The Tango-L mailing list archive
Digest from 20 Jan 2000
to 21 Jan 2000
Reply-To: Discussion of Any Aspect of the Argentine Tango <TANGO-L @MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
To: Recipients of TANGO-L digests <TANGO-L @MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
Date: Fri, 21 Jan 2000 03:00:07 -0500
Sender: Discussion of Any Aspect of the Argentine Tango <TANGO-L @MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
From: Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV @MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
Subject: TANGO-L Digest - 20 Jan 2000 to 21 Jan 2000 (#2000-20)
There are 4 messages totalling 540 lines in this issue.
Topics of the day:
1. An Idea Worth Exploring
2. Tango in Vancouver
3. TANGO-L Digest - 19 Jan 2000 to 20 Jan 2000 (#2000-19)
4. USTC in Miami
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2000 08:38:42 EST
From: Victor Crichton <victor_vsc @HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: An Idea Worth Exploring
I would like to add a brief personal view to Randy Pittman's informative
posting regarding the upcoming USTC.
I attended the first two USTCs in full and parts of the third one. I can
honestly say that they are terrific events. The instructors that they
invite are amongst the top in the world, the location on Miami Beach is
great for vacationing, it's fun to meet other Tango enthusiasts from around
the world, and the nightly milongas with live music are worth the trip by
themselves.
Whether you feel you want instruction, milongas or both, I know you would
find this to be a worthwhile event to attend.
If anyone has any specific questions or concerns, please feel free to write
to me in private or on the list.
Victor Crichton
Tampa Bay, Florida.
PS. I have no financial interest in the USTC, just a happy attendee.
>
>We do have day passes half day passes and Milonga only passes. Everything
>happens under one roof, at a glamorous vacation resort. Those who want the
>workshops, can participate with full a registration package that includes 6
>hours of daily instruction, plus Gala evening Milongas with live music.
>
>The weekend portion of our event has Gala Milongas, Friday, Saturday and
>Sunday in a 20,000 sq. ft. Elegant ballroom. There are classes Sat. & Sun.
>included in the package. We have a complete week package, you can take the
>weekend and the week package.
>
>At this time, there are Milongeros y Tangueras that might not be in need of
>more dance training and would rather join for the Gala evening activities.
>IT IS AVAILABLE. The same daily class pass and Milonga pass that is
>available to our local Tango community, is also available to the complete
>Tango World. If you wish to fly in and join just the Milongas, welcome.
>Joins us at our Milongas and visit South Florida's famous South Beach,
>Coconut Grove, and much much more.
>
>In the other festivals, the instructors and the workshops are the
>centerpiece
>of the event. At the USTC Tango Fantasy 2000 we have a strong all-star
>cast
>for our workshops, but the other amenities of nightly Milongas with live
>music in a Grand Ballroom on beautiful Miami Beach, and the US qualifying
>event for the IDO World Argentine Tango Championship. We've tried to
>develop
>a program for anyone and everyone. If you can't find it here, you won't
>find
>it anywhere.
>
>I'm always open for suggestions and input, if you want to join us for one
>day, the weekend, the week or just for the Milongas, you won't find more
>suitable facilities. Just like at Burger King, have it your way, It is
>here
>today.
>
>Join us in Miami.
>
>Tango Forever,
>
>Randy
>
______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2000 12:41:31 -0500
From: "L: Anne-Sophie Ville" <Aville @WORLDBANK.ORG>
Subject: Tango in Vancouver
Could any body let me know if there is any tango event in Vancouver February
17-18-19-20-21?
Thanks for letting me know.
Anne-Sophie Ville
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2000 13:40:44 -0400
From: Gerald Minne <valsman @EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject: Re: TANGO-L Digest - 19 Jan 2000 to 20 Jan 2000 (#2000-19)
Hi Tangueros;
Several months ago I heard Robert Duval had a script for his tango
movie, called Assassination Tango. It's supposed to be about a "Hit Man"
who goes to Argentina and becomes involved with Tango.
I suspect Duval would make a movie that would appeal to a wider
audience than "The Tango Lesson" or "Tango" did, yet be satisfying
to we who love tango and want the world to share it with us.
Has anyone heard whether this is true?
Has it been cast? Has production started?
Just curious to know.
Regards to all'
Jerry Minne
Automatic digest processor wrote:
> Subject: TANGO-L Digest - 19 Jan 2000 to 20 Jan 2000 (#2000-19)
> Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2000 03:00:04 -0500
> From: Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV @MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
> Reply-To: Discussion of Any Aspect of the Argentine Tango <TANGO-L @MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
> To: Recipients of TANGO-L digests <TANGO-L @MITVMA.MIT.EDU>
>
> There are 6 messages totalling 414 lines in this issue.
