{"685131":{"#nid":"685131","#data":{"type":"event","title":"Afro-Cuban Rhythms: Talk and Dance","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EIn this engaging lecture-demonstration,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EAna Llorente\u003C\/strong\u003E explores the\u0026nbsp;roots of Afro-Cuban dance, including its history, movement, and music, showing how it was born and developed in Cuba and became the foundation for many Latin dance styles.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAna is joined by\u0026nbsp;\u003Cstrong\u003EMichelito Herrera\u003C\/strong\u003E, an accomplished Afro-Cuban dancer, percussionist, and cultural educator, whose live drumming, dance demonstrations, and insight enrich the experience.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAna and Michelito will guide participants on a journey into the rhythms, movements, and traditions that continue to thrive in Cuba today. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of Afro-Cuban culture and its powerful influence on Latin dance worldwide.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAna Llorente\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAna Llorente is a renowned choreographer, professional dancer, and former world champion in national and international dance competitions. Born and raised in Cuba, she is a proud graduate of Havana\u2019s most prestigious dance school, the National School of Arts (ENA), where she graduated with honors, concentrating in Afro-Cuban folklore and contemporary\/modern Dance\u0026nbsp;before joining the Cuban National Contemporary Modern Dance Company.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAna has become a sought-after choreographer and mentor, training dancers in the United States and across the globe. Her work spans television, film, stage, and music videos, with credits including\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ESo You Think You Can Dance\u003C\/em\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EAmerica\u2019s Got Talent\u003C\/em\u003E,\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003ESuper Kids\u003C\/em\u003E\u0026nbsp;(Europe), and\u0026nbsp;\u003Cem\u003EUnivision TV Miami\u003C\/em\u003E. She is also the former trainer, mentor, and mother of Daniela Avanzini, now a member of the global Pop group KATSEYE.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECreator and organizer of the \u201cAtlanta Afro-Cuban Dance Congress\u201d and the Cuba International Ballroom Dance Championships \u0026amp; Cultural Exchange. Her mission is to preserve and elevate Afro-Cuban traditions, showcasing their role as the roots of most Latin dance forms while bringing these roots into today\u2019s\u0026nbsp;social and competitive dance and performance world.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBased in Atlanta, Georgia, she continues to choreograph and teach, inspiring audiences and students to connect with the cultural richness and rhythmic power of Afro-Cuban dance.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EMichelito Herrera\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMichelito Herrera is a distinguished dancer and musician\u0026nbsp;based in Atlanta. Born and trained in Cuba, he developed his career with a deep specialization in Afro-Cuban Folklore percussion and Dance.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EHe\u2019s the former musical director of the acclaimed folkloric ensemble \u201cYoruba Andabo.\u201d His career includes collaborations with renowned musicians such as Chucho Vald\u00e9s and performances on prestigious stages, including Carnegie Hall.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECelebrated for his authenticity and cultural depth, Michelito has dedicated decades to sharing the living tradition of Afro-Cuban culture. He has taught and performed at festivals, workshops, and cultural events, inspiring students and audiences alike through an immersive experience that unites rhythm, movement, and heritage.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ETogether with Ana Llorente, Michelito serves as\u0026nbsp;co-organizer of the Atlanta Afro-Cuban Dance Congress.\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003ECelebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Ana Llorente and Michelito Herrera as they guide you through Cuba\u0027s vibrant rhythms, movements, and living traditions.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Explore the roots of Afro-Cuban dance, including its history, movement, and music."}],"uid":"33969","created_gmt":"2025-09-19 23:49:01","changed_gmt":"2025-09-19 23:59:10","author":"ymrv3","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","field_event_time":{"event_time_start":"2025-10-14T11:30:00-04:00","event_time_end":"2025-10-14T12:30:00-04:00","event_time_end_last":"2025-10-14T12:30:00-04:00","gmt_time_start":"2025-10-14 15:30:00","gmt_time_end":"2025-10-14 16:30:00","gmt_time_end_last":"2025-10-14 16:30:00","rrule":null,"timezone":"America\/New_York"},"location":"Bill Moore Student Success Center, Press Room A","extras":[],"hg_media":{"678084":{"id":"678084","type":"image","title":"Ana-Llorente","body":null,"created":"1758326156","gmt_created":"2025-09-19 23:55:56","changed":"1758326156","gmt_changed":"2025-09-19 23:55:56","alt":"Ana Llorente","file":{"fid":"262065","name":"Ana-Llorente.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/19\/Ana-Llorente.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/19\/Ana-Llorente.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":97920,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/09\/19\/Ana-Llorente.jpg?itok=TishM740"}},"678085":{"id":"678085","type":"image","title":"Michelito-Herrero.jpg","body":null,"created":"1758326202","gmt_created":"2025-09-19 23:56:42","changed":"1758326202","gmt_changed":"2025-09-19 23:56:42","alt":"Michelito Herrero","file":{"fid":"262066","name":"Michelito-Herrero.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/19\/Michelito-Herrero.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/09\/19\/Michelito-Herrero.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":146740,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/09\/19\/Michelito-Herrero.jpg?itok=eZWIV-KO"}}},"media_ids":["678084","678085"],"related_links":[{"url":"https:\/\/gatech.co1.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_2f6XsaVHa2iQQaa","title":"Please RSVP by October 10"}],"groups":[{"id":"66244","name":"C21U"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[{"id":"1792","name":"Arts and Performance"}],"invited_audience":[{"id":"78761","name":"Faculty\/Staff"},{"id":"177814","name":"Postdoc"},{"id":"78771","name":"Public"},{"id":"174045","name":"Graduate students"},{"id":"78751","name":"Undergraduate students"}],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:ymrv3@gatech.edu\u0022\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EYelena M. Rivera-Vale\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E (she\/her(s)\/ella)\u003Cbr\u003ECommunications Program Manager\u003Cbr\u003ECenter for 21st Century Universities\u003Cbr\u003ECollege of Lifetime Learning\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}