Firehouse Tango Tenth Anniversary milonga a huge success
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Thank you all - Terrible outside - Wonderful inside
Drenching rain and blocked road couldn't keep our Firehouse friends from packing the Knights of Columbus Hall to celebrate our tenth anniversary. We missed all of you who couldn't come, and we appreciate your messages of congratulations and good wishes. Firehouse Tango started in 2003 and has been going strong ever since. We want to thank all of the wonderful folks who have supported us over the years and who do so now. We truly love being with you. Thank you all - old friends and new- for making this an unforgettable night.
Happy Anniversary to us - Anniversary Tango
To celebrate Firehouse Tango's tenth anniversary, we invited all of the Firehouse friends who had been with us since our days at Paramus Firehouse # 4 to come up and start the celebratory tango. Our old friends filled the floor with a lovely tango, and then our new (and not so new) friends joined in for a delightful anniversary free-for-all. Monica Paz and Johnny Tablada - Tango Milonguero Style
Monica is our favorite teacher from Buenos Aires. Her performance with Johnny Tablada was awesome. Johnny is the open amateur winner (with Antoinette Tomai) of the 2010 Celebrate Tango Festival. He teaches and DJ's in many places in New York. Monica's info is below in the next section. A few slots for private lessons this weekend and next week are still available. Send e mail to firehousetango@gmail.com for information.
Fran Chesleigh and Pat Altman - that fabulous Peabody
At my request, Fran and Pat performed a Peabody for the Firehouse crowd. Their dance brought me right back to my childhood when my Aunt Anna and Uncle Ulysse used to amaze everyone in the family with their gliding Peabody. Fran and Pat bring back those wonderful times for me.
Brenda Gaines' belly dance
Brenda Gaines and Debbie Glaser, our terrific Firehouse friends, perform their beautiful belly dances at many Firehouse festivals. Unfortunately for us, Debbie is away for a well deserved European vacation. We missed her, but Brenda, even alone, wowed us with a marvelous solo performance. The food
- Terri Lopez made two trays of incredible arroz con pollo and two bowls of famous salad
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Joe Dallon cooked a turkey in gravy and his inimitable corn bread
- Sue Dallon (me) made sweet potato souffle, baked ziti, and cherry cheese cake (In response to many, many requests, I will put the recipe for the sweet potatoes in next week's newsletter)
- Marion Levine made her oriental cabbage salad
- Eva Roth, back from vacation, cooked beef stew with carrots
- We had the cake made with a picture of the original Firehouse tangueros, taken at our ninth anniversary celebration. The filling was half strawberry and half chocolate mousse.
- Lou and Faye brought fresh pineapple
- Judy Saul brought an anniversary cake for our tenth anniversary. We'll save it for next week.
Door prizes
The winners were: - Elizabeth Rostkowsky
- JJ Krachtus
- Bob Armstead
- Brenda Gaines
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Sylvester Jaworkski
- Robert Feneran
The extra delights also included. o Extra hours of fun and dancing o Pictures will be posted on our web site of everyone: all dressed to impress
A few private lessons with Monica Paz still available in New JerseyMonica still has a few available time slots for lessons in Ramsey. Her mornings are full, but some spots are free in the 3 to 4, 5 to 6, and 6 to 7 from Friday, May 24 thru Monday, May 27. She is also available for private lessons from 5 - 6 at the Knights of Columbus Hall before the Firehouse milonga. You can e mail me at firehousetango@gmail.com or call me at 201-826-6602 for information. I recommend that you take advantage of this terrific opportunity.
About Monica
Monica Paz was born and raised in Buenos Aires, and tango has been her full time profession for almost 20 years. She specializes in Tango Milonguero style (with its strong chest-to-chest connection) which she loves to dance with the best old milongueros in the best milongas of Buenos Aires. Last year, Monica realized her dream of opening her own studio in Buenos Aires (at 30 Riobamba near the Congresso.) Two of the best of the wonderful milongueros, Nestor La Vitola and Osvaldo Natucci, teach group lessons on Tuesday and Thursday nights with Monica translating when necessary. Monica, La Vitola and Natucci also teach private lessons. If you are in Buenos Aires, I highly recommend checking out these lessons. Monica has taught extensively all over the United States and Europe, as well as in Australia and much of South America.
