"Any one can learn if they love the dance enough. It doesn't take physical ability, it takes passion." - Jennifer Bratt

"Other dances are more external, and Tango is more internal. Everything happens on the inside." - Ney Melo

THE PAST MONTH was packed with lots of Tango activity…

Ney Melo and Jennifer Bratt ran a successful and popular series of workshops and gave Sydney tangueros a taste of their particular style of Tango, the Villa Urquiza style. For more on this fun and inspiring couple read Sophia’s interview with them in Viva Magazine. The magazine can be purchased from many newsagents. For more information contact Alexis on alexis@vivamagazine.com.au


Photos: David Allison                                                   Photo: Ney Melo

For more photos of their tour "down under" visit www.close-embrace.com

Spanish Club
We have relocated our Tuesday Milonga to the Bull Bar at the Spanish Club in 88 Liverpool Street and it’s becoming very popular. We'll be there for another month or two due to lengthy renovations at our usual Tuesday venue (Club Rose Bay).

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	Spanish Club regulars

The great thing about the Spanish Club as a Tango venue is its central location in the heart of the Spanish Quarter, its fully operational bar on the side of the dance floor, and we don’t have to leave until 12am. There's a lovely Spanish Restaurant one floor down and you can also get tapas and sangria on the ground floor.

The cover charge of $13 includes a free beverage from the bar or $2 credit towards any drink of your choice (including Sangria). Non-dancers only pay $3 and this includes a free drink.

As of next term (starting 29th March at the Spanish Club) we will replace our existing Beginners and Intermediate classes at the Club with a three weeks Crash Course for complete beginners. More details below.

Ivory Lounge
Our March Milonga was held in a new venue (due to Club Rose Bay’s renovations) - The Ivory Lounge in Ultimo - a newly renovated licenced Café Restaurant at 620 Harris Street. We were very happy with the venue and the staff for their great service and allowing us to tango on until 3am!

The Ivory Lounge has a friendly and intimate feel, with a nice lounging area on the side of the dance area. Meals are gourmet modern Australian and very reasonably priced.

Photos: Craig Petersen

The Milonga featured the first Qualifying Round for the Australian Tango Championships in Sydney. Seven couples entered. Well done to all contestants. It was a fun night with a large and enthusiastic turn-out.

Photos: Craig Petersen

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	Pedro & Monique

Other highlights included . . .

…teaching weather announcer Monique on the Sunrise Show (Channel 7) at Bondi Beach how to dance Tango!

…appearing in Central Magazine (issue 28/2/07; page 11). Read the article on Social dancing here.

 

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	S & P with Charles

…posing for the well known artist Charles Billich. This was in preparation for a Gala Tango and Art cultural event in April at Charles' beautiful art gallery in the Rocks. It's the perfect space for a Tango show. We'll be performing on the night with Gisela Gaspar and Gaspar Godoy (former World Tango Champions from Buenos Aires) and the internationally renowned Sergio Cortazzo and his new partner Soledad Rivero (former partner of Miguel Zotto)

…performing with Edgard and our students at the Lovers Exhibition staged by the Alliance Française de Sydney. Many thanks to Edgard, Chrissy Ynfante, Harry Carr and Alankar Karol.

…performing and teaching at the South American Festival. Our introductory workshops attracted a record crowd.

…dancing outdoors in front of Bondi Beach and on the Eve of Australia Day at Kellet Place in Kings Cross.

 

…seeing Gotan Project perform at the Sydney Opera House.

…celebrating Pedro and Edgard’s birthday (see Birthday poem for Pedro from one of our students below).

Thank you to all the aficionados and students who came along to add to the energy of these fun and lively events.

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Next dates for your Calendar . . .

Saturday 7th April: STEP UP Dance Studio, Level 1, 160 Castlereagh Street, City. 8pm: Introductory Tango lesson. 9pm - 1am: Milonga.

Sunday 8th April: 3rd Australian National Tango Championship 2007, Sydney Opera House.