>
> Topics of the day:
>
> 1. Esteban and Claudia (Re: New teachers at the CITA) (2)
> 2. New teachers at the CITA
> 3. Exploring: where and when
> 4. An Idea Worth Exploring
> 5. new url
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject: Esteban and Claudia (Re: New teachers at the CITA)
> Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2000 12:08:17 +0100
> From: Peter Niebert <Peter.Niebert @IMAG.FR>
>
> tangobabe writes:
> > Hi, all:
> >
> > I would like to find some information about the several new teachers at the
> > CITA-2000 in Buenos Aires, namely: Esteban Moreno and Claudia Codega,
> > Norberto "El Pulpo" Esbrez and Luisa, Mauricio Castro & Moira.
>
> Esteban and Claudia now work most of the time in Europe, with base in
> Lyon. They are ambitious stage dancers and teachers (according to
> themselves: in that order) of the younger generation (~30).
>
> What is interesting about Esteban is that he started to dance Tango
> for amusement and it was his first dance. Only after he became
> professional (studying contemporary dance for the technique),
> excellent stage dancer and teacher. I say this because there are quite
> a few couples from the younger generation who were professional
> dancers before entering the Tango market.
>
> What I tell about their teaching is drawn from participation in weekly
> classes, not workshops.
>
> They teach an elegant salon style which is rather close (the fingers
> of the right hand of the man if possible placed under the right arm of
> the woman, total embrace). But it has nothing to do with milonguero
> (no chest contact), the technique being radically different:
>
> What I believe to be typical for their technique (or at least they
> emphasise this more in their teaching than others) is that the man is
> often much in front with his axis while the woman is rather
> straight. But this is only a part of the truth, because it depends on
> the direction the couple moves: If the man is advancing, he will be
> much in front and the woman will be a little bit in front with the
> weight. If the man is stepping back, then both will be leaning
> slightly backwards. Same for turns, where the centrifugal forces
> require both partners to lean back slightly.
>
> This is in some sense high school mechanics, but it is often neglected
> in teaching. Their technique includes beautiful accelerations, which
> - while more subtle in the execution and of course in accord with the
> music - technically ressemble accelerations in swing, where the man
> sends the woman away from is body only to catch her weight in the next
> moment. All of this without ever really giving up the embrace.
>
> Their approach is to teach figures that are difficult (rather than
> showy) and to oblige the students to execute them well (find the
> balance, etc.). On this level, I have learned a lot from them, in
> particular on how to develop momentum in turns. Also, I have gained
> more freedom to displace myself (and leading my partner to make a
> step) without actually making a step.
>
> Also (a completely different topic), they teach interpretation of the
> music. While this may be a topic in many classes, they have
> intensified this work, e.g. offering special classes for each of the
> great orchestras. I have not participated in such a course (and I
> prefer to develop the interpretation of the music out of myself
> instead of blocking my imagination with other peoples
> interpretations), but let me assure you that they know what they talk
> about. Also, Esteban has started to give classes in DJing.
>
> They speak Spanish, Italian and French, but I guess everything will be
> translated to English at the mega event you intend to participate.
>
> Best wishes,
>
> Peter
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject: Re: New teachers at the CITA
> Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2000 09:03:02 -0500
> From: Robin Tara <rtara @MAINE.RR.COM>
>
> Gina asked about teachers at CITA named Norberto "El Pulpo" Esbrez and
> Luisa.
>
> El Pulpo is a dynamo. I never took classes with him but saw him and his
> partner dance a demonstaration at Niqo Bien. He is the most truly
> original, natural dancer I have ever seen. He can do anything. They did
> a dance that was part swing, part samba and part tango. The effect was
> electrifying. It was effortless, creative, unrehearsed and absolutely
> amazing. Can he teach? I don't know but if I were going to CITA I sure
> would check him out!!
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject: Exploring: where and when
> Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2000 11:02:10 -0500
> From: Robinne Gray <rlg2 @CORNELL.EDU>
>
> Someone had written:
> >if a good dancer wants to travel for dancing
> >aren't they more likely to go to one of the cities like New York,
> >Montreal or San Francisco?
>
> Maybe, but having been to NYC and Montreal countless times, I for one
> would like to see some new places, and the expense of travelling to the
> west coast can be prohibitive. Nice to have something in between. For
> example I don' t know people in Minneapolis or in Austin anymore, and a
> tango event would be the perfect excuse to visit those cities.
