Jimmy Copacabana is a modern line dance choreographed by Stéphane Beauchamp & Maryse Gagnon (Canada) and Ira Weisburd (USA) to the Latin hip-hop clubbin’, partyin’ hit “Live at Jimmy’s” by Angie Martinez off her 2001 album Up Close and Personal. The choreography has spawned a multitude of YouTube postings and racked up thousands of views since its inception in July 2023. Not to miss out on a trend, Tuesday Night Folk Dancing got in on the action too, but without a YouTube posting. The music has a Dominican merengue beat, and one can manage the obligatory Latin hip action of the merengue drive throughout almost all the steps.
Dance Name: | Jimmy Copacabana |
Choreographers: | Stéphane Beauchamp, Maryse Gagnon, & Ira Weisburd |
Year: | 2023 |
Country of Origin: | Canada & USA |
Music Genre: | Latin Dominican Merengue Hip Hop |
Dance Type: | Line Dance: Individuals in lines |
Dance Category: | Recreational, Non-Ethnic |
Skill Level: | Intermediate |
Energy Intensity: | Moderate |
Song: | “Live at Jimmy’s” by Angie Martinez, feat. Big Pun, Cuban Link, Domingo, & Sunkiss “Tomando Mamajuana” by Mamajuana – various covers & remixes |
Time Signature: | 2/4 Merengue beat |
Pattern/Rhythm: | 32 Count, 4 Wall |
Dancer Formation: | Individuals in Lines |
Hand Hold: | none |
Leads to: | Fwd w/ R; Always R each 4-count pattern |
Date Taught: | 07/25/23 |
Teacher: | David |
Published: | July 20, 2023 |
Updated: | September 12, 2024 |
Fun Facts
- “Jimmy Copacabana” or “Jimmy Copa Cabana” is the first line of the chorus of the song.
- “Tomando Mamajuana” comes from a line in the song, “tomando Mama Guana” [Mama Juana] which means “drinking Mama Juana.” Mama Juana is an exotic Dominican aphrodisiacal drink made by infusing a mixture of rum, red wine, and honey with tree bark and herbs.
- Who is Jimmy? I’m asking. From the lyrics, it would seem to be the name of a club in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood, but I can’t find any source for that claim.
Angie Martinez was born in New York to a Puerto Rican father and a mother of Puerto Rican, Cuban and Dominican descent. As a teen, Angie like to party, and her mother thought that sending her to live with her aunt in Miami would be better?!?! Although she had good success as a rapper, she quit the music biz after less than a decade to focus on her true passion of being a radio personality and to try her hand at some other ventures.
Mamajuana was created by the Dominican composer and arranger Eddy Gonzalez. Named after the Dominican exotic, aphrodisiac drink Mama Juana, Mamajuana combines Afro-Caribbean and contemporary rhythms with romantic lyrics. Their debut album, distributed by Sony International, included the hits “mamasota” and “SIn un Beso suyo.” In just two weeks in the US market, Mamajuana sold 20,000 copies of this album. In 2007, Mamajuana became one of the first Dominican groups to perform in China.
Lyrics
Many websites list the lyrics to “Live at Jimmy’s,” such as GENIUS for Angie Martinez’s version and SongLyrics for Mamajuana’s version.
Step Sheet
A step sheet and links to way too many demo and teaching videos is at CopperKnob Stepsheets.
Each 4-count pattern starts on the right foot, which is a helpful reminder if you miss a step.
Dancing Examples
Teaching Examples
Music Examples of “Live at Jimmy’s”
You will also find a few remixes of the song on YouTube, but the original is always better. NSFW Warning: the full, unedited versions are NSFW/Parental Advisory…