"Cumbachero Medley"
Debuts at Dance Manhattan's
Salsa Friday Social (August 2004)
by Manny Siverio

Addie Diaz and the members of her Addie-Tude Dance Company debuted their latest number "Cumbachero Medley" this past August 13, 2004 at Dance Manhattan's Salsa Friday Social. Addie usually likes to give the team an opportunity to work out the kinks in a new routine by giving the new number a test run. Its a great way for her to break-in new dancers with an opportunity to get one (a performance) under their belt so to speak (or trial by fire as I like to think of it). Its also a great way for the team to try out a number in front of a test audience before performing the number at a bigger gig. In this case we were prepping for our performance at David Melendez's 2004 New York Salsa Congress which (which at the time was two weeks away).

Few people realize the entire preparation process behind even a simple performance. What usually happens (in a nutshell) is that the team arrives early to check out the location, check out the dance floor, check out the changing room arrangements, test our music, try to have a dry run of the number on the stage area where we will be performing, warm up, get into costume and finally perform the number. Quite a lot of work even for a test run. 

Pre-Performance Photos
Photos courtesy Besty Garcia's Digital Camera

Test Run Rehearsal

Team members arrive early at Dance Manhattan to check out the dance floor,
place their items in their dressing room areas and go through a dry run of the number.

Pre-Performance Preparation

Besty getting ready by putting on make-up.

Shelly going through some final preparations
by sliding the gloves to her costume on.

 
The Team joking around waiting to be called to perform (left).
Michael flashing the camera a big smile while waiting to go on (right).

Team Members praying before going on to perform.

Performance Photos
Photos Courtesy of Manny's Digital Camera

Addie and the team walking onto the performance area.

Getting into starting pose as the audience slides back to watch.

(L-R) Team members Betsey, Joey (guest performer),
Rodney, Shelly and Manny get their groove on.

Michael leading the charge with Addie
and Rich in the background.

Betsy doing her thing.

Nothing but "Addie-tude" from the director's performance.

Michael & Joey getting the girls to slip and slide.

Addie-tude Dance Company as they perform
Cumbachero Medley

  
Tighter shots of the team in action. Everyone having a good
time as they run through the number.

The final pose.

The team taking their final bow before leaving the floor..

Post-Performance Photos
After Show Photo Op
Photos Courtesy Betsy's and Manny's Digital Camera

Joey & Betsy striking a pose from the number.

   
(L-R) Besty busy posing by herself and with fellow
dance company members Rich, Michael and guest dancer Joey.

Cumbachero Dance Partners Shelly and Manny posing for the camera.

Team pose after the performance.
(Front row L-R) Jessie, Rich, Shelly.
(Back row L-R) Michael, Sheena, Rodney, Addie, Joey, Betsy, Manny.

Next Stop The 2004 New York Salsa Congress

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