Firehouse Tango trip to Buenos Aires
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Until recently, Firehouse Tango organized wildly successful yearly trips to Buenos Aires. Many participants said that it was the best trip of
their life. Some continued to come every year. Everyone loved it.
Lately, we've had so many inquiries that we're actually considering resuming the trips. If you think you might want to join us, just send me an e mail at firehousetango@gmail.com, call us at 201-825-1570, or grab Joe or me at the Thursday milonga. This is just a preliminary survey, and there is
absolutely no obligation, so don't hesitate. We just want to see if there is enough interest to pursue it further.
To give you an idea of what it would be like, here is what we included in our previous trips (May be different this time):
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 if traveling with group on American # 255 and #256)
- Private group lessons with excellent local teachers
- 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
We haven't worked up the numbers yet, but the cost would probably be about $3,000 per person, including airfare.
Eva Roth's e-mail, in the Reader's Corner of this newsletter, convinced me that this
would be a good idea. Read it for yourself.
No celebrations next Thursday, January 30; just great food, dancing, and company
Marie and Francis
Gregoire - anniversary celebration last Thursday, January 23 As always, we were thrilled to be able to host another Gregoire celebration. This time it was Francis and Marie's anniversary. We did it last Thursday, January 23rd (just a little late because of Marie's eye surgery.)
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. Francis and Marie started the birthday dance together and then the guys and gals cut in (Joe and I were the first to cut in and everyone else followed.
Marie and Francis overwhelmed us with even more goodies than usual. They brought three trays of giant shrimp, chicken wings, a huge and delicious chocolate on chocolate cake, ice cream, and wine.
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
pictures
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Thanks to Tsipoyra Sartan for posting lots of photos on our Firehouse Tango Facebook page. Check them out and like us. Here is a link to our Facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/groups/firehousetango/ Joe is working on putting pictures on our web site. They should be up shortly.
View Monica Paz' terrific tango Facebook posts - my pick
from this week is below
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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 and Spanish
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 January 22 and a link to the Facebook page, where you can hear the music:
January 22th, 1945. Date on which Ricardo Tanturi and Enrique Campos recorded the tango ESTA NOCHE AL PASAR. Very danceable as almost all records of this duo. The Tanturi orchestra had the nickname of LOS INDIOS (The Indians). It was the name of a tango in honor of
a polo team and which they used to play to start their live performances. But it was never recorded. Fecha en la que Ricardo Tanturi y Enrique Campos graban el tango ESTA NOCHE AL PASAR. Muy bailable como casi
todos los registros de este dúo. La orquesta de Tanturi tenía como apodo LOS INDIOS. Era el nombre de un tango en homenaje a un equipo de polo y que interpretaban para iniciar sus actuaciones en vivo. Sin embargo nunca lo grabó.
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 Ofelia Rosito at PractiMilonguero
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6Yl--ceNcA&feature=youtu.be 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 Rose Whitehill
Dear Sue and Joe,
I can't thank you enough for the amazing birthday party, surrounded by the nicest milongueros on the planet! Judy, you are a doll to bring that cake. Big hugs to all. Love, Rose
From
Estelle Stanger
I had a great time, as always, with my dear Firehouse family. I'm still celebrating next week with Ilana, Iden and a friend.
