GIPSY DUENDE
The celebration of life thanks to the alchemy of suffering through music and dance, in community.
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'wild and free'
Gipsy Duende is one of the branches of the Danza Duende International Network, founded by Yumma Mudra. It was born as a result of a reflection on the best way to convey an art that requires a total surrender, not only of the body and the mind, but also and especially of the heart, while trying to preserve in its teaching its spontaneous and free nature. It is a vision of art and dance as instruments to return to the freshness and sincerity of the gesture, cultivating simplicity, improvisation and a sense of humor. |
« Ach odoj, kaj gilaven, ke o beng gila na zanel. »
Sing and go where songs are sung, for the devils do not know how to sing. (Romani proverb)
Sing and go where songs are sung, for the devils do not know how to sing. (Romani proverb)
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From a technical point of view, focus is given to foot work, rhythmic games, the swiftness of changes and the speed of execution, while using accessories such as the shawl and wide skirts. But these elements are at the service of a deeper work of expression and interpretation, aiming at appropriating ourselves of the technical tools, so as to build a dance that is born of our own experience and becomes one of joy and celebration, both individual and communal, of the present moment. 
In the Gipsy Duende teaching, as in all other specific forms or branches of our network, key resources are used in regular classes, workshops and retreats. These include exercises for the development of perception, intelligence and braveness, such as space awareness practice, the ability to improvise and create new movement forms; to develop a quick adaptation to changes; deepening our communication skills, such as learning how to express ourselves in a clear and intense way; being flexible and empathetic towards others… All in all, cultivating basic goodness in our daily lives, courage, and nourishing a spirit of joy and generosity. |
pressGipsy Duende - a review by Karine Butchart
“Wild and Free Forever” was a great sub-title for this gypsy duende workshop with Monica Roncon held recently in West Cork, Ireland. Whilst learning gypsy dance techniques from Russia, Hungary and Romania, the main focus of the weekend was really on the spirit of the gypsy style or the duende of dance. Monica, who is Portuguese living in France, was knowledgeable, skilful and playful as she inspired the group with her energy and enthusiasm. The room became a swirl of colour and joy as we swished our huge skirts and shawls feeling exhilarated by the music and energy of the dance. The whole weekend was well paced with good warm up and stretching. This workshop was one of a series of danza duende workshops held in the beautiful location of An Sanctoir – a place set amidst the emerald hills of Ballydehob. All the teachers on this project have a lovely quality of clarity and purpose that they bring to their work – constantly seeking new ways to deepen the experience of any style that they share. (...) The beauty of the danza duende project from my point of view is that it deepens one’s understanding of dance, movement, the impulse from which we dance, the authentic, true nature of dance, bringing self investigation as well as sharing with, and being inspired by others. By exploring space, shape, pace, expansion, breath and stillness there is an enhanced sense of being very present and alive. Technique has its place but really that is only the beginning…….! The approach deeply resonates with my own background of body work, movement and dance. In Mosaic Magazine (2008) | ||
GIPSY DUENDE classes & workshops
For lovers of gypsy music and dance, of all genres and ages, with or without experience in dance. For those who cannot resist the romanticism of Hungarian violins, the raspy voices of the Romanian gypsy tarafs, the fiery and passionate rhythms of the Russian gypsy choirs or the intriguing cadence of oriental influence of the southern Balkan dances.
To let go, to loosen up, to forget our daily setbacks, or to turn them into a dance experience. With romanticism or fierceness, intensifying or dissolving... transforming our daily lives into a celebration. This is Gipsy Duende.
Danza Duende is a network of people who share a vision of art and a method of teaching dance, which stands out for proposing students different tools that allow them to investigate their own form of expression. In the case of Gipsy Duende, one of the branches of Danza Duende school and network, we do this work using the universal language of Gypsy dances. Thus, the "form", the vocabulary, the “step” become a means rather than an end.
From a more conventional point of view, we do study the technique and interpretation of Romani dances from several regions of Europe, with a particular emphasis on the Russian and Central European ones. We investigate the source of their expression, as well as their musical and sound variety, within a cultural framework.
We develop and refine our rhythmic sensitivity and our motor skills. We become aware of our physical and mental posture, of our external and internal body, gradually entering into contact with our intrinsic natural harmony. While doing footwork, accompanied by palm clapping, finger clicking and our own voice, our whole being becomes a single rhythmic instrument.
But underlying the execution of our steps and sequences, our turns, jumps and movements in space, we deeply work on grounding and breathing as our most present and paramount reference. In a carousel of energy, rhythm, shawls and skirts, we dance stories, our stories, the others’ stories, the community stories, the world’s conscious and subconscious stories. We dance them, we sing them, we honor them, creating a playful and community environment in which everyone is an active participant, creator and discoverer of their own authentic movement.
Dance and Life in conscious interdependence
Danza Duende promotes a work on our own selves that is based on ethical and joyful approach in the transmission of art.
The training proposed by the Danza Duende international network is recommended to all of us, artists, teachers or just about anyone who feels the need to explore their creative inspiration and to intensify their ability to being present, here and now. It is a long-term training that allows us to visit the very sources of form in our own minds and to discover our intrinsic talent so that we can work in all spheres of our lives as if we actually danced our lives!
more in DANZA DUENDE
For lovers of gypsy music and dance, of all genres and ages, with or without experience in dance. For those who cannot resist the romanticism of Hungarian violins, the raspy voices of the Romanian gypsy tarafs, the fiery and passionate rhythms of the Russian gypsy choirs or the intriguing cadence of oriental influence of the southern Balkan dances.
To let go, to loosen up, to forget our daily setbacks, or to turn them into a dance experience. With romanticism or fierceness, intensifying or dissolving... transforming our daily lives into a celebration. This is Gipsy Duende.
Danza Duende is a network of people who share a vision of art and a method of teaching dance, which stands out for proposing students different tools that allow them to investigate their own form of expression. In the case of Gipsy Duende, one of the branches of Danza Duende school and network, we do this work using the universal language of Gypsy dances. Thus, the "form", the vocabulary, the “step” become a means rather than an end.
From a more conventional point of view, we do study the technique and interpretation of Romani dances from several regions of Europe, with a particular emphasis on the Russian and Central European ones. We investigate the source of their expression, as well as their musical and sound variety, within a cultural framework.
We develop and refine our rhythmic sensitivity and our motor skills. We become aware of our physical and mental posture, of our external and internal body, gradually entering into contact with our intrinsic natural harmony. While doing footwork, accompanied by palm clapping, finger clicking and our own voice, our whole being becomes a single rhythmic instrument.
But underlying the execution of our steps and sequences, our turns, jumps and movements in space, we deeply work on grounding and breathing as our most present and paramount reference. In a carousel of energy, rhythm, shawls and skirts, we dance stories, our stories, the others’ stories, the community stories, the world’s conscious and subconscious stories. We dance them, we sing them, we honor them, creating a playful and community environment in which everyone is an active participant, creator and discoverer of their own authentic movement.
Dance and Life in conscious interdependence
Danza Duende promotes a work on our own selves that is based on ethical and joyful approach in the transmission of art.
The training proposed by the Danza Duende international network is recommended to all of us, artists, teachers or just about anyone who feels the need to explore their creative inspiration and to intensify their ability to being present, here and now. It is a long-term training that allows us to visit the very sources of form in our own minds and to discover our intrinsic talent so that we can work in all spheres of our lives as if we actually danced our lives!
more in DANZA DUENDE