Haitian Folkloric Dance at the Dance Complex

Instructor: Jean Appolon Dates: September 12 – December 12 Jean Appolon Expressions weekly Haitian Folkloric dance class with live drumming offers a vital space for healing and community (lakou), inviting dancers to connect with their bodies and cultural roots. Location: The Dance Complex, Studio 3 The JAE educator leads dancers through the powerful movements of Haitian Folkloric repertoires like Kongo, Ibo and Yanvalou, encouraging them to breathe, release, and express themselves. This transformative practice fosters unity, strength, and resilience, providing a joyful and grounded experience deeply connected to the vibrant spirit of Haiti.

The Dance Complex

Yoga at the JAE Dance Center

Discover the joy of mindful movement in this welcoming, beginner-friendly yoga class designed for all levels of movers. Whether you are stepping onto the mat for the very first time or looking to refine your practice, this class offers a safe and supportive environment for everyone, including elders and absolute beginners. Led by a rotating roster of JAE dance educators, class brings a fresh perspective rooted in a deep understanding of the body. Together, we will focus on the foundational pillars of yoga: Alignment: Learn how to position your body safely to maximize comfort and prevent injury. Strength: Build functional, gentle muscle tone to support your daily activities. Balance: Enhance your stability, core engagement, and coordination through mindful poses. Register here: https://jeanappolonexpressions.org/our-classes/yoga/

Jean Appolon Expressions Dance Center

Haitian Folkloric Dance

Instructor: Jean Appolon and Velouse Joseph Dates: September 8 – December 8 Jean Appolon Expressions weekly Haitian Folkloric dance class with live drumming offers a vital space for healing and community (lakou), inviting dancers to connect with their bodies and cultural roots. The JAE educator leads dancers through the powerful movements of Haitian Folkloric repertoires like Kongo, Ibo and Yanvalou, encouraging them to breathe, release, and express themselves. This transformative practice fosters unity, strength, and resilience, providing a joyful and grounded experience deeply connected to the vibrant spirit of Haiti.

Pale

Pale Instructor: Ezekiel G. Freeman-Fanfan Dates: Every other Sunday – September 27, October 11, October 25, November 8, November 22, December 6, December 20 Pale explores the connection between Music Therapy, Dance/Movement Therapy, and Art Therapy through a culturally grounded lens. Through rhythm, movement, storytelling, visual art, and reflection, participants are invited into spaces that support emotional wellness, self-expression, cultural connection, and community healing.&nbsp;

Pouvwa World Premiere

Pouvwa World Premiere: JEAN APPOLON EXPRESSIONS at Takeda Theater at The Platform Boston-based dance organization Jean Appolon Expressions performs the world premiere of Pouvwa (Power)—an immersive evening of interconnectedness shaped through Haitian-folkloric dance, Afro-electronica, live drumming and visual installations.&nbsp;&nbsp;Pouvwa invites audiences to reflect on the misuse of power, and how we might wield it to imagine a world that benefits us all.&nbsp;

Takeda Theatre at The Platform

Horton Fusion

Instructor: Rotating JAE Educators Dates: September 10 – December 10 No Class: November 26 Horton Fusion is a dynamic 90 minute class geared toward intermediate and advanced dancers, though all levels are welcome. The session opens with a rigorous, full-body Horton-inspired warm-up that establishes core strength and clear lines. This transitions into across-the-floor progressions which blend Horton technique with various contemporary styles, emphasizing weight shifts, floor work, and dynamic movement through space. The class culminates in a short, challenging choreographic phrase that synthesizes technical precision with expressive artistry. Often featuring live musical accompaniment, Horton Fusion aims to expand the dancer’s versatility, artistry, and physical endurance in a supportive environment.

Haitian Folkloric Dance Instructors: Jean Appolon and Velouse Joseph Day/Time: Tuesdays 7-8pm ET Dates: January 13th to March 31st Description: Jean Appolon Expressions’ weekly Haitian Folkloric dance class with live drumming offers a vital space for healing and community (lakou), inviting dancers to connect with their bodies and cultural roots. The JAE educator leads dancers through the powerful movements of Haitian Folkloric repertoires like Kongo, Ibo and Yanvalou, encouraging them to breathe, release, and express themselves. This transformative practice fosters unity, strength, and resilience, providing a joyful and grounded experience deeply connected to the vibrant spirit of Haiti.

