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Ashanti Altovese - professional dancer and instructor

Allure…
That ever mysterious aura of a women that makes you wonder,
“Who is that girl?”
So sweet yet strong, you feel her independence as she walks away, her eyes saying,
“Yes, I know you want it…”
Sensual and classy with a stride that commands attention when she walks in the room
Fire and ice as she burns up the dance floor with a smooth style only known as…
Altovese Allure

Want to get some?

By Ashanti Altovese

Pineapple Sunshine Salsa

Hola Salseros,

As salsa dancers, we have to make sure we are consuming the proper foods and cuisine to keep our physique fit and flexible to dance all night long. Of course fresh is best when talking about food recipes to meet our physical needs. Here is a tasty recipe for salsa that you can add to your dish to accent the main flavors.

Ingredients:
¾ cup diced pineapple
1 cup diced fresh tomato
¼ cup of whole corn kernels
¼ cup of diced white onion
¼ cup of diced jalapeño peppers
Juice from 1 lemon
Chopped fresh cilantro to taste

Preparation:
Add the diced pineapple, tomato, onion, and peppers in a bowl. Add the corn kernels, the chopped cilantro, and lemon juice to the combination. Mix thoroughly for an evenly distributed salsa. Enjoy with smoked fish, broiled chicken, or sautéed shrimp. Refrigerate to keep salsa fresh.

Recommendation:
Eat with Asian Pineapple Smoked Salmon. Marinate fresh Salmon fillets in all natural soy sauce and pineapple juice. Place fillets on grill and cook on both sides for 10 minutes. Add a side dish of Asian noodles and scrambled eggs. Now your meal is complete! Enjoy and stay Salsalicious!

Ashanti Altovese

Grilled Chicken Teriyaki with Pineapple Sunshine Salsa

Hola Salseros,

Looking for a delicious meal to fill up on before the Friday night dancing takes over? I’ve got a special recipe that combines Latin tradition with a twist. Try it tonight!

Grilled Teriyaki Chicken with Sunshine Pineapple Chilaquiles

Ingredients:
3 Chicken Breasts marinated in Teriyaki sauce
1 ½ cups Sunshine Pineapple Salsa*
10 – 12 6’ round Corn Tortillas
2 Tsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Diced Monterrey Jack Cheese
*See previous recipe

Preparation:
Preheat grill to about 375 degrees F. Add marinated chicken breasts to the grill and cook on each side for 12-17 minutes until completely cooked. Slice tortillas into 1in squares and add to heated pan with olive oil. Fry the tortillas until crisp. Add Salsa to the tortillas, mix, and cook for about 5 minutes until well incorporated. Add diced Monterrey Jack cheese to taste and let melt on tortillas and salsa.

Presentation:
Center a scoop of chilaquiles on a plate and top off with grilled chicken breast. This dish is a sweet and spicy sensation that will surely get you in the mood to dance. Enjoy!

Ashanti Altovese

Ashanti Altovese - Professional dancer and instructor

Hola Salseros,

Whenever I go out Salsa dancing, whether at a nightclub or at a social, it allows me to express myself, bond with friends, and relieve stress. It’s so nice that dancing can do all that to make a person feel so good inside – and it shows outside! That happy, bubbly person we see out makes us feel happy and bubbly as well.

Sometimes we don’t think about how we are perceived as people, as dancers and what that means to those around us. Are we polite? Do we say hello? Do we make eye contact? What does our body language communicate about who we are as people and dancers? Dance floor etiquette is a topic that I feel we can’t talk enough about and ultimately effects are respective Salsa scenes in different ways. It can attract or repeal newcomers depending on how seriously people take it. I want Salsa as a dance, a music, and a lifestyle to continue to grow as long as it can and we can all be ambassadors for the cause by the way we model ourselves.

