Discover the vibrant cultural tapestry of Oaxaca through our immersive dual workshop combining two of the region's most celebrated traditions: dance and cuisine. Oaxaca is renowned throughout Mexico for its rich cultural heritage, distinctive culinary traditions, and beautiful regional dances, all of which reflect the state's indigenous roots and colonial influences.
In the dance portion, expert instructors will guide you through the fundamentals of traditional Oaxacan dances, including the famous Guelaguetza dances that celebrate community and harvest. You'll learn the proper posture, movements, and cultural significance behind these expressive dances that have been practiced for generations.
The culinary component invites you into a traditional Oaxacan kitchen where skilled local cooks will teach you to prepare signature dishes such as mole negro, tlayudas, and tetelas. You'll work with authentic ingredients and learn techniques passed down through generations, culminating in a shared feast of your creations.
This workshop takes place in the historic center of Oaxaca City at a traditional casa with a beautifully restored colonial-era kitchen and courtyard dance space, providing an authentic setting for your cultural immersion.
The Oaxacan Dance and Cuisine Workshop offers a comprehensive introduction to two integral aspects of Oaxacan cultural heritage. This immersive experience is designed to engage all your senses while providing a deeper understanding of the traditions that make Oaxaca one of Mexico's most culturally rich states.
Your dance instructors have formal training in traditional Oaxacan dance styles and have performed in the famous Guelaguetza festival. The culinary portion is led by experienced Oaxacan cooks who specialize in traditional techniques and recipes, many of whom learned their craft from family traditions passed down through generations.
The dances you'll learn are connected to the Guelaguetza, Oaxaca's most important cultural festival that celebrates the diversity of the state's regions through dance, music, and traditional dress. Each dance represents a different region of Oaxaca and tells a unique story about local traditions, agricultural practices, or historical events.
Oaxacan cuisine is considered one of Mexico's most sophisticated culinary traditions, known for its complex moles, unique ingredients like chapulines (grasshoppers) and hoja santa, and pre-Hispanic techniques that have survived for centuries. Your cooking workshop will focus on authentic preparations that represent Oaxaca's diverse culinary landscape.
As someone of Mexican heritage who wanted to connect more deeply with my roots, this workshop was exactly what I needed. The dance instruction was patient and thorough, and cooking traditional dishes alongside local experts was an unforgettable experience. The mole negro we made was better than any I've had in restaurants!
This workshop gave us insights into Oaxacan culture we never would have gotten otherwise. The dance portions were fun and accessible even for someone with two left feet like me! The cooking class was amazing - we've already made the tlayudas at home twice since returning.
The cooking class was exceptional, and we learned techniques I'll use forever. The dance portion felt a bit rushed, and I would have preferred more time to practice. That said, the overall cultural context provided was excellent, and the meal at the end was one of the best we had in Oaxaca.
No prior experience is necessary for either component. Our instructors design the workshop to be accessible to beginners while still being engaging for those with some experience.
Yes, we can accommodate vegetarian and vegan participants with advance notice. Oaxacan cuisine includes many plant-based dishes that are authentic to the region. Please inform us of your dietary needs when booking.
For the dance portion, wear comfortable clothing that allows free movement and closed shoes. For the cooking segment, we provide aprons, but we recommend clothes you don't mind potentially getting a splash of mole on!
This workshop is most appropriate for participants 12 and older due to the length and focus required. For families with younger children, we offer specialized family workshops with modified content.
Yes, all participants receive a beautifully designed recipe booklet containing the dishes prepared during the workshop, plus several additional traditional Oaxacan recipes.
