About Ifa Dancenter - Westchester Salsa On 2 Meetup

Ifa Dancenter - Westchester Salsa On2 Meetup

Born: June 13, 2004

Founding Member: Me! Your Organizer...aka MichaShinesOn2

History & Highlights: I was actually the 2nd member of the Westchester Salsa Meetup Group. I don't know what ever happened to the first member. After I joined, I got an email saying that the group needed an Organizer...so I stepped up...and I've never looked back. Well, there have been a few moments when I almost threw in the towel BUT my passion for Salsa has kept me here.

A picture from the early years (March 2005) - Salsa Wednesdays at Zuppa (Yonkers, NY)


The Old Gang (2005) - September's (remember that place?) WOW!


Int'l Hustle and Salsa Competition (Miami, 2006) - ...memories.....


Me and the Ladies at the West Gate Lounge (2006)


Over the years, this group has grown into a fairly large community of Westchester Salseros and Salseras (Salser@s). But what makes our group truly unique, (aside from the fact that we all love salsa) is the fact that all the members either know each other directly through me or are 1 degree separated by me!

So what's the big deal in that you ask? Before I sound like some self-aggrandizing pompous a$$, the big deal is that we're really like family here. For me, there's nothing like going to one of our Meetups and seeing old friends meeting new ones and dancing salsa together. Many members have told me how friendly and open our group is...

The other big deal about our group is how many people have made life-long friends, and even met their spouses through our dance studio and meetup group....(I love playing matchmaker almost as much as I love teaching salsa!) It's been a wonderful 8 years building this network of intelligent, NICE, talented salser@s right here in Westchester.

Our Message Boards have witnessed discussions that span from the Esoterics of On2 Dancing to Heated Gender Debates and even Juice Fasting!

So what's the face of our Meetup Group today? Well...Salsa on2 is alive and well and continuing to grow in Westchester! In the last year, we've been partying at Vintage Salsa, which is becoming an on2 staple right here in White Plains. It's been our pleasure to bring such artists as Ray de la Paz, Herman Oliveras, Ray Martinez, New Swing Sextet, DLI, Grupo Latin Vibe and others to Westchester. We've even had our share of salsa socialites and celebrities visiting us to salsa the night away!

Vanessa Williams and Me at Vintage Salsa


DJ Henry Knowles & Salsa Diva Iris Cruz at Vintage Salsa


Me and Jimmy Bosch at Vintage Salsa


Int'l Salsa Divo Angel Ortiz with me on my B-Day at Ifa (2007)


There aren't too many venues left for live salsa music...so we're doing our part to keep it alive! Through our studio, Ifa Dancenter, we recruit new salsa addicts every month.

A few pix of Ifa Dancenter (Classes, Workshops & Open Houses)




So we've set up a good cycle...new dancers...need places to dance...and places to dance always need new dancers! It all works out! We not only have a great time but we also keep this beautiful art form alive!

Who are all these beautiful people??? Yes, Proud Members of the Westchester Salsa On2 Meetup Group!







Join the growing Ifa Dancenter - Westchester Salsa On2 Family! Learn this amazing dance, Salsa On2, the Ifa Way! For details on upcoming events, group class schedules and more info on Salsa on2, visit the Ifa Dancenter Website or better yet, fill out a profile and click to join our group to stay in the salsa know!

See ya on the dance floor, Michaella Kim Avila "MichaShinesOn2"