Afro-Cuban Oricha Dance Therapy with Kati Hernandez
featuring Kimbambula Cuban Dance & Music Ensemble and
Dr. Claudia Hernandez Romero
Come join us for an exciting workshop that weaves together Afro-Cuban practices while fostering healing. Participants will gather to honor the Earth and reconnect with ancestral roots. The workshop will conclude with a seed-ball activity for California native plants, led by special guest Dr. Claudia Hernandez Romero. All materials will be provided by MOLAA. Registration is required. Please arrive on time, as space is limited.
Cuban choreographer and educator Kati Hernandez will guide participants through her signature program, Oricha Dance Therapy, an Afro-Cuban dance experience that transcends physical movement — it is a vibrant celebration of life! This transformative workshop intricately weaves together Afro-Cuban dances, rhythms, chants, and storytelling, empowering participants while also fostering healing. Such practices help to preserve the rich cultural traditions brought to Cuba during the 17th century.
Participants will gather to honor our Earth and the cultural heritage of Afro-Cuban traditions, understanding their vital role in promoting environmental sustainability and reconnecting with ancestral roots. Prepare to dance, sing, and unleash your spirit!
The workshop will conclude with a Seed Ball activity for California native plants, led by Oricha Dance Therapy guest Dr. Claudia Hernandez Romero. This engaging session will reinforce our commitment to honoring cultural practices while preserving our heritage. Together, we will explore how maintaining cultural identity can enhance resilience in the face of climate change and inspire sustainable practices.
Awaken your self-body, collective, and spiritual power by experiencing the joy and healing of Afro-Cuban dance. As we move together, we will embrace the rhythms of nature and celebrate our profound connection to the Earth! Join us for this uplifting journey!
Cost: $25.00
A native of Cuba, Kati Hernández grew up immersed in Afro-Cuban dance and drum traditions. Her extensive training in Afro-Cuban folklore, modern, composition and staging has shaped her into an electrifying choreographer, educator, and performer sought after nationally and internationally. She launched her career at a young age, touring Europe, the Caribbean and Americas with renowned Cuban productions. Now based in Los Angeles, Kati is a pivotal figure in the dance community. Recently honored with a Community Leader of Excellence 2023 award, she is dedicated to sharing her Afro-Cuban heritage in the U.S. Her nationally acclaimed program, Oricha Dance Therapy, is a vibrant expression of the Afro-Cuban dance diaspora. Kati also founded a pioneering online dance and music program promoting Cuban culture worldwide and is the founder and artistic director of Kimbambula Cuban Dance and Music Ensemble. Kati has choreographed and performed in music videos including “Un Poquito de Amor Every Day” with Colin Hay, and acted in the short film “72,” exploring immigrant narratives. Featured in Spotify’s Latinx Heritage Month 2021 campaign, spotlighted in Times Square, she is also part of the American Heart Association’s PSA “Get Down with your Blood Pressure,” seen across national and Spanish media. She has led workshops and performed at SFMoMA, The Music Center, Grand Park, the Ford Theater, and the Getty Museum and was choreographer for the LA Philharmonic's "Tentacion" at Walt Disney Concert Hall. In 2023 and 2024, she introduced Afro-Cuban dance to the Music Center’s Dance DTLA series. Kati teaches and lectures at colleges nationwide, including CalArts and Yale University, and is a guest instructor at top Cuban dance festivals. Through her artistry, Kati inspires others to embrace their roots and celebrate the power of cultural identity, proving that dance has the extraordinary ability to unite, heal, and uplift communities.