3rd – 6th May: NZ Tango Festival, Wellington, New Zealand

27th May – 3rd June: 3rd Sydney International Tango Festival

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TUESDAY MILONGAS

Currently at the Spanish Club…
88 Liverpool Street, Sydney (Spanish Quarter)

Intermediate / Advanced lesson at 7pm (optional)
Milonga: 8pm – 12am (music stops at 11.45pm)

Cover charge: $13, or $3 if attending Intermediate-Advanced lesson preceding Milonga, or for non-dancers.

All rates include a complimentary beverage of any of the following: sangria, house beer or wine (red or white) bottled water (sparkling or still) soft drinks and juice – or $2 credit towards any drink of your choice.

Flat rate parking of $8 is available at the Cinema City Car Park in Kent Street, when your parking ticket is endorsed by the Spanish Club.

Learn Spanish at the Spanish Club. Choice of classes weekdays and Saturdays, morning or evening classes. For more information phone 9267 8440

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SATURDAY MILONGAS
First Saturday of the Month

Due to renovations at Club Rose Bay, our April Saturday Milonga has been relocated to the STEP UP Dance Studio, 160 Castlereagh Street, City.

Our next Saturday Milonga is on 7th April: 9pm - 1am – Welcome Milonga for Gisela Galeassi and Gaspar Godoy, Sergio Cortazzo, and Soledad Rivero, and the musicians of the Quarteto de Tango – all coming direct from Buenos Aires to perform at the Australian Tango Championships.

They will be attending the Milonga for social purposes (but fingers crossed that we’re as lucky as last year when we were treated to an impromptu display).

Cover charge for the Saturday Milonga will be $18 which includes supper and introductory lesson at 8pm.

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"PRACTILONGA" on Sundays in the City

Step Up Dance Studio
160 Castlereagh Street, Sydney City (between Park and Market Sts)

The beautifully restored heritage architecture and spacious sprung dance floor make it a luxurious space to practice and develop your Tango! Complimentary cakes, tea and coffee are provided.

8pm – 11pm | Cover $10 (or $5 with Sunday class).

"Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed dancing at the new studio (Step Up) on Sunday night. I think that place is great and has a wonderful energy to it." - Elizabeth Ratiner

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3rd Australian National Tango Championship 2007

Gisela & Gaspar

At the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House on Easter Sunday, 8th April 2007. This is much bigger than the Studio where it was held last year, and accommodates 1500+ people! The Finals will be followed by a spectacular show "A Night in Buenos Aires" featuring Soledad Riverero and Sergio Cortazzo, Gisela Galeassi and Gaspar Godoy, Ana Andre and Fabio Robles.

Selection rounds leading to the Finals will be held at a variety of Sydney Milongas in the month leading up to the Finals. More information on guidelines and criteria at www.tangochampionship.com.au, where you can also find out about workshops run by the Argentine Tango stars in the week leading up to the Finals.

A one hour, 10 minute DVD of the 2006 Tango Championship, filmed by our own cinematographer, Paul Warren is now available for only $20. The professionally edited footage includes the finalists in both stage and salon as well as all the performances including those by Gisela Galeassi and Gaspar Godoy, our judges from Buenos Aires. To obtain your copy of the DVD contact Carol Fallows on (02) 9969 1228 or info@carolfallows.com.au

This year Clare McLelland, assisted by Craig Petersen, will be making a DVD of the heats, finals and stage show of the 2007 Tango Championship. It will be called "Trials by Tango" and available for purchase for $25 following the Championships.

Sydney Tango Festival 27 May – 3 June 2007
3rd International Tango Festival, Sydney Australia
www.ausinternationaltangofest.com

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Earlybird rates for workshop packages end on Friday 30th March 2007.

A great lineup of some of the hottest dancers in the world including for the first time in Australia, the phenomenal Javier Rodriguez (one of our favourite male dancers ever) and his new partner Andrea Misse. The Festival attracted a huge turnout last year with people from around Australia and beyond fronting up to workshops and events.

