An Interesting email I received today...
> Edie, I'm curious. Why the title "Salsa Freak?" That's a charged assertion. Do
> you take the salsa agenda that seriously?
I call myself a "Freak" because it's genderless, semi-humorous, and people are not afraid to write to me about their problems, challenges, (see the "Dear Edie" and "Beginners" section on the Freak pages) and tell me their stories about their addictions to this music and dance
Think about it. If I called myself the Salsa "Queen" or "Princess" - that would be too high of a title to live up to. If I called myself a Salsa "Nerd" or "Geek", then the non computer-literate would basically ignore me and have no respect for my dancing abilities... If I called myself a Salsa "Junkie" the conservative people would never write...
If I just called myself "Edie Lewis" - who would remember the name and be able to "relate" to me. It's hard enough trying to get people to pronounce my name correctly as it is... I have people write me from all over the world telling me they are "Salsa Freaks" too, were originally afraid to admit it, but now are proud to announce it to the world because someone else with some authority finally admitted their addiction as well...
I call myself a "Freak" because I'm completely addicted to the music and dance, go out at least five nights a week, and write about Salsa/Mambo topics that normal people would dare never touch with a ten foot pole... I'm an over-achiever, triple type "A" personality that will stop at nothing to keep Salsa/Mambo alive and strong into the next millennium....
My goal is to help cultivate this music back into our younger generations, provide dance and music classes for inner-city kids and gang members, and provide the opportunity for dancers to perform in shows for fund-raising, non-profit organizational activities. Most people would rather just go to a club, get their fix, and go home - oblivious to the fact that Salsa Music is being played less and less now, and is being drowned by house music, Spanish Rock, English Rock, and a myriad of other types of music that attracts the "drinking" crowd...
A FREAK will do whatever it takes when they have a passion - even if it makes him / her look like an idiot.
> Back in 1991, while I was completing my doctoral dissertation, I began to take > salsa/mambo classes in
> the Bronx. I was actually taking classes 2-3 times a week. I got to dance
> with some of the very best salsa/mambo dancers in the business: Maria Torres,
> Evelyn?, Robin (The Jewish Princess), Nellie (la Flaca), and afew more.
> Lately, I have really enjoyed dancing with Lucy de Leon whenerver we connect.
Consider yourself lucky to have the quality of instructors you just mentioned. There are people stuck on islands and those that have to dance Salsa underground in fear of not getting caught (Saudi Arabia) - much less get the quality of instruction you just mentioned...
> I still like to dance but I don't get out as often as I once did. If you know
> of any special events (at reasonable rates, I'm on a budget watch) please let
> me know ahead of time. I could announce it to my students and I'd also like
> to consider attending.
Stay on the lookout in the Salsaweb magazine for special events. If you live in New York, we have a phenomenal New York section written by an amazing Mambo dancer and writer, Manny Siverio.
> Do you dance yourself, alot?
Do I dance? ..... Are you serious?
> I wait to hear good news about the PR conference, DTG
You and everyone else on the planet... we're working on it...
Take care, and thank you for your letter!
Luv,
Edie Lewis
The Salsa FREAK
