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Free Salsa Dancing Sashays into Chelsea Triangle

By Meredith Hoffman

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MEATPACKING DISTRICT — Sunset Salsa heats up Chelsea again Thursday evening, with a free outdoor class followed by a dance party in the plaza at West 14th Street and Ninth Avenue.

The novice-friendly instruction series, in its third year, takes place in the Chelsea Triangle public pedestrian plaza every Thursday evening until September 29. The party is free and open to the public.

Performer Talia Castro-Pozo instructs class at 6:30 pm for one hour, and then the party breaks out from 7:30-9 pm.

"It's so popular because I love teaching beginners, making people feel comfortable," said Castro-Pozo, who moved to New York 15 years ago from Lima, Peru, when she was a teenager. "It's great because [the event] is in the Meatpacking District during beautiful sunsets."

A DJ plays "New York salsa," a salsa-jazz fusion that began in the 1950's, explained Castro-Pozo.

"The music reflects the melting pot of New York," said Castro-Pozo, with her own diverse dance experience including ballet and ballroom. "I just got back teaching in Europe...but New York's my favorite city in the world."

The free series is sponsored by Chelsea Improvement Company, After Work Salsa Mondays at TAJ, and Basic Ballroom.