It’s upon us again. 2008 was again another year clocked on the Adelaide tango calendar. We renewed our association with Pedro and Sophia Alvarez, Carlo Sansour and Brigitte Albert and were visited by the marvelous Sebastian Achaval and Roxana Suarez. On behalf of the committee I’d like to wish you all a very merry and safe christmas and look forward to seeing you all in the new year. Oh, and here’s a little Christmas present for you…

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.

Tango parody

The ‘hard’ (duro) style of tango, stiff arms, faces side by side, was seen in Paris before World War 1. This was parodied in films such as Some Like It Hot (1959), Last Tango in Paris (1972), and Soldier of Orange (1978).

Juan Carlos Copes (1931- ), the first person to choreograph Argentine tango for professional dancers on the stage, said it looked as if the male and female involved were ‘looking for someone better to dance with’. It is believed the prowlike stance was invented by men dancing with men.

Information source:
Thompson, Robert Farris. 2005. Tango: the art history of love. United States: Vintage Books. P 219-221.
and
http://www.totango.net/copes.html

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.