HAPPY INTERNATIONAL TANGO DAY!!!!

I wish you all a Happy international Tango Day, which is today! December 11th. It is the birth day of two very important tango personas, the most representative face of tango- Carlos Gardel and the musician, composer-Julio de Caro. They share this birthday and hence its been declared National Tango Day in Argentina and is celebrated as the International Tango Day globally.
So today, do something tango related to pay homage to tango, and its community. Write an email to a tango friend, book a trip to attend a tango festival, read a tango related blog and leave a comment, order tango shoes online, buy a tango dress, top, skirt, listen to a tango radio online, or a tango CD. At the very least, when you are in your car, returning from work, or when you are walking to get some coffee, hum a tango and without being too obvious, walk into a cross, or as you are waiting for your coffee, change your weight.:) Me? I am posting this, and in the evening I will drink a glass of wine to the honor of Gardel and de Caro.

appologies and new posts

So I now it is not new year yet but I have one new year's resolution already, to post regularly on this blog. Sorry about the long silent break, between trying to get my wok done and family I lost track of things.Then I started feeling guilty, and that always helps increase level of procrastination and avoidance. Now its time to come to tems with my negligence and make an effort. I appologize for being silent for so long. So here I go:)
Many things to post about. First there are a number of festivals that I want to daw your attention to. Now mind you, it I had a free schedule, tons of money, and invincible feet that does not hurt no matter how much I dance, these are the tango festivals/events I would attend to. In other words, I am whistling the tune of that famous tune from The Fiddler on the Roof , "If I were a rich man" as I am typing these words.:) Thank fully there are plenty of options and time to plan ahead, so maybe we all can attend to one or two of these events.:)

Since I have been talking above about new years, I will continue with that theme. What about starting the year in style, with tango? Povidence, RI New Year's Celebration Weekend is a wonderful opportunity (December 31, 2007 - Januery 2, 2008). Having celebrated New Year on the East Coast, where weather will pobably cold and even snowy if we re lucky, we might want to attend the San Diego Tango Festival (January 3-6, 2008) to warm up. Let's see.. Where can we go from San Diego... Hmmm. What about Houston? Houston Tango Festival (January 25-27, 2008) is creating a lot of interest and hey, there is a direct flight from Omaha.:)
Ok that is what I recommend for the month of JAnuary. I am sure there are many other great festivals too. For February, keep an eye out for Valentango Festival (FEbruary 13-17, 2008) in Portland, OR, and celebrate your love for tango:) To get information about these festivals, click on the underlined names of the festivals mentioned, above.

Ok, that is stuff about festivals. What about listenning to tango?
IF you enjoy tango, cannot get enough of it, do not own many tango CDs, but would like to listen to it at home or at work, all you need is an internet connection and the website address I will give you. Here is a wonderful tango radio from Buenos Aires, broadcasting tango music all day. AND you can brush up on your Spanish:)
La 2x4 Tango Fm 92.7 : http://www.la2x4.gov.ar/home.php
Click above and then click on "en vivo" that is blinking in read (translation: en vivo = live)

That is it or now till next time.. Stay Warm:)

Pictures form Denver 2007 Labor Day Tango Festival

Courtesy of Jerry:)

Online Tango...

When I find out about an online resource about tango I cannot help but share it:) Here is one that I really enjoy, TodoTango Website (http://www.todotango.com/english/main.html).
There is so much information on tango, and the best thing is you can listen to many tangos on you computer. You can also look at the lyrics of the songs and sing along. Ok I admit I do this more than I should:)

Tango Steps from Jerry..

Hello all, I decided to post the tango steps newsletter that Jerry dilligently prepares every week for us here, as soon as I get it in my inbox. I want to thank Jerry again for begin the information specialist of our community:) Below is the newsletter I received today:

¡hola!

Five days and counting - then the big event for the fall. If you don't know what that is, you need to pay attention to your emails much more seriously! If you can join us and haven't signed up for the class yet please call or email Laura Kendall as soon as possible at lkendall2 at unl dot edu . Sandy tells me we have a good number of people coming to the pre-performance party at Sur Tango.

The Post-Performance Reception is going to be held in the Johnny Carson Theatre, which I've announced in the past. The procedure is to exit the performance and walk around to the back of the Lied Center. The Johnny Carson Theatre has a well marked and well lit entrance that you will have no trouble finding. Viviana has each of your names and we will be checking you off as you enter. If you come to the Pre-performance party and are willing to wear a paper wrist band, it will help us get you into the Carson Theatre much quicker. It's not a requirement to wear the wrist band, but it will help us speed things up.

If you haven't prepaid for the Post Performance Reception, you will still be able to even at the Pre-Performance Party at the $10 rate. At the door however, we're going to hit you up of $15 per person.

There are still a couple of slots open for private lessons with Korey or Mila on Saturday. If you are interested, please contact Korey by email at korey at ko-arts dot com. We have room for just a few more in the workshop classes on Saturday and we would appreciate it if you could register in advance by contacting Viviana at vivilarsen at yahoo dot com. Doors open at Howard Johnson's Ballroom at noon with tango music playing throughout the day. We are all really looking forward to a great two days of tango!

Just so you don't start thinking there is nothing to live for after this weekend, we are just beginning to plan a couple of really cool events in Omaha in the next 6 two 8 weeks. El Museo Latino has had international dance instructors visit in the past. Their circle of friends has been more concentrated on the native dances of Mexico and Central America, however a couple of times they have introduced Argentine Tango. We have begun a conversation to see how we might work together to incorporate Milongas into a more frequent part of their schedule. Stay tuned as we look for an appropriate date to give this an initial try.

