Thursday, February 22, 2007 Older Editions

The sizzle of salsa

By April Guilmet

Preparations for this spring's Andona event have left board members with no choice but to endure countless hours of salsa dancing, harbor cruises and margarita-sampling.

Hey, someone's got to do it.

"It was hard work. We had to sample mojitos and margaritas. We had to try different tapas," laughed Andona co-chairwoman Mina Patel.

In her final year serving on Andona's board, Patel and her peers wanted their fundraiser to raise eyebrows. Just back from Miami, one Andona member talked to Patel about salsa-style dancing.

"We've always had fashion shows. We've already done balls," Patel said. "But we wanted to bring new life to Andona."

On Saturday, March 3, Andona's Sizzling Salsa Gala, should be lively indeed, she said.

"A group of women and I began going on salsa cruises in Boston. Then I started contacting people to see who could come in and give dancing lessons," Patel said.

Among the dancers to respond was Chris Zebo, who heads the Salsa Club at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. "He was very interested. He thought it was great that a group of women wanted to think outside the box," Patel said.

One of Boston's top Latino disc jockeys will set the stage - or stages, rather.

"There will be two couples up on the stages, with the DJ in between them," Patel said. "DJ Martinez is very energetic."

The result, she added, will be one, big, group dancing lesson, with Dancing With the Stars-style demonstrations. In addition, a dozen or so professional dancers will mingle with the crowd throughout the evening, offering one-on-one dance instruction.

Tapas-style Spanish appetizers, festive cocktails and an eclectic array of raffle prizes will complete the evening.

"There'll be cocktail tables everywhere but no sit-down dinner," Patel said.

"We want it to be like a lounge. We want people dancing."

Among this year's prize offerings, Patel said, are a pair of JetBlue plane tickets to anywhere, golf packages, Christina Aguilera tickets, and gift certificates to local restaurants and salons. "

And there's always something fun, a whimsical raffle item we pass around throughout the evening. But that's a surprise," Patel said.

About 250 people are expected to attend the Salsa Gala, Patel said. Proceeds from the event will assist Andona's various youth programs.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Sizzling Salsa Gala to benefit the Andona Society.

WHEN: Saturday, March 3 from 8 p.m. to midnight.

WHERE: Lawrence Elks Grand Ballroom, located at River Road/Andover Street.

ADMISSION: $55 per person. Raffle tickets are 1 for $5 or 5 for $20. Grand Raffle tickets are 1 for $30, or 2 for $50.

For more info: Visit www.andonasociety.org, or call Mina Patel at 978-749-3190.