Salsa community celebrates five years of dance in Abuja

By Al-Mustapha A. Mustapha Abuja’s salsa community turned out in large numbers on Saturday as dance instructor and entrepreneur, Buddy Doubara Agedah, marked five years of organising salsa and other social dance activities in the Federal Capital Territory. The anniversary event, tagged “Still We Dey Dance,” held at Barracuda Resto Pub in Wuse 2 and […]

By Al-Mustapha A. Mustapha

Abuja’s salsa community turned out in large numbers on Saturday as dance instructor and entrepreneur, Buddy Doubara Agedah, marked five years of organising salsa and other social dance activities in the Federal Capital Territory.

The anniversary event, tagged “Still We Dey Dance,” held at Barracuda Resto Pub in Wuse 2 and drew dancers, entertainers and enthusiasts from within and outside Abuja.

Organisers said the turnout exceeded the venue’s capacity, with guests participating in dance performances, live music and social dance sessions throughout the evening.

Speaking at the event, Buddy said the celebration was a reflection of how far the dance community in Abuja had come over the past five years.

“What started as a small effort has grown into a community. We have seen people discover dance, build friendships and even create careers from it,” he said.

He added that consistency had been key to sustaining interest in salsa and other partner dances in the city.

“We started with a few people willing to learn and today the community continues to grow. The message remains that no matter the challenges, still we dey dance,” he said.

The event also featured performances of two original songs by Buddy, titled Mr Buddy En La Salsa and Still We Dey Dance.

A major highlight of the celebration was the presentation of a Meritorious Service Award to Buddy and Dance & Art Alive in recognition of their contributions to the development of salsa in Nigeria.

Buddy, who has been involved in the dance industry for more than two decades, said his focus had remained on creating opportunities for others through dance.

“We have trained people who have gone on to teach and establish their own businesses. Dance has opened doors for many young people and that is something we are proud of,” he added.

Some participants at the event noted that social dancing had gained wider acceptance in Abuja in recent years, with regular classes, festivals and performances attracting increasing interest.

They explained that beyond entertainment, dance had become a platform for recreation, fitness and social interaction among residents of the capital.