We need your input on our schedule change
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Starting this Thursday, June 5, Firehouse Tango began our new schedule. For the month of June, Fran's beginner lesson will be 7 to 7:30 and his intermediate lesson follows from 7:30 to 8:30.
Dinner and dancing will begin at 8:30. We'll also add fifteen minutes at the end of the evening, playing until 11:15. That gives us forty-five minutes more of tango, milonga, and vals. Let us know what you think by sending an e mail to
firehousetango@gmail.com. If you don't, we will have to decide without your input.
Sue and Joe Dallon
Sue out next Thursday - Please support our backup staff
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Regretfully, unless I can find a way to transport myself 5000 miles for the evening, I will have to miss next Thursday's Firehouse Milonga.Fortunately, we have a fabulous team that is ready and willing to seamlessly step in when needed. Joe, as always, will be here to play the music. Terri (Wonder Woman) and Steve (Superman) will be your substitute Sue, and Fran will
write the newsletter. That newsletter This Firehouse Tango newsletter has been published nearly every week since April, 2003 and thanks to Fran and Pat, next week will be no exception. Among his countless talents, our remarkable instructor, Fran Chesleigh, is a professional
writer. As always when I am out, he and his equally extraordinary assistant, Pat Altman, flawlessly and with a style of their own, take over the task of writing the Firehouse Tango newsletter. I will send out their handiwork as soon as I receive it. This awesome duo is usually found at "Fran's Table" in
the alcove closest to the DJ table. They are always happy to answer your Tango questions or show you how to do something you might have missed, so make sure to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to learn from the best.
Note from Tibor with his address
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The card and envelope passed
around to our wonderful Firehouse friends generated more than $500 for the new baby. Needless to say, Tibor was blown away by your generosity.
Madison Grace was born on 05/20/2014 at 5:42pm with 9lb 5oz.
Tibor's note with his address
Many folks asked for Tibor's last name and address so they could send cards. Here it is:
Tibor and Regina Csokasi 316 Richard Ct Pomona, NY 10970
Thursday, June 12 - Birthdays of Gay Fallows Monteblanco and Marie Gregoire Guys - Walter and Francis will start the birthday tango with Gay and Marie. The Firehouse tangueros can start with either one of these two wonderful dancers. When you are interrupted, you can cut in on the other. What a treat! Don't miss
it!
Gay
As I have said many times, Gay and Walter travel so much that we have to take their birthdays when we can get them. Join us for cake, champagne and dancing.
Marie
We are very lucky to be able to host yet another Gregoire celebration As always, we will celebrate Marie's birthday with many delicious goodies brought by Francis and Marie.
Last Thursday, June 5 - Birthday of Adrienne Burton
Adrienne, who has been coming to Firehouse for a few years, celebrated her birthday last week. She was very excited about dancing with the
Firehouse Tangueros and they did not disappoint her. Her whipped cream topped birthday cake was delicious.
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
Jorge Nel shoe sale and performance Thursday, June 19
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On June 19th, Jorge Nel
will be at Firehouse with a large selection of Mr. Tango shoes for sale. Since I discovered his line, I have thrown out all my other tango shoes. Come with credit card or checkbook and take a look. As an added treat, Jorge and Milena will also perform for us. You simply have to see them to believe it. They are amazing. You can preview Mr. Tango shoes at www.mrtangoshoes.com
Male partner wanted for beginner Argentine Tango
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Lisa Skates teaches dance at the Center for Modern Dance Education in Hackensack. She will be teaching a summer session in Argentine Tango on Monday nights and is planning to take her class to our Thursday lessons. Below is a note from a female
student who is looking for a partner to join her on Mondays.
Hi Sue,Lisa Skates gave me your email address. I am social dancer (intermediate in most dances) am starting the beginner Argentine Tango class on Monday night at 8:30pm and am looking for a beginner male student to partner with. If you know of anyone interested, would you let me know?
Thank you! Eunice Charles
euncharles@gmail.com
Welcome home, Herb. We miss you and hope you are well enough to return to Firehouse next Thursday.
My resolutions for 2014 1. Keep improving my español and
study Spanish every day 2. Keep visiting Buenos Aires 3. Shorten this newsletter (HaHa) 4. Exercise every day when I'm at home and try to continue when I'm on the road How did I do?
Buenos Aires We spent five weeks in Buenos Aires last year. Our group trip in November is on, so we'll go at least once in 2014.
Joe and I would have liked to try to squeeze in one more time before that, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen. Spanish
I've been working very hard on my Spanish, which has improved greatly, but it's never enough for me. I'm now taking one group class every week. I love my weekly lunch meetings with Hilda for "habla" sessions. I also continue to meet with Horacio every few weeks for the same. To my Spanish speaking amigos: Please keep "hablando espanol conmigo", no matter how much I might resist. Newsletter
In an effort to shorten this newsletter, I replaced most of my New York and New Jersey tango listing with a link to Richard Lipkin's web page. It is comprehensive and up to date. Check it out. http://www.newyorktango.com/NJTango.htm Exercise I am proud to say that through the end of May, my exercise routine has been right on track. I've done my 20 minutes every morning. My problems always come when I go away, so we'll see how I do during next week's visit to San Francisco. I will take my exercise bands and try to remain diligent about using them every day that I am on the west coast.
Stardust Dance Weekend - June 20 - 22
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JUNE 20-22, 2014 Honor's Haven Resort & Spa 1195
Arrowhead Road, Ellenville, New York 12428 Your package is all inclusive of 3 days/2 nights accommodations at Honor's Haven Resort & Spa, a full service resort, 7 meals, 60 hours of workshops, wine & champagne reception, open bar cocktail
party & smorgasbord, entertainment nightly, dancing during lunch & dinner, separate dance facilities for Latin, Ballroom, Argentine Tango, Hustle/West Coast Swing. Rates starting at $385.00 per person. Reserve now online www.stardustdance.com or call 800-537-2797 (outside USA & Canada) 845-794-4707.
Stardust Sunday tango program - June 22
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https://www.facebook.com/events/639106026169894/
THE 98TH STARDUST DANCE
WEEKEND JUNE 20-22 PRESENTS....
The STARDUST SUNDAY TANGO PROGAM !!!!! June 22- 11am-4:30pm
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ARGENTINE TANGO workshops, 11am-1pm, with- John Hernan Raigoza & Yaisuri Salamanca !
(They took 3rd place in the World Championship in Buenos Aires)
- Elegant Dance Mix Lunch, 1pm-2pm (Latin~Swing~Ballroom)
- LA RUBIA'S MILONGUITA 2pm-4:30pm Host & DJ Ilene Marder Playing the best tango dance music ever!
Really fabulous, large new wood floor, & great sound system for some of the most beautiful dance music ever recorded! Many Hudson Valley and NYC Tangueros join the wonderful Stardust Tangueros for a sensational afternoon....
ALL DAY SUNDAY PACKAGE: JUST $50 -2 hours of Workshops; 1 hour Dance Lunch; 2 hour Milonguita
OR- Dance Lunch & Milonguita Only: $35 (- MILONGUITA ONLY: Complimentary, No Charge!)
FRIDAY AND
SATURDAY NIGHT MILONGAS WITH STAGE SHOWS CAN BE ADDED TO SUNDAY PACKAGE, OR BOUGHT SEPARATELY ($20 PER NIGHT IF NOT INCLUDED WITH SUNDAY...)
CONTACT ILENE FOR MORE TANGO INFO...
At the Honor's Haven Resort off Rt. 209, Ellenville, NY (EASY, BEAUTIFUL RIDE, AND SHORTLINE BUS STOPS DIRECTLY AT HOTEL'S FRONT DOOR).
*** More
than 50 dance classes during the weekend too! The hotel usually sells out with dancers!...check out the full program....
http://stardustdance.com/latest_weekend.html www.stardustdance.com
Hi everybody, Fran here with your Tango Tip of the Week. For several Tango Tips in the recent past, I've been discussing some of the important problems we all incur in attempting to maintain the line of direction while dancing. On May 8, we talked
about the "gestural" -- as opposed to the "functional" -- nature of Tango. On May 15, we observed that Tango is at the same time both a "progressive" and a "spot" dance. And on May 22, we underscored the fact that modern Tango consists of movement and of stillness -- meaning that sometimes we travel, and sometimes we don't. (You can read all about these impediments to maintaining the line of direction in our Tango Tips of May 8, May 15, and May 22. Just go to the archive
section of our Firehouse Web site.)All these factors -- which are inherent to the nature of Tango -- contribute to making it quite difficult for any leader to keep the dance moving along on a predictable track. How, then, can we possibly expect to get ourselves around the dance floor in a consistent and orderly fashion? The simple (but definitely not easy)
answer to this crucial question is that as leaders, we have to change focus. We have to make up our minds once and for all that we're going to stop exclusively serving our own momentary needs, and start paying attention to the needs of other people on the dance floor. Let me give you an example of what I'm talking about here. You've been thinking
about a figure that you learned in class -- or maybe that you half-learned on YouTube -- a few days/hours/minutes ago. You can't wait to take it to the dance floor. Everyone will be really impressed. People will stop and stare. You'll be a star! Okay, suddenly, there you are right in the middle of that crowded dance floor. You're so focussed on your
special figure that you can't wait to try it out. In fact, you do try it as soon as possible -- before checking to see whether it will interfere with what's going on around you. And guess what happens? It does interfere. The line of dance is completely disrupted. You're not a star; you're a menace. Alternate universe: You're itching to try that new figure, but your primary focus is solidly right where it should be; i.e., on the needs of the people around you. Because the floor is crowded, you recognize the fact that right at this moment trying your figure might be dangerous. So you wait until the time seems right. Maybe that time comes; maybe it doesn't. Eventually, the dance comes to an
end, and -- at least in part because of your efforts -- everybody has managed to collectively negotiate the line of dance without interference from you. Do you get the idea? I'm not saying here that you should never try out that great figure you've been working on. Just make certain that when you do, it works not only for you, but for everybody else
around you as well. If you can manage this essential change in the way you approach your social dancing, you really will start to become a true Tango star!
Your
Video Is Ready and Waiting! "10 More Must-Have Tango Moves You Should Know" Special April 6, 2014 intensive workshop with Fran Chesleigh and Pat Altman Pricing: ·
If you attended the session, we are offering a special discounted price of $25 · If you did not attend, but would like to have this unique DVD, the regular price is $50 Pick up a DVD: · At our Saturday Practica at Dance Manhattan (2-4pm) ·
Or at the Argentine Consulate on Wednesdays (12-2pm) Order by Mail: Send a check made out to
Fran Chesleigh, and mail it to us at 207 West 106th Street, Apt. 11A, New York, NY 10025. Please include an additional $6 for shipping and handling. Here's a listing of the ten individual figures we taught that day. If you have any questions, contact us at franchesleigh@mac.com. And please don't forget to practice, practice, practice! 1. Nito Garcia's ochos with traspie
2. Julio Balmaceda's "running" molinete
3. Osvaldo Zotto's back cross with molinete plus adornments
4. Osvaldo Zotto's back cross with side step to cruzada
5. Nito Garcia's media vuelta with rulo
6. Pat's "Esther Pugliese"adornment sequence
7. Gustavo Naveira's left-rotating cadena plus adornments
8. Orlando Paiva's "El Gato" sequence/with adornments
9. Carlos Gavito's right leg wrap 10. Osvaldo Zotto's "show-stopper" step sequence
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.
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 June 2nd and a link to the Facebook page, where you can hear the music: June 2, 1937: Date in which Juan D'Arienzo recorded a tango emblematic of his style: EL CACHAFAZ. According to the Buenos Aires slang (lunfardo) is called in this way the
brazen, cheeky, mischievous person. As most lunfardo words, Cachafaz derived from the Italian: cacciaffanni (fun). The slang was used as the home language among inmates to avoid being heard by unwanted ears.
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.com We welcome readers' contributions about Argentine Tango in general and Firehouse Tango in particular. Send your thoughts to firehousetango@gmail.com Let us know by e mail what you think of our new schedule. So far, it looks like a hit.
Firehouse Tango trip to Buenos Aires in November - Room for two more people
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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
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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. - Terri Lopez
- Tony Mele
- Tsipoyra Sartan
- Steve Maisch
- Jesse Barton
- Bob Brillo
- Steve Turi
- Debbie
Glaser
- Elena Titova - A great big thank you to Elena for filling in so well for Tibor during his absence.
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 -
Cake
- Sydney St.James - Home Made Guacamole &
Chips
- Heidi Fedor - Chili &
Chips
- Jan Folmsbee & Carl Remmes - Beet, Walnut & Vidalia Onion
Salad
And these people brought wine
- Adrienne
Burton
- Dorothy
Whitton
- Rifky
Mackeen
- Bob
Brillo
- Edna
Negron
- Meryl
Shapiro
- Marta
Bautis
- Horatio
Piccioni
Tango in New Jersey and New York
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