Monica's web site and Interviews of old Milongueros Monica is passionate about preserving the traditions, codes, and history of tango. To this end, she continues pursuing her project of interviewing the precious few remaining old milongueros of Buenos Aires. Their stories and the videos accompanying them, as well as other wonderful videos of Monica can be found on her web site at www.mptango.com Scroll down for English or Spanish selection. My favorite video of Monica and Nestor dancing to Poema
This is the video that made us fall in love with Monica. it's my favorite.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWRBZ-Uku68&list=UU5UKKJeGowH6cGdYatKcKkw&index=10
Next Thursday, May 30 - Belated Birthday of Gay Fallows Monteblanco
Gay returns to Firehouse in between extensive world travels with her husband and our dear friend, Walter. We are thrilled to have her whenever we can. Gay has been a Firehouse friend for years, and we are always happy to celebrate with her. Walter will start the birthday dance, and then all of the Firehouse milongueros can join in.
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
Firehouse Tango History and Time Line |
At appropriate times during the year, we take a look back at some Firehouse Tango highlights. We sincerely thank all of you who have been with us from the start, the newcomers and everyone in between. Every one of you contributes to making us who we are.
3/20/2003 Argentine Tango instructors Carlos and Rosa announce they are leaving for Paris and ask if we would like to continue Pasional, their weekly milonga at Paramus firehouse.
3/27/2003 Sal and Laura Zullo host first session of Tango Co-op while Sue, Joe and Eva are in Buenos Aires. 4/1/2003 Sue Dallon publishes first weekly newsletter. 5/29/2003 Fran Chesleigh teaches first lesson as guest instructor. 6/12/2003 Tango Co-op members vote to change name to Firehouse Tango. 7/20/2003 Fran has accident - recommends Jak Karako as replacement.
7-29-2003 CJ Puotinen publishes interview of Fran Chesleigh, first of a series of Firehouse Tango instructor interviews 9/4/2003 Jak Karako teaches first lesson as guest instructor . 2/3/2004 Goodbye party for Jak 2/10/2004 Fran welcomed back as permanent instructor.
3/16/2004 First Firehouse Tango trip to Buenos Aires. Fran Chesleigh and Pat Altman run milonga and buffet and write newsletter. They call it the Cat's Away Milonga, and it becomes an annual tradition.
4/20/2004 Firehousetango.com web site is launched. 4/29/2004 Firehouse Tango outgrows firehouse. Moves to Maywood Knights of Columbus Hall.
5/6/2004 Firehouse Tango celebrates first anniversary in new home with live music by Hector Del Curto trio. The anniversary celebration will become an annual event. 6/17/2004 Fran's half-hour basic tango class is expanded to full hour. 07/2004 Fran adds one hour intermediate lesson and teaches from 7 to 9 pm every week 8/30/2004 First Firehouse Tango on the Hudson picnic milonga. These will continue as an annual tradition.
06/15/2006 Fran Chesleigh's Tango Tip first published in Firehouse Tango Newsletter 09/2006 Firehouse Tango's first Milonga Month. Fran Chesleigh teaches a two hour milonga lesson for entire month. This becomes yearly tradition. 5/31/2008 Monica Paz from Buenos Aires visits Firehouse Tango and gives first Saturday workshop. She will continue to visit Firehouse on her trips to the U.S. 2/31/2009 New Year's Eve is Thursday night, and Firehouse Tango has New Year's Eve Milonga
3/2011 Rich Ariza, Hector Scotti and Felix Pacheco join Joe Dallon as regular Firehouse DJ's 12/23/2011 Norma, Terri and Marion suggest a Christmas/Hanuka party with everyone who wants to bring a dish. It's a resounding success and we decide to continue the tradition every year. 1/5/2012 Firehouse Tango starts its tenth year with Fran Chesleigh's Argentine Vals lessons 5/23/2013 Firehouse Tango celebrates its tenth anniversary with lots of original friends starting the anniversary dance and new friends joining in.
From Marion Levine
Hello All,
I'm delighted to report that Judy has shown great improvement over the last few days. She is out of the hospital and in rehab. She is complaining about how hard they are making her work (a good sign) and says the food is good (don't know how to interpret that one.)
I am waiting to hear from her daughter about when the best time is to visit and exactly where she is.
I spoke to her today and she says she will be in rehab from one to three weeks.
As soon as I know more, I will let you know.
Judy appreciates your concern and sends her love.
Me too.
You can send get-well cards to her at:
267 Buttonwood Drive
Paramus. NJ 07652
Don't miss Thursday, June 6 at Firehouse!
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Live Music with Octavio Brunetti and Machiko Ozawa and Shoe sale and performance with Carolina Jaurena and Andres Bravo - Thursday, June 6
Mr. Tango Shoe Sale and performance by Carolina Jaurena and Andres Bravo
Carolina, once again, will come to Firehouse with Mr. Tango shoes. As I've said many times before, these are my absolute favorites for both comfort and looks. I've given away my entire collection of Buenos Aires shoes and ordered the ones from Mr. Tango in every color imaginable.