You can save up to $85 on early bird package deals –so don’t delay your registration. Enquiries: lilian@ausinternationaltangofest.com

Blokes can attend NZ Tango Festival for Free !

We received this great offer from the organisers of the NZ Tango Festival in Wellington (3 - 6 May 2007) . . .

Free festival passes

We are providing free tickets for 10 intermediate to advanced men whose role is to make up male numbers in workshop classes, and dance with lots of different women that are not getting many dances in the evening.

In exchange for this, they get free entry to the festival, all workshops for free, and all 5 evening events for free, including a tango show held at the Opera House.

The major requirements are that they be experienced dancers, friendly, conscientious, and willing to go to workshops during the day that require extra men to balance the gender ratios, and willing to dance with women that look like they're not getting many dances in the evenings. This often happens when women come from outside the main centres and don't know many of the NZ men, and getting them dancing helps solve this problem.

If you know anyone who may be interested in this offer then either pass them this e-mail address or send us their contact details.

The NZ Tango Festival Team

For more information about the Festival visit www.nztangofestival.co.nz

Born to Tango (Birthday poem for Pedro by Sima Oertli)

He came to us from Argentina
He brought a love of song and dance
Pugliese – Para Bailar – Piazzola
Canjengue – Milonguera and Vals

See his giro and boleo, barrida and enrosque
Feel the poetry and grace of his abrazo
mmmmm, si or no?

The moment he walks in the room
You can see he was born to tango
A real milonguero
Maestro – Pedro
Won’t you come and dance with me?

TANGO LESSONS . . .

"I like your approach of starting from the very beginning and building slowly (enough) on that. For example, the very first thing you asked us to do was walk to the rhythm of the music, experimenting also with closing our eyes.

This is a wonderful way almost to meditate into the experience and visualise the feeling of the rhythm and posture. Your explanation of the posture, the embrace and the lead is clear. The music you choose is suited to the level of the beginner … Your demonstrations were not of the type: show a step and get others to try to do it. You seem to demonstrate the 'feel' for and of the movement."
- Jacqueline Grudzinskiene (Mar 07)

NEXT COURSES . . .

We offer six week structured and sequential courses continuously through the year in 4 distinct levels:

Beginners 1
Beginners 2
Intermediate
Intermediate – Advanced

Each course (any level) is $110 or $100 if paid in full one week prior to commencement. Special offer: B1 & B2: $190 paid in advance.

Beginners 6 week courses

Our Beginners course now comprises two 6 week modules: Beginners 1 and Beginners 2. (Beginners 1 is the pre-requisite for Beginners 2). Unless otherwise stated instructors for all venues are Pedro and Sophia Alvarez.

BEGINNERS 1

THURSDAYS:  7pm - 9pm | Three weeks Intensive!
Spanish Club, 88 Liverpool Street (between Kent & George Sts), SYDNEY
March 29 - April 5 - April 19 (no class on April 12)

BEGINNERS 2

SUNDAYS:  7pm - 8pm
Step Up Dance Studio
Level 1, 160 Castlereagh St. (between Market & Park Sts) SYDNEY CITY
Mar: 25 Apr: 1, 15, 22, 29 May: 6 (no class on April 8)
*Beginners can stay for the Practica which runs until 11pm.

MONDAYS:  7pm - 8pm
Alliance Française, 257 Clarence Street (near Druitt Street) SYDNEY
Mar: 26 Apr: 2, 16, 23, 30 May: 7 (no class on April 9)

WEDNESDAYS:  7pm - 8pm
St John’s Church Hall, 120 Darlinghurst Road, DARLINGHURST
Mar: 28 Apr: 4, 18, 25 May: 2, 9 (no class on April 11)

THURSDAYS:  7pm - 8pm
Seagull Room, Bondi Beach Pavilion, Queen Elizabeth Drive, BONDI BEACH Instructor: Edgard Alvarez
Mar: 29 Apr: 5, 19, 26 May: 3, 10 (no class on April 12)

THURSDAYS:  7pm - 8pm | Three weeks Intensive!
Spanish Club, 88 Liverpool Street (between Kent & George Sts), SYDNEY
April 26 - May 3 -May 10

NOTE: Mondays, Wednesday & Thursday (Bondi only) venues include a free practice session from 8pm – 8.15pm. Sunday includes a practice session until 11pm.