>
> Melinda wrote:> ...I suspect people like me would be tempted to go
> >someplace where there are also lots of activities, either cultural or
> >athletic.... I don't think I would go to much trouble to visit
> >someplace not inherently interesting.
>
> Yes! But I'd try to have a fairly open mind about what constitutes
> "inherently interesting." I was never drawn to Cleveland, but had a nice
> tour of downtown from Tim and went to my first (and only) Slovenian
> restaurant there. Lots of people have never heard of Ithaca but it's
> stunning here 3 seasons out of the year (currently 5 degrees F, stunningly
> cold, not recommended) and I've had fantasies of taking a bunch of
> tangueros sailing on Cayuga Lake. As I say, it's a different mindset. I
> like to see how other people live, what other places are like. From the
> sound of it, dozens of people go to Buenos Aires and do nothing that isn't
> tango-related (sightseeing = Gardel's tomb). That's OK, but not the
> approach for me.
>
> An obvious planning strategy would be to have Exchanges in southern
> cities in cold months, northern cities as it gets warmer, though I have
> seen the opposite approach used to advantage: Saratoga Springs NY has its
> Dance Flurry (a few thousand people) in February, and Phoenix has a huge
> swing event (800-900 people) each July 4th weekend because the hotels can
> be rented for less than in peak season.
>
> Another thought would be to have the initial events in core cities with
> established tango scenes, and over time to "seed" other cities that have
> fewer tango dancers and/or those just getting started (Durham NC comes to
> mind).
>
> All that remains is to drum up enough buy-in from other communities.
> This was no doubt easier for the Lindy gang, as that community is far
> larger and has grown & matured over a longer period of time.
>
> On a somewhat related note, does anyone have direct experience with
> buying an airline ticket through Priceline.Com?
>
> --Robinne
> Ithaca, NY
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject: Re: An Idea Worth Exploring
> Date: Tue, 18 Jan 2000 23:27:30 -0800
> From: "Renaldo \"Ron\" Leon" <RLeon49r @PACBELL.NET>
>
> Hola Randy,
>
> Thanks for your great post and information! Count me in, I wouldn't miss it for
> anything! Great cities like Miami have a lot to offer all of us regardless of
> what other great cities we come from. Keep up the spirit and flow of
> information. I look forward to meeting you and your Miami Tangueros(as).
>
> Happy Tangoing, Renaldo
>
> Randy Pittman wrote:
>
> > Hola Milongueros y Tangueras;
> >
> > Your idea worth exploring is, an "Ideal that is in the Process" as we write.
> >
> > Robinne wrote;
> >
> > >I learned about a network of teachers and
> > >organizers who coordinate weekends of social dance through a mechanism
> > >called the Lindy Exchange. What is notable about the Exchange is that it
> > >doe not involve classes. The whole point is that different cities take
> > >turns playing host to dancers who convene to dance socially.
> >
> > Renaldo wrote;
> >
> > > I believe that your idea of bringing together dancers through an
> > >"exchange" is a good one. Being from the San Francisco Bay Area and
> > >dancing 5 nights each week is wonderful.
> >
> > -Renaldo cont-
> > >I have had the opportunity to attend workshops (getaways) in Reno,
> > >Portland, Oregon, Tango Cruise in Caribbean and have visited LA for
> > >Milongas in my short 8 months of dancing and I have found that the people
> > >that I have met at these gatherings are as much (or more) fun than the
> > >instruction that I have received at the workshops. Please do not get me
> > >wrong, the instructors that I have learned from at these workshop have
> > >been great, however the social interaction with these "outside"
> > >Tangueras is what draws me to the workshops also.
> >
> > Our Tango world is blessed. When Robinne, Renaldo and other Tangueros in San
> > Francisco, New York and LA can dance 5 to 7 nights a week. When Milongueros
> > y Tangueras in cities all over the world you can find Tango classes,
> > practicas and Milongas almost anywhere worldwide, our Tango world is truly
> > blessed. The Tango world is an exciting and growing experience of life, that
> > will only continue to grow.
> >
> > I remember a time not so long ago, when Tango was not so bountiful, as we
> > enjoy it today. In the summer of 1994, several Tangueros from Miami
> > (including my partner) attended their first Stanford Tango week program.
> > Everybody I've ever talked to, has only expressed their great delight and
> > satisfaction at the workshops.
> >
> > Tango in S. F. was still in their early growing stages. In 1994 there were
> > no regular Milongas in S. F. After enjoying the Master instruction provided
> > during the Stanford Tango daytime program, there were no evening activities.
