ZumbaContraCosta

Janice (Zumba Contra Costa) doing Salsa at LA Clippers game

What happens when 100 Zumba Instructors show up for a Clippers   basketball game in LA?  Why, dance of course.  And dance we did.  On March 6^th the music played, Zumbando por Un Sueno, one of Zumba’s trademark salsa songs, and Zumba instructors who came from as far away as San Francisco, San Diego, & Tijauana, moved like a flock of graceful gazelles, perfectly in unison, to the salsa beat.

Thanks to Alfredo & Aileen Padilla who led us to this rare occasion, representing Zumba at an NBA game.  Alfredo & Aileen were poised and ready when we showed up for our rehearsal at noon that day.

They were so organized that they even brought their own sound system with microphone for our rehearsal.  The Clippers staff were also supportive and efficient; every detail was considered and handled.  Everything went off without a hitch, from where to stand to how to get there in less than 60 seconds.

Once the actual performance time arrived, the thrill was so strong that we checked our minds at the gate and just swished & shimmied to the salsa beat, like we do so well.  Seeing the swell of pink Zumba tank tops moving as one, in the video afterward, made the experience even more surreal.  Having my husband and teen-aged son there to cheer me on and share in the thrill epitomized the event for me.

Afterwards as I walked through Staples Center, home to both the Clippers & the Lakers, I felt a new, deeper bond every time I passed a Zumba pink tank top.

For me, even with all of my dance background, this experience exceeded all others.  My family are huge NBA fans, especially my son, my niece, Lauren & my mother, Sylvia.  Combined with my love of dance, instilled by my mother at an early age, and my love of Zumba, dancing at a Clippers game was a dream come true.  Thank you, Clippers & a big thank you to Beto and everyone at ZO for creating this opportunity to represent Zumba in this way.  “Zumbaaa!”

Zumba Dancers Perform at LA Clippers

Zumba dancers rehearse for LA Clippers show