Rhythmic Arts Center NYC

Rhythmic Arts Center NYC A home for rhythm, movement, and cultural connection

Wednesday Sabar Drumming with Thio Afia7 is happening on Wednesdays 3:30-5:00PM with more drums ready for you to play! ✨...
09/02/2026

Wednesday Sabar Drumming with Thio Afia7 is happening on Wednesdays 3:30-5:00PM with more drums ready for you to play! ✨ a moment from him last week at Flamenco Vivo Carlota Santana ‘s Juerga in second slide and the new drums he brought in last week in last slide 👁️🔊

Just walk in or pre-sign up for class in our link in bio 🔗 and get ready for our long overdue Sabar dance class with Ousmane Sall beginning Weds Sept 16 6-7:30PM ❤️‍🔥 sign up coming soon

Experience Senegalese Sabar with Dakar-born master percussionist Ibrahima “Thiokho” Diagne, whose career spans Le Ballet National du Sénégal, BAM DanceAfrica, Angélique Kidjo, Baaba Maal, Stevie Wonder, Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, and Ziggy Marley. A student of master Sabar drummers M’Baye Faye and Lamine Faye, Thiokho brings decades of Senegalese musical tradition and international performance experience into the classroom.

Open to all levels.

Class revenue is shared between the teaching artist and RAC. Parts goes directly to the artist, while remaining supports RAC—helping cover the space, instruments, equipment, administration, and infrastructure that make classes like Thioko’s Sabar drum class possible.

RAC is an artist-owned and operated space built to support artists, rhythm, and community in NYC. If you believe in what we’re building, consider making a donation—whether it’s $5 or more, every contribution helps us keep the doors open and the rhythm going.

Thank you for supporting the artists who teach here and the space that brings us together. 🥁

09/01/2026

only Max Pollak would understand this is a birthday song for him 🌹 ft Melissa Wu’s big toe playing off camera on the end of the percussion box set Nicholas Van Young ✨from the very first ever Works & Process showing with Michelle Dorrance and Dorrance Dance for their Rotunda Project Revival in 2018

Excited to announce that we would be continuing another season of classes with Jeremy Smith in partnership with Philo•rh...
08/31/2026

Excited to announce that we would be continuing another season of classes with Jeremy Smith in partnership with Philo•rhythm every Monday 6pm at Rhythmic Arts Center NYC 🏡. Sign up now! ✨ also check out Jeremy’s upcoming performance with George Crotty and John Murchison at Lincoln Center Sept 10 7:30pm.

Learn to drum from the inside out with Juilliard graduate and seasoned NYC freelance percussionist, Jeremy Smith. This is not just about learning an instrument—it is about connecting with rhythm as a universal principle that underlies all music and movement.

You will learn essential drumming patterns, get into collective grooves, and discover how rhythm functions as a medium for musical communication and meaningful human connection.

All levels and drumming styles are welcome. You can choose from our variety of instruments provided by RAC or bring your own.

Class revenue of RAC classes is shared between the teaching artist and RAC, parts directly to the artist, while remaining supports RAC to cover the space, instruments, equipments, administrations and infrastructure that make classes like Drumming 101 possible.

RAC is an artist-owned and operated space built to support artists, rhythm, and community in NYC. If you believe in what we’re building, consider making a donation—whether it’s $5 or more, every contribution helps us keep the doors open and the rhythm going. Link in bio 🔗

Thank you for supporting the artists, like Jeremy here who teach here and the space that brings us together. 🥁

a new flyer and some moments with John Manzari back in April to remind you that we will have another class this coming M...
08/30/2026

a new flyer and some moments with John Manzari back in April to remind you that we will have another class this coming Monday 8.31 7pm in person at the house 🏡✨ and online option available at a discounted rate 💻 sign up link in bio 🔗 Thanks to the generosity of John, proceeds from all RAC classes with him has been going towards our studio’s overhead cost like rent, water, electricities and other expenses ✨

08/19/2026

Join us for our last Dorrance Dance rep class with John Manzari teaching choreography by elizabeth burke & Luke Hickey ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 at the house TODAY Wed Aug 19 6:30pm ET at the house 🏡 Apologies for all the streaming cancelations lately and troubleshoot ready to try again tomorrow 🙏🏼🌹✨🏄‍♀️🎥 space limited join us link in bio 🔗✨

08/14/2026

Join us at Battery Dance festival TODAY Fri 8.14 at 6pm for a final pre-show street performance with Thio Afia7 & Afiaafia’s Sabar Drum & Dance Performance at Robert F Wagner Park before the evening of performances begins at 7pm! See you tonight!

