Dance and culture enthusiasts of Grand Rapids have had the summer to explore African Dance through a free outdoor fitness series. Those who attend classes have been given the opportunity to experience and learn about other cultures’ dances and movements, while getting fit for free.

Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., in partnership with Priority Health, has been hosting the Free Outdoor Summer Fitness Series for nine years. The summer event series offers exercise classes throughout the week, including dance, cardio and yoga in the city’s parks and public spaces.

Among these classes, Rebecca Mubiayi, a former Grand Valley State University dance professor and studio owner at Seben Dance, a local African dance school, hosts a class every Wednesday evening. 

“I did dance when I was younger, in Congo, and I love dance,” Mubiayi said. “Every time I hear some drumming somewhere, you see me running toward it.” 

Mubiayi moved from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to America in 2011 and wanted to continue dancing, but she couldn’t find an African dance class to attend. She decided to start teaching African dance to others in hopes that they would enjoy its movements as much as she does.

“Every time I’m dancing, I’m always smiling,” Mubiayi said. “I find so much joy in African dance, and I wanted to share that joy with everybody.”

Mubiayi’s efforts to bring joy through dance have not gone unnoticed. Jessica Gaffey, a Grand Rapids resident, attends the classes with her friends as a way to get moving and stay connected. 

“(Mubiayi) is really passionate about dance, and she’s got a lot of energy,” Gaffey said. “You can tell that she loves this, and I’m just grateful that she was willing to share her knowledge with us.”

Gaffey also said the African dance class, along with the other classes offered in the series, helps provide a sense of community and growth within Grand Rapids.

“(These classes are) a way to get people to try something they wouldn’t necessarily try, and for us to appreciate our green space, which is really important,” said Gaffey. “When people use this space, it’s more of an incentive to preserve it.” 

Cam Martin, a Parks and Recreation employee in Grand Rapids, helps set up and sanction the different events in the fitness series. Martin added that bringing different cultural experiences into the city can help educate and connect people.

“Grand Rapids has a pretty large African community,” Martin said. “So helping express that culture to all the people in Grand Rapids is very beneficial to the community.”

The message that Mubiayi wants people to take away from her dance classes is similar. She encourages people to move every day and embrace the happiness that comes with dance, regardless of the style or culture behind it. 

“It keeps you healthy (and) it keeps you away from the hospital,” said Mubiayi. 

Mubiayi’s free weekly classes will continue until the outdoor fitness series ends on Aug. 22.