Two weeks ago Katy & Brant Robinson visited Sur Tango and were looking to find Tango friends in Omaha. I know there are a number of you in Omaha who are also looking for more Tango friends, so please drop them an email at: ktsrobinson at hotmail dot com . Who know, the "Tango Club of Omaha" may be being born right before our eyes.

Have you visited the Tango Blog site the Ozlem put together: http://nelincolntango.blogspot.com/ ? Please do and post your comments. Oz tells me I can "post" the pictures for the Denver Tango Festival - but then she doesn't know how computer illiterate I am! (I'm sending the pictures to her so she can post them.) We had a great time.

I mention the festivals in Denver frequently and I'm been to the festival in Miami, but I don't want you to think these are the only places to go for some great Tango instruction and inspiration. In fact there are a number of excellent festivals around the County. This Friday Oz made me tremendously jealous as she told us of her plans to attend the festival in Portland Oregon! That is one that has been on my list ever since I first learned about it. San Diego has just started a festival this past January and they promise to have another this coming January (nice place to visit especially in January). I've gotten on the email lists of Tango Clubs in Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia, Michigan, Illinois as well as Denver and they are all having festivals and regular milongas. Soooooooooooo, as you travel check out the "local Tango scene" and report back to us.

Tango Step #1: Tonight! Sunday - Dancing in Bennington at the Keno Cabana with Kristoffer Shaw and Elizabeth Edwards, starting with a practica at 6 PM and an intermediate class at 7 PM.

Tango Step #2: Monday 1 PM to 3 PM - Buenos Tangos broadcast on KZUM 89.3 FM in Lincoln, "Music of Argentina, past and present" hosted by Don Chicho. You're invited to listen to some great music and also learn about up coming Tango events.

Tango Step #3: Tuesday 7 PM - Beginning Argentine Tango at the Liederkranz in Grand Island. To register and/or get more complete information please contact Esther or Don Amick at 308-384-8167 or email dance5678@dancestepsonline.com.

Tango Step #4: Wednesday -Dancing at Barry's Bar & Grill, Lincoln, 7 PM until the last partner goes home.

For anyone coming from out of town, take the "Downtown" exit off of I-80. It becomes 9th street when you come down off the viaduct over the railroad tracks. The first intersection is R street (no traffic light). The second intersection is Q Street (there is a traffic light). Turn right and turn right again into the Haymarket parking garage. Barry's is across Q street south.

Tango Step #5: Friday - Pre-performance Party at Sur Tango, 1228 P Street, Lincoln, starts at 5:30 PM. Bring your dance shoes and appetite (and a cash contribution for the food) before we head for the Tango Buenos Aires performance.

Tango Step #5½:(a ½ is like a "pause" while you are dancing - there is something else going on at the same time): Tango Buenos Aires performance at the Lied Center in Lincoln at 7:30 PM.

Tango Step #5½½: A "Masters Class" will be taught by members of the cast in the Johnny Carson Theatre from 3:30 to 5:00 in the afternoon. This may be a "once in a lifetime" opportunity - And it's FREE!!! To register for the class please call or email Laura Kendall at (402) 472-3215 or by email at lkendall2@unl.edu .

Tango Step #5½½½: A "History of Tango" lecture will be present by Professor Guillermo Orti at the Lied Center's Conference Room. I attended Guillermo's lecture the last time Tango Buenos Aires performed here and if you didn't have an opportunity to hear it then, you should make sure to hear it now. The lecture precedes the Performance and lasts about a half an hour.

Tango Step #5½½½½: A Post Performance Reception and Dance in the Johnny Carson Theatre, will begin immediately following the performance. Korey Ireland from Kansas City will DJ a traditional Argentine Milonga. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Food and drinks will be available for a nominal charge. For tickets please contact Viviana Larsen, vivilarsen at yahoo dot com 402-797-2195 or 402-890-0881.

Tango Step #6: Saturday - September 22nd The Lincoln Tango Club's first day long Tango Workshop will be held at the Howard Johnson Inn, 5250 Cornhusker Hwy in Lincoln. Private lessons will be available from Korey Ireland and Mila Vigdorova throughout the day. Please contact Korey directly for your private lesson registrations korey@ko-arts.com To register for the two 90 minute afternoon workshops (2:30 PM & 5:30 PM) and the evening milonga at 9:30 PM, $35.00 per person, please contact Viviana Larsen, vivilarsen@yahoo.com 402-797-2195 or 402-890-0881. If you cannot participate in the workshops there will be tickets available at the door for the milonga for $5.

Door open at the ballroom at noon Saturday. For those wishing to stay over either Friday or Saturday nights, please contact Howard Johnson Inn directly 402-464-3171. Tango music will be playing before, in between and after the workshops so you will have an opportunity to practice what you learned. A cash bar will be available during the milonga.

Jerry

P.S. If you wish to be removed from our Tango email list, we will miss you, but will honor your request if you simply reply to this email and let me know.

An enjoyable read on tango...

Here is a nice read on tango. A personal experience of the author Robert Fulghum, the author of the “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten.” He recently has started to learn/dance tango and has written a few posts about it on his website.
I came across it in a beautiful blog I was reading which I will post about later. Foe now, you have to suffice with reading this, and be curious. Until next post, ta ta!

Tango: What brings us together...

I would like to start with a warm welcome to the reader of this blog. Whether you dance tango, listen to it, sing it, or just like to watch it, it is ultimately what brings our community together.
To begin with, click for an audio/visual tour of what tango is from the perspective of photographer Pablo Corral Vega and National Geographic. Also if you would like to read about it, click here for an insightful article on tango, featured on National Geographic website.