The Music
After hearing tons of recommendations, I finally went to see Octavio Brunetti, and he blew me away. I haven't seen Machiko Ozawa on violin, but I've heard from many sources that she is amazing.
Live music with Octovio Brunetti and Machiko Ozawa and extra hour of dancing Thursday, June 6
Schedule
Don't miss this awesome evening of live music by maestro, Octavio Brunetti on the piano and Machiko Ozawa on the violin. The schedule for the evening is:
7:00 - 8:00 Basic lesson with Fran Chesleigh and Pat Altman
8:00 - 9:00 Intermediate lesson with Fran Chesleigh and Pat Altman
9:00 - 9:30 Buffet open and recorded music by DJ Joe
9:30 - 12:00 Dancing to live music with Octavio Brunetti and Machiko Ozawa. Recorded music by DJ Joe during breaks
The cost is $20. As always, admission includes dinner, lessons, dancing and socializing with some of the nicest folks around.
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
From Debbie Glaser - *** Note from Sue This was sent by postal mail, and I was so touched that I copied it into this newsletter for all to see.
Dear Sue and Joe,
I can't thank you enough for all you do (and have done for ten years) to make Firehouse possible. Firehouse has heart. I can't wait till each Thursday to dance my beloved tango with the most fun loving people.
Muchas gracias.
Love
Debbie and Bernard
From John W.
Dear Sue and Joe....congratulations and best wishes on the 10th anniversary of FH Tango.....I had rectal surgery for an anal fissure last Thursday, and to say the very least, I am indisposed......I wish FH many more anniversaries and look forward to attending #11.
Best wishes always
John
Hi everybody, Fran here with your Tango Tip of the Week. In learning how to dance Tango it's most often not a question of what you don't know that's the major challenge -- it's what you think you already do know that gets in your way. Let me explain. When I ask a potential new leader to describe what he thinks he'll be doing in dancing with his partner in Tango, he almost always replies with words like this:
"I hold her in my arms firmly, and push (carry) her from step to step." What if she doesn't respond the way you want her to? "Push harder." What if she begins to lose her balance? "Hold her tighter." On the other side of the equation, when I ask a potential new follower to describe what she thinks is going to happen, she usually responds in this way: "He'll take me in his arms, and direct me around the floor." How much control will you have yourself?
"None." What if you don't understand what he's asking you to do? "Just try something and see if it works." These are real responses that I've received many times from new dancers. Men thins they're supposed to hold their partner very tightly and push them through the movements. Women think they're supposed to fall into their partners' arms and allow themselves to be carried around the floor. If I ask these same questions again after these students have been studying Tango for a while, they've probably learned that the answers they originally gave are wrong - and so they no longer respond in the same way. But they still do the same thing when they dance.
No wonder learning Tango is so hard! Over the years that I've been teaching Tango I have found that the hardest part of the process is to help these new students overcome their predispositions about what's going to happen during the dance. In a private lesson, in which I'm working one-on-one with a leader or follower, I can demonstrate very clearly what the lead/follow mechanism is supposed to feel like. If the student works diligently at the process, he or she will eventually begin to use their bodies in the appropriate way. On the other hand, in the class situation in which beginner leaders and beginner followers are thrown together (by necessity), the problems I alluded to above tend to be exacerbated rather than brought under control.
I guess what I'm saying is that if you really want to learn how to dance Tango, you need to consider putting private lessons on your to-do list. I believe you've heard me say these words before, but I truly hope that this time you'll finally hear them.
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
- Tony Mele
- Tsipoyra Sartan
- steve turi
- Stephen Maisch
- Jesse Barton
- Mary Epiphan
- Maro
- Elena Syrett
- Lynn Gross
- Hilda and Rafael
- Gil Rubio
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 -
- Bonny - Chips
- Eva Roth - Beef Stew with Carrots & Peas
- JJ Krachtus - Chocolates
- Marion Levine - Fumi Salad
- Lou & Faye - Pinapple
- Judy Saul - Cake
And these people brought wine - Jean Shedlock
- Enrique Zuniga
- JJ Krachtus
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Bill Krukovsky
- Al & Lilian
- Carl Schaefer
- Bob Brillo
- Charles Moorman
- Jack & Janice
- Cathy & Jesse
- George Ngo
- Edna Negron
- Horatio Piccioni
- Francis & Marie
- Terri Lopez
Tango in New Jersey - Milongas |
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