Frankie Martinez and Abakua Afro-Latin Dance Company
Empire Dance is home to Frankie Martinez's Abakua Afro-Latin Dance Company, and your source for Frankie Martinez/Abakua classes, private lessons, bookings, news, pictures, and more!
Frankie Martinez and Abakua Afro-Latin Dance Company members
Keren Asheri
Manny Blackett
Lori Ana Perez
and Jimmy Ruiz
instruct Group Classes (see Class Schedule) and offer Private Lessons by appointment (call 212-645-2441).
Frankie and Lori Ana rehearsing on the Olympus Fashion Week 2006 runway in preparation for their appearance at the Tracy Reese 2007 Spring Collection. Photos: Rebecca Linker
On Order:
Frankie Martinez's instructional DVD:
Exploring the Afro-Latin Funk (Isolations and Body Movement).

Call (212) 645-2441 to waitlist your order.
For Booking
Information Contact
Adam Fierros
Empire Dance
(212) 645-2441
studiomanager@empiredance.com
After Hour Funk DVD cover
After Hour Funk show poster, NY 05/06
The Abakua Afro-Latin Dance Company was founded in 2000 by Frankie Martinez, Performer, Instructor, Choreographer. "Our name, ABAKUÁ Dancers, is used with respect for the living tradition of Abakua societies and their music in Cuba. In Cuba, Abakua is a mutual aid society with religious aspects, and a style of music and dance that survived decades of slavery..."
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"Abakua's company members are a group of talented individuals who perform original choreography by Frankie Martinez adopted from old and new Salsa/Mambo, Cha Cha Cha and Rumba steps mixed with our modern dances. Frankie’s unique choreography involves a blend of historical events that along with original costumes add drama and charisma to any stage performance. This spicy and ethnically diverse group entertains with traditional, cultural and modern dance routines entrancing the audience with their captivating and unique style." (www.abakuadancers.com)
El Ritmo Diablo movie poster
(Click for more info)
Frankie Martinez (click for bio)
photo: Lisa Lindhardt
127 West 25th Street, 11th Floor
New York, NY 10001
(212) 645-2441