From novice level to the world renown professional, we are all role models for Salsa. When we walk into the club, the congress, or the dance company social, we represent a brand that is Salsa. Furthermore, that brand carries into our professional careers, our family life, and into our own personal grown. So the next time you are out dancing, say hello to someone new, dance with a newbie, converse and dance with those who dance On 1, On 2, Cumbia, or Timba. Let’s show respect to all those around us and we will shine like stars because we are role models. We are Salsa’s finest and it shows through our inner spirit.

Ashanti Altovese

Ashanti Altovese - professional dancer and instructor

Hola Salseros!

What’s hotter than a night of seductive dancing to live Latin music? Well the sexy bodies that express those rhythms through sensual and technical body movement. You know what I’m talking about…everyone’s seen them! We have some of the hottest bodies strutting their stuff on the dance floor in professional Latin dancing.

Now, we all have our favorites. Maybe there is someone that you look forward to dancing with all night not just because of their personality, and dance skill, but because they are just damn sexy and physically fit! And who am I to argue with you. Draw your inspiration from whatever motivates you the most. But always remember to keep it professional.

So now, let’s get into what keeps those sexy bodies tight, right, and oh so light. Need I say it? Practice practice practice. So many hours of dance practice will melt the fat off of any bone, but more than that, it sculpts, shapes, and lifts in all the right places. Moreover, dancers condition with yoga, some light weight lifting, and other dance and art disciplines such as ballet, belly dancing, erotic dance, swing, hustle, ballroom, gymnastics, martial arts, and more. And who can blame them? Dancers must stay on top of their game by utilizing athletic skills from all genres of dance. Their bodies inspire us to dance and remind us to appreciate the hard work that goes into creating a two to three minute routine for your viewing pleasure.

We have so many reasons to love Salsa and fitness keeps us in the fight and watching into the next round. So the next time you see your inspiration and motivation moving and shaking on the dance floor, don’t hesitate to stop and say thank you for the hard work that goes into this precious art form called dance and rhythm we love as Salsa. Our bodies are a living testament to the dedication that goes into keeping Salsa alive and well for generations to come. Because it’s more than just a dance, it’s a lifestyle!

Ashanti Altovese

Ashanti Altovese & Mikko Kemppe - Professional Latin dancers and instructors

Hola Salseros,

Ever wake up in the morning thinking about a salsa dancer that makes you tingle whenever your eyes meet? Just the mere thought of touching this person’s hand gives you a nervous giggle. It could be their smile, or their ever so smooth lead on the dance floor, or it could be their graceful flow through a cross body lead or right turn. Regardless, this person is special to you. They are your motivation to get dressed and go to the club for at least a single dance. The way they walk and talk is mesmerizing. And the dancing is like a ribbon of silk you can’t wait to wrap yourself in. Oh yes, this person is so special to you that it makes you wonder where this energy came from. And you don’t even know their name…

It happens sometimes. You can see the same person every week. Standing by the side watching how they move and interact with the scene. You see courtesy and respect. You see a smile that’s infectious and a stare that’s hypnotizing. You hear a sincere laughter that reflects the genuine person inside. And when you finally ask this person for a dance, it all comes together like a delicious meal that’s ready to be slowly savored. Your eyes meet and you can see the passion of the dance inside. You can feel the rhythm of the music flowing through their every step and movement. For the five minutes you are together on the dance floor, the experience is a romantic and intimate conversation between your two bodies that only be expressed as Salsa. And when the final drum beat plays and the song is over, you reluctantly say thank you for a wonderful dance because you wish you could continue this dance forever. Instead you have to wait patiently for another long week to pass before you can have another intimate conversation on the dance floor with a dancer who makes you quiver with anticipation. If only you knew their name…

Ashanti Altovese

Ashanti Altovese - professional dancer and instructor

Hola Salseros,

Have you ever experienced the spiritual nature of Salsa? The pop of the clave can bring you to a higher place when you just let go and allow the rhythm to move you. You’re not just doing steps that you were taught, you are dancing and it’s a magical place. For me, Salsa has a strong spiritual element that transformed my life from a state of insecurity to a position of confidence and empowerment. Salsa was my salvation from fear and this is my testament to the spiritual journey that I traveled through Salsa.

