 Flamenco, Salsa, and My NAAAP Experience
After
attending several events in the last few months, I recently joined
the NAAAP-Phoenix organization. I grew up in
the Midwest and did not have much of an understanding
of the various Asian cultures until moving to
the West Coast in the 1980s. I lived in the Seattle
area for 15 years and had the opportunity to learn much about
Asian art and culture: the food, the art, the festivals, and the
history of Asians in America. I had quite a few
Asian American friends who helped teach me as
well! Since moving to Phoenix four-and-a-half
years ago, I have gone to several events at the Chinese
Cultural Center, and I felt that joining NAAAP would
give me an opportunity to continue to enjoy Asian culture and
also to meet Asian professionals in the area.
On Saturday, June 30, about twenty people enjoyed an evening
of salsa dance lessons and flamenco music. I had not done
the salsa before, so it was a nice chance to try something
new; it reminded me of taking waltz and swing lessons years
ago! Everyone learned basic salsa steps and practiced with
each other; it was a good workout and fun! After the lessons,
we went to Pepin, a Spanish
restaurant on the Scottsdale Mall. The atmosphere
was exciting, especially when the flamenco music began. It
seemed like everyone’s gaze was fixed on the dancers
as they swayed and stomped in flamenco style; it was fantastic.
We also had a chance to sample the food; I had an ensalata
pepin, a tasty salad with greens, oranges, and cucumber. After
the flamenco performance, a DJ took over, and the volume definitely
increased. Some stayed to dance, while most of us headed home.
I definitely like the social activities, such as this, that
NAAAP offers. I think that Asian and Asian American films
are outstanding, and so I enjoyed the opportunity a few months
ago to see a new film at a NAAAP event. I think this organization
provides a very important venue for raising awareness of Asian
American contributions to the Phoenix area community.
Tony Lickteig hails originally from Wichita,
KS. A twenty-year career in urban planning in public
agencies brought Tony to Texas and the Pacific
Northwest, and now he lives in Arizona.
Tony has been a tour guide at Taliesin West
for four-and-a-half years. He says, “It has been a pleasure
to show visitors Frank Lloyd Wright’s
winter home and studio, and I have been so fortunate to learn
about Wright’s love for Asian art and culture.
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NAAAP Career Center
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Are you seeking...
• A company that values diversity
• A professional level position?
• A career change?
Join other Asian professionals and register on the NAAAP
Job Board to make the connections necessary to catapult
your career.
The NAAAP Job Board matches qualified professional talent
with real job opportunities. NAAAP partners post positions
and search the NAAAP Job Board résumé database.
The Job Board provides NAAAP members and job seekers access
to new opportunities, professional connections as well the
ability to search jobs with an easy-to use system. (More)
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