Free AfroBeats Dance Workshop Comes to Fanwood on Aug. 30

Fanwood is hosting a free AfroBeats dance workshop on Sunday, August 30, at 3 p.m. at Forest Road Park Building, 154 Forest Road. The event is open to all skill levels, from complete beginners with little or no previous dance experience to seasoned dancers seeking new movement styles. The workshop celebrates dance as community connection, wellness, and creative expression through movement and music.

Leading the session is Shari LP, a New Jersey-based choreographer, dancer, and dance educator with more than seven years of teaching experience across the tri-state area. Shari LP has taught at dance studios, schools, community organizations, and Broadway Dance Center in New York City. As a choreographer, she creates work for music videos, live performances, festivals, and independent artists.

"Dance is more than learning steps. It is about finding your voice, building confidence and connecting with others through movement," Shari LP said. The workshop combines dance, fitness, and community connection, with refreshments and crafts completing the afternoon gathering.

Union County Life covers Fanwood community events, arts, wellness, and community information across all 21 Union County municipalities.

Why We Dance Community Initiative

The workshop is organized through Why We Dance, a community initiative created by Candace Waller to make dance and wellness more accessible and to give residents opportunities to connect through the arts. Why We Dance uses the arts to promote healthy lifestyles, wellness, and community engagement.

The community initiative reflects growing recognition of arts and movement as wellness tools and community-building practice.

Dance and Wellness Connection

Shari LP frames dance as multidimensional practice beyond choreography. "Dance is more than learning steps. It is about finding your voice, building confidence and connecting with others through movement." The characterization emphasizes emotional, psychological, and social dimensions of dance practice alongside physical fitness.

Dance as wellness combines cardio and strength benefits with creative expression, confidence building, and social connection.

AfroBeats Music and Movement Style

AfroBeats represents contemporary African music genre blending traditional African rhythms with modern production. Dance workshops centered on AfroBeats incorporate music-rooted movement reflecting African diaspora cultural traditions and contemporary musical expression.

AfroBeats dance celebration connects participants to music traditions and cultural heritage through movement practice.

All Skill Levels Welcome

The workshop explicitly welcomes all skill levels, from complete beginners to experienced dancers. Accessibility to multiple skill levels enables broad community participation without dance experience requirement.

Skill-level inclusive programming reflects Why We Dance mission to make dance accessible rather than exclusive to trained dancers.

Refreshments and Community Gathering

The workshop includes refreshments and crafts, transforming the event into social gathering beyond dance instruction. The additional elements extend community connection and wellness benefits.

Community gathering around shared movement, food, and creative activity strengthens neighborhood bonds and wellness engagement.

Shari LP Background and Experience

Shari LP brings substantial teaching and choreographic credentials. Over seven years of teaching experience across tri-state area studios, schools, community organizations, and Broadway Dance Center demonstrates expertise and community engagement.

Choreographic work for music videos, live performances, and festivals reflects professional creative practice alongside teaching.

HEART Grant Funding

The program is supported in part by a HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant from the Union County Board of County Commissioners. Union County funding for community arts programming demonstrates municipal commitment to arts access and wellness.

Public funding support enables free programming for residents and expands community arts participation.

Free Admission and Community Access

The workshop is completely free, eliminating cost barrier to participation and wellness access. Free community programming represents commitment to equitable wellness and arts access.

For Fanwood residents, the free workshop provides accessible entry point to dance practice and community wellness.

Find more Fanwood community events, arts programming, and community information on Union County Life.

FAQ

Q: When is the AfroBeats dance workshop in Fanwood?
A: The workshop is on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 3 p.m. at Forest Road Park Building, 154 Forest Road, Fanwood.

Q: Do I need dance experience to attend?
A: No. The workshop is open to all skill levels, including beginners with little or no previous dance experience.

Q: Who is teaching the AfroBeats workshop?
A: Shari LP, a New Jersey-based choreographer, dancer, and dance educator with 7+ years of teaching experience.

Q: What is Why We Dance?
A: A community initiative created by Candace Waller to make dance and wellness more accessible and to provide community connection opportunities through the arts.

Q: How much does the workshop cost?
A: The workshop is completely free.

Q: What will be included in the workshop?
A: Dance instruction, fitness, community connection, plus refreshments and crafts.

Q: What is AfroBeats?
A: AfroBeats is a contemporary African music genre blending traditional African rhythms with modern production. The dance workshop incorporates music-rooted movement reflecting African diaspora cultural traditions.

Q: Where is Forest Road Park Building located?
A: 154 Forest Road, Fanwood, New Jersey.

Q: Where can I get more information about the workshop?
A: Contact Why We Dance at whywedance@gmail.com for additional details.