Fundraising for New Heights

Background:
During the past 7 years, the ABAKÚA Afro-Latin Dance Company has been driven by a desire to develop Afro-Latin Funk, a term coined by Frankie Martinez to describe the group's unique style of dance, into a recognized performance art, commanding the recognition and respect of other dance genres such as ballet or modern dance. Since it's inception, ABAKÚA has taken consistent steps in distinguishing the genre.
     Since establishing themselves by performing worldwide at Salsa Festivals around the globe, ABAKÚA and Frankie Martinez reinvented the company into a dance troupe presenting theatrical repertoire.
    In February 2005, ABAKÚA presented its first theatrical showcase, “Raices” followed shortly by the debut of its second showcase, “After Hour Funk” in December 2005 at 14th street Y.  In 2007, ABAKÚA performed its largest theatrical presentation to date- a two hour dance performance produced in conjunction with the 2007 NY Salsa Festival. This performance featured 3 distinct showcases, displaying the breadth and flavor of Afro-Latin Dance and its ability to be used in an theatrical and artistic way.
    
Be a Part of Our Future: Make a Donation:
    ABAKÚA could not celebrate its successes without the support of our friends, family and audience. You have been instrumental in our growth and the development of our work and vision. This year, ABAKÚA intends to reach unprecedented heights as it continues to realize its mission.
    If you would like to be a part of something ground-breaking, culturally relevant, artistic and fun, ABAKÚA is now welcoming donations towards achieving our 2008 goals through our fiscal sponsor, Dance Theater Workshop. Your donations would support:

o The production of an ABAKÚA 2-hour theatre showcase (includes theatre rentals, costumes for dancers, technical crew, marketing and production team and tons more)
o Development of new website and press kit for ABAKÚA to help spread its work and mission worldwide.
o Pursuit of not-for-profit status of ABAKÚA.

Your donation will make a significant contribution to the development and growth of ABAKÚA.

Levels of Support
$25 Friend
$50 Supporter
$100 Fellow
$500 Sustainer
$1000 Partner
$5000 + Sponsor
Other:___________

Please make donations by mailing your check or money order to:

ABAKÚA Afro-Latin Dance Company
250 9th street, #3,
Brooklyn, NY 11215

or you make your tax-deductible donation online by visiting our website, www.abakuadancers.com and clicking our support link on the menu on the right of our home page.

Contributions should be made payable to Dance Theater Workshop, Inc., earmarked for “the Dance Theater Workshop member project of Frankie Martinez.”  Thank you for your kind support!

Frankie Martinez (ABAKÚA) is a member artist of Dance Theater Workshop, Inc., a non-profit tax-exempt organization. Contributions in support of Frankie Martinez’s work are greatly appreciated and may be made payable to Dance Theater Workshop, Inc., earmarked for “the Dance Theater Workshop member project of Frankie Martinez.” A description of the work and current project activities for which such contributions will be used are available from Frankie Martinez or Dance Theatre Workshop, upon request. All contributions are fully deductible to the extent allowed by the law. (Note: a copy of Dance Theatre Workshop’s latest annual financial report filed with the New York State Department of State may be obtained by writing to N.Y.S. Dept. of State, Charities Registration, 162 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY, 12231, or to Dance Theatre Workshop, 219 West 19th street, New York, NY 10011).

An Evening with ABAKUA, Friday February 8th

This Friday will mark ABAKÚA's 4th Friday night social at it's new home , You Should Be Dancing! The parties have been an overwhelming success. By success, we mean that we have had a greater variety of dancers burning up our dance floor since the Summer when all of our out-of-town friends grace our spaces. This increased success might have to do with our new location at Club 412, conveniently located steps away from Penn Station. Another explanation might be the atmosphere at Club 412 which feels like a cross between a dance studio and a night club, making it ideal for us salseros/as. Finally, there is a good chance that it has to do with the positive vibe and the reputation of our faithful attendees who are known to tear it up on the dance floor.
    Whatever the reason, it's time that you make it out armed with a pair of dance shoes in hand (or preferably on foot)!

Our Next Party:
Date: Friday, February 8th
Time: 9:00 - 1:00 AM

Location:


412 8th Avenue (between W31st and 30th streets)

Admission: $10

MUSIC BY DJ FRANKIE MARTINEZ
Cash Bar Available Downstairs