Omar Aena is the creator of Dance Lab and one of my favorite DJs. Music and dance are just one dimension of Omar. I’ve experienced him as a thoughtful and heart-centered community organizer and friend. In our conversation, Omar shares his journey of healing and cultural re-connection following a traumatic incident in Guatemala. Omar’s recovery process led him to go back to his Iraqi roots. He learned Arabic, studied Islam and history, and just recently made a trip to the Middle East where he led Ecstatic Dances, reconnected with his family in Iraq, and created beautiful bridges across different cultures.

Links for Omar’s soundcloud and for Dance Lab

https://soundcloud.com/omaraena

https://www.facebook.com/DanceLabCommunity/

Follow Dance Lab @dancelab_nyc

The 47soul song we referenced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0aPuIpOAoc

Intro music by bensound.com