Ko-Thi Dance Company is Wisconsin's only professional African dance company. Founded in 1969 by Ferne Yangyeitie Caulker, a native of Sierra Leone, West Africa, Ko-Thi uses traditional instruments, authentic costumes, exhilarating music and awe inspiring dance to educate and bridge the gap between cultures. While their specialty is wowing audiences with the power of their performances, Ko-Thi also offers everyone the chance to actually participate in the excitement of African dance in a unique setting.
Adult African Dance Aerobics: Cultural Journey & Workout is designed to offer participants an aerobic and cultural experience. This weekend exercise program meets every Saturday at Milwaukee High School of the Arts, is open to all people, and teaches the terminology and fundamentals of African dance movement. Taught by Ferne, who is also Ko-Thi Executive Director, the class incorporates steps from traditional West African dances into combinations. Students work on stamina and endurance to live accompaniment, and get a great aerobic workout in the process!
One thing that people always mention is how cheerful and inspiring Ferne is. She spreads positive energy throughout the room, and makes everyone feel welcome. Ferne's classes are a microcosm of society, representing mainly women, old and young, black and white. You don't have to have any dance training for this class, or be in great physical shape - participants are both skilled dancers and those who just try to get through the day without breaking any bones. The class starts out with some simple breathing exercises with slow, graceful movements to warm up the muscles. Starting with some basic techniques of African dance, attendees begin to move and hearts start pounding. Immediately, you can feel the impact of this workout, and it only gets more intense as you go along. What helps with the physical involvement is the pounding rhythms of the live drums and music accompanying Ferne's calls to the class.
Working hard to coordinate one's movements with the techniques being demonstrated by Ferne is physically exhausting, but it is an experience that also inspires a feeling of an unreserved connection with nature and culture, and a kind of spirituality that you draw on your own terms. You have no choice but to be affected by the physical nature of the activity, coming away with an increased heart rate, and possibly a bit of perspiration from your hard work. But it is also the welcoming introduction to African dance, music and culture, combined with Ferne's generous nature that keep people coming back to the classes.
www.ko-thi.org/