No Firehouse Tango Next Thursday, July 4
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Have a wonderful time with your friends and family next Thursday. We will miss you, and we look forward to seeing you again on the 11th.
July 11, Birthday of Elena Syrett
Elena has been coming to Firehouse for years, but she's such a world traveler that we have not been able to celebrate with her lately. Happily, she's home for a while and will celebrate a belated birthday on July 11.
Last Thursday, Anniversary of Jeanne and Ed Mancision-Botteri
Jeanne and Ed have been with us since the Paramus Firehouse # 4 days. We were thrilled, ten years later, to celebrate their anniversary at Firehouse Tango. They started the anniversary dance together. Then the ladies cut in to dance with Ed and the gentlemen with Jeanne. It was lovely.
The anniversary cake said it all:
"The dance continues. Eddie & Jeanne 6/20/1986 Happy Anniversary"
If heaven is anything like celebrating one's birthday at Firehouse Tango, it has a lot to recommend it. Frankly, I'd rather be at Firehouse. Thank you lovely tangueras, for a birthday memory I shall cherish. Con mucho amore,
Steve Turi
I keep saying I do not want to celebrate any more birthdays, but how many men will line up to dance with me, if not for the traditional tributes on birthdays.....oh well, you know that is not really true because our tanqueros dance with all of the ladies...
Terri Lopez
Photos You will notice that Joe has been taking lots of pictures lately. I'm happy to say that many of them have been posted on our web site at www.firehousetango.com Just click on Gallery and 2013.
Newsletter
You will always find this week's and last week's newsletters on our web site under Newsletter.
Fran Chesleigh's Tango Tips Fran's Tango Tips going back to 2006 can be found under Tango Tips.
Check it all out at www.firehousetango.com
A friend of ours has three very cute kittens, and they need a home. I promised I would ask if anyone is interested. If so, call me at 201-826-6602 or e mail at firehousetango@gmail.com.
10% off New York Tango Festival for Firehouse folks
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Here's information about the 7th New York Tango Festival in July. Tell them that you are from Firehouse Tango and get 10% off.
Flyers are available at the front desk, or you can get information on their web site: http://www.celebratetango.com/
Tango at Honors Haven last weekend a hit
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Last Sunday, many Firehouse friends, including us, attended Ilene Marder's terrific milonga at Honors Haven. We enjoyed an excellent lunch followed by dancing to Ilene's wonderful music. I never sat out a tango, dancing with old friends and new.
It took us a little more than an hour to get there, and we hit almost no traffic coming or going. You can be sure that we will be at the next one on Sunday, September 22. For more information, contact Ilene at imhmedia@gmail.com.
For information about the whole incredible dance weekend, go to http://www.stardustdance.com
Tango on the Hudson - Sunday, August 25, 2013 Don't miss our annual Firehouse Tango on the Hudson Outdoor Picnic Milonga Sunday, August 25 from 4 to 8 pm. The event will be held at the Alpine Pavilion; one of the loveliest spots in this area, right on the Hudson River. We welcome readers' contributions about Argentine Tango in general and Firehouse Tango in particular. Send your thoughts to firehousetango@gmail.comWe welcome readers' contributions about Argentine Tango in general and Firehouse Tango in particular. Send your thoughts to firehousetango@gmail.com
Hello everyone, Pat here. Last week, I talked about a special 'Tool Kit' for followers as they are getting up to dance. I hope that during the past week, followers have been thinking about the five points I made as they approach their partner on the dance floor.
This week, we will talk about ideas for forming the embrace. I will assume that followers will have already prepared themselves through Tool Kit #1. Forming the embrace is a very important moment and should never be rushed. It calls for as much technique and styling as any other movement in tango, and sets up both partners appropriately for making their first move. Never underestimate the importance of forming the embrace. With all of this in mind, here is Followers Took Kit #2 - forming the embrace: 1. You should be standing directly in front of your partner, having already observed the pointers from Took Kit #1 - upright posture, shoulders down, balance, legs and feet together.
2. As your leader places his arm around the center of your back, place your left arm gently on his shoulder, upper back, upper arm - wherever is the most comfortable -- given the height differential between you. Under no circumstances should you drape yourself around him, or in any way lean on him! 3. As your leader offers his left hand carefully place your right hand in his, palm to palm. The position can be adjusted by the leader in order to be comfortable for both partners. Your hand should be resting lightly in his - this is never a tight grip, followers!
