How 100 Days of Dance Changed My Life

By Kennia Ramirez

As the ball dropped and welcomed 2012, I committed to the 100 Days of Dance Challenge as my personal New Year’s resolution. It was actress Kirstie Alley who inspired me through a global grassroots movement she founded to encourage people to take up dance as their daily exercise routine. Basically, all the challenge called for is that I dance for a minimum of a half hour each day for one hundred consecutive days. My daily dose of dance could be done anywhere and in any way as long as I danced – easy enough, right?

Welcome back Sonora Poncena!

By Adrian Montanez

You can feel the excitement in the lobby of the Lehman Center last Saturday night as the college hosted yet another stellar Salsa concert!  The night began with a performance by 8 y Mas directed and founded by Bobby Allende and Marc Quinones featuring Eddie Rosado and Willie Torres on vocals as well as Carlos Padron on Congas.

SALSEEK’s Adrian Montanez caught up with bandleader Bobby Allende and Papo Luca backstage at Lehman.

By Adrian Montanez 

Photo Credit: Joyce Michel, Tito Rodriguez Jr., & Cindy Rodriguez

The sounds of Cha Cha, Mambo, and Guaguanco are heard and performed to more than ever today at dance socials, events, congresses, and salsa classes around the world!  The incredible big band arrangements of the 1950's and 60’s was packed with nothing but pure flavor and for Mambo dancers of that era, it inspired them to create signature open shines, turn patterns, and unique forms of expression.  It taught them how to feel and to dance.

By Enid Moyeno
 
When I was looking for a salsa “On 2” connection in New Jersey – I got a rave – excited referral to MDN Studio from a friend of mine.  Once I arrived I met Marcus Nieves, Instructor, Performer and CEO of MDN Latin Dance Studio located in Belleville, New Jersey.  Marcus, a former Eddie Torres protégé, has been dancing for more than 15 years.   Most recently, alongside partner Diana Osorio, while competing in the 2011 World Latin Dance Cup in Las Vegas and ranking 4th place for the On2 Division, a well sought after title and a very intense competition.

SALSEEK photographed ten female Salsa dancers from New York City for a special photo  feature highlighting some of Salsa's most fun, unique and beautiful costumes.

Photos by Chasi Annexy/ SALSEEK.com

 The Great Jimmy Sabater of the Joe Cuba Sextet

One of the greatest timbaleros and vocalists of all time in the salsa scene, Jaime “Jimmy” Sabater, born to parents Nestor Sabater and Teresa Gonzalez of Ponce, Puerto Rico on April 11, 1936 in New York City, passed away on Wednesday, February 8, 2012.