From March 10-12 you can see hot Latin boys dancing at the Dance Mission Theater. These dancers, who hail from Cuba, are hot in more ways than one. They're classically trained, and they're featured in Satin & Swing, the latest offering from the Soulskin Dance Company.
Adrianna Thompson, Soulskin's artistic director, has lived her life for dance. "I've always been doing my own work on top of performing and teaching," Thompson told the B.A.R. as she was ending a Satin & Swing rehearsal. "I wanted the whole package, and I've never stopped. I work my butt of teaching so I can bring art to the world."
Thompson's love for her craft began at home at an early age. "I never had a choice," she explained. "Both of my parents were actors. My stepmom did modern dance, so I was exposed at a young age. I started belly dancing, then got formal training."
Thompson's journey took her to New York City, where she served as founder and choreographer of MEFTAS Dance Theater. Her works have been performed in the Big Apple and around the country. A California native, Thompson considers her work with Soulskin to be a homecoming. She studied at the illustrious San Francisco School of the Arts.
"I'm from here, so these are my roots," she said. "I moved back five years ago, and it's good to be home. There's so much art here. There's something really special about being part of a community that supports itself, and I have to do this."
Satin & Swing is a hybrid of several art-forms. "It's a ballet," she said. "There are two pieces in the program. One is a 40-minute commentary from the 1920s to the 21st century."
Thompson's dancers will move to the music of jazz legends Cole Porter and Duke Ellington, as well as to tunes by 1980s/90s icon Prince. "If you look at the 1920s and look at now, you can parallel the two eras," she said. "History does repeat itself. Art should always be about saying something and never being afraid."
Thompson added that she adores the three Cuban dancers who are featured in Satin & Swing. "They're like brothers," she said. "They went to the same school and danced together in Cuba. I felt like I had to have these brothers together. I'm a bit of a mama bear."
There will be eye candy, she promises. "They're topless and they wear boxer shorts," she said. "It's Prince, you gotta have some sex! And they're gorgeous! They all have tattoos with their moms' names. They're lovely to work with, and are very dramatic."
Thompson explained the origins of Soulskin Dance's name. "The skin can shed, but the soul carries on," she said. "It's an interesting time for art. It's important to look at history, to move forward and to see possibilities."
Thompson promises that all who attend Satin & Swing will have a great time. The show performs at the Dance Mission Theater, 3316 24th St., on March 10 & 11 at 8 p.m., and Sun., March 12 at 7 p.m. The Saturday show will be live-streamed: concertwindow.com/80088-andy-mogg-live-streaming-presents.
Tickets: soulskindance.org/satin-swing.