If you are in balance (as you should be) it will never be necessary to use your leader's hand and arm for support. 4. At this point, make sure both your elbows are down and have not risen up into an exaggerated position. Also, make a quick check of your overall posture and balance - body weight is up, and poised towards the balls of your feet - without rising off the heels. 5. You are now ready for your leader to move in whatever direction he chooses! Clear your mind of any thoughts about what he might do. Be calm and just listen with your body.
It should be said that the preparation described above should be observed no matter what your level of tango expertise. Forming the embrace is as much a part of dancing tango as moving through space - in fact, it sets up the whole character of the dance you are about to do, as well as the all-important first connection with your partner. So, take your time and enjoy it! Next week, we will discuss taking the first steps in the dance.
Now, start dancing just like they do in Buenos Aires!
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See those Buenos Aires milongueros adding all that fancy footwork to their Tango, Milonga and Vals? That's traspie-- a sudden blizzard of double-time steps that transform otherwise simple sequences into what looks like magic! Want to put some of that same magic in your feet? Come to my next workshop, and you'll find out that it's all yours for the asking. "The Art of Traspie" is a fast-paced, three-hour workshop that will show you virtually everything you need to know about traspie in a single information-packed session. ·
Unlock the three basic secrets of building authentic traspie sequences. · Build a powerful traspie vocabulary. · Learn exactly how to lead/follow any traspie - no matter how complex. · Take your Tango a giant step closer to the real Buenos Aires style. Fran Chesleigh's "The Art of Traspie." offers you a unique opportunity to transform your Tango, Vals and Milonga
into the polished, seriously authentic dances you've been working hard to achieve. Register today at 212-807-0802. All levels welcome. Dance Manhattan Ballroom Swing and Latin Studio 212-807-0802 39 West 19th St 5th Fl NYC dancemanhattan.com Standard pricing: $35 Prepaid by Friday June 28: $30 No refunds No exchanges
Saturdays with Fran and Pat at Dance Manhattan |
For Firehouse dancers who might enjoy a day in the Big Apple on Saturdays, Fran teaches from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. every week. He offers a beginner class in Milonga & Argentine Waltz at 11:00 a.m. as well as an intermediate class in Tango at noon. From 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Fran and Pat host a special beginner/intermediate practice for bringing your skills up to speed. The cost for the practice is $10 per person. (Bringing a partner isn't necessary.) Fran and Pat are always on hand to answer any questions you may have about your dancing, and to help you with figures you're working on. If you want to take Fran's classes, call Dance Manhattan at 212-807-0802 to register. For the practice, all you have to do is arrive with $10 and your dance shoes in hand.
See you every Saturday for a full day of Tango!
Firehouse Tango hot line - We rarely cancel |
We want to remind everyone that if the weather looks really bad, we will leave messages on our web site www.firehousetango.com and phone 201-825-1570. You can also reach us on our cell phone 201-826-6602 (Sue) and 201-913-8504 (Joe). Feel free to leave a message on any of these lines. We cancel only when absolutely necessary (only about six seven times in all these years), but please check whenever you're not sure. If there isn't any message, we're on.
During Hurricane Sandy, when we had only cell phone service, I was able to leave a message on my cell, so I guess that the best number to call is 201-826-6602. If you lost something, we probably have it. We have a few ladies' scarves and some shoes. There are also various items of clothing and jewelry in the closet. Ask Tibor at the front desk. The following folks helped set up, break down and clean up before and after the milonga. Without them, there would be no Firehouse Tango. - Terri Lopez - In absentia - She wasn't feeling well
- Tony Mele - In absentia
- Eva Roth and Barbara Lombardi stepped right in to replace the irreplaceable Terri setting up. They did a great job.
- steve turi
- Stephen Maisch
- Tsipoyra Sartan
- Mary Epiphan
- Nona and Joseph
- Debbie Glaser
A reminder that Firehouse Tango does not supply wine - Your fellow tangueros bring it. Therefore, if you drink it, please make sure to bring a bottle every so often.The folks below brought food and wine this week -
- Eva Roth - Eggs "Mollets" with Pate de Foie
- Jeanne and Ed - that delicious anniversary cake
And these people brought wine - George Ngo
- Bill Krukovsky
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Bob Brillo
- Marta Bautis
- Horatio Piccioni
- Dan & Georgina
- Eduardo Campos
Tango in New Jersey - Milongas |
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