Magna Gopal and Jimmy Anton
When I came across this social dance video of Jimmy Anton and Magna Gopal dancing at La Vieja Guardia social I was actually surprised. Over the past few years since I’ve been dancing I’ve watched a lot of videos of Magna dancing and I think this was the first one I’ve seen of her dancing with Jimmy.
Who is Jimmy Anton?
In New York City there are a few names that are synonymous with the NY Salsa scene.
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Q & A with DJ Alex “El Maestro”
Photo by Franklin Liranzo Photography
When you get bitten by the Salsa dancing bug you pretty much become a salsa dancing addict. You start off taking a few lessons here and there. Then you continue to take even more lessons. You begin to see your dancing improve and you just become crazed trying to get as much dancing in as possible. Some people go on to become performers, instructors or DJs while the rest of us become social dancing junkies; attending as many salsa socials as we can. If you’re lucky enough to live in the New York City area you can find a place to dance almost every single night of the week.
Once you’re in the salsa scene in New York you have your “Can’t Miss” salsa socials. What makes these socials “Can’t Miss” is the venue they’re being held in, the DJ playing the music and of course the broad range of dancers that attend on a consistent basis.
Nearly every dance school in the NYC area has their own social, but the short-list of “Can’t Miss” socials is what it’s all about. It’s at these socials you go to really give your dance skills a jolt and have fun dancing with a range of dancers from beginners to professionals. The “Can’t Miss” socials are so popular that you have people that attend from places all over the world.
At the top of the list is Jimmy Anton’s Salsa social which is the longest running salsa social now nearing 19 years and it happens 2-3 times a month on Sundays. Next on the list is Choco Knight’s Mambo Fateegz (MF). Started in 2000, MF is also a well-attended NYC Social held on Friday nights 2-3 times a month. Rounding out the top 3 is La Vieja Guardia (LVG) social run by DJ Antonio “La Conga” and instructor / performer Joel Dominguez. LVG, held on alternate Sunday’s from Jimmy Anton’s, has just been running a few years now but has become well-liked social for the NYC crowd. The top 3 need to make room on the list for a social that has become a favorite for the salseros and salseras in NYC, Salsamania Saturday’s.
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Balmirs Blazing Angels Performance
Brandon and Maylis Social Dancing
Great salsa social dance by Brandon and Maylis at Mr. Mambo’s Salsa Social in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Mambo’s Salsa Social was lucky enough to have one of New York’s finest Salsa DJ’s— DJ Antonio La Conga. DJ La Conga is the host DJ at the LVG (La Vieja Guardia) social in NYC.
It’s always great to hear when local DJ’s venture out to other places to provide great salsa sounds to salsa fanatics.
To learn more about LVG visit here.
To learn more about Mr. Mambo’s Salsa Social visit their facebook fan page here.
Great video footage provided by Mateo Johnson. To learn more about Mateo check out his site at here.