Back in the late 1980’s when I was a student at Physical Culture Fitness Studio, there was a Sunday class taught by Kristi Rudolph with live African percussion. That was the most exciting class of the week to take. And, at the time, it was one of the few places drum students (most of whom were white) could come and play along the great African percussionists who were living here. It got to be quite a scene where sometimes there were almost more drummers than dancers (and the rooms always packed). Congas were slowly being replaced with Djembes as THE chosen drum. Eventually the Senior living center across the street filed a city complaint about the “volume of noise that was disturbing to the residents’ well being”. That was the end of that era.
Right around that same time, Kristi moved on and I was chosen to take over the class. As a new teacher, I had very big shoes to fill and needed to find ways to make these classes my own. Because of the trouble with our neighbors, I ended up moving the Sunday class to a much smaller studio in the top of the building what was the Ballard Firehouse night club. A core group of dancing friends helped me decide to not make the class be a drum jam session for aspiring players and focus instead of some of the beautiful acoustic instruments I was just learning about. I had musicians friends who were very happy to experiment with their beloved berimbaus, mbiras and kalimbas, balafon, pandeiro, agogos and smaller hand drums. And our cross-cultural improvisational collaborations began.
I’m remembering all this as I think about the last live session we had in February of this year at our new home in the Taj Yoga Studio. That turned out to be very special. One of my most beloved teachers and friend Won-Ldy Paye made a surprise visit while in town for an artist residency. Few things could have made me happier than to have him there that day. There were students who are brand new to my work, students who had heard of Won-Ldy and some long timers who had danced with him a project we got to be part of for Seattle Art Museum’s exhibition “Long Steps Never Broke a Back” (more on that another time), or when he lived here and taught classes. Some of my favorite musicians to collaborate with were there too. It was a good good day. One that refueled and inspired me and seems all the more important now that all the studio in town are shuttered indefinitely and it is hard to know how long it will be until anything like that is safe to do again.

Denny Stern, Won-Ldy Paye, Lara, Will Matthews,Caxambu
Dear Friends and Students,
Wassa Dance classes are on our regular schedule for now. We are trusting in folks following best practices for both self-care and community well being. Dancing in community is a beautiful thing and we are grateful for every day this happens, especially now. If you are feeling sick or vulnerable, please stay home and take good care.
If we need to deviate from our regular schedule, I will post here, on Wassa’s FaceBook page, and send out an email via Constant Contact.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Please know that Balance Studio is very pro-active in keeping our dance space clean and sanitized. Here is an excerpt from them:
As the spread of COVID-19 continues throughout our area, we are closely monitoring advisories from King County and Washington State Public Health. At Balance Studio we are taking measures to frequently disinfect doorknobs, light switches, water dispenser, bathroom, studio equipment and all other areas frequently touched by both instructors and students. We recommend washing hands or using a 60% alcohol-based hand sanitizer before entering the studio and before leaving. Bring a change of clothes to change into after class if you do floor exercise. Remember to not only prevent contact with the virus but boost your own immune system by eating a well balanced meal (with lots of colorful fruits and vegetables for their immune-enhancing capacities), get plenty of rest and avoid stress as much as possible. Below are a few reminders and links for more resources. As always, please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
- Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces.
- Stay at home and away from others if you are feeling ill.
King County Department of Health:https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/communicable-diseases/disease-control/novel-coronavirus.aspxWA State Department of HealthEPA-Approved Disinfectants:
My holiday break comes late this year. I'm very pleased to have these wonderful women stepping in to keep you dancing while I am away:
Monday 1/6 - Becci Parsons
Becci brings her beautiful wit, wisdom and love of movement coupled with her many years of Feldenkrais practice.
Wednesday and Friday 1/8 & 1/10 - Janelle Campoverde
Janelle shares her love of Brazilian movement and music along with her great insights in Feldenkrais technique.
Saturday 1/11 - Kine Camara
Kine carries the legacy of her father Ibrahima Camara's mastery of traditional Senegalese dance and percussion to the next generation along with her studies in Afro-Beats style.
Monday 1/13 - Becci Parsons
Wishing you a brilliant new year
full of fulfillment, joy and lots of dancing!
We had a glorious time! Here are just a few shots from this beloved and successful fundraiser. Many thanks to our beautiful musicians, Caxambu, Denny Stern, Thierno Diop, Shemayim Elohim, Jay Braverman and Lance Lu. And to all who participated and contributed to this event.
We've raised close to $3,000 so far which translates into business loans for 45 women and their families in rural Kenya.
It's not too late to donate.
We have a wonderful line up of percussion musicians coming to inspire this month's special Sunday session. Join us!
One way and another we've been doing these live cross-cultural percussion and movement events for 25 years. So happy the next series is back for the 2019 September- December season!
Come move in the heart of September rhythms with our live music session Sunday 9/8/19.