Ibrahima “Thiokho” Diagne is a master Sabar and West African percussionist from Dakar, Senegal, whose international career has included performances and collaborations with Grammy Award-winning Angélique Kidjo, Baaba Maal, Stevie Wonder, Lady Gaga, Alicia Keys, Ziggy Marley, Souleman Faye, Alioune Kasse, Zall Seck, Mependa Seck, Makhou Lebou, Solo Cissoko, and Kisito Band, among others. His performance credits include DanceAfrica at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), Le Ballet National du Sénégal, and stages throughout Africa, Europe, Asia, South America, the Caribbean, and the United States. He is also a credited percussionist on Angélique Kidjo’s acclaimed 2010 album, Õÿö.

Born in Dakar in 1974, Thiokho is a member of the Bambara ethnic group, originating from Mali, West Africa. Music and art are a rich tradition in his family, and from an early age he dedicated himself to rhythm and percussion, making his own drums from discarded goat skins and buckets.

At age 15, Thiokho began studying with master Sabar drummers M’Baye Faye and Lamine Faye, who introduced him to Senegal’s professional music culture. He went on to tour throughout West Africa and, in 1997, founded his own percussion group, The New Generation: Gewel Gi Seck. In 1999, he joined Le Ballet National du Sénégal, touring internationally. Thiokho later became a percussionist and backing vocalist for Angélique Kidjo, touring extensively around the world.

A dedicated teacher as well as performer, Thiokho shares the rhythms, techniques, songs, and musical traditions of Senegal and West Africa with students and communities internationally. Since February 2026, RAC has been proud to host Thiokho’s ongoing Sabar drumming class, creating a home in East Harlem for the continued practice, transmission, and celebration of this rich rhythmic tradition.

Join us in welcoming Boston-based tap dancer, musician, educator, and choreographer Ian Berg for an Advanced Tap Communi...
08/13/2026

Join us in welcoming Boston-based tap dancer, musician, educator, and choreographer Ian Berg for an Advanced Tap Community Highlight this Saturday 8.13 5:00-7:00pm ✨ space limited sign up link in bio! 🔗

Ian Berg is a Boston-based tap dancer originally from Chicago, Illinois with training and performance experience in various genres of dance and music. In high school, Ian trained at the Joffrey Academy in Chicago while also dancing with renowned Chicago based tap company MADD Rhythms. Ian is also an alumnus of The School at Jacob’s Pillow and the Boston Conservatory with a BFA in Contemporary Dance Performance. Ian has his MM from the Berklee Global Jazz Institute where he studied with master teachers like Danilo Perez, John Patitucci and Joe Lovano. Ian is a student of master tap dancer Dianne Walker, and a teacher of the Leon Collins Repertoire.

Ian is currently an affiliate professor at Emerson College as well as a lecturer at Tufts University teaching tap dance practice and history. He has received recognition as a choreographer from The Yard where he was named a 2019 Bessie Schonberg Fellow, The Boston Foundation where he was named a 2019 Next Steps Awardee and The Massachusetts Cultural Council who named him a 2020 Choreography Fellow.

Since founding Subject:Matter in 2015, the company has created and performed almost 20 different pieces in over 50 different venues across the East Coast, Midwest and Canada. Venues include: Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston, The Inside/Out Stage at Jacob’s Pillow, Joe’s Pub in New York City, House of Blues Boston, Musikfest in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, The Montreal Fringe Festival, Stage 773 in Chicago, Illinois and a residency at MASS MoCA. In 2025, Subject:Matter released their second studio album “With Far Hand”.

08/12/2026

a glimpse at tech rehearsal at Battery Dance festival 2026 opening day yesterday with Jessee Leigh Robinson Soles of Duende who’s part of official festival line-up and our own curated pre-show street performance with Conner Kelly Megan Gessner ✨ beautiful evening with our community and we are so grateful RAC get to participate and contribute to the longest running FREE outdoor dance festival of 45 years in NYC. Join us again for another evening of outdoor dance with Statue of Liberty in the background by the water tonight and the rest of the week! Aug 12-16, 2026 at 7pm at Robert F Wagner Park (pre-show street performance at park entrance 6pm in the last slide)

Rhythmic Arts Center NYC (RAC) is proud to support Battery Dance Festival 2026 by providing access to professional percussive dance flooring for rehearsals, workshops and the opening night performance by Jesse Robinson and Soles of Duende at Robert F. Wagner Park on August 11 with floor by Music From The Sole and extra floor mics support by Dorrance Dance ✨🙏🏼

Percussive dance forms such as tap, kathak & flamenco require specialized flooring to protect dancers and produce the sound that is central to the art form. By making this professional dance surface available, RAC is helping create a safe and authentic environment for both teaching and performance while expanding access to rhythm-based dance at one of New York City’s premier free dance festivals.

