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Wendy Goldberg
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You Should Be Dancing dance center & Club 412
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Abakua - Salsa at Club 412

by Wendy Goldberg
March 27, 2009
You Should Be Dancing dance center & Club 412
412 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10001
212-244-0011
Party begins at 9 pm and ends at 1 am
Every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month
Music by DJ Frankie
Hosted by Manny
General Admission $10
www.abakuadancers.com
Salsa devotees from the isle of Manhattan and beyond, convened expectantly as if summoned by subterranean sonar at Club 412 Friday night, March 27th. Enticed there by Salsa aficionado Frankie Martinez, the Artistic Creator and Choreographer of Abakua, the young, vibrant crowd seemed spellbound with the syncopated pulse of the spinning sounds.

The ladies slipped into their red, gold or black gem studded heels, adorning their casual chic look, as the effervescent night began to unfurl. Many of the dancers flew into each other's arms, thrilled to see friends.

A young woman with a soft, and supple salsa style, and gleaming smile, told me that she and her friends go salsa dancing every night…after a hard days' work. They follow the Salsa trail, and unlike Hansel and Gretel, they head gleefully further into the forest. A native of Paris said he hopes to get a pay raise so he can dance three times a week, instead of two.

Many of the dancers were quite accomplished and regaled the crowd with diamond sharp turns, and delicate finger formations, as they linked arms, creating beautiful bowers, strewing unseen flowers.

Frankie Martinez understood and led the crowd, a talented and inspirational Pied Piper. Under his guidance, the dancers experimented, with improvisational solos illuminating the shadowy night like fireflies winking at the moon.

Abakua, under the direction of Frankie Martinez, is carving a unique path, in the fusion of Afro-Latin dance. He clearly has transcended many constraining boundaries, and has an avid following among savvy Manhattanites.

If you can catch one of his performances…do! And if you feel a wave of inexplicable inclination to Salsa the night away at Club 412, you'll find yourself surrounded by similar spirits.



For more about the party and Wendy Goldberg, check out www.danceworldphotos.com.
Salsa at Abakua/Club 412

Salsa at Abakua/Club 412

Photo © & courtesy of Wendy Goldberg


Salsa at Abakua/Club 412

Salsa at Abakua/Club 412

Photo © & courtesy of Wendy Goldberg


Salsa at Abakua/Club 412

Salsa at Abakua/Club 412

Photo © & courtesy of Wendy Goldberg


Salsa at Abakua/Club 412

Salsa at Abakua/Club 412

Photo © & courtesy of Wendy Goldberg


Salsa at Abakua/Club 412

Salsa at Abakua/Club 412

Photo © & courtesy of Wendy Goldberg


Salsa at Abakua/Club 412

Salsa at Abakua/Club 412

Photo © & courtesy of Wendy Goldberg


Salsa at Abakua/Club 412

Salsa at Abakua/Club 412

Photo © & courtesy of Wendy Goldberg

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