Black History Month: West African Dance Class with Amanda Armenteros
Saturday February 18th, at 3:00–4:00 pm
For: Children & Families
Location: Auditorium

Join Amanda and Diane for a full immersive traditional West African Dance class. We will learn the history of where the dance and rhythms originated and the stories behind the movement. Come ready to learn, move and explore traditional African music!

This event will be held in the auditorium on Saturday, February 18th at 3:00 p.m. Before the class, we will read Firebird, by Misty Copeland and illustrated by Christopher Myers. Afterwards, we will provide Grab & Go kits. The fun Grab & Go kits include a Misty Copeland puzzle, a coloring & fact sheet about Savion Glover, and a Harlem Renaissance word search.

About Amanda: Amanda Armenteros is a versatile dancer and teacher who loves to study African dance. Amanda’s classes allow students to express themselves through rhythm and to find their own unique dance movements. For more information on the dancers you can click here.

Firebird by Misty Copeland and illustrated by Christopher Myers
(Grades K-3)
Library Collection: Print
Libby: eBook
“A dancer offers encouragement to those who dream of following her onto the stage. Copeland, a soloist with American Ballet Theater, is a rara avis, an African-American ballerina. In this, her first book for children, she establishes a dialogue with an imaginary young girl, also black, who is full of doubts. Copeland assures her that she too was ‘a dreaming shooting star of a girl’ who worked very hard in class. Likewise, the young girl can ‘become a swan, a beauty, a firebird for sure.’ The text is untrammeled by capital letters or periods, and the language soars into dizzying heights of lyrical fancy that barely contain her message of inspiration. Myers’ artwork, a combination of textured paintings and collage, is the true standout. His vibrant reds, golds and blues, set into the sharp-edged patterns of the backgrounds, evoke the intense drama of the Firebird ballet and pulsate with kinetic synergy. Double-page spreads depict the young girl maturing from loneliness to uncertainty to accomplishment as the ballerina practices at the barre and provides a one-on-one display of bravura technique. The New York City skyline sparkles as Copeland does jetés over a jeweled Brooklyn Bridge. A starscape filled with visual drama and brilliance.” -Kirkus Reviews