We are grateful for this commitment between Rhythmic Arts Center NYC and Battery Dance Festival this year to ensure that technical requirements never become barriers to artistic expression, allowing more artists and audiences to experience the richness of rhythm-based dance!

Join NYC-based dancer and choreographer Jessee Leigh Robinson for a free Tap workshop tomorrow Monday 8.10 11AM-12PM at ...
08/09/2026

Join NYC-based dancer and choreographer Jessee Leigh Robinson for a free Tap workshop tomorrow Monday 8.10 11AM-12PM at the house 🏡 In-person + online✨ She will be sharing work from “For Whom The Bell Tolls”. Class will be appropriate for int/adv students to participate *if you are lower level and want to watch please also sign up so we have a head count! Space limited 👉🏼 sign up link in bio 💫 and be ready to see her perform this Tues Aug 11 7pm at Robert F Wagner Park with Battery Dance and other artists from RAC who will be activated at pre-show street performances on 8.11, 8.12 & 8.14.

Jessee’s material aims to connect the shared lineage of Tap Dance and Breaking. The work explores the experience of feeling deeply while appearing composed, and feeling alone even when surrounded by others. Through rhythm and movement, this piece becomes a space to release anger, shame, and regret.

Come explore the movement, rhythm, and ideas behind the work with Jessee in this special Battery Dance Festival workshop.

This workshop is presented in partnership with Battery Dance Festival 2026

Excited to announce our partnership with Battery Dance festival 2026 with a FREE pop up workshop by Soles of Duende tomo...
08/03/2026

Excited to announce our partnership with Battery Dance festival 2026 with a FREE pop up workshop by Soles of Duende tomorrow 8.3 7-8pm at the house 🏡 at 175 E105th St in East Harlem! Sign up + explore more about our partnership this year link in bio 🔗✨ save the date for their performance at Robert F Wagner Park on Tues 8.11.2026 at 7pm!

FREE Dance + Rhythm Workshop with Soles of Duende
Battery Dance Festival 2026
Mon 8.3 7-8pm
at Rhythmic Arts Center NYC
open to all levels

Experience the vibrant intersection of movement, music, and cultural tradition with Soles of Duende in this free, all-levels Dance + Rhythm workshop.

Drawing from the rich lineages of Flamenco, Tap Dance, and Kathak, Soles of Duende invites participants to explore rhythm as a universal language of connection, creativity, and expression. Through accessible movement, body percussion, musicality, and improvisation, participants will discover how rhythm can unite diverse traditions while celebrating each form’s unique history and voice.

Designed for movers of all backgrounds and experience levels, this workshop emphasizes curiosity, community, and joyful participation. Whether you’re stepping into rhythm for the first time or are an experienced dancer, you’ll leave with new tools for listening, creating, and connecting through movement.

Come ready to move, make music together, and experience the power of rhythm in community.

All ages and experience levels are welcome.

Soles of Duende is a New York–based ensemble founded by Amanda Castro (Tap), Arielle Rosales (Flamenco), and Brinda Guha (Kathak). Rooted in three distinct percussive dance traditions, the group centers collaboration, musicality, and cultural exchange across disciplines.

A Bessie-nominated company, Soles of Duende has performed at major venues including The Joyce Theater , Joe's Pub , Lincoln Center , Brooklyn Museum , NYU Skirball , and Danspace Project . Their work has been featured on the cover of dancemagazine and recognized by The New York Times as a Critics’ Pick and one of the Best Dance Performances of 2022.

Address

175 E105th Street
New York, NY
10029

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 9pm
Tuesday 9am - 9pm
Wednesday 9am - 9pm
Thursday 9am - 9pm
Friday 9am - 9pm
Saturday 9am - 9pm
Sunday 9am - 9pm

Telephone

+19176800410

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