From Eva Roth (In Buenos Aires)
Dear Sue and Joe: I was indeed happy to
read that Los Pitucos will be moving to Franklin Lakes. That happens to be very close to my home in Mahwah. 85 degrees + on a daily basis. Marion and Justin are enjoying Mendoza, the wine country as well as going horse-back riding. They will be back this coming Sunday. I am organizing a 3-1/2 hour city tour = a visit to La Recoleta Cemetery + a tour of the Colon Opera House + Mirtha Paulo, a shoe store where they sell dancing shoes + a musical
show called "Extravaganza" , etc. We will then continue our walking tour through Santa Fe, Corrientes, El Abasto, the many beautiful parks here, the Planetarium which is called "Galileo Galilei" + the zoo which has the only purple tiger in the world; a present to the Argentines from the Government of Senegal. We will continue our walking tour, stopping at what used to be the Israeli Embassy. February 1st through the 5th - Mike Porro, Debbie,
her mother and her brother will be arriving in Buenos Aires after having taken a 14-day cruise from Santiago, Chile to Patagonia. We will again walk the streets, go to milongas, San Telmo, the huge flea market, a day at an estancia. , etc. The last week of February, Hilda and Rafael will be arriving in Buenos Aires for more exciting things to do. The u.s. dollar is worth, believe it or not, 11.55 per dollar. We have discovered a wonderful shoe store, for walking
shoes, all leather lined for 21.00 u.s. each pair. I have just learned that El Obelisco has closed its doors. This coming Saturday am going with two friends to El Arranque. All the milongueros say a loud "hello" to both of you. Abdul, Juan Carlos, Miguel, George, Walter, Norberto, the owner of El Arranque, Juan Carlos, Manuel, Ricardo, etc. Joan Baez will be performing here March 6 and 7. Michael Bubble is always here in Buenos Aires since, as
you know, he married an Argentine actress. Francis Cupola came to Argentina many years ago with his entire crew to make a film. As it happens, he decided to hire an Argentine actress here. He found a very attractive woman, tall and slender - he is short and chubby. The film took 11 months to complete. Once done, Cupola sent the crew back to the US. and he remained here close to the Alvear Palace Hotel on Avenida Quintana. As it happened, he asked the
Argentine actress if she would like to live with him and of course, her answer was "I would be delighted". They have been together now for 11 years. Al Pacino has an apartment here as well as an Argentine girlfriend. Robert Duval, married Margarita, an Argentine lady and they spend their time between Argentina and the U.S. = Placido Domingo came to Argentina several years ago to perform and asked the Teatro Colon whether he would have to bring a soprano from
either Europe or the U.S. - the answer, of course, was NO, you do not have to bring a soprano. He was quite relieved as he felt that the European and American sopranos are all too fat. So, here, he met a very attractive, much younger soprano. They make a beautiful duet and, as it happens, he asked her to move back to Spain with him and she has accepted.
There are a few new milongas around and it is being said that El Club Espanol will be opening up quite
soon. Argentines continue to be very charming as usual, but I do pay very little attention to their compliments. Two lbs. of ice cream cost 90 cents. Three cucumbers 25 cents, 2 filet mignon steaks to be cooked at home 1.00 U.S. - WHAT else can I say. I am trying to organize a boat ride on the Mississippi River Live which circles Buenos Aires. It includes dinner, dancing and show for U.S. 35.00, Enough for today, next time, I
will try to get more information on The American Club. A very, very sophisticated, upscale restaurant, where mostly Americans patronize the restaurant. Be well, continue to stay warm - enjoy FIREHOUSE. Love from me to you! Eva
Mamajuana Milonga Monday Nights a Winner
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Joe, Terri and I had a great time at Lucille Krasne's Monday night milonga last week. It was easy to reach by car with free parking right in front starting at 7 pm. Here is the information from Lucille: This MONDAY we're back at ESMERALDA'S TANGO OESTE! @ Mamajuana Cafe (570
Amsterdam Av, between 87-88th Streets) AND I REPEAT..... 2 PIECES OF INFORMATION ABOUT ¡ESMERALDA'S TANGO OESTE! 1. INEXPENSIVE & AMAZING TAPAS i (Sid Grant now dancing the night away in BsAs., said "Tell everyone about this!" So I am!) Super dinner menu as well! (always optional as in both milongas, here and at the Uke Wednesdays) RESERVATIONS recommended with parties of 3 or more. Call me 212 777 6053. 2. DRIVERS REPORT THAT THERE IS PARKING EVERYWHERE AT
7:00--and if earlier, meters abound. Dancers love this charming venue with its truly beautiful floor and charming decor. TeamEsmeralda continues with LEXA DJing, MATTHEW joining me in an all level class! The fun of learning this dance continues!!. Dance 7:30 to 11:00 $10. Add $5 for the class 6:30 to 7:30 Near all West Side subways & buses Look forward to seeing you! And as Esmeralda ofttimes says : "Be there or be
cuadrado." Lucille
Los Pitucos Milonga moves to Franklin Lakes next month
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NOTE: Los Pitucos will be moving to a new location in Franklin Lakes in
February Milonga Los Pitucos -- Saturday, February 15Tango with us every Third Saturday @ Milonga Los Pitucos New Location: VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) 725 Franklin Avenue (corner of Pulis
Avenue) Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417 For directions click here
EMAIL: info@lospitucos.com
Hi everybody, Fran here with your Tango Tip of the Week. Most of us who are involved in American Ballroom, Latin and Swing dancing today tend to think about dance movement in steps or figures; i.e., continuous multi-step sequences in which a leader guides his follower through a series of elements from beginning to end -- after which he then starts the whole process over by inviting yet
another memorized sequence. This is how we approach social dance in this country. If we ask a friend to show us how it's done, he/she shows us a "step." If we take lessons in a more formal setting (a dance school, for example), we learn lots of "steps." Dancing means steps. The more steps we know, the better dancers we are. Sound familiar? In Tango, we try not to think this way. Well, in fact, most of us in America really do think exactly this way -- that is, until some pesky teacher comes along and tells us that unlike Ballroom dancing, Tango is a dance which occurs in increments of one step. That's right, the teacher says, one step. Okay, what does this mean? (We're curious about this different way of thinking about
dance, right? We really want to know what makes Tango unique, don't we?) In Tango, the teacher says, we improvise rather than memorize the steps we invite as leaders. In theory, at least, this means that we make them all up as we go along. Which brings us to the idea of one step -- or maybe we could say one step at a time. In Tango, when I lead my follower to take a step to the
side, for example, I don't necessarily have a predetermined game plan about what I want her to do next. I may then invite a back step, a forward step, or maybe an ocho. It might just be a pause. Instead of relying on memorized sequences, I allow my skill as a leader along with my moment-to-moment creativity to guide my choices. Now let's pause for a little reality check. Let's ask the question: Is this the
way all the great milongueros in Argentina dance? Ultimately, I think the answer is: yes and no. Every milonguero has his favorite figuras, which he likes to lead again and again. He may consider these his signature steps. Or he may repeat such figures over and over out of habit, just the way all of us tend to do. But at least part of the time -- maybe even most of the time -- the milonguero most likely improvises. That's what good Tango dancers do.