As people develop from their childhood years into adulthood, life can bring many challenges that test the will and character. Some people fall and learn from their mistakes while others stay on a path that leads to confusion and self-pity. In the end, it’s all a choice. We can make a choice to succeed in the face of adversity or fall short because of fear. Fear of failure, rejection, and the unknown all lead to a place of insecurity, anxiety, and a lack of self-confidence. Fear can be developed from traumatic experiences and it can be instilled from the surrounding environment. Regardless of the case, fear is a disease that can kill from the inside out – taking an internal hold of the spiritual and mental psyche while showing its presence in the emotional and physical domain. My fear stemmed from childhood abuse, physical and sexual, poverty, and a void of my father’s presence in my life growing up.

There were many blessings provided to me that I was aware of in my younger years. Some were natural such as high intelligence, strong artistic ability, athleticism, and good health. Others were a matter of circumstance like having a grandmother that provided a warm home and food when my family was in need. Those blessings gave me a better perspective on how to use positive elements to combat negative ones when looking to attain a goal or dream. The cultural I grew up in guided my mind to think, act, and respond in a certain way to situations I was presented with. For example, children are to be seen and not heard, never question authority, follow what is told to you and not what is shown to you, and mistakes bring the highest penalty of corporal punishment. These cultural norms fostered a mentality of oppression, self-doubt, strict obedience, and non-communication for lack of trust in the adult or parental figure. My mentality lead me to anxiety and doubt regarding my body image, questioning of my self-worth, and wanting attention to feel important and special. Eventually it lead to a series of bad decisions and situations I put myself in to feed my fears.

Overall, I wanted to be a part of the crowd. I wanted to have more material things as well as popularity. I wanted to be liked more than respected and I wanted to fit the image of beauty that was shown in the media. As I went into my college years, I acted in ways that supported all of my insecurities. I was on a path to self-destruction through sexual promiscuity and trusting those who assisted in my self-destruction. I was a lost soul and began to feel like I didn’t deserve to have peace because I was allowing myself to be taken advantage of by people who saw my weaknesses and used them for their own benefit. In short, I felt stupid and alone. The realization of my actions and the path I was on came to its peak on one fateful night when I had a nightmare that woke me up in a cold sweat. I received a message from a man who told me I had tested positive for HIV. I was stunned and collapsed on the floor. This dream had a special meaning because two members of my family passed from HIV, a young cousin who was born with it and her father, my uncle, who contracted it through sexual activity. Watching a child and a full-grown man slowly deteriorate from the disease had a lasting effect on me, but I was doing everything right to have the same experience as my passed loved ones. I needed to change and I needed to change immediately.

Dance had always been apart of my life and I enjoyed it for sport as well as self-expression. I grew up watching public television and Ballroom competitions and Ballet showcases were something I anxiously awaited to watch. I imagined myself as being one of those beautiful dancers moving so gracefully and having the confidence to entertain while being grounded in their own character. I thought they were special and gave something back to their audiences. I had a little ballet and gymnastics training and was on the pon pom team in high school. But college is when I had my first introduction to Salsa. I went to a SummerDance event in Grant Park in Chicago and my life changed forever. I watched a dance team perform a short number and I fell in love. The women were lovely and elegant, the body movement was sensual but classy, and I enjoyed watching it. I knew I had found something, I knew my salvation was here. Soon after that I was going to Salsa clubs that had free lessons and I would stay and dance for practice. I danced every single day for one summer until I felt like I understood the musicality, the basics, and the fundamentals of the dance and the rhythm. Later I ended up joining a dance team and began teaching and performing. I was so happy because Salsa empowered me.