> > In the evenings, the attendees would go in groups to the lounges or small
> > restaurants, and ask the DJ's if they would play a couple of Tangos for them,
> > most of the times they brought their own taped music with them. Everybody
> > had a great time and highly praised the Stanford Tango experience. Also in
> > 1994 Tango had not found its way to Colorado, or in many other places in the
> > US and worldwide.
> >
> > -Robinne cont-
> > >Workshops with master teachers certainly have their place, but after
> > >several years of dancing I find that I am less drawn to group classes and
> > >that the real appeal of regional events is the coming together of good
> > >dancers from other communities. I know I'm not alone in feeling this way.
> > Robinne cont.-
> > >Of course we've all taken workshops with
> > >instructors we've enjoyed and learned from, but there are many more
> > >compelling reasons that a break from workshop-as-centerpiece would be
> > >refreshing.
> >
> > Let me continue my history lesson for our new members. Tango summer
> > workshops started in the early 90's at Stanford University. In 1995 the new
> > growth started. There was a new event organized at Northwestern University.
> > As expected, the incredible Master classes, and one Gala party in the Gym at
> > the end of the event. Everybody raved about it.
> >
> > In 1996 came the Ohio Tangofest. Top of the line Master professors. The
> > organizers added nightly practicas to the program. Miguel Angle Zotto was
> > the professor that attracted my attention and enticed me to join. Miguel
> > canceled and sent his brother Osvaldo. Ohio Tangofest was Osvaldo' Zotto's
> > coming out party in the US. Everyone that was there will never forget, the
> > amazing Osvaldo Zotto, teaching and dancing with a broken arm. He was the
> > hit of the event.
> >
> > The Ohio Tangofest was my first personal experience. My partner Lydia and
> > several of my Miami friends shared with me, their SF Stanford adventure, from
> > their videos and their hearts. At the Ohio Tangofest, old friendships were
> > reunited from Tangueros having met at previous events, and new friendships
> > formed each year. Watching the level of Tango dancing grow each year, was
> > exciting to me as a dance instructor.
> >
> > -Robinne-
> > >The "exchange" approach poses less risk for event organizers, who could
> > >concentrate their resources on renting great dance halls and hiring
> > >musicians if possible, and on amenities like decor and refreshments, i.e.,
> > >throwing a more gala party than usual.
> >
> > When I personally attended my first week Tango event with the Argentine
> > Masters in Ohio, I must say that, I agree with you Robinne. The Gala evening
> > activities were missing from the event. That is when the USTC Tango Fantasy
> > on Miami Beach event was started. A Tango event, that added the Gala evening
> > activities, and at a beautiful vacation resort that would compliment the
> > tremendous teaching program that was started, at the Stanford Tango workshops.
> >
> > In the beginning we had illusions of grandeur. A great event, lots of people
> > comming to Miami and making lots of money. There has been 3 grand events,
> > 450 Tangueros have enjoyed unbelievable workshops, and ver 3,000 at our Gala
> > Milongas, Master dance shows and the IDO Argentine Tango World Championships
> > at our last 3 USTC Tango Fantasy on Miami Beach events, but the money, Ha Ha
> > Ha.
> >
> > Remember the latest discussions on the work vs. the financial rewards of
> > Milongas. The only difference between local events and major events, is the
> > amount of the "labor of love" that is put into the project.
> >
> > -Karen wrote-
> > >Looking forward to providing that social atmosphere in a beautiful place
> > >for stained glass and tango. Tango and glass: its beauty, provokes the
> > >passion.
> >
> > Karen, I wish you great success, but in the Meantime...................
> >
> > Everybody's ideals of staying in strangers homes and meeting new friends
> > through dancing, is very romantic, but as an event organizer, the worked
> > involved in getting to the bottom line of, people showing up and having a
> > great time. Either you have to pay out of your pocket, or ask people to
> > invest in a special event.
> >
> > -Stephen P. Brown wrote-
> > >Tango Exchange Weekends. It seems as though when
> > >most people reach a level of dancing skill where they are comfortable,
> > >tango workshops become less interesting and big Milongas become more
> > >interesting. The tango weeks combine workshops and the big Milongas.
> >
> > Steve de Tejas wrote
> > >A possible variation would be for the existing tango weeks to add a
> > >milonga weekend package that could be purchased separately by anyone
> > >including those not attending the tango week.
> >
> > -Matej wrote -
> > >In US many bigger events are offered only as packages, sometimes with
> > >truly ridiculous prices (often not even with live music at milongas),
> > >while I see from limited experience in Europe tango festivals do offer
> > >options of choosing milongas only, or maybe few classes, which makes
> > >everything much more reasonably priced and possibly attracts more
> > >dancers at milongas.
