Salsa on the platform: Julio and Lupita in the New York subway
Title
Salsa on the platform: Julio and Lupita in the New York subway
Vtmbh article article file
Vtmbh article article order
4
Vtmbh article author
Marcin Szczepanski
Vtmbh article blurb
It all started in Columbia with a bar owner and his unfaithful wife. That was where Julio had the idea to entertain crowds in New York Citys subway stations and parks with his salsa dancing partnera plastic doll named Lupita.
Vtmbh article body
Surely, you have seen them, at least once. He leads her, and she yields, following his experienced hands. Their bodies flow to the salsa rhythms from a portable stereo. Julio Diaz has been dancing with his plastic doll partner in the subway and public parks for more than 10 years.
It all started in Columbia, with a bar owner and an unfaithful wife. After she left her husband, he asked Julio Diaz to make a mannequin, which the bar owner dressed in his wifes clothes and set on fire. Its a purifying ritual in Colombia. Julio created a great mannequin, one that really resembled the bar owners wife. Julio started dancing with the doll around the tables of the bar, and the people loved it. The bar owner did burn the mannequin of his wife but Julio created a new one. Then he took on it tour, visiting other towns in Colombia.
In 1990, Julio moved to New York, where he found a job delivering Coca Cola. His passion for dancing kept him up nights. He melted some Coke bottles and, from that mixture, Julio made a new doll. He bought her a wig and a dress at a thrift shop, found a plastic head with a face, and named his new dancing partner Lupita.
Julio and Lupita started dancing in Flushing Park. Together, they moved to Manhattan. Every day, the couple dances for eight hours on subway platforms and in public parks. Usually, one can see them at 42nd Street, Penn Station, Union Square or Central Park.
Close together, their bodies sway in sync to the music from the stereo. Their feet take the same steps. They dance faster, then faster still. Julio dips Lupitas, her blond hair glittering in the meager light of the subway station lamps. He throws her in the air, bends a little and she lands safely in his arms.
A crowd of people watches them dance. They applaud loudly at some of the riskier moves. Commuters and tourists truly enjoy the show and throw one dollar bills into the basket. Julio and his plastic partner visited Morocco and Brazil, and performed at a number of private parties.
He likes the public performances the most. I would never give up this energy and excitement I get from people who watch me here, a tired but smiling Julio confesses after a whole day of dancing. Lupita only nods silently. A mysterious Mona Lisa smile is frozen on her face.
It all started in Columbia, with a bar owner and an unfaithful wife. After she left her husband, he asked Julio Diaz to make a mannequin, which the bar owner dressed in his wifes clothes and set on fire. Its a purifying ritual in Colombia. Julio created a great mannequin, one that really resembled the bar owners wife. Julio started dancing with the doll around the tables of the bar, and the people loved it. The bar owner did burn the mannequin of his wife but Julio created a new one. Then he took on it tour, visiting other towns in Colombia.
In 1990, Julio moved to New York, where he found a job delivering Coca Cola. His passion for dancing kept him up nights. He melted some Coke bottles and, from that mixture, Julio made a new doll. He bought her a wig and a dress at a thrift shop, found a plastic head with a face, and named his new dancing partner Lupita.
Julio and Lupita started dancing in Flushing Park. Together, they moved to Manhattan. Every day, the couple dances for eight hours on subway platforms and in public parks. Usually, one can see them at 42nd Street, Penn Station, Union Square or Central Park.
Close together, their bodies sway in sync to the music from the stereo. Their feet take the same steps. They dance faster, then faster still. Julio dips Lupitas, her blond hair glittering in the meager light of the subway station lamps. He throws her in the air, bends a little and she lands safely in his arms.
A crowd of people watches them dance. They applaud loudly at some of the riskier moves. Commuters and tourists truly enjoy the show and throw one dollar bills into the basket. Julio and his plastic partner visited Morocco and Brazil, and performed at a number of private parties.
He likes the public performances the most. I would never give up this energy and excitement I get from people who watch me here, a tired but smiling Julio confesses after a whole day of dancing. Lupita only nods silently. A mysterious Mona Lisa smile is frozen on her face.
Vtmbh article date
2002-07-31
Vtmbh article edition
29
Vtmbh article hit count
187
Vtmbh article keywords
Vtmbh article line breaks
1
Vtmbh article original language
Polish
Vtmbh article publication
Nowy Dziennik / Polish Daily News
Vtmbh article section
news
Vtmbh article thumb
Vtmbh article title
Salsa on the platform: Julio and Lupita in the New York subway
Vtmbh article translator
Lukasz Bulka
Source
born-digital
Media Type
article
Original Name
It all started in Columbia with a bar owner and his unfaithful wife. That was where Julio had the id
Created by Author
yes
Described by Author
no
Date Entered
2002-07-31
Collection
Citation
“Salsa on the platform: Julio and Lupita in the New York subway,” September 11 Digital Archive, accessed October 1, 2026, https://911.dev.chnm.gmu.edu/items/1649/.