Also in this Bulletin
2. Workshop schedule for Marcelo & Romina - repeated to encourage participation. - and that evening our milonga.
3. Piazzolla & Jorge Luis Borges: a short essay about these tango heroes.
1. The Video of the Week is a short fantasy about tango in our daily lives. Some report the videos play intermittently. This may be due to the computer trying to play it while busy downloading it. Try playing it again after the download completes. The second view should be smooth. Click on the comment button to tell us if this works for you.
2. Marcelo & Romina's workshop schedule will be as follows:
Saturday - March 31, 2007
11 a.m. - Fundamentals & Technique for all levels from beginner to advanced. This will be an opportunity to learn and improve posture, walking, lead and follow connection, changes of weight and changes of direction. The cross system will be introduced.
12:30 p.m. - Exploring the possibilities of the parallel and the cross system: Intermediates with a solid understanding of concepts presented in the first class will have a chance to apply their skills in new ways. Material presented will be tailored to the skills of the participants.
Their teaching philosophy: You become a better dancer not by how many steps you know, but how you execute them. We focus on technique, connection with the partner and musicality. Our classes balance hard work and fun; you learn in a friendly atmosphere.
Cost:
$20 - One Workshop, $35 - Both Workshops
$60 - Both Workshops for a couple registering together
$80/per hour + $10 studio fee for private lessons
Modesto Fitness & Racquet Club
200 Norwegian Ave., Modesto, CA
Private Lessons are available by arrangement with the instructor. To schedule send email to ModestoTango@gmail.com or call (209) 522-1571
3. Piazzolla and I
is a short essay about the works of Piazzzolla with lyrics inspired by Jorge Luis Borges, one of Argentina's great literary heroes. This is a synopsis of his essay:
"When I had long known his music - he told me he wanted to record an album of with lyrics from my poetry and fiction. Later, when I first heard "El Tango ," the album he recorded, I was transported back to the Buenos Aires I knew after the turn of the century, to Palermo with its cabarets and brothels, tangos and milongas, and "compadritos" with their black clothes, black high-heeled shoes, flashing knives."
He was explaining how he started playing tangos as a child, performed with Carlos Gardel, played bandoneón and arranged for Anibal Troilo, all the while teaching himself to compose in the classical European style.
Strangely enough, he told me, the pivotal event in his artistic development occurred in France. He had won an international competition and received a grant to study with Nadia Boulanger. He showed her some of his compositions: she said . "These are very well written, That's all, nothing more. But I can't find you in any of this," She asked about his life: what composers did he admire, what was his instrument? With great shame, he admitted, it was the bandoneón, and he played tangos in nightclubs.
She told him to bring his bandoneón and play tangos for her. This he did, with great anxiety, when he finished , she took his hand and said, "This is who you are. This is the music you must write."
An interviewer asked me for my thoughts on the tango, this music that originated in the bordellos of our city at the turn of the century. I concluded my dissertation:
"All the hustle and bustle of the city, all the emotions that move men - anger, fear, desire, sexual pleasure -become central motifs for the authors of tangos "
MONDAY (tonight) March 5 & 12. Dinner/dancing at Jacobs Fine Dining, 2501 McHenry. A chance to work on moves learned in class and get floor time. No fee, but you are urged to order off the menu. We start about 8 p.m. An informal meeting; some come early to dine. We may dance to 10 p.m. We were in the Bee's list of "fifty nifty things to do in Modesto"Sunday, so we may see some new faces. See Monday at Jacobs
SATURDAY, March 10: Classes with Patrick at Modesto Fitness and Racquet Club, 200 Norwegian, off McHenry. 11 a.m. Intermediate, 12:30 beginning level.
Intermediates are encouraged to stay for the beginner class at no additional fee to work on technique and assist beginners. $12 a class per person.
http://modestotango.googlepages.com/
OUT OF TOWN: Some have expressed interest in these. To carpool call 522-1571.
TUESDAY:
EMERYVILLE - Classes at Allegro Ballroom with Nora Dinzelbacher
5855 Christie Avenue, Emeryville CA 94608
Beginning Class - 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. $12
Intermediate/Advanced 8:30 - 9:30 p.m. $12
Practica: 9:30 -10:30 p.m. $5 (free with class; another chance for floor time).
SACRAMENTO -
At Tango by the River, 128 J Street, Old Sacramento
Beginning Argentine Tango (Level I) Tuesdays, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.,
Intermediate Tango (Level II) Tuesdays, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.,
Intermediate/Advanced Tango (Level III) Tuesdays, 8:30-9:30 p.m.,
Taught by studio owner Donna Williams & Zak Brown;
Cost is $35 per person/$60 per couple for each series ($20 for students).
