Film Overview

Excerpt from SalsaNewYork.com
"Addie Diaz's "On '2' with Addie-Tude, Volume 1: Beginner Ladies' Styling" (approximately 45 min.): Diaz presents basic shines with accompanying styling. Each shine is carefully broken down and demonstrated several times as Diaz narrates instruction on arm styling, then music is added and the shine is practiced to rhythm. The first half of the video is punctuated by a routine in which all the shines covered thus far are strung together; again, first the routine is practiced slowly to a count, then music is added. The video ends with another such routine, in which all the shines taught in the video are practiced._What's in it for you? Since Diaz teaches styling to accompany specific shines, the viewer has something concrete to do with all that pretty arm motion and hair-stroking she's learned. Diaz's instructions are very precise, with the camera providing close-ups of the feet and torso to illustrate. Another thing I liked about this video is that each shine is practiced to music before moving on to the next one — after all, memorizing footwork is one thing, but your body doesn't really "know" a step until it's performed to music. This way, the shine is more thoroughly learned, styling and all, before new material is added. The beginner may be intimidated by the first shine Diaz presents (it requires three bits of styling performed simultaneously!), but don't be discouraged — the steps after are a little less daunting, and build gradually in complexity....... Last take: For those who'd like lots of alluring moves to add to their dancing right now, this video is for you." - Published on March 2001 SalsaNewYork Magazine Article entitled: "Ladies' Styling Review: Videos And My Search For Style".

NY Mambo Dancer Addie Diaz breaks down various NY Mambo Shines in great detail. The tape is filled with Ladies Styling tips as Addie illustrates complex arm and footwork movements done with and without music. Shines are gradually combined so that even intermediate dancers find themselves challenged by her combinations._"Addie presents to the viewer, a sultry Puerto Rican flavor of femininity and style. She has a Caribbean flavor that truly captures an audience. Being an International Performer and Instructor has allowed her the room to comfortably express in words exactly what she is demonstrating to the counts and measures of the music. You hear her talk about the move in the background, as she demonstrates it for the viewer. " - Edie The SalsaFreak

Dance Bio:
Addie Diaz (Director, Choreographer & Dancer) has a background in Mambo Cha-Cha, Merengue, Hip-Hop and Jazz. She was originally trained to be a professional Latin dancer by the late Evelyn Leon. She began performing with "Dancers Fantasy Stars" and was fortunate enough to be trained by some of the best dancers in New York City. She gives Evelyn along with Mario Diaz (no relation), Angel "Negro" Rodriguez and Nelly Cotto credit for their influence in her dancing skills. She then went on to dance in Stacey Lopez’s "New York Salsa Dancers". In 94' she was called to be one of the "RMM Dancers" (Ralph Mercado Management) for the "1994" & "1995" Combinacion Perfecta Tour. She has also freelanced for the "Mario Diaz Dance Revue" and with Luis Zegarra’s "Fuerza Latina". Addie joined "Descarga Latina Dance Company" in 1996 where she assisted in running the team and along with the other members participated in new choreography. She has had the opportunity to choreograph dance numbers for other teams as well as travel all over the U.S. (California, Hawaii, Washington DC, Atlanta, etc.) and throughout the world (Japan, England, France, Switzerland, Italy) to perform and teach dance workshops. She has moved on to form her own dance company (The Addie-tude Dance Co.) in early 1999 and is the choreographer of the company’s routines. She is acknowledged for her creative and diversified dance choreography. Several of her numbers were featured in the Off-Broadway Mambo Musical: Latin Madness.

Excerpt from SalsaNew York.com
"Lots of us dance, but only a few salseros have that great NY/NJ mambo style and flavor that distinguishes our way of dancing from almost everywhere else in the world. This goes for both the ladies and the men. In the ladies department, Addie Diaz is one of those known for her ladies styling, with her mix of funk, sabor, classy femininity and sexy finesse....and don't forget that smile! Now Addie, director of the Addie-Tude Dance Company, has put out a brand new video tape which teaches both technique and styling for the mambo women. There's also instruction on open shines footwork which could be very helpful for the men as well as the women." - by SalsaNewyork.com WebMaster Steve Shaw

Excerpt from Salsa World Magazine, issue #14 (page 12)_"Addie Diaz of Addie-tude (NY) did a styling class too. What a contrast. Her style is so unbelievably feminine & subtle, but so sensuous too. We got 4 footwork routines with arms and hips to show off with Addie-tude (!) on the dance floor. Her class was a real treat. More blueberry pie for dessert - I just can't get enough. In the evening: more performances: Addie-tude (a three woman rountine, really polished and nice)." - by Siobhan Martell regarding Addie's Workshop at the Salsaweb 2000 Convention in Toronto

Excerpt from Salsaweb NY article originally posted in 7/98_"What is it about Addie Diaz that makes her so phenomenal?" ....... "Addie leads by example. Her technical and styling points were nicely demonstrated as she glided along the floor with flawless beauty and grace. Her positive, caring, dedicated attitude rubbed off on those fortunate to be in her presence. Imitating Addie's moves and attitude led to instant improvements in our dance." ...... "Addie coaches not only the techniques, steps and styling but also shares the heart and soul of mambo dancing: hearing the rhythm and timimg of the music, expressing the feelings in complete body movements and making the dance fun for everyone." - by Martin T. Fujiani regarding Addie's First SF Workshop.

Excerpt from Salsa World Magazine, issue #15 (Page 20) & Salsaweb NY Posted on 9/00_"Addie Diaz' class is by far the most personal. She has helpers and divides the class into 3 levels, so you can find the one for you. She has a style I just love, the most elegant & feminine movements, & she is a very patient and encouraging teacher. I took two private classes in styling, hoping to come away looking like her, but unfortunately that remains an aspiration. I learned a lot from her and totally enjoyed her classes. She is "awesome"!!! as they say in NY." - by Siobhan Martell regarding Addie's NY Mambo Class.

Excerpt from Salsaweb NY Instructor Review Originally posted on 10/99_"If I were to describe Addie Diaz’s style to other New York Mambo Instructors, I would say that she has a very Bronx style of dancing with mucha Latina Sabor and attitude. She offers a very classy and sensual style that is entertaining, energetic and fun to watch." .... "As an instructor I would say that she is humble, patient, communicative and offers a fun yet challenging class. Her styling moves help bring out the femininity in a woman and she has a great time doing it." .... "So if your lacking flare, styling, enthusiasm, attitude ("Addie-Tude"), want to develop a solid foundation in your mambo dancing while enjoy doing it, then Addie Diaz may be the instructor for you."