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ABOUT ARGENTINE TANGO
Argentine Tango is not the tango you see in Ballroom Championship dancing on TV, nor is it what you might have learned in a Ballroom tango class. Rather, it's the social partner dance that is practiced in clubs in Buenos Aires and all over the world, with an emphasis on the relationship between you, your partner, and the music. It is more sensuous and more intimate than other derivative forms of tango. The movie The Tango Lesson has good examples of both club style and stage Tango. Many ballroom dancers (ourselves among them), once introduced to Argentine Tango, have forsaken the study of other dances to focus solely on this exhilarating, romantic, and intensely passionate dance: the Tango.
NEW BEGINNING TANGO CLASS with Larry & Harriet
A new five week beginning level tango series starts on February 9th with Harriet Bye and Larry Sawyer. Classes meet on Thursdays from 7:00 to 8:00 pm at the Caspar Community Center. No experience necessary. Singles welcome, though we'll be keeping the balance of leaders and followers close to even so you need to pre-register. $50 for the series, no "drop-in" options. Call 707.937.0078 or email bysawyer@mcn.org
ARGENTINE TANGO CLASSES with Walter & Raquel
Walter and Raquel offer beginning and intermediate level classes in Argentine Tango on the Mendocino coast. They also offer private lessons by arrangement.
For more information about Argentine Tango or to inquire about classes or private lessons, contact Walter and Raquel by email walt@tangomendocino.com or by phone 707.882.2474.
UPCOMING EVENTS ...
A list of workshops, festivals, and other special events focusing on roughly the western third of North America.
February 2012:
- NEW! ¡La Milonga de San Valentin!, Fri, Feb. 10, 2012, 5:30-8:00 pm:
TangoCalifia presents another free Tango at the Ferry Building, Market & Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA. Free admission. (Dancing on hard pavement -- wear appropriate shoes.) (No website available)
- NEW! Workshops with Hernan and Daniela, Sat-Sun, Feb. 11-12, 2012:
From Buenos Aires, Hernan Prieto & Daniela Roig will be giving tango workshops and a dance performance in Eureka and Arcata, CA: humboldtango.org
- NEW! Forever Tango, Tue-Sun, Feb. 14-19, 2012:
Luis Bravo's world-renowned tango stage show returns to San Francisco for a limited run -- only 7 performances. All shows at Marines Memorial Theater. Special Valentine's Gala and Milonga on February 14 only with Forever Tango orchestra and cast: Gala & Milonga; Schedule of performances & ticket sales
- Portland ValenTango Festival XV, Wed-Mon, Feb. 15-20, 2012:
Clay Nelson's 15th annual ValenTango Festival in Portland, OR: claysdancestudio.com
- Small World Tango Festival, Fri-Mon, Feb. 17-20, 2012:
A limited enrollment tango festival over President's Day weekend presented by the organizer of the popular Albuquerque Tango Festival, in Albuquerque, NM: danielboardmanpresents.com/
- LA de Tango Intensive, Sat.-Sun, Feb. 25-26, 2012:
A weekend of workshops with Miriam Larici & Leonardo Barrionuevo, along with Carlos Barrionuevo & Mayte Valdes; limited enrollment; in Downey, CA: www.ladetango.com
March 2012:
- Tucson Tango Festival, Wed-Mon, Mar. 14-19, 2012:
Fourth annual festival in Tucson, AZ. "Early bird" reduced registration fees until Dec. 1, so sign up now: tucsontangofestival.com
- Austin Spring Tango Festival, Fri-Sun, Mar. 30-Apr. 1, 2012:
Tango Festival in Austin, TX: austinspringtango.com
- TodosTango Festival, Fri-Sun, Mar.30-Apr. 1, 2012:
Tango Festival in Todos Santos, MX: claysdancestudio.com/TodosTango12/index.shtml
April 2012:
- Argentine Tango Festival & USA Championship, Thu-Sun, Apr. 5-8, 2012:
Tango Festival and USA Tango Championship, at San Francisco Marriot Hotel in San Francisco, CA: argentinetangousa.com
May 2012:
- Santa Monica International Tango Holiday (SMITH), Fri-Sun, May 4-6, 2012:
Tango festival in Santa Monica, CA: santamonicatangofestival.com/
- Vantangofest, Thu-Mon, May 17-21, 2012:
Tango festival in Vancouver, Canada: santamonicatangofestival.com/
- Denver Memorial Day Tango Festival, Thu-Mon, May 24-28, 2012:
12th annual Denver tango festival in Denver, CO: tango.org/
For more information on tango events in the San Francisco bay area and other major US cities, visit the excellent and comprehensive Tango Mango website at tangomango.org.
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THE TEMPTATION TO TANGO
By Irene D. Thomas and Larry M. Sawyer
Two of Tango Mendocino's resident milongueros have written a fascinating book about the attraction of tango and what it's like to learn this complex and engaging dance.
A unique feature of this book is that it includes both a man's and a woman's point of view. Irene's essays give newcomers an idea of what they will encounter, both physically and emotionally, in the process of learning this dance; advanced dancers will recognize themselves and the experiences she describes. Larry's short stories offer vignettes of the tango experience from a variety of perspectives and add an extra dimension that enhances the reader's understanding of the alluring world of tango.
Part essay, part memoir, part history, part fiction, The Temptation To Tango appeals to experienced dancers, beginners just starting their tango journey, those who aren't yet sure if tango is for them, and those who are simply curious about why this dance is so compelling to so many.
Excerpts from the book are available online. Visit their website, http://TheTemptationToTango.com, for more information and to order your copy.
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THE IMPORTANCE OF LEAD AND FOLLOW ROLES
Leaders:
Some may say that Leading is the more challenging role in tango, because from a kaleidoscope of options, continuous split-second decisions require pleasing a partner, interpreting the music, maintaining safety & direction, and uniquely expressing oneself.
Followers:
Some may say that Following is the more challenging role in tango, because it requires near-psychic sensitivity which must be slightly subdued, while making continuous accurate split-second responses to match a partner, enhance the music, maintain balance, and uniquely express oneself.
With thanks to Polly McBride of Portland, OR -- from her (now defunct) All Things Argentine Tango website.
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TANGO DANCE ETIQUETTE
Here is an informative explanation of the etiquette of the Tango. This is especially good information for new dancers who haven't yet had much experience at milongas or Tango dance workshops, with lots of good general tips plus specific advice for leaders and for followers. More experienced milongueros probably know much of this already, but it's still a good review.
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WHERE DO WE DANCE?
Here are maps and driving directions to tango venues on the Mendocino coast (note: these pages contain graphics):
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