexibility, and body awareness. The Talawa Technique is more than dance—it’s a practice of reconnecting with cultural rhythms, exploring expressive movement, and developing a deeper understanding of how your body moves.
Whether you’re a dancer looking to refine your skills or someone simply interested in moving with more ease and power, this workshop offers tools and inspiration you can take into any style of movement.
About Latanya
Latanya d. Tigner has performed professionally with Dimensions Dance Theater within multidisciplinary works rooted in African diasporic dance forms since 1986. She holds a B.A. in Physical Education/Dance and a Master’s in Arts Administration. She directs Dimensions Dance Theater’s youth company and lectures at University of California, Berkeley and Mills College. In her 30 plus-year dance career, Latanya has created commissioned works for Dimensions Dance Theater, Black Choreographers Festival, Robert Moses’ Kin, UC Berkeley, Mills College, and has presented work in SF Ethnic Dance Festival, CubaCaribe, and Mabina Dance Festival (Congo-Brazzaville). She has also set choreography for Cal Shakes' black odyssey, SF Shakespeare's A Winter’s Tale, Ubuntu Theater's Dance of the Holy Ghost, Delina Brooks' An Open Love Letter to Black Fathers, Contra Costa College's In the Blood, For Colored Girls, and Godspell, and Li Smith's Victorious. Additionally, Latanya serves as Co-Artistic Director of the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival for the 2018–2021 seasons, and is a founding member of Oakland Anti-Racism Organizing Committee. Latanya has ongoing research on African dance retentions in African American social dance, which has led to the creation of Dancing Cy(i)phers, an annual symposium that connects the coded languages of African rooted dance.
Latanya is always out in the world doing incredible work and birthing groundbreaking projects. To be able to work with her in a small group setting is a rare and amazing opportunity! Do not miss this opportunity! For those who have done some Talawa Technique with me, working with Latanya will contextualize, connect, sweeten and deepen your Talawa work.
Sign up soon! Class size is limited to 10 people.