Photo courtesy of the Sovereign Arts Society A dancer depicts elements of history. The Sovereign Arts Society presents a series of song and dance workshops this week celebrating Afro-Cuban culture.

If the heart were an instrument, it would be a drum, according to Felix "Pupy" Insua. It's the instrument he says guides his life.

For the next few weeks at the Sovereign Arts Society, hearts and drums will move to an Afro-Cuban beat, led by Insua. SAS is playing host to Insua as a guest artist for its "De la Rumba al Son" workshops in Afro-Cuban Dance and Song.

Cross-cultural education has been a priority for SAS since the organization began six years ago.

"We organize cultural exchange programs, hosted for the general public," Margo Itule, president of SAS, said.

And what better cross-cultural event than workshops in Afro-Cuban style, which is itself a blend of many influences?

"The majority of Cuban people were (descended from) enslaved Africans brought to the Caribbean countries," said Olawale Famule, African art history masters student. "One can trace the origins of a culture through the tangible elements like dance."

Born in Havana, Cuba, Insua has trained in many forms of dance, from classical ballet to folklore to jazz to salsa. He founded the folkloric group Oriki in his native Cuba and is an astonishing performer, Itule said. "He is very charismatic; he could carry a show all by himself," she said.

The workshop opens with a welcoming reception, featuring Cuban food and the opportunity to mingle with the artist. Then, it's on to SAS's Casa de Cultura for Afro-Cuban song classes in the folklorico styles of rumba and orisha, with live percussion accompaniment. The workshop also features a series of dance classes taught by Insua, which will be a composite of many styles, including rumba, palo and salsa.

The workshop ends with will be the Farewell Fiesta and Performance, in which Itule encourages students from song classes to participate.

Conveying history through song and dance is a major part of the Afro-Cuban cultural tradition.

"Putting things into written records is a Western idea," said Elisha Simpson, an African art history masters student. "African culture wasn't written down until the 13th or 14th centuries, when Westerners arrived (in Africa)."

"(Songs pass) from one generation to another; they are more authentic than written words," Famule said. "Particularly in developing countries, people depend on oral sources, dance and even signs and symbols in art."

The welcoming reception is Sunday at Zuzi! Little Theater, 738 N. Fifth Ave., and admission is $5. Dance classes are March 14, 15, 16, 21 and 22 at Zuzi! Little Theater; fees vary. Song classes are March 11, 13, 15, 18, 20 and 22 at Casa de la Cultura, 4909 E. Second St., and fees vary.

The Farewell Fiesta is March 23 at Zuzi! Little Theater at 7:30 p.m., and admission is $10. For more information, please call the Sovereign Arts Society at 327-3663.