In Tampa, we cherish our Spanish roots - Cuban sandwiches, cigar factories and of course, Spanish rhythm. Nothing continues the Latin dance tradition better than the Frank Rey studio. Every June, students from 5 to much older put on a dazzling 3 hour show. Broadway quality, they showcase wide range of hip-hop, jazz, ballet, tap, rap. My daughter (yes, also the chess nerd) has been going there for 5 years now. They practice for 9 months and get to show off for 5 minutes each as a reward. The studio is celebrating its 50th anniversary next June - so the show should be even more special. Make plans to be here - if you can beat the parents for the $15 tickets (try finding that on Broadway!).
I wish I could have also invited you to come here in 2012. We made a (weak) attempt for the Olympics, but London is a propah winner. I lived there for 2 years and it is a remarkably well run, large city. Hopefully. they can keep their thugs (soccer and others global cities attract) away and air-condition their subways by then. London Underground on some summer days can make Tampa feel Arctic. We have those natural wonders - hurricanes that we name after British royals like Andrew and Charley - to cool us down...
Author's note - I wrote this post a few hours before the blasts in London. See comments below on that.