When I became aware of the profound difference which exists between American social dancing and Tango in what we'll call its purest form -- this idea of moving in small, improvised increments of one step at a time rather than stringing large, memorized sequences together -- I found that in order to accommodate what for me was an entirely new way to dance, I had to significantly overhaul my previous notions about lead and
follow in social dance. Next week, I will continue this discussion by attempting to define specifically how I think about and teach lead/follow in Tango. I'll also talk more about how the individual roles of leader and follower virtually define how Tango is danced. In the meantime, I'd love hear what you think about the subject. If you'd like, you can email me at franchesleigh@mac.com. See you next week. If you attended Fran and Pat's recent special intensive workshop at Dance Manhattan, "10 Must-Have Tango Moves You Should Know," the DVD of
the entire event is ready and waiting for you right now. Remember the fun you had at Fran and Pat's November workshop? How about learning those 10 great figures from some of the world's premier Tango dancers? We've put it all on a big 2-hour plus DVD that's yours for the asking! If you participated in the workshop, you can pick up
the DVD for the very low price of $25. If you weren't able to be there, but you'd like to have access to these unique figures now, you can buy the DVD for $49.95. Sound good? All you have to do is fill out the attached order form, and send it to us along with a check for your purchase. We'll send out your DVD right away! If you prefer, you can bring cash
or check either to the Argentine Consulate (Wednesdays), or to our practica at Dance Manhattan (Saturdays). We'll have copies of the DVD with us, ready to go. As a reminder of what you experienced at our workshop. here's a listing of the ten individual figures Pat and I taught that day. By the way, we're so pleased with your response to this event that we're already planning an exciting follow-up -- "10 MORE Must-Have Tango Moves You Should Know!" We'll let
you know the details as to when and where very soon! In the meantime, if you have any questions, be sure to contact us at franchesleigh@mac.com. And please don't forget to practice, practice, practice! 1. Osvaldo Zotto's traspie with back ocho 2. Virulazo's (Jorge Martin Orcaizaguirre) hook 3. Julio Balmaceda's molinete with enrosque 4. Pat's favorite adorno sequences 5. Virulazo's
(Jorge Martin Orcaizaguirre) arrastre 6. Fran Chesleigh's forced cross 7. Gustavo Naveira's back sacada 8. Orlando Paiva's double sacada 9. El Pulpo's (Norberto Esbrez) cross release 10. Osvaldo Zotto's molinete with lapiz and double cross
Saturdays with Fran and Pat at Dance Manhattan |
Fran teaches at Dance Manhattan from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. every Saturday. 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 material you're working on. If you want to take Fran's classes, call Dance Manhattan at 212-807-0802 to register. 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.
Our cancellation policy - We STILL rarely cancel
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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 Lopez
- Bob Armstead
- Steve Maisch
- steve turi
- Bob Brillo
- Debbie
Glaser
- Barbara Lombardi
- Elena Titova
- Pat Thomas
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 -
- Heidi Fedor - Chips & Dips
- Francis and Marie - Shrimp, chicken wings, cake, ice cream,
wine
And these people brought wine
- Adrienne Burton
- Edna Negron
- Jean
Shedlock
- Bob Brillo
- Horatio
Piccioni
- Marta
Bautis
- Francis &
Marie
- Eduardo Campos
- Terri Lopez
Tango in New Jersey - Milongas |
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