Creative Dance for Kids with MIT Open Space

This workshop-style event introduces young children to the art of dance using patterns, movement, words, music, and storytelling. Haitian Folkloric rhythms (played by <a href="https://jeanappolonexpressions.org/">Jean Appolon Expressions</a>’ Master Drummers) and movements are woven into the class in a child-friendly fashion. Students will explore a social justice theme through age-appropriate literature, conversation, and movement. Past and future themes include kindness, acceptance, noticing and appreciating differences, identity, standing up against injustice, and love. This program is geared towards ages 3-10, but all are welcome! Presented in collaboration with<a href="https://jeanappolonexpressions.org/"> Jean Appolon Expressions</a>, this class is co-taught by Artistic Director Jean Appolon (he/him/his) and Executive Director/Dancer Meghan McGrath (she/her/hers) and accompanied by Master Drummers Josil Rebert and Arnaud Lauture. L.E.A.P. stands for Learn, Explore, and Play! These programs are geared towards kids and families. All minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Responsible adults, please keep a close eye on your kids. Photos and/or videos will be taken at this event. By entering and attending this event, you acknowledge and agree that your likeness may be included in photos and videos of the event and that those photos and videos may be used by MIT in connection with communications about MIT Open Space Programming or in other MIT communications, and/or shared with third parties, including on the Internet. If you do not agree to this usage, please notify a staff member when you arrive. We are committed to creating an inclusive, accessible environment on our website and in person at our events. If you would like to request a disability-related accommodation, please contact us at <a href="mailto:openspace@mit.edu">openspace@mit.edu</a> as soon as possible to allow us time to respond. Requests made less than 2 weeks before the start date of your program may not be able to be met in time. This event will follow MIT policies and Covid safety guidelines. More info can be found at <a href="http://now.mit.edu/policies">now.mit.edu/policies</a>.

Kendall/MIT Open Space

BANBOCHE 2024

CELEBRATE WITH JEAN APPOLON EXPRESSIONS AT BANBOCHE 2024! Join Jean, the company, and our vibrant community as we honor a year of the healing power of dance and immerse ourselves in Haitian culture. The evening will feature moving performances, highlights from the year, food, drinks, and an open dance floor! Inspired by Fèt Gede, the Haitian Day of the Dead, this celebration captures the spirit of both life and newness. Guests are encouraged to wear fun party cloths that are white, purple and/or black to honor this special day. Secure your tickets today and join us on November 2nd at Hibernian Hall, Roxbury, MA. We can't wait to see you on the dance floor! Flow of the night:<ul><li>6:30pm Doors Open with local vendors, food, and drinks available</li><li>7:15pm Performance Event begins</li><li>8:30pm - 10:00pm DJ and dance floor open for community</li></ul><a href="https://jeanappolonexpressions.org/">Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE)</a> is a Haitian folkloric and contemporary-infused dance organization that cultivates hope and healing to foster more expressive and socially just communities through professional performances, education, cultural experiences, and the celebration of the joy of movement for all.

Hibernian Hall

African Dance Workout

African Dance Workout with Bisi Day/Time:&nbsp; Mondays from 6 pm - 7 pm Fall 2024 Dates: September 9 to December 9 **NO CLASS on October 14th and November 11th Location: DeWitt Center (122 Dewitt Dr, Boston, MA 02120) Description: In this hour-long class, you will get a great cardio warm-up through African dance movements and be guided through a series of stretches and strength-building exercises. Dancers will travel across the floor, moving in progressions and the class will finish with a combination for all to learn and dance together to live drumming. Dancers of all backgrounds and experience levels are welcome! Class Rates General Admission: $20 Full Session (12 classes): $216 Half Session (6 classes): $108 Community Supported Rate*:&nbsp; $12 *Thanks to the incredible support from our community members, we are delighted to extend the opportunity of two Community Supported spots for each class. To ensure that this generosity is accessible to as many as possible, we kindly request that you reserve only one Community Supported spot per month. If financial limitations are impeding your ability to enroll, please feel free to reach out to us privately. Your participation is important to us.

