We Nigerians are a funny bunch. We all love a good dance. Our darling country always has been a place where music and dancing constitute not just an outlet for recreation, but a tool for the expression of us, our customs and amazing heterogeneous cultures. Simply put, music and dancing are 2 facets that make up our collective national identity. The various traditional dances, the intricate steps of the new generational moves (alanta, Azonto, etighi, Alingo), and the imports from other foreign cultures and countries makeup our dance patterns in Nigeria.
Of all the exotic dancing steps foreign to our nation, the most accepted and loved obviously is Salsa. Disagree? No? Okay then. Originating from Latin America, the Cuban Son, actually, Salsa has slowly conquered the world, reaching the shores of Nigeria, via a number of outlets. It’s eternal, it’s timeless, it’s classy, it’s sexy, and wherever it does make an appearance it becomes a dance associated with the elite. In Nigeria, it’s taken over the city of Lagos. And of all the places that offer an opportunity to learn, leading them all is the Veleta Salsa Sundays, which occurs every fortnight at the Prince Of Anthony Hotel, Anthony Village, Lagos Mainland. Commencing by 3pm, boasting 6 dance instructors, and a jolly good crowd, who are sure to lift your spirit, the place rocks. You get to learn Salsa dancing for free, have free drinks of Veleta, meet awesome individuals, and maybe, if you’re nice enough, you’ll find yourself a new friend. How did this wonder come to be?
Speaking with Mrs. Chioma Alonge, the delightful brand manager of Veleta, in charge of the setup, she said,
“It’s awesome here, A lot of places on the Lagos Island offer salsa services, but we had nowhere on the mainland, where people can get to dance salsa for free, so that’s what Veleta is offering here. People come in here, learn to dance salsa and also get to taste the nourishing goodness of Veleta fruit drink. After the hustle and bustle of Mondays through Fridays, you come here and have fun.
“This started like 3 months ago, Veleta means dance in Spanish, and what’s the best way to celebrate it, other than to revisit the roots of Veleta. That’s why we’re here.”
It’s a trendy place (I confirmed), a hub for the elite community, who surely are much fun. But then I get curious, asking deeper. It’s not just about the dance, it far beyond that. For with the dancing comes networking, and lots more. Chioma agrees with me.
“It’s also a great form of workout exercise, a place for networking and meeting people. I actually saw you doing stuffs in there”
Guilty as charged. 2 people, had already joined my friends list. But then, Nigeria’s is blessed with a lot of dance styles, of which lots of people are unable to dance. Why Salsa? I ask.
“Salsa is trending right now. Not just in Nigeria, all over the world, Salsa is trending. Right from the latino countries, all over the world, a lot of salsa competitions are springing up. The world has embraced salsa, because it’s so sensual, and as you are working out, you also exercise your body.”
Not just a one-off, the Veleta Salsa Sunday has come to stay. Having been on for all of 3 months and still counting, it keeps getting better. The crowd keeps growing, the fun is on the rise, more people learn the sexy dance and the sun is up in the sky. Veleta really has got her groove locked on. Latching onto the salsa rave, the brand seeks to redefine youth in its essence. The vibrancy, the boundless energy, and the joie de vivre that comes with being young, fly, and hip. Every fortnight, the youths come in, the shoes get worn, and the dance gets going. Salsa and Veleta, fun all the way.
We Nigerians are a funny bunch, and Veleta Salsa Sundays, Prince Of Anthony Hotel, brings more fun than can be imagined.
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