Salsa allowed me to find courage and be my true person from within. It further cultivated my spirit of perseverance to continue learning, dreaming, and achieving to reach my goals of being a professional in all that I do. It utilized my education and discipline to help me become polished and understand the meaning behind what is presented. And, it allowed me to increase my self-knowledge and be comfortable in my own skin. This was a gradual process that took ten years in the making and continues to this day. As I spiritually developed through Salsa, all other aspects of my life improved such as my personal relationships with family and friends, my technical career, and my health. I pulled from my Salsa dance experience to be creative at work in problem solving, speaking and presenting in public, and leading projects. Additionally, Salsa allowed me to network with people of all backgrounds that I could converse with and learn from. I have so much and more because of Salsa and I feel it truly has healing powers.

It’s important to remember that as humans, we are not perfect. We never know what choice we will make when a situation is presented to us. But, with our values in line, we can be prepared to battle in those tough moments when our will and character is tested. I feel that Salsa has made me a stronger person and has given me an outlet to express my sensuality, fashion sense, and dance ability. It can be a beacon of light for those looking to pull themselves out of a place where the path is lost. I think it’s important to share our learning with others so that they understand the power of communication and to know that they too can find a way to a place of inner peace. It’s a special feeling that we shouldn’t take for granted. Salsa truly is more that a dance, it’s a lifestyle and was my salvation to finding love, health, and wealth.

Ashanti Altovese

Ashanti Altovese - professional dancer and instructor

Hola Salseros!

Have you ever gone out to the club after a long day of work and stress only to find yourself a victim of stares and whispers? Ladies, you get dressed in your best attire, do your hair and make-up, put on an attitude of positive energy because you already had enough drama earlier in the day, and you step out for a night on the town – ready to feel good and dance the stress away. Gentlemen, you shower, shave, pull out the suit to wear that makes you feel like a million bucks, and you press, dress, and get ready to impress – prepared to dance with follows who make you feel good and happy that you came out for a dance. You arrive to the club, feeling good inside, and then it happens – Hateration.

You’re on the dance floor enjoying a lovely dance with the lady or gentleman who so kindly gave you the pleasure, and when the song ends, you retire to a section of the club dedicated to observers and those waiting for their chance to enjoy the music with a charming partner. Next thing you know, you catch eyes rolling at you and you hear whispers and giggling. Your intuition tells you that it’s not a harmless conversation but a jab at your confidence and style. You wonder to yourself, “Did I do or say something wrong?” And of course the answer is no. But the reality is, you stepped out in style, with swagger, and tore up the floor, so what is an observer to do? Option number one, get inspired by your presence and be happy for the people that are in the Salsa community. Option number two, appreciate the style, finesse, and talent of someone who’s only looking to enjoy the music and have a friendly conversation or two. Or option number three, take the easy way out and hate on your decision to do you, be you, and love what you do.

Let’s be honest, hateration is a form of a compliment. The person hating doesn’t want to give love with full security in their inner person and spirit, so instead, they hate fully with complete insecurity with who they are. You’ve seen it at the dance club, at work, at the grocery store, any time, any place, hate is there, ready to rear its ugly head with the goal of only striking at what’s positive. But there’s no need to worry; because where there are haters, there are supporters who look to give love unconditionally. And, the general rule is, if you don’t have some haters, then you’re not doing something worth hating on!

So the next time you’re out and you feel dagger eyes watching, snickering, giggling, and catch eyes rolling, just know that you’re on your way to somewhere others can’t follow. Know that you’re doing something worth talking about and use it as ammunition to continue learning, growing, and contributing to world we know and love as Salsa, because it’s more than just a dance, it’s a lifestyle!

Ashanti Altovese

Hola Salseros,

There is a celestial body in our midst that can be described as beautiful, stylish, original, inspiring, breath-taking, experienced, and of course, out of this world. It is none other than the heavenly star of Griselle Ponce, a Puerto-Rican native with roots in modeling and dance since a young age. Born on July 7th, 1979 with the stage in her blood, Griselle has been entertaining audiences with her sexy moves, awesome stage presence, and dazzling smile for the national and international world theater in Latin dancing. Now at age 29, Griselle is at the top of the Salsa Dynasty with admirers all over the world looking for a chance to dance and feel the power of her presence.

