I recently found out about a new event in the Chicago Latin Dance scene. It is the only event I know of that has a specific portion delegated to be a fundraiser for charity. Battleground Dance Show is an event created to re-energize the community about the importance of giving back. In high school we always had service learning projects. In high school we always had service learning projects. Whether we were tutors at an […]
Pageant Time
Miss Illinois Plus America Pageant This past weekend I attended my first pageant. The Miss Illinois Plus America Pageant was an exciting experience. I was there with my dance partner to perform. It was my first time getting a chance to hear the delegates talk about their platforms. Ranging from suicide prevention to domestic violence, these are women who are currently causing change in their environments. I was so inspired just hearing their stories. It […]
A Full Life
I have been fortunate to be able to participate in Cubby Bear Chicago’s $5,000 salsa open every year but this year it had been my intention to let it pass. I didn’t have a partner, didn’t have time, didn’t want to put myself out there again. Two weeks before the contest I found out one of the dancers I had grown up with had passed away. We had gone to high school together. We lived […]
Changing My Playlist
I changed my playlist for my Move This* program. On the first song Anna, one of my regulars, exclaimed “Hey that’s Doris Day”! I had included Que Sera, Sera by Doris Day. As we danced, Anna’s eyes misty, she smiled and talked about how the song had come out when she was a teenager. Her visceral reaction was so strong, it moved me. At the end of class she asked if I would play the […]
Dancing on Michigan Ave
What to do after a lunch time dancing…. Mambo on the Concourse was a raving success. So Alvin, Nick and I decided to grab lunch to continue the party. We took it to go and ate outside in Grant Park. Under the branches the light fell filtered like a stain glass window. It was so deliriously beautiful. Next spot was Nick’s choice, as he was visiting from Taiwan. So we hit the Magnificent Mile, with […]