From 8 to 9:30 p.m at Step One, 1920 T Street: Ed Loomis and Rebeca Basave teach an intermediate/advanced level "Continuing Tango" They are focusing on technique and improvisations for molinete , perhaps the most complex element of Argentine Tango. Contact Ed Loomis at TangoBear@pobox.com for info.
WEDNESDAY:
At Tango by the River, 128 J Street in Old Sacramento: Wednesdays, 7-8 p.m. Tango Technique, Taught by Michelle Loughlin in February,
Cost for the four-week series is $50 per person; $15 drop-in.
La Práctica for all levels with Mike & Alisa at Step One, 1920 T St. (at train tracks), 8:15 - 10:15 p.m., only $3 for all levels, beginners welcome.
THURSDAY:
Twenty-Something Tango At Tango by the river, 128 J Street, Old Sacramento,
6:30 - 7:30 p.m: Beginning Argentine Tango
7:30 - 8:30 p.m: Continuing ArgentineTango
8:30 - 10:30 p.m: Practica
Classes are taught by Chris Peake & Emily Trites .
Cost: College student $25/session (with valid ID) Non college-student $35/session.
MILONGAS -
@>---- Modesto's next milonga Saturday March 31 at Jacobs. Marcelo & Romina as guest artists, performing and doing the music. For more information go to Milonga
MILONGAS ELSEWHERE
SACRAMENTO
@>---- SATURDAY, MARCH 10 at Tango by the River, 128 J Street, Old Sacramento WITH GUEST DJ ROBERTO RIOBO teaching a beginning tango lesson from 8 to 9 p.m. (doors open at 7:45), dance from 9 to midnight! Cost is $15 for lesson & dance; $10 for dance only. Both include hors d'oeuvres, refreshments and dance.
@>---- 3rd Saturdays DOWNTOWN MILONGA : 922 8th Street, Sacramento
Time: 9 p.m. Music: Tango (traditional and alternative) Cover: $5. The studio is on 8th Street, between I and J. Go up the steep stairs and turn left, No refreshments, so bring food, wine, beer. Parking on the street may be limited.
@>---- SATURDAY, MARCH 24 at Tango by the River, 128 J St., Old Sacramento. Beginning tango lesson from 8 to 9 p.m. (doors open at 7:45), dance from 9 to midnight! Cost is $15; includes lesson, dance (to live tango music!), hors d'oeuvres, & refreshments.
@>---- 2nd SUNDAY / Time 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. - at Giovanni's Pizzeria Milonga, 2701 Del Paso Rd in Safeway Shopping Center Town Center - Del Paso Rd exit from I-5 - East) Contact Joanne Miyao (916) 215-1020 cell or Betsy Gordon (916) 601-8824.
FAIR OAKS
1st and 3rd Sundays of every month - 6 to 9:30 p.m.
@>---- Mirabelle European Pastry Cafe, 7318 Winding Way, Fair Oaks, CA 95628, Phone: 916-535-0100. Good food, an intimate and friendly atmosphere, great music and Tango. Any birthdays out there? We'll help you celebrate. Cover - $5.
@>---- Every THURSDAY evening at "Café La Boca" at 2600 Fair Oaks Boulevard
EMERYVILLE
@>---- NEW!!! - STARTING: MARCH 10th, on the second SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH "LA MILONGA DE NORA"
"ALLEGRO BALLROOM" - 5855 Christie Ave -
9:15 p.m - 2 a.m (at the Main Ballroom)
9:15 p.m - 10 p.m: Class by Nora & Edu
10 p.m - 2 a.m.: Milonga
Live Music by "Hombres de Tango" w/Seth "Notable" Azarnow in Bandoneón
DJ : Nora Featuring "tandas" of Tango, Milonga, Vals and Tropical (swing, rock, salsa) separated by "cortinas" Buenos Aires style.
Class + Milonga + Live Music: $20
Class + Milonga + DJ Music: $15
Milonga + Live Music: $15
Milonga: $12
Refreshments and snacks included.
SAN FRANCISCO
@>---- Thursdays
Mariposa Argentine Tango Club at the Verdi Club
2424 Mariposa St. at Potrero Ave, SF
7:15-8 p.m. - Close Embrace Basics with Christy and Adolfo
8-8:45 p.m. - Int/Adv Close Embrace with Christy and Adolfo
Mar 8, 15, & 22 - Special Guest Instructor George Garcia
Mar 29 - Special Guest Instructor Raul Cabral
8:45 p.m.-12:30 a.m. - Milonga hosted by Victor Meneses & Christy Coté with D.J. Emilo Flores, $15 class + Milonga /$14 Milonga only
UPCOMING TANGO TOURS TO BUENOS AIRES:
From Gato & Andrea offer a 14 day tour accompanied package.
• AUGUST 11th TO 26th, 2007
NOVEMBER 9th TO 24th, 2007
Teaching philosophy -
