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LINKS...
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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 CLASSES
Tango Mendocino, in conjunction with the College of the Redwoods, is pleased to offer a ten week class series, An Introduction to Argentine Tango, on Tuesdays from 7-9 pm beginning September 14, 2010. The instructors are Tango Mendocino's own Walter Stillman and Raquel Maschiach.
Beginner's are welcome. No partner necessary, and no prior dance experience required. Men are particularly encouraged to sign up.
The introductory class series is being offered through the College of the Redwoods. Cost is $100; you will need to register with the college.
Curious but not sure tango is for you? A free lecture on Argentine Tango: A Dancer's Perspective and an exhibition of Argentine Tango social dancing will be offered on September 8 from 6 - 7 pm in Room 112 at C/R. Coffee and cookies will be available at 5:30.
For further details, read our class prospectus.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Special tango events, near and far, of possible interest to Tango Mendonesians
September 2010:
- 11th Denver Labor Day Tango Festival, in Denver, CO, Thu-Mon, September 2-5, 2010: www.tango.org
- Cecilia Gonzalez & Somer Surgit, workshops at the Weller House Inn, Fri-Sun, September 10-12, 2010: www.tangomotion.com/, www.whi-tango.com
- Gustavo & Jesica Hornos, workshops at the Weller House Inn, Fri-Sun, September 24-26, 2010: www.tangoclasses.com/, www.whi-tango.com
October 2010:
- Vibrations of the Soul (Vibraciones del Alma), a stage show about the Musical History of Tango, presented by California a Todo Tango, in Sacramento, CA, Fri-Sat, October 1-2, 2010, at 8 pm: rivertango.com/uptashcatota.html or call 916.443.7008. Discount tickets available online. (The previous show in June sold out.) Social dancing afterwards, free to show attendees (ticket stub gets you in).
- Portland TangoFest XIV, festival in Portland, OR, Thu-Mon, October 7-11, 2010: www.claysdancestudio.com/tangofest_10/
- Stefan Fabry & Mitra Martin, workshops at the Weller House Inn, Fri-Sun, October 22-24, 2010: dance.stefanfabry.com, www.whi-tango.com
November 2010:
- Albuquerque Tango Festival, Albuquerque's first-ever locally produced festival, Thu-Sun, November 4-7, 2010: www.albuquerquetangofestival.com/
- Julian Ramil, workshops at the Weller House Inn, Fri-Sun, November 19-21, 2010: Allegro Ballroom bio of Julian, www.whi-tango.com
- Seth Asarnow y su Sexteto Tipico, milonga with live music at the Weller House Inn, Sat., November 20, 2010: www.whi-tango.com
- Fandango de Tango festival in Austin Texas, Wed-Sun, November 24-28, 2010: www.fandangodetango.com/1.html
- Clay Nelson's Ashland Thanksgiving "TurkeyTango" festival in Ashland, OR, Wed-Sun, November 24-28, 2010: www.claysdancestudio.com/ATT10/index.shtml
December 2010:
- Christy Cote & Facundo Posadas, workshops at the Weller House Inn, Fri-Sun, December 3-5, 2010: christycote.com, www.whi-tango.com
- San Diego Tango Festival, in San Diego, CA, Thu-Sun, December 30, 2010 - January 2, 2011: sandiegotangofestival.com
For more information on tango events in the San Francisco bay area, 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:
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