Interviewing, meeting and experiencing one of Avi’s salsa dance classes recently, it is clear that he is passionate about all types of Latin dancing and is a highly motivated, experienced teacher who wants to ignite others to dance and find themselves in the whole experience. His enthusiasm is evident as he encourages his students of all ages and abilities to freely express themselves through dance and to enjoy the social mingling this brings.
Abrahm Minkov, or Avi as he is known here, came with his family from Israel to settle in the Algarve 15 years ago. As a professional Latin dancer and teacher trainer in Israel, offering courses for instructors to teach Salsa and more, he saw the opportunity to bring his love for Latin dancing to the Algarve. Being involved as an associate for Israel’s Balagan Festival for the last 15 years, Avi has much experience with top dance artists from all over the world, which he incorporates into his artistic enterprises here in the Algarve.
Avi teaches a mix of all Latin dancing, ranging from Salsa and Bachata to Kizomba and Merengue at his social dances, the latter being free. He adds his own personal touch with charisma as he takes the lead in demonstrating the steps.
I went along to Avi’s class in Lagos at Factory Fusion Hub, in Lagos’ old town, opposite the Teatro da Experimental, and both he and the group made me feel very welcome. Some came as a couple, while others were single. Avi asked us to take to the dance floor in pairs and after each dance, he incorporated a new step or turn that he demonstrated on stage with a female partner. We copied and then repeated it several times with the music.
Avi made it easy to follow so that everyone felt a sense of achievement as they mastered new dance moves. He was most patient and happy to repeat the demonstration so that all were clear. Avi then asked us to move to the next person for the next step, so that by the end of the hour or so lesson, we had danced with everyone there. The class that night was Salsa, but he did include some Bachata, which was grouped differently as we were all in lines following his lead. Many knew the steps as they had been coming to his classes weekly. I just followed and soon got the hang of it.
Avi has even experimented with using ties as blindfolds for his dancers so they feel the rhythm of the music in their souls and move accordingly, with much fun and success! Within a cultural mix, everyone, whether single or coupled, feels welcome and can come and go at their leisure.
It was an enjoyable evening of dance, both taught and social dancing, which followed the lesson. Some more people arrived just for the social side, as the venue hosts a cafe/bar area. It was a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere with a good mix of people of all ages and nationalities. Clearly, a great way of meeting new people whilst getting fit at the same time, which is the main reason for its popularity.
His next venture is to bring his dancing expertise to local hotels so that their guests can experience Avi’s world of Latin dance.
For those who just want to party, Avi Salsa Bachata offers a completely different experience: a Latin night every Friday with dancing and DJ Avi, with free entry and parking. The party starts at 8.30 pm at Hugo’s Lounge, 10 Largos dos Pescadores. As Avi says, “Feel the rhythm and dance the night away!”
Currently, Avi offers two dance classes in Lagos at two different venues:
Wednesday 8 pm at Parque Campismo da Trinidade – €10 for the hour lesson, followed by free social dancing.
Thursday 7 pm at Factory Fusion Hub in Lagos – €10 for the hour lesson, followed by free social dancing.
