The Greater New York Chapter of USA Dance
 
Abakuá Live on Stage
June 23, 2008 ed.
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Greetings from the Greater NY Chapter of USA Dance!
[img:abakua]Readers of this newsletter may have seen that over the past several weeks, I have been reminding everyone to check out Abakuá, an Afro-Latin Funk troupe from New York City. What is Afro-Latin Funk? According to the press release, "The style can best be described as a dynamic union of classic New York style 'on 2' Mambo ('salsa'), with elements of Afro-Caribbean folklorico dances. The result unleashes a scintillating explosion of Latin and urban tones with hints of Modern, Jazz and Ballet." I got to see Afro-Latin Funk firsthand at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center on Saturday night, June 21, and although the description is accurate, it does not begin to even remotely describe the freshness, energy and vitality of this style being introduced by creator and dancer Frankie Martinez. Even though I had read what Afro-Latin Funk was supposed to be, I admit that I did not know for sure exactly what I would see. There were certainly elements that were familiar -- mambo shines and music that covered tribal rhythms to funky jazz riffs. However, despite the surface familiarities, the two pieces that were performed at the 6:00 pm show on Saturday, "Raices" and "After Hour Funk," revealed new ways of expressing centuries-old dance forms. Not only did we see classic New York style mambo melded with Afro-Caribbean folklorico dances; we saw some flamenco, what seemed to be some martial arts forms and, in "After Hour Funk," the dancers partnering up to cha cha rhythms but not dancing the cha cha in a traditional ballroom way. The entire dance troupe was excellent but standing out was Frankie Martinez, the founder and driving force behind Abakuá. He moves with grace, speed, sharpness, control and precision. I enjoyed both pieces, and in particular I found the joy of "After Hour Funk" infectious and pleasurable. If you ever get a chance to see Abakuá perform, do yourself a favor and check them out. See what the buzz is all about!
[img:tomas_JT]As long as we are on the subject of watching dancing on the stage, word comes of "Ballroom!", an original stage production coming to the State Theatre of New Jersey in New Brunswick on July 18 and 19. Eddie Simon, former United States Smooth Champion, is a creator of the show, which will feature World and United States Champions José Decamps and Joanna Zacharewicz, Tomas Milenicki and JT Thomas, and Kelvin Roché and Lori Ann Greenhouse. Now, it would be great to see the show but wouldn't it also be great to be in the show? The producers are looking for 36 couples to participate in an amateur competition on stage, in the Latin and Smooth divisions. If you want to find out more about that opportunity or about the show itself, read the details here.
Also looking ahead to July, Celebrate Tango Week will take place from July 14 through 20. If you ever wanted to learn how to dance Argentine Tango, there may be no better week to do it than Celebrate Tango Week next month. Not only will there be a week full of dance lessons all across New York City, there will be parties, [img:IDB]movies and even the 2nd Annual Tango Championship. For more details, check this post.
Anyone going to the Independence Day Ball Dance Camp in Washington, DC? It's right around the corner, taking place from July 2 through 6. Registration is still open but the dance camp is expected to be sold out shortly, so if you want to take part, now is the time to register. A few great instructors have been added to the already stellar roster: Victor Kanevsky, Polina Pilepenchuk, Andrew Phillips and Oksana Zolotarevskaya. Even if you are not taking part in the dance camp, there will be a dance social on Saturday night, July 5, with Argentine Tango and West Coast Swing performances. For more information, visit the IDB website.
Looking to social dance? As always, check in with NJoyDancing News & Notes and Wayne's Dance Commentary for other great options and ideas.
Reminder: NY USA Dance holds a Summer Fundraiser at Dance with Me in Glen Head, LI, on Sunday, June 29, starting at 7 pm. Co-sponsored by Dance Team USA, proceeds will benefit our Junior Blackpool competitors and the Manhattan Amateur Classic Scholarship Fund. More details appear on this post.
That does it for this week. Hope to see you Sunday at Dance with Me for the Summer Fundraiser!
Yang Chen
President
Greater NY
USA Dance
(NYUSABDA)
www.nyusabda.org
www.nyusabda.org/forums-df
yang.chen@nyusabda.org