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All posts by mapes24

Performing at Island Touch’s 6th Year Anniversary Party (Las Chicas Locas, NYC)

Maybe it’s because I now have a set timeline that’s leading towards the end of my stay in New York, but I find that I’m becoming more reflective regarding all the amazing experiences I’ve had while living in the City.  In as much as I’ll eternally be grateful to those that I’ve shared the stage with over the ...

My Experience Performing with Luis Vargas at Madison Square Garden

It’s been a few months now since the event, and just the memory of it still feels unreal…good thing I like to take pics.  🙂 Given the historic relevance of the Garden, I’m sure you can understand, why this Korean-Canadian-Californian living as a New York transplant was having a hard time registering the fact that he’d be performing ...

Fit by Forty

There are two things about me that you should know. #1: I love to eat. #2: I loooooooooove to eat. Now I’m sure this is not much of a surprise as most of America seems to share in the same foodie love-fest (just look at the countless blogs and YouTube channels that are dedicated to ...

Finding Hidden Gems While Culling Through Old Photos

If you’re anything like me, after returning home from a trip, you are immediately faced with the unenviable task of sifting through hundred of photos that you’ll be editing in prep for distribution on various social media oulets.  You think you have chosen the best photos to relay the high points of your trip, you edit, post, and ...

La Fuerza’s Performance at Pura Vida’s 3rd Year Anniversary Party (NYC)

It’s been over 3 years now since I started performing for a dance company, and have been blessed to have met some really awesome individuals within the NY dance community.  One of the first group of contemporaries in the bachata world that I had the pleasure of getting to know was Pura Vida Dance Company. F&F and Pura Vida Dance Companies, backstage at the ...

Restaurant Review: Guantanamera Restaurant (Hell’s Kitchen, NYC)

While on vacation, I will often look for experiences  that help me understand and define the character of the city that I’m visiting.  After living in New York for over 10 yrs, I realize that I definitely take the City for granted and have not delved into finding its heartbeat as much as I would ...

An Introductory Look at What Goes Down at a Latin Dance (Bachata, Salsa) Festival: with La Fuerza Dance Company

Have y’all seen those “What they think I do vs what I actually do” memes?  Well, I thought I’d give my readers, and my friends who aren’t a part of the latin dance scene, a behind the scenes look at a weekend in the life of a traveling dance company.  Here’s a quick look at La Fuerza Dance Company’s recent trip to the 3rd Annual Upstate ...

Hotel Review: The Claridge Hotel (Atlantic City, NJ)

Originally opened in 1930, the historic Claridge Hotel stands out from many of the other resorts on Atlantic City’s main strip, as it is one of a few stand-alone hotels near the boardwalk.  While most people heading to Atlantic City will first look to book a room in one of the many casino resorts, the Claridge ...

BTS Videos from the D’Cor and La Fuerza Collaboration at Utopia

Here’s a quick excerpt from the BTS video, showing all the hard work the D’Cor and La Fuerza dancers went through to make the collaboration piece a reality! 🙂 For those who want to see the full video (which includes the final full run-through of the piece) please click on the following vid: And for ...

Performance Videos from Utopia (salsa, bachata, hip hop, zouk)

La Fuerza & D’Cor: D’Cor: Henri Velandia & Claudia Palestini: Yamulee: D’Cor Apprentice Team: WRT Dance Co: La Fuerza: Zafire Dance Project: Roberto Lesiati & Ivana Padoleccia: Movimiento Dance Company: Formula F: Pura Vida: Elite Stars Dance Academy: