Easter and Passover wishes from Sue and Joe
|
We want to wish all of our Firehouse friends a holiday season filled with hope, joy and warmth and a year of dancing like never before.
Passover Dinner Milonga last Thursday
|
Our annual traditional more or less kosher for Passover feast took place at Firehouse Milonga on Thursday, April 17. It was truly amazing, and we all left stuffed and happy. Items featured on our holiday menu were: Sue - brisket with matzo balls, potatoes, string beans and carrots, pastries, dried fruits and nuts, macaroons, desserts, matzo
Joe Dallon - Turkey
Tsipoyra Sartan - Passover cake
Judy Assisi and Herb Goodfried- fruit Jack Block
- Tsimmes Bonny Y - Chopped liver, pickled herring, and charoset Jan Folmsbee - Cucumber salad Hilda Genni - Kale salad
Janice G - Four amazing Passover cakes for Eva's birthday
Faye and Lou - fresh pineapple Mike and Debbie - Salad George Ngo - Fresh home mad beet salad
Rose Whitehill- Whitefish Eva Roth - Noodle kugel
Jean Gastfriend - Potato kugel Tonya S. - Sauerkraut
Next Thursday, April 24 - Francis Gregoire
This will be a very special birthday for Francis. Believe it or not, he will be retiring from the daily grind. Welcome to retirement,
Francis. Let's celebrate.
Marie and Francis have been loyal Firehouse followers for many years and have been to Buenos Aires with us as well. Moreover, we are very happy to be able to call them our friends. The two will
start the birthday dance together and then all of the Firsehouse tangueras will cut in. Marie and Francis always overwhelm us with tons of goodies, and we always appreciate their generosity.
Last Thursday - Eva Roth
Eva - Birthday milonga Eva Roth, our dear milonguera from Buenos Aires who took Firehouse by storm a few years ago and cooks something different for us almost every Thursday, celebrated her birthday with us Thursday. At Eva's request, instead
of a birthday tango, she had a birthday milonga. We were thrilled to welcome this wonderful tanguera back from her extended stay in Buenos Aires.
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
Monica Paz in New York and New
Jersey! |
Great news! Monica in New Jersey Great news! Monica Paz, our dear friend and teacher from Buenos Aires will be in New Jersey from Wednesday, May 7 to Monday, May
12. Happily she will join us for Firehouse Tango's twelfth anniversary celebration on Thursday, May 8th. She will also be at Los Pitucos Milonga in Franklin Lakes this Saturday, April 19th. For details, see below in this newsletter.
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.
Two years ago, Monica realized her dream of opening her own studio in Buenos Aires (at 30 Riobamba near the Congresso.) One of the best milongueros in the city, Osvaldo Natucci, teaches group lessons on Tuesday and Thursday nights with Monica translating when necessary. Monica 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.
And now for the best news! Lessons with Monica available in New Jersey
Monica will be available for private lessons in Maywood or Ramsey from Wednesday, May 7 to Monday, May
12. 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. Workshops in New York
- WEEKEND WORSHOPS, Saturday and Sunday April 26/27 at Champion's Studios
Saturday 26
4:00 to 5:15 PM Tango: Giving and getting: What, how, when? Part 1: Part 1: Tips to adjust my dance according with my occasional partner.
5:30 a 6:45 PM Tango: Giving and getting: What, how, when? Part 2: Tips to adapt my dance according with the different orchestras.
Sunday 27 5:00 to 6:45 PM Milonga: Lisa and with traspié.
Workshops at Champion's studios. 257 West
39th Street, 14th floor. Pre-registration required, first come, first served.
SATURDAY: One workshop: $40 Two workshops $70
SUNDAY: Milonga workshop: $50
For registration, please contact Monica at: tangopaz@yahoo.com.ar
-PRIVATE LESSONS at Champions Studio - 257W 39th Street, 14th floor To book private classes, please contact
Monica at tangopaz@yahoo.com.ar
Un abrazo milonguero, Monica www.mptango.com
Monica's web site with 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.
Facebook page and Calendar
Every day, our dear friend and teacher in Buenos Aires posts a historical tango fact of the day. These interesting and informative tidbits always include English, Spanish and Italian information and a relevant
recording. You can see all of them and listen to the recording by simply joining Monica Paz PractiMilonguero Facebook page. I enjoy these posts so much that I share them with my readers every week in my newsletter (See below.) Hi everybody, Fran here with your Tango Tip of the Week. For many of us, learning how to dance Tango can be a difficult -- even traumatic -- experience. If we try to do it by just showing up at a milonga, and attempting to emulate people on the dance floor, it can feel completely overwhelming. If
instead, we decide to approach the challenge by taking dance classes, it can seem to take forever for us to make any progress at all -- while everyone around us may appear to be learning at a far more accelerated pace than we. Meanwhile, everyone keeps telling us how much fun learning to dance is, and how easy it is to do. No way! Learning Tango -- learning anything, in fact -- is difficult. We start by knowing nothing, and this mind set persists for quite a while no matter how much information we try to take in. Eventually -- if we work really hard -- we sort of start to get it. Then, if we devote ourselves to applying what we've begun to learn by correctly repeating our lessons
again and again, we start to form new habits, which will tend to stay with us as long as we keep at it. If we have lapses, if we take breaks from the process for things like work or a personal life, it all begins to come apart. That doesn't sound like fun to me. I mean, not even close. So what does it take to hang in there, to stay the course, to give yourself the strongest opportunity to actually get somewhere in learning how to dance Tango? What I tell my students is that they have to reach deep down and cultivate four crucial inner strengths. These are patience, humility, a sense of humor, and courage. Patience. We live during a time, when many of us wish we could have things handed to us on a silver platter -- and we want it all now. I guarantee that this will not happen with Tango. We can wish it were the case. We can get angry and beat out heads against a wall, when things don't work that way. But no matter what we do, learning
Tango will take lots of time. If we can begin to accept that fact right from the onset of our learning process, everything will go much better. Otherwise, we will end up in a constant tantrum over something we just can't do anything about. Humility. Many of us tend to overestimate
our ability to learn. We may see others around us who seem to be picking things up quickly, and we want to be as good as -- or preferably better than -- they. We may actually feel entitled to be the smartest kid on the block. Unfortunately, this attitude will almost always lead us to focus on keeping our ego well massaged rather than on the job at hand -- which is to learn how to dance Tango. Humility is the more direct path. A sense of humor. I see a lot of people in the contemporary Tango student community, taking things very, very seriously. In particular, they seem to take themselves so seriously that there just isn't any room for an openness to the profound joy of learning. I continue to be baffled by this behavior. My own feeling is that
-- notwithstanding its causes -- the more profitable stance would be to lighten up, recognize that dancing Tango is an occasion for fun, and enjoy the process in a state of humorous camaraderie rather than isolating self-importance, Courage. Getting back to where we started, we
have to face the fact that learning Tango is really very difficult. Physically, Tango places demands on us that no other social dance I can think of does. Furthermore, because most of us in this country were not born in Argentina, our emotional connection to Tango has to come from inference -- from our imagination -- rather than from direct life experience. This makes the process of incorporating Tango into our creative souls extremely challenging. Ultimately, accepting the task of learning how
to dance Tango -- of overcoming the profound gulf of cultural distance -- requires a great deal of courage. Tango is one of the most enjoyable social dance experiences of our lives. Pat and I think that we need to share it as a joyous communal celebration, not another occasion for alienation and competition. I would love to hear what you think about these
ideas. You can contact me at franchesleigh@mac.com or Pat at paltman21@gmail.com
Saturdays with Fran and Pat at Dance Manhattan |
Every Saturday, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Dance Manhattan, Fran and Pat host a special beginner/intermediate practice, geared toward helping you bring 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 material you're working on. If you'd like a private lesson, call Fran directly at 212-662-7692, or email him at franchesleigh@mac.com. For the practice, all you have to do is arrive with $10 and your dance shoes in hand.
Los Pitucos Milonga this Saturday, April 19
|
You are invited to join our monthly event on Saturday, April 19,
2014 This month a special guest instructor - Monica Paz from Argentina Monica will conduct two classes: 6:00pm to 7:00pm Beginner Fundamental technique (fundamentos y tecnica - para principiantes y otros niveles que quieren afianzar los conocimientos) 7:00pm to 8:00pm Intermediate/Advanced Close Embrace Milonguero style (Bailando en espacios reducidos, bailar en una baldosa)
social dancing from 8:00pm Couples, singles and beginners welcome!
Admission $15, including home cooked "delight" The VFW is located at: 725 Franklin Ave. (corner of Pulis Ave.) Franklin Lakes NJ 07417 For directions click here For more information contact us at: info@lospitucos.com and visit our website at http://lospitucos.com For information about Tango in the New York metro area visit http://newyorktango.com ------------------------------------------------------- About Los Pitucos Los Pitucos is a Monthly event which is held on the Third Saturday of the month...We have been bringing the finest Tango events and music to New Jersey since 2009
View Monica Paz' terrific tango Facebook posts - my pick
from this week is below |
Every day, our dear friend and teacher in Buenos Aires posts a historical tango fact of the day. These interesting and informative tidbits
always include English, Spanish and Italian information and a relevant recording. You can see all of them and listen to the recording by simply joining Monica Paz PractiMilonguero Facebook page. Below is the post for April 14th and a link to the Facebook page, where you can hear the music: 14 DE ABRIL DE 1897 April 14, 1897: Birth of EDGARDO DONATO, son of an Italian couple. His father was a cellist and trained him in classical music. When Edgardo organized his own tango orchestra, he played the violin and 3 of his 8 brothers played with him: Osvaldo (piano), Ascanio (cello) and Felipe (violin). Now let's pay attention to one of
his compositions, which sound in the milongas. Nace EDGARDO DONATO. Hijo de un matrimonio italiano. Su padre era violonchelista y lo formó en la música clásica. Cuando Edgardo organizó su propia orquesta de tango, él tocaba el violín y 3 de sus 8 hermanos la integraban: Osvaldo (piano), Ascanio (chelo) y Felipe (violín). Ahora prestemos atención a una de sus composiciones que suenan en las milongas. 14 aprile 1897: Nasce
EDGARDO DONATO. Figlio d'italiani. Suo padre era violoncellista e lo formò alla musica classica. Quando Edgardo organizzò la sua orchestra di tango, lui suonava il violino e 3 dei suoi 8 fratelli la completavano: Osvaldo (piano), Ascanio (violoncello) e Felipe (violino). Prestiamo l'orecchio a una delle sue composizioni che si ascoltano in milonga. Here is a link to her Facebook account https://www.facebook.com/MPTango And the following one for her latest interview (She regularly posts interviews that she does with surviving old milongueros) : MP Tango Interview
MPTango Presents Jorge Garcia at PractiMilonguero Jorge García: "the things I learned from Pugliese are humility and equality, manifesting them in the form of cooperative that formed the Orchestra."
"What I learned from him is humility, equality, and he showed that by forming a cooperative with his orchestra".http://youtu.be/iBvxXlJp3FU
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
Firehouse Tango trip to Buenos Aires in November - Still time to sign
up
|
Our group leaves New York on Friday, October 31, 2014 at 10:15 PM and returns Monday, November 10 at 6:15 AM. As I write, the round trip fare for non-stop American flights #953/956 is $1285. Let me know now if you are interested
in joining us. You can contact me (Sue) at 201-825-1570 or firehousetango@gmail.com.
How Much: Cost of the trip including everything listed below (excluding air) is $2000 (double occupancy). Single supplement is available for an additional
fee of $300. Airfare should be about 1,285. How to Register: Give check made out to Firehouse Tango for $400 together with your name, address and phone numbers to Sue or send to Sue Dallon, 16 Fox Hollow Rd. Ramsey, NJ 07446. For more information or references ask Sue or call 201-825-1570 or 201-826-6602. What's included? · 8 nights / 9 days in Buenos Aires with
the friendliest group around · Stay at the excellent, centrally located Bauen Suites Hotel · Full breakfast every day · Transfers to and from hotel (included only if traveling with group on American # 953 Fri Oct 31 and # 956 Sunday November 9 (arriving Mon 10)) · Welcome luncheon where you will meet the instructors · Private group lessons with excellent local teachers and local hosts as partners · Milongas with local hosts (male and female) who are there just to dance with us · City Tour · Full day at gaucho ranch with barbeque
and show · Popular Tango show with dinner · Day at San Telmo Flea Market & enough free time for shopping, exploring the city,
visiting museums, taking private lessons, visiting milongas on your own or resting (heaven forbid). · You most certainly will want to visit a shoe store (shoes cost about 1/3 of price here). Prices in Buenos Aires are amazingly low & additional costs are minimal. · Excellent & inexpensive local teachers highly recommended by us for privately scheduled lessons. Optional add-on - Four days in Mendoza - Argentine wine country
Our cancellation policy - We STILL rarely cancel
|
In spite of the fact that we have cancelled twice this year, we STILL 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 seven or eight times in all these years - including, unfortunately, the first scheduled milonga of 2014), 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.
The following folks helped set up, break down and clean up before and after the milonga. Without them, there would be no Firehouse Tango. - Tony Mele (Terri's son)
- Terri Lopez
- Tsipoyra Sartan
- Jesse Barton
- Elena Titova
- Bob Brillo
- steve turi
- Debbie Glaser
- Steve Maisch
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
- Adrienne Burton - Pineapple
- Eva Roth - Noodle
Kugel
- Stephen Herbst - Potato
Kugel
- Jan Folmsbee - Kirby Cucumber, Onion & Dill
Salad
- George Ngo - Beet & Leek
Salad
- Bonny Yankauer - Chopped Liver, Charoset & Pickled Herring
- Jack Block -
Tsimnies
- Herb & Judy - Fruit
Bowl
- Lou & Faye -
Pineapple
- Hilda & Rafael - Kale
Salad
- Tonia Shahsovar -
Sauerkraut
- Tsipoyra - Passover
Cake
And these people brought wine
- Rifky
Mackeen
- Heidi
Fedor
- Tom
Rodgers
- George
Ngo
-
Bob
Brillo
-
Hilda &
Rafael
-
Horatio
Piccioni
-
Tonia
Shahsovar
-
Terri
Lopez
Tango in New Jersey - Milongas |
|
|