Jazz Makes Me Dance Like...

Picture this: you’re at a jam in the trendiest hipster bar, the lights are low, and the band’s cooking — a crisp snap of Soprano sax hits that sweet spot, and suddenly, your body wants to move. Maybe it’s the spirit of Fela Kuti’s polyrhythmic fire, or Ebo Taylor’s “Will You Promise” got you swinging your hips. But you hesitate — feeling the beat, but unsure how to join the groove.
This workshop is your summer prep for that exact moment. We’ll dive into rhythmic basics and bold grooves inspired by Afrobeats, Soca, House, and the fluidity of jazz improv — all inspired by the spirit of Afro-funk legends. By the end, you’ll leave with the moves, confidence, and swagger to dance like you belong on stage with Tony Allen’s drum kit or leading Mariam Makeba's pata pata.
Ready to move like a love song?

About Your Instructor:

Kijo Eunice Gatama, a multidisciplinary artist, actor, producer, and emerging playwright based in Amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton, Alberta). I’m the artistic director of Here, For: Fear Collective, a fear-focused theatre and film festival spotlighting IBPOC artists, and the founder of RECHIQUE, a recycling collective celebrating sustainability and self-love for curly and Black hair. As a playwright she writes folklore/ surrealism focused on Afro-Canadian experiences, with my play Hyena’s Trail debuting in Edmonton this summer (2025). My work has been featured by Nightwood Theatre, Nextfest, Azimuth Theatre, Edmonton Fringe, Theatre Prospero, Thou Art Here, and more. Recently, I expanded my skills into stage management with 5A1L, starting with Joyful Noise (2024) and returned for Soul in the City (2025). It’s been a phenomenal opportunity to deepen my understanding of collaboration and performing in found spaces with my long-standing theatre fam at Azimuth.

Tickets are Pay-What-You-Can. Suggested Workshop Price $20
At Azimuth Theatre, we believe art should be accessible to all, regardless of financial circumstances. That’s why all of our tickets are based on a Pay-What-You-Can model. We understand that everyone’s situation is different, so we leave it up to you to determine the value of your experience.

While we suggest a ticket price to help cover production costs and support our artists, we understand that this may not be feasible for everyone. Whether you can give more or less, what matters most to us is that you join us in experiencing the magic of theatre together. No matter the amount, your contribution is valued and appreciated. Your support enables us to create meaningful connections, spark important conversations, and inspire change through the power of storytelling.