Osmar Perrones Dance School on 2/17/00

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Osmar Perrones Dance Studio on February 17, 2000.

I took a cab up to Washington Heights from my offices in Chelsea on the West side of Manhattan. Now, Washington Heights IS Manhattan, but it feels like a whole other world. It is like being in the mountains and the air feels thinner, fresher, like there is a long way to go to find your way back. People that live up there must feel similar things when they think of downtown. It was about 8:30 PM and I was hungry when the taxi dropped me off in front of the Dominican social club where Osmar Perrones and Cindy Carrion teach Mambo. I noticed a small "Spanish" luncheonette and entered it. The two women behind the counter looked a little surprised when I asked what there was to eat. Me dijieron "Comida?". The steam table was all stowed for the night and clean. I said "No, algo pa' comer na' mas." I settled for a Cuban sandwich. While I waited for the Cuban to be ironed I drank a Presidente. I happen to LOVE Presidente beer. The slightly amber taste of the cold beer refreshed me and peeled off layers of accumulated mental processes. The luncheonette was attached to the bar next door via a doorway. There was a music which I did not recognize playing on the juke box. I could not help but look inside the darkened room. Two men were the only occupants. The music sounded like a mixture between Bachata and Ranchera Mexicana. One of the two men was dancing. He was doing open "Shines" like I had never seen before. His step was syncopated, controlled, and very much his own. He looked up but did not alter his motion when I looked in. His step mesmerized me. My impulse was to take out my camera and record it. I restrained myself. My food was ready. The woman that prepared my sandwich had ironed it open, then closed it and served it to me. I ordered another beer, ate my sandwich and looked around the place. Up high on a shelf there was an Alter. Without ant disrespect to the other Saints I noticed San Michael in the act of slaying the dragon, some money, a bowl of water and some flowers along with other offerings. At this point the two women had included me in their conversation which only required me to agree via a nod every once in a while. When I finished I walked next door to the dance class that was already in progress.

I had heard about this class from someone in the dance-loop. I was invited to photograph the class and rehearsal by Cindy Carrion, one of the directors of the student company along with Osmar. Cindy and Osmar dance with Magic Combination Dance Company directed by Victor (Vittico) Pacheco. The members of the company are its director, Vittico Pacheco and & Gina, Osmar Perrones & Cindy Carrion, Gustavo Sierra & Karina Turcotta, Kike & April Genovese, and Myrtha and Ralph. The student company was kind enough to put on their costumes and to pose for some set-up photographs. These photographs were posed by Cindy. the student company, called Osmar's Dance Studio Student Company is composed of Directors: Osmar Perrones & Cindy Carrion, and dancers: Massiell Guerra & Juan, Arlette Guerra & Danny, Jessica & Jose Valdez. I had shot them before at Wild Palm and at Starlite Caterers.

Salsa/Mambo classes are given by Osmar Dance Studio at 2088 Amsterdam Avenue, New York City (in the basement). The classes are taught by Osmar (advanced students) and Cindy (beginners/intermediate students) Tuesday and Thursday 7:30 till 9:30 PM. On Wednesday from 7:30 until 9:30 there is a class taught by Vittico "Magia" Pacheco (beginners/intermediate students and Osmar Perrones (advanced students).

For more information on dance performances and classes please contact Cindy Carrion at (212) 395-3770 Monday through Friday between 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM or via e-mail at ccarrion97@aol.com. Or you can reach her at other times at (718) 275-0043. You can contact the group via e-mail magic_combination@yahoo.com or combinacion_magica@yahoo.com.

These pictures were taken at Osmar Dance Studio on February 17, 2000 by J. Fernando Lamadrid. Your feedback is welcome.

Click on thumbnail photos below to see enlarged photo.


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