SALSA DANCERS PROMISE TO ADD SPICE TO MUTICULTURAL EXPO

By Cyndi Kight, Correspondent

PRINCESS ANNE – Even as a little girl in the Bronx, N.Y., Millie Escobosa remembers salsa dancing being a part of her life, especially dancing with her father in their kitchen.

As an adult, a job transfer brought Escobosa to Hampton Roads, where she found there wasn’t much of a salsa scene.  A friend suggested that she start giving lessons and, in 2003, the Salsa Virginia Dance Company was born.

“Salsa has roots from Africa and Cuba.  New York became the salsa mecca in the ‘70s,” the Kempsville resident said.  “I began giving small classes, but I didn’t know there was such a hunger.  A lot of young people now are realizing how fun it is.”

Escobosa has two children who also salsa dance – Jasmine, 16, and Lamar, 14.  Sometimes, she said, their living room becomes an impromptu dance floor as the teens’ friends ask for pointers.

Originally from the Dominican Republic, Escobosa and her partner, Leonardo Figuereo teach at DancesportVA on Arrowhead Drive on Friday nights.  They also give free salsa lessons to the patrons of Manila Avenue, a Filipino restaurant on Lynnhaven Parkway, on Tuesday Nights.

“We perform a lot at Hispanic events in the area,” Escobosa said, adding that she met Pedro Maisonave at one of them.

Maisonave, a recreation specialist with the City of Virginia Beach, is a coordinator for the annual Multicultural Expo at PrincessAnneRecreationCenter.

Maisonave invited Escobosa to perform at last year’s festival.

“We gave a demonstration, and we also gave free a salsa lesson,” she said.  “This year we’re going to let SalsaVA Kids perform.  You’d be surprised at how young they start out.”

The eight annual Multicultural Expo is from 12:30pm until 4pm Saturday at the Nimmo Parkway center.  Maisonave and Raymond Wiggins, also a recreation specialist, are organizing the event.

In recognition of black history, part of the cultural craft-making activities for children beginning at 2pm will include the creation of African masks.

In addition to SalsaVA, other performances will include Las Revoltosas Dance Company (Flamenco); the Folkloric Dance Company of Panama with Beatrice Amberman; Middle Eastern belly dancing, Tiny Dragon dancers and martial arts demonstration; and the Hip Hop Step Dancers.

The Virginia Beach Fire Department will have a display, and there will be an ethic food sampling.

For more information about SalsaVA, visit www.SalsaVA.com