In the midst of workshops by Sebastian Achaval and Roxana Suarez (already getting rave reviews), in case you were wondering where you can get your Argentine Tango fix after classes finish up for the year, there are a few events to add to your holiday schedule.

Siempre Tango Christmas milonga
Have you been naughty or nice this year? The Torrens Rowing Club will provide an idyllic setting for Siempre Tango’s end of year Christmas milonga, Sunday the 14th December from 6-10pm. Please bring a plate of food to share. Entry is $15/12

Return of Summer Assault FREE outdoor series
Siempre Tango’s free outdoor Summer milonga series Summer Assault for 2009 has been confirmed. Don’t miss it especially if you haven’t had a chance to experience it yet. Summer Assault brings the beauty of the Argentine Tango to the public in a very rewarding opportunity to relax in the beautiful surrounds of the River Torrens, and everyone is welcome so bring your friends and family along too. Dance under the stars at the following events

• Friday January 9th La Estrella (Riverbank Promenade- behind Convention Centre)
• Friday January 23rd La Estrella (Riverbank Promenade – behind Convention Centre)
• Friday February 6th La Rotunda (Elder Park)
• Friday February 20th La Rotunda (Elder Park)

Did I mention that Summer Assault is free? You can see photos from our previous events in the gallery.

• Thursday 13th, 7.00–8.30PM Some of our favourite moves for social dancing (Intermediate)
• Thursday 13th, 8:30–10:00PM Practica at North Adelaide C.C.
• Friday 14th, 7.30-10.30PM Social Milonga at Electric Light Hotel ($10/8)
• Saturday 15th, 12:00–1:30PM La Caminata/Connection (Open)
• Saturday 15th, 2:00–3:30PM Barridas: linear and circular (Intermediate)
• Saturday 15th, 8:00PM until late Milonga with performance & supper at Dom Polski Centre (All welcome)
• Sunday 16th, 12:00–1:30PM Using rebounds and boleos to increase the unpredictability and spice of your Tango (Intermediate/Advanced)

Each workshop is $35ea. and entry to the Milonga is $30ea.

*Alternatively, a special Gold Pass is available which includes
all four workshops, practica and milonga for $145
(please finalise Gold Pass payment by Friday, 24th October).*

All workshops and practica will be held at North Adelaide Community Centre, Tynte Street.

All enquiries and bookings to dance@siempretango.net.au
or 0400 257 027. Find more information at www.roxanaysebastian.com

Just another reminder that there is no practica this week.

This Thursday, 16 October, there will be no practica at our regular venue, the North Adelaide Community Centre (as they are having AGMs and other events). There will also not be a practica on 6 November 2008.

If you have —like me— only just started the recovery process from the blockbuster series that was the most recent two weeks of tango in Adelaide, you will appreciate a chance to reflect on the events held during Carlo and Brigitte’s recent visit.

• There was a special tango bar milonga at the Dom Polski centre. The fantastic dance music was provided by Carlo Sansour (who also performed with Brigitte on the night). Plus everyone there had a chance to wish Ben Thoman a warm bon voyage for his trip abroad with a dance.
• There was a set of two special workshops on Tango Salon and Sacadas for leaders and followers
• Not to forget the smashing one-two knock out blow of the immensely enjoyable documentary screening by el presidente Mark followed by a milonga late into the night with wonderfully arranged music by Brigitte.

So nurse your bruises, lick your wounds and carry the weight of your aching heart while you have a look at some of the photos in our gallery here.

Join us this Saturday Aug 30th at Eastwood Community Centre (8pm sharp) for a special premiere screening of a documentary/movie about an iconic venue and it’s characters in Buenos Aires. To my knowledge, it will be the first time seen in Adelaide and features some past and present greats. Yes, there will be a milonga after the screening so bring the dancing shoes, drinks and something to eat.
Brigitte Albert will be the DJ.

Entry $5.00

8pm SHARP til late (Movie running time 70min appprox.)

Eastwood Community Centre, 95 Glen Osmond Rd, Eastwood

See you there!

Clothes and slanderous names.

In Buenos Aires in the 1940s each band had its own fans (hinchas) who would wear specific clothes to show their allegiances. Sometimes these clothes were fine rented clothes (pilchas). The clothes and the style of dancing helped identify the fans’ tango hero.

With regard to the style of dancing, fans of Carlos Di Sarli (1903-1960) would make, perhaps, 5 figures in a tango, leaving space for walking and seeing beginnings and endings, while fans of Juan D’Arienzo (1900–1976) would make 10 figures in the same space. Thus the Di Sarli fans would call the D’Arienzo fans cabbage heads (repolleros), due to the fact they thought the dance was a cabbage like mess (repollo).

Information source:
Thompson, Robert Farris. 2005. Tango: the art history of love. United States: Vintage Books. Ps 187-190 & 201

Carlos Di Sarli Tango-bite

The composer, pianist and orchestra leader, Mr Tango (El Señor del Tango), Carlos di Sarli (1903-1960), wore dark glasses because he was blind in one eye.

Information source:
Thompson, Robert Farris. 2005. Tango: the art history of love. United States: Vintage Books.

Running straight on from Mark’s excellent find of video clips from the BBC about La Confiteria Ideal, the BBC once again provides us with another informed study into the Argentine Tango.

Noted British conductor Charles Hazlewood’s regular BBC Radio 3 programme “Discovering Music” from March 2008 focuses on the Tango. With help from both the BBC Concert Orchestra and a tango quinteto “Tango Volcano” Hazlewood covers in remarkable detail the music and a history of its development both in Buenos Aires and abroad. We are presented with the concepts behind the structure of the tango music, the instruments, how they are used and the different types of tango (tango, vals and milonga), all while using a good helping of humour.

If you are interested in the music behind the Argentine Tango this is a must listen.

BBC Radio 3 – Discovering Music – Tango
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/discoveringmusic/pip/5056m/
Charles Hazlewood is joined by the quintet Tango Volcano and members of the BBC Concert Orchestra to explore the world of the tango.

Enjoy