DeWitt Center

Haitian Folkloric Dance

Haitian Folkloric Dance with Jean Appolon &amp; Live Drumming Day/Time: Saturdays from 1:30 pm - 3 pm Fall 2024 Dates: September 7th to December 7th NO CLASS on September 28th, October 12th, and November 2nd Location: The Dance Complex Studio 3 &amp; on Zoom Class begins with a cardio warm-up, and then goes through movements in several different rhythms from Haitian Folklore. Be ready to sweat! Class is accompanied by live drummers. One of the most remarkable things about this class is the vast range of participants, in terms of age, dance experience, and connections to Haiti. What they share in common is loving class and finding it to be a fulfilling, fun workout and opportunity for connection. Jean Appolon (he/him/his) is the Artistic Director and Co-founder of Jean Appolon Expressions. General Admission:  $25  Full Session (11 classes): $250 10 Class Pass: $224 5 Class Pass: $112 Zoom Admission: $15 Zoom Full Fall Sessions (11 classes): $145 Community Supported Rate*:  $15  Full Session Community Rate* (11 classes) $174 *Thanks to the incredible support from our community members, we are delighted to extend the opportunity of two Community Supported spots for each class. To ensure that this generosity is accessible to as many as possible, we kindly request that you reserve only one Community Supported spot per month. If financial limitations are impeding your ability to enroll, please feel free to reach out to us privately. Your participation is important to us.

The Dance Complex

African Dance Workout with Jean Appolon Expressions

Take African Dance Workout with JAE Company Dancer Mcebisi Xotyeni! In this hour-long class, you will get a great cardio warm-up through African dance movements and be guided through a series of stretches and strength-building exercises. Class will finish with a combination for all to learn and dance together. Dancers of all backgrounds and experience levels are welcome!

DeWitt Center 

Banboche (Party!) 2023

Celebrate 10 years of <a href="https://jeanappolonexpressions.org/">Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE)</a> with us at Banboche 2023! Join Jean and the dance company to honor a year of vibrant, global community programming and immerse in Haitian culture. The evening will include dance performances, community highlights, handcrafted goods, drinks, and an open dance floor. This year's Banboche centers around Fèt Gede, the Haitian Day of the Dead. Join the party on November 4th at Arts at the Armory, Somerville, MA. See you on the dance floor! FLOW OF THE NIGHT ~ SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4TH <ul><li>6:00pm Doors open. Shop at the JAE Marketplace &amp; enjoy Live Drumming </li><li>6:30pm Downstairs, seating, &amp; bar open </li><li>7:00pm Event begins (Including performances by the JAE Professional Company, Community Dancers, &amp; Youth Dancers) </li><li>8:15pm-10pm Everyone is invited to the dance floor for a DJ/Dance Party! </li></ul>

Arts at the Armory

African Dance Workout w/ Jean Appolon Expressions

African Dance Workout with <a href="https://jeanappolonexpressions.org/artists">Bisi</a> from <a href="https://jeanappolonexpressions.org/">Jean Appolon Expressions</a><ul><li>Day/Time:  Mondays from 5:30pm - 6:30pm</li><li>Fall 2023 Dates:  September 18, September 25, October 2, October 16, October 23, October 30, November 6, November 13, November 20</li><li>Location: The Foundry (101 Rogers St, Cambridge, MA 02142)</li><li>Description: In this hour-long class, you will get a great cardio warm-up through African dance movements and be guided through a series of stretches and strength-building exercises. Class will finish with a combination for all to learn and dance together. </li></ul>Dancers of all backgrounds and experience levels are welcome!