3 Week CRASH COURSE for Beginners – NEW COURSE !

Starting 29th March we will offer Intensive Tango Courses for Beginners 1 & 2 on Thursdays at the Spanish Club.

This means you can complete our Beginners 1 & 2 in just six weeks! Course rate is $110 / $100 (early bird).

This replaces our current Beginners and Intermediate courses at the Spanish Club.

INTERMEDIATE 6 Week Courses

Prerequisite (Beginners 2 or equivalent) Essential prerequisite is an understanding of how to lead / follow ochos and giros.

All venues except Sunday include a free Practica from 8pm – 8.15pm. On Sundays stay for the Practica until 11pm for only $5 with class. Unless otherwise stated instructors for all venues are Pedro and Sophia Alvarez.

SUNDAYS:  8pm - 9pm
Step Up Dance Studio
Level 1, 160 Castlereagh St. (between Market & Park Sts) SYDNEY CITY
Mar: 25 Apr: 1, 15, 22, 29 May: 6 (no class on April 8)

MONDAYS:  8.15pm - 9.15pm
Alliance Française, 257 Clarence Street (near Druitt Street) SYDNEY
Mar: 26 Apr: 2, 16, 23, 30 May: 7 (no class on April 9)

WEDNESDAYS:  8.15pm - 9.15pm
St John’s Church Hall, 120 Darlinghurst Road, DARLINGHURST
Mar: 28 Apr: 4, 18, 25 May: 2, 9 (no class on April 11)

THURSDAYS:  8.15pm - 9.15pm
Seagull Room, Bondi Beach Pavilion, Queen Elizabeth Drive, BONDI BEACH Instructor: Edgard Alvarez
Mar: 29 Apr: 5, 19, 26 May: 3, 10 (no class on April 12)

INTERMEDIATE - ADVANCED

Prerequisite: completion of at least 4 Intermediate courses or equivalent.

TUESDAYS:  7pm - 8pm
Spanish Club, 88 Liverpool Street (between Kent & George Sts), SYDNEY
Mar: 27 Apr: 3, 17, 24 May: 1, 8

NEW COURSE RATE: $128 or $118 (early bird)
The new rate includes a $3 surcharge per lesson on normal lesson rates. The surcharge includes FREE entry to the Milonga which runs from 8pm until 12am and a FREE drink from the bar!

"Thanks again for bringing Tango into my life. It's so rewarding, and it gets me through even the hardest day at Uni!" - Asha Zappa

FOR SALE . . . Beautiful, brand new (size 11) Neo Tango shoes. Contact Sophia for details.

We have attractive gift certificates available for the following:

                - Six week beginners Tango course for one  - $100
                - Complete Beginners Course (B1 & B2) - $190
                - Six week beginners Tango course for two  - $200
                - Private Tango lesson – one person $70
                - Private Tango lesson – two people $80

Tango CDs traditional and Nuevo direct from Buenos Aires
1 Tango CD $29; 2 Tango CDs $50

Contact us to arrange your purchase.

BETTER TIMES IN BUENOS AIRES by Robyn Ash-Rose

"This is travel writing at its best, straight from the heart and sparkling with interest. Very engrossing and enjoyable. Brilliant!"
John Ellis, arts loving engineer, tanguero and DJ.

"WOW!! Captivating and most delightful to read! And some great tips! The stories capture the essence of this remarkable place, the realness & the 'surrealness'. Full of delightful surprises! Thank you for wonderful paintings, imprinted now on my imagination."
Tanja Probst, tanguera and visitor to Buenos Aires

"A breath of fresh air in the world of tango! Well-written and funny."
Carlos Medrano, author of 'Planeta Tango'

"This is a MUST read if you plan to tango in Buenos Aires." - Sophia Alvarez