South African Fusion 

Instructor: Mcebisi Xotyeni Day/Time: Mondays 6-7pm ET Dates:  January 12th to March 30th No Class: 1/19, 2/16 Description: This vibrant class blends traditional South African movement—including Xhosa, Zulu, Tswana, and Sotho—with contemporary street styles and dances from across the African continent. The class begins with an energizing cardio warm-up rooted in African movement vocabulary, followed by stretching and strength-building exercises to ground the body. Dancers will explore traveling sequences and across-the-floor progressions that highlight rhythm, footwork, and cultural expression. The class concludes with a joyful combination danced together to live drumming.<ul><li>Open to movers of all backgrounds and experience levels—come ready to sweat, learn, and celebrate the richness of African dance traditions!</li></ul>

Haitian Folkloric Dance at The Dance Complex

Haitian Folkloric Dance with Jean Appolon at The Dance Complex<ul><li>Day/Time: Saturdays from 1:30-3pm </li><li>Winter 2026 Dates: January 10th to March 28th</li><li>Location: The Dance Complex Studio 3 &amp; on Zoom </li></ul>

Instructor: Jean Appolon Day/Time: Wednesdays 6-7:30pm ET Dates: January 14th to March 31st Description: Horton Fusion is a dynamic 90 minute class geared toward intermediate and advanced dancers, though all levels are welcome. The session opens with a rigorous, full-body Horton-inspired warm-up that establishes core strength and clear lines. This transitions into across-the-floor progressions which blend Horton technique with various contemporary styles, emphasizing weight shifts, floor work, and dynamic movement through space. The class culminates in a short, challenging choreographic phrase that synthesizes technical precision with expressive artistry. Often featuring live musical accompaniment, Horton Fusion aims to expand the dancer's versatility, artistry, and physical endurance in a supportive environment.

Liberation Drumming

Instructors: Arnaud Lauture and Josil Rebert Day/Time: Tuesdays 6-7pm ET Dates: January 13th to March 31 No class on Feb 3 Description: Explore the rhythms of Haiti with Haitian Folkloric Master Drummers Josil Rebert and Arnaud Lauture. You will be immersed in learning Yanvalou, Mayi, Ibo, Congo and a variety of other rhythms. No prior drumming experience required, all levels are welcome, from absolute beginners to seasoned musicians.Participants can either bring a drum from home, or use a JAE drum. Listen to Your Body: If you feel any strain or pain in your hands or wrists, take a brief pause. Taking care of your body allows you to sustain your practice and enjoy the rhythms for years to come!

African Dance Workout

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!

New Atlantic Building

Jean Appolon 50th Birthday Class Celebration: Haitian Folkloric Dance

Celebrate Jean's birthday with JAE at this special Haitian folkloric class!   Please come to class wearing White and Purple!

Jean Appolon 50th Birthday Class Celebration: Horton Modern Class

Celebrate Jean's birthday with JAE at this special Horton Modern workshop!

SomArt @ the Hive

Jean Appolon 50th Birthday Class Celebration: African Dance Class

Celebrate Jean's birthday with JAE at this special African Dance class!

Classroom

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

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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

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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

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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

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S28: calendar experiences

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

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.

Where

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Experiences

Haitian Folkloric Dance at the Dance Complex

Yoga at the JAE Dance Center

Haitian Folkloric Dance

Pale

Pouvwa World Premiere

Horton Fusion

Haitian Folkloric Dance

South African Fusion

Haitian Folkloric Dance at The Dance Complex

Horton Fusion

Liberation Drumming

African Dance Workout

Jean Appolon 50th Birthday Class Celebration: Haitian Folkloric Dance

Jean Appolon 50th Birthday Class Celebration: Horton Modern Class

Jean Appolon 50th Birthday Class Celebration: African Dance Class