By Luis Lucero

After last year’s massively popular exhibition on the life and music of David Bowie, the Brooklyn Museum had a lot tough act to follow for their next major event. Last week, Frida Kahlo: Appearances Can Be Deceiving, the largest exhibit dedicated to the iconic Mexican artist in over a decade, opened as their latest headlining display.

The exhibit, which runs until May 12, tells her story with intimate photographs, classic paintings, and various artifacts across Mexican history. Augmenting this unprecedented exhibition is a monthly series of salsa parties at the entry pavilion, the first of which happened on Valentine’s Day, not too long after the exhibit’s debut. The evening kicked off with free dancing lessons for all ages provided by Balmir Latin Dance Studio. An hour later, the party really kicked into high gear with an endless stream of music and dancing. Aside from guests trying out their salsa skills on the dance floor, there were also performances from various Latin dance troupes from across Brooklyn.

Capping off the event was a bar provided by Jose Cuervo, complete with an exclusive new tequila cocktail, inspired by the Kahlo exhibit: Frida’s Paloma (recipe below)

• 1 oz Cuervo Tradicional Blanco

• 1 oz Cuervo Tradicional Reposado

• 1 oz Grapefruit Soda

• 3/4 oz Grapefruit Juice

• 1/4 Agave

• Garnish: Grapefruit slice

Measure Tequila, Agave and Grapefruit juice into tin. Shake quickly to mix and pour over ice in a Collins/Highball glass. Top with Grapefruit soda.

If there was a better way of spicing up Valentine’s Day this year, we haven’t heard of it. Nothing makes for a romantic evening like a night at an art exhibition mixed with pulsating music and dance. For those who missed it this time around, the next salsa party will be held on March 14.

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