Rebecca Ragland is a member of Zafire Ladies SC, Pura Alegría Dance Company, and is a life-long lover of dance and travel.

The first time I saw Arlette Guerra dance with Zafire Dance Company, I was blown away by the fierce energy she brought to a performance. In a neon cut-out G-string body suit, Arlette tossed her short platinum-dyed hair all the way back, stomped her 3.5 inch stiletto heels, and yelled at the audience through squinted eyes. She had given us everything for the past three minutes, and we were hers.

This weekend, to my terror and delight, the very same Arlette will be sharing the stage with us. This year, South Carolina joined the ranks of New York, DC, and Japan with a spin-off salsa dance team: Zafire Ladies SC. Following up a debut performance in Charlotte, our group of Greenville ladies will perform Friday night June 16th at the Atlanta Bachata Festival with Arlette taking center stage.

Zafire Ladies SC Director Stefania Velasquez says, “With Zafire, I am happy that I am able to continue a culture that has so much room for growth, endless support, and so many opportunities for everyone individually. I have great directors with Zafire, and Zafire Ladies SC – these ladies definitely exude professionalism and partnership. Most importantly, we as a team encourage each other to become better. The ladies don’t dance to compete with others; they dance because it’s their passion and that reflects on stage.”

We joined Zafire Ladies SC because we love to dance and because we admire people like Arlette who live their passion, work hard, and inspire others with their talent and encouragement. It may be scary, but it will be worth it – to share the stage with a true Queen of her trade. I hope some of her fierceness rubs off on me!

P.S. You can catch your hometown ladies performing in Greenville at Salsa at Sunset hosted by Upstate International and Pura Alegría Dance Company on July 8th in Graham Plaza in front of the Peace Center.