Originally posted on Salsaweb NY on 7/98

San Francisco Addie-Tude
(Addie Diaz’s San Francisco Dairy)
-by Addie Diaz

Addie  Diaz is a well known New York mambo performer. She was the subject of my first New York Stories Profile and has recently returned from teaching a New York Styling Workshop out in San Francisco. This article is a brief Dairy of Addie's visit to the Golden Gate City. It is also Addie's first contribution to The Guest Writer of the Month Column.

How It All Began
Audrianna Correa of "The San Francisco Mambo Elite" - and I got connected through Manny Siverio. We spoke on the phone regarding the serious interest San Franciso has for New York Mambo instructors. She asked me if I would be interested in going to San Francisco to teach a New York Style Workshop. I of course was thrilled and accepted immediately. How exciting would it be for me to teach a group of people who are in a city where dancing on "2" has just recently been introduced. This was my opportunity to show and teach them how beautiful and sensual Mambo dancing can really be.

Day 1-The Flight From Hell
Well, Audrianna and I set a date and she took care of all the arrangements. Before I knew it I was on a plane on my way to the Golden Gate City (Though my flight was delayed for almost three hours at JFK. It figures that my flight would run into weather problems. But my luck held out and we were finally allowed to take off).  When I arrived, Audrianna was at the airport with Juan (a friend and a dance student of Audrianna's), they took me to the hotel to drop my bags.  Because of the flight delay, it was too late to go out dancing. Instead we went to get something to eat.  What can I say, I was starving!!! We used my meal as the perfect opportunity to talk and get to know each other.  I could tell that I had a lot in common with Audrianna and that I was going to get along with her really well.  It was getting pretty late so we decided to drop me off at the hotel to get some sleep.

Day 2-First Night Out
The next morning I got up and went over to Audrianna's place where I met Toni and Fred. Toni and Fred are the two other members of the "Mambo Elite" organization who were kind enough to send for me. Our very own David Melendez is the founder of this organization and has established a branch in San Francisco.

I started to show them some of the material I would be covering in my workshop and before I knew it Audrianna, Toni and Fred had jumped up and were following along. My little demonstration turned into a nice little workout for us all. We were at the studio dance floor in the garage where Audrianna and Toni teach kids mambo dance classes every Saturday. I basically broke down all the steps I would be teaching the next day at the workshop. This way Audrianna, Toni and Fred would be able to pick up the class and be able to break down the steps themselves once I returned to New York. I must say we really had a good time and worked up a sweat.

I also got the opportunity to meet Audrianna's two beautiful daughters that evening. We were invited to see her eldest daughter, Ivonne (13) perform at her school in a talent show. Audrianna is so proud of her. I could relate, since I have a daughter of my own who makes me just as proud.. Well Ivonne rocked!!! She and her classmates did a hip hop routine that blew the place away. But little miss thing was really good as she was chosen to be one of the dancers placed in front of the group. It was a real treat watching those kids perform and of course her mom has also taught her and Jasmine (10) to dance Mambo - you go with that Girl Power!!

That night (Friday night) we went out dancing to Alberto’s (a local Friday night salsa spot) and got a chance to see an amateur Salsa dance contest. It was really fun to watch, most of the stuff they did was lifts and tricks not much floor dancing or turn patterns but it was pretty interesting. Manny Siverio (who was in LA at the time working on getting some future stunt work) was able to come into town to hang with us and as we danced on "2" we caught a lot of attention from the "1" dancers. They were really friendly and asked questions about our style and we basically explained that we're dancing "New York Mambo" and that I was teaching a workshop the following day, they were also interested in taking private lessons. It was nice to see that the "1" dancers were open to the New York Mambo style of dancing - I think they realize that it would definitely add to their dancing by giving them more floor work and turn patterns, especially to partner dancing.  Afterwards we went to get some chow and socialize some more. After another late night of dancing and eating we all decided to call it a day. I headed back to my hotel for some much deserved rest.

Day 3 - Workshop Day and Dancing at Mr. E's
Well, Saturday was the day for the "New York Style Workshop" and I was so prepared to start the class. As the student started trickling in, we were getting ready to set up. I started by addressing the class regarding the timing and how there are different ways people find the clave. Also, stressing how important dedication is when learning to dance on "2", hearing and learning the count can be a very frustrating event but if you commit and work on it, it will be the most incredible dancing experience you'll ever have.

The students really surprised me when they all picked up the intermediate level open shines with ease as I worked them out with lots of energy and let me tell you they all kept up. Manny Siverio was kind enough to assist me with the turn patterns of which the students picked up after going over them a few times. They were really pleased at how we took the time to make sure  they all did the partner work properly. I can say that it was a true joy teaching this group of people, they are all so open to new things and really eager to learn and since most of them have also been taking classes with Audrianna, Fred and Toni they pretty much have their basic steps down packed which made it easier for them to pick up the new steps. 

After the workshop we all went to Fisherman's Warph, for a little sight-seeing. Its a beautiful place to shop and walk around and just hang. We ate dinner and went home to get ready for another night out of dancing. This time we went to Mr.E’s.  I really liked this place, there was a live band and the dance floor was much better. I was already familiar with the people I had met so we were just having a great time just goofing around and dancing our butts off. I got a really good response on the workshop and was already being asked to come back in a few months by the "Mambo Elite" people. So I can say that this trip was a successful one for me. After the club, we went to a Chinese restaurant to eat and to talk some more.

Day 4 - Good Bye SF, Hello NY
Well, it was time to go back home. I had a really nice time with my new friends. Audrianna, Toni and Juan came to pick me up at the hotel and we ate a quick brunch (doesn't it seem that all I did on this trip was dance & eat). But first we had to dance in the front of the hotel with the music playing on the car stereo like some salsa nuts (I guess we are). As the saying goes, "all good things must come to an end." My first San Francisco trip was over and it was time to say our good byes. Audrianna and Toni both gave me love hugs, wished me a safe flight home then had to rush off to teach their Sunday class at Club Cocomo. Juan was kind enough to drop me off at the airport. What can I say San Francisco? Thank you dearly for welcoming me with such humility and hospitality to your beautiful city. I will cherish this trip always as an exceptional experience in my dancing career. This has opened lots of doors for me and I thank you for making this experience happen.

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