The Foundry 

"Tyaka" by Jean Appolon Expressions

<a href="https://jeanappolonexpressions.org/">Jean Appolon Expressions</a> is thrilled to be presenting “Tyaka” as a part of The Dance Complex’s BLOOM Residency on April 1st and 2nd!  JAE's Tyaka celebrates Haitian-folkloric culture and rhythms with a new blend of captivating repertoire you've seen before, alongside new works. Tyaka is the Haitian Creole name for a Haitian stew made from a hodgepodge of ingredients and is associated with festivities and family time. Tyaka will showcase different choreographers, including a new work by Raphaëlle François, and rhythms to explore the creativeness of using all the resources on hand to mix and produce something tasty and delicious. It will feel like a potluck party that takes the audience on a journey of dance, connection, music, and community! <a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001FurYzeXFmnIn47BYHjY-_8yuEIWnRIhJGnpWx5rK8Dfl9PDMGjwH-QPIjWr3TV42Qtl_CH-SoS-PTVv9HLLhrDMdW-gXGUt5kIVOQvF3YkyBZCgjWRUS-P3k8owIHRhPSTu0HRSeVyZQouGynqDw9_brzOJudJya_34KsnwhYzhXCfEEwNNECoFRVCk6Yewq&amp;c=cJkJQuQlc3k4tEniyGgUA2zaWN_TL2QEqkN7VfdeLpfsmqmiQZPOjg==&amp;ch=jvTWRxzeQDgZR1qLZRHe_prqAyxnJwM9Ed6XfvIxjE7RV8IgE6R-Jg==">Get your tickets here!</a> ﻿TYAKA BLOOM Residency with The Dance Complex April 1st at 8pm and April 2nd at 7pm

The Dance Complex 

Banboche (Party!) 2022

<a href="https://jeanappolonexpressions.org">Jean Appolon Expressions</a>' sixth annual Banboche celebration is back in person for the first time since 2019! <a href="https://jeanappolonexpressions.org/events/2022/11/5/banboche-celebration-2022">Banboche 2022</a> will be held on Saturday, November 5th, at the festive <a href="https://artsatthearmory.org/">Arts at the Armory</a> in Somerville, MA. Join Jean and the entire dance company to celebrate a year full of rich community programming as you immerse yourself in Haitian culture. The evening will include dance performances, highlights from our year and the communities we support, unique handcrafted goods, drinks, and dancing for all. This year’s Banboche will be centered around Fèt Gede, the Haitian Day of the Dead. Come party with us! As <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/21/nyregion/fetgede-voodoo-haiti.html">The New York Times</a> says, “Gede invites revelers to dress up, eat, drink and dance to honor the lwas (Goddesses of death) and the ancestors who came before them. It is one of the most anticipated celebrations in the Haitian voodoo religious calendar.”

Arts At the Armory

Koneksyon at Starlight Square

Join <a href="https://jeanappolonexpressions.org/">Jean Appolon Expressions (JAE)</a> to kick off fall programming with a FREE evening of community dance classes offered by instructors from Jean Appolon Expressions. Classes will include South African Street Dance, African Dance Workout, and Haitian-Folkloric Dance. <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/koneksyon-tickets-411013732137">Register here!</a>

Starlight Square

South African Street Dance Class

This class, taught by Jean Appolon Expressions company dancer Buyile Narwele, incorporates movements complimenting the beats in the music and allowing the dancer’s body to have an experience each time with each beat, sound, and song. Slow moves and repetitive structure will gradually build to exciting part of class. We will take care to regulate energy, preparing for a high, up tempo, and enjoyable scene for people of all kind. The class will consist of movements from small to big, using quick steps and knee patterns to create a move that makes sense with beats and sometimes lyrics. Waist movements are always part of it, in connection with facial expressions and showing off how much fun one is having while dancing. We have moves that have to do with the upper body and many shoulders with quick movements, including head changes and directions to compliment the move and hand gestures to complete a whole step that may or may not normally be thought of as “dance,” but can be create a recognizable, normal human action.  The class has an easy-to-follow build-up created specifically to put an individual at ease and be comfortable with moving like a child, expressing themselves, and enjoying the music.

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Discover kid-friendly fun in Boston, Massachusetts, and surrounding areas! Enjoy hands-on exhibits at the Boston Children’s Museum, explore the New England Aquarium, and visit the Franklin Park Zoo. Find parks, playgrounds, and seasonal events perfect for families across Massachusetts.

Top 20 kid-friendly things to do in Boston, MA

Kid-friendly things to do in Boston

Kid-friendly events

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.