Currently partnered with the Mambo King himself, Eddie Torres, Griselle’s star shines brighter than ever and the friendly Bay area dancers of San Francisco were recently able to enjoy their collaboration during the first annual Fabulous All White Salsa Dance Party sponsored by Aguilar Dance Productions and E & E Dance Artistry in San Jose, California. The event was a true success as dancers from all over the Bay enjoyed workshops, performances, and dancing until dawn. There was a rare treat as Griselle and Eddie gave two fun and memorable shows for the city he called a potential future home. Awe, don’t worry East Coast dancers, you can have him for now, but only time will tell when Eddie makes his way to the Golden Gates of San Francisco.

People were bubbling and excited by the melting stare of Griselle’s eyes as she gave herself to the crowd during her two shows. One audience member commented, “She’s so beautiful, it hurts to look at her.” We understand and don’t blame you one bit for being honest. There is something magical in her aura, something intense yet welcoming at the same time. Talent matched with personality and beauty is hard for anyone to swallow but we welcomed the challenge on Sunday, September 27th at the Dance Boulevard studio.

If you’re looking to experience Griselle’s aura and learn from her experience in various dance styles, check out her studio and school, The House of Dance in New Jersey. We hope that Griselle continues to rise and shine as the years pass. Thank you to her dedication to the art of dance and the rhythm of Salsa as she is truly living her dream on the stage. Because, it’s more than just a dance, it’s a lifestyle.

Ashanti Altovese

Ashanti Altovese - professional dancer and instructor

Hola Salseros,

As the world economy reels over the decline in consumer spending, crash in the housing market, and fraudulent practices in the finance and banking industry, people are looking for an escape from the reality of the American dream gone south. Was it ever really there to begin with? Who knows! But what we know for sure is that it’s on a hiatus until gold, oil, or diamonds start falling out of the sky. Of course there’s endless reality television programming to keep you in the land of the lost, dysfunctional, and desperate. And don’t forget good old X-Box, PSP, and Wii Sports to keep your mind and body preoccupied for hours on end. But the best relief from the madness is a glass of classical Salsa from the Fania All Stars with a shot of Mambo shines and a chaser of Salsa combinations to finish it off. The only problem is, the clubs are closing, the drinks aren’t selling, and the dancers aren’t dancing. Has the economic recession put Salsa in a depression?

The evidence is clear; clubs that were once packed with patrons are now closing their doors to the public, Salsa festivals and world class competitions have been postponed due to weak ticket sales and low sponsor commitment, and Salsa dancers all around the world are cashing in their dancing shoes for a gas card or a grocery gift certificate. Yes, times are tough! But is there a way that we can support our beloved Salsa without breaking the bank and ultimately the genre as a whole?

There are options available to us like the discounted price or free guest list for nightclub and social dancers. There is also the random house party with free-flowing Sangria and plenty of Ray Barretto, Tito Puente, and Celia Cruz music to keep the party going. And don’t leave out the spontaneous Salsa street party with a boom box, broken fire hydrant, and stray dogs running around like an authentic breezy evening in the sultry Havana nights of Cuba. There are options and we have to be really creative in how we support the art because this is the time when we need to do it the most. Support your local band by coming out the club for an hour or two and if you can’t, by their CD and invite folks over for barbecue and beer. Attend a social, festival, or congress and if you can’t, purchase the DVD, a t-shirt, or even a bumper stick that reads, “I missed the Congress, but I Salsa all the way home.”

Understand that it’s important to save our pastime and the people who make our time pass. So, thank you to all the DJs, instructors, competitors, students, performance teams, musicians, promoters, media affiliates, volunteers, and sponsors who make our Salsa world possible, because it’s more than a dance, it’s a lifestyle!

Ashanti Altovese