> >
> > Our original goal with the USTC was, to make the evening festivities as grand
> > as the daytime Master instruction, an experience one will never forget.
> >
> > We have fine tuned the USTC to try to fit all needs. First, I don't believe
> > we could attracted as many people to our event without the Argentine Masters,
> > and if you think that dance halls are expensive, try renting hotel ballrooms.
> >
> > We do have day passes half day passes and Milonga only passes. Everything
> > happens under one roof, at a glamorous vacation resort. Those who want the
> > workshops, can participate with full a registration package that includes 6
> > hours of daily instruction, plus Gala evening Milongas with live music.
> > Anyone with under 5 years dancing needs the classes and should use this time
> > to continue their dance training.
> >
> > The weekend portion of our event has Gala Milongas, Friday, Saturday and
> > Sunday in a 20,000 sq. ft. Elegant ballroom. There are classes Sat. & Sun.
> > included in the package. We have a complete week package, you can take the
> > weekend and the week package. In the past, we made available for the locals:
> > one-day passes, half-day passes, with or without Milongas, or Milonga only
> > passes. We want everybody to be able to enjoy the Tango Fantasy on Miami
> > Beach experience.
> >
> > At this time, there are Milongeros y Tangueras that might not be in need of
> > more dance training and would rather join for the Gala evening activities.
> > IT IS AVAILABLE. The same daily class pass and Milonga pass that is
> > available to our local Tango community, is also available to the complete
> > Tango World. If you wish to fly in and join just the Milongas, welcome.
> > Joins us at our Milongas and visit South Florida's famous South Beach,
> > Coconut Grove, and much much more.
> >
> > In the other festivals, the instructors and the workshops are the centerpiece
> > of the event. At the USTC Tango Fantasy 2000 we have a strong all-star cast
> > for our workshops, but the other amenities of nightly Milongas with live
> > music in a Grand Ballroom on beautiful Miami Beach, and the US qualifying
> > event for the IDO World Argentine Tango Championship. We've tried to develop
> > a program for anyone and everyone. If you can't find it here, you won't find
> > it anywhere.
> >
> > -Mike from Seattle-
> > >So, it's really more about what place would be fun to go to? What
> > >places already have stuff going on that you'd want to try?
> >
> > I'm always open for suggestions and input, if you want to join us for one
> > day, the weekend, the week or just for the Milongas, you won't find more
> > suitable facilities. Just like at Burger King, have it your way, It is here
> > today.
> >
> > Join us in Miami.
> >
> > Tango Forever,
> >
> > Randy
> >
> > -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Send "Where can I Tango in <city>?" requests to Tango-A rather than to
> > Tango-L, since you can indicate the region. To subscribe to Tango-A,
> > send "subscribe Tango-A Firstname Lastname" to LISTSERV @MITVMA.MIT.EDU.
> > -----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject: Re: Esteban and Claudia (Re: New teachers at the CITA)
> Date: Wed, 19 Jan 2000 14:27:11 +0100
> From: Helaine Treitman <treitman @GIOTTO.ORG>
>
> Peter knows Esteban and Claudia much better than I do, and everything I was
> about to offer about this couple he has already said beautifully. I want to
> add something, as a follower and woman who has worked with Claudia.
>
> I took classes with them for three days last summer at Tangomania
> Summerfestival in Sasso Marconi, Bologna. They are serious, dedicated
> teachers. Claudia worked hard with me on my technique in all the classes, and
> was very demanding, for which I was grateful. More than any other teacher,
> Claudia helped me really improve my giro, which I've been working on for years,
> and it was a breakthrough for me. I would choose her classes, followers, if
> you want to clean up your technique, but you have to let her know you want to
> work.
>
> Helaine
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Subject: new url
> Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2000 00:41:45 EST
> From: Jack Karako <JKarako @AOL.COM>
>
> The folks who are organizing the festival in Israel (Tel Aviv and Jerusalem)
> have a new web site:
>
> www.tango.co.il
>
> Enjoy
> Jak
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2000 13:35:21 -0500
From: Lorettal Burton <LnBrtn @COMPSERV.NET>
Subject: USTC in Miami
The USTC in Miami has always been one of my favorite places
to see, and dance with friends from all over the country.
Randy and Lydia do a great job of hosting, and making it an
enjoyable time.
I plan on attending with 20 of my students.
Hope to see you there.
Tangoly yours,
Lori Burton
End of TANGO-L Digest - 20 Jan 2000 to 21 Jan 2000 (#2000-20)
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