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| SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | JULY 2021 | 31 The International Dancers of Sun Lakes (IDS) welcomed Lourdes Lena into their membership as a salsa dance teacher about 18 months ago. She was born in Cuba and grew up in Puerto Rico and Miami, Florida. Lourdes learned salsa dance at a very early age. Salsa music originated from African and Flamenco dance, but the Flamenco portion began in Seville, Spain. During the 1960s, musicians from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Panama, and other Latin American countries united under the label "Fania Records" and created the Fania All Stars. A Salsa fever began, first in Spanish communities, then extending all over the globe. The Cuban and Puerto Rican Salsa is performed on-stage by couples; whereas in California the dance can be performed on-stage individually. Until now the salsa group is all ladies, and Lourdes interprets that as non-traditional. She teaches basic steps, and as time allows, will be preparing those ladies who are interested in performing for the next IDS show. The dance will now be choreographed by Abel Pena, World Salsa Champion ESPN dancer three times during past years. His company is entitled AP Project. "We are extremely fortunate to have Abel choreograph… salsa and Latin dance for future shows. It is an honor for me to be able to teach and perform an hour each week for IDS in the Latin division." says Lourdes. Classes are held each Monday at 6:30 pm, in the Main Clubhouse. "Welcome to the world of Salsa!" We all agree with Lourdes. For information about salsa dance, call Lourdes Lena at (626) 482-5051. For information about any other IDS dance activities, call Bev Guenin, Director, at (951) 797-3798, or any of the coordinators listed in the yellow box. International Dancers Donna, (951) 282-1087, Belly Dance Diane, (951) 769-0286, Hawaiian Sarah, (951) 769-1164, Hawaiian Jean, (951) 796-6008, American Lourdes, (626) 482-5051, Salsa Merle, (951) 845-9342, Indian Patricia, (951) 381-1591, Folkloric Diane, (530) 913-8758, Flamenco A 25-year-old photo of Abel Pena and Lourdes Lena when they were dance partners