Joe Dallon's birthday next Thursday, August 14
Big celebration next Thursday. Please join us for Joe's birthday. I will start the birthday tango and then you ladies can all cut 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
Among the adornos that Fran and Pat taught tonight was something called a "double cross" for the leader. Innocently, I asked if the follower could do this move. Fran said no, because the follower would have to make an unled change of weight.
For John Wynne, this was a challenge he couldn't resist. I think
that we almost, but not quite, did it. Later Steve Maisch and Felix attempted the move, but still, it didn't work.
Knowing these guys, I'm expecting many more attempts.
Happily, we were able to convince the folks at Optimum that the Firehouse Tango newsletter is not spam. Though it took some doing, every one of last week's e mails reached its planned recipient. Hallelujah! Thank you to our optonline.com and optonline.net friends who took the time to call and e mail their carrier to
complain.
Remember, if you don't get the mail, you can go to www.firehousetango.com to view the current and prior week's newsletter, as well as a complete history of Fran Chesleigh's Tango Tips.
Celebrations
August 14
Birthday of Joe
Dallon
August 7, 21, 28 No celebrations - Just great dancing, socializing, learning and eating.
At the door
Tibor, Regina and Madison Grace are off for August to visit their family. Thanks to Elena Titova for stepping in. Please make her job as easy as possible by giving your name and trying to
have exact change. Thanks.
.
Please DO NOT park in front of the side door! This is a fire exit and should be left vacant!
My resolutions thru July |
My resolutions for 2014 1. Keep improving my español and study Spanish every day 2. Keep visiting Buenos Aires
3. Shorten this newsletter (or at least try) 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 not enough.
I'm now meeting with my Spanish group once a week until our class resumes in September.
Hilda's vacation didn't stop her from calling me to
continue our "habla" sessions. I can't wait till she returns so we can resume our lunches. Horatio is a slave driver who makes me repeat new phrases 100 times. Not surprisingly, it works.
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'm back to 20 minutes every morning, which will most likely continue easily until my next vacation.
Hi everybody, Fran here with your Tango Tip of the Week. As students of Tango, we have a lot to think about whether we're leading or following. Today, I want to focus briefly on two crucial areas of concentration
for each side of the Tango partnership. These are skills which we simply must begin to develop as quickly as possible in order to make our Tango viable. First, we'll discuss the big two skills for leaders. Number One
is to make your follower feel as comfortable as possible at all times. This means that it's important to always give her a precise and easily readable lead at the beginning of each step, and allow her the time she needs to complete whatever element you're leading before embarking on the next element. All too often, leaders have an agenda in mind (a figure they've memorized, for example), and all they can think about are the individual components of that figure. The result of this narrow
and entirely mis-directed mindset is that they hardly think about their follower at all. If you shift your concentration to her -- to her comfort throughout each step -- your chances of creating a truly collaborative partnership will increase in a major way. Number Two for leaders is our old friend balance. As a leader, it is absolutely mandatory that you maintain your own balance throughout the dance. Never lean on your partner for any reason, and, if you happen to lose your balance during a figure, don't use her to steady yourself. Find a way to regain your balance within yourself. Parenthetically, I had this problem in my own dancing for many years. I was always leaning on my partner -- completely unconsciously. Even when my teacher told me that I was leaning on her, I couldn't believe it. Who, me? I finally managed to overcome the problem through a lot of concentration and hard work. You
can, too. Now, let's identify the two big skills for followers. The first is to make a commitment to yourself never again to take a step that isn't led. What is sometimes called "anticipation" or
"back-leading" occurs, when you as a follower make a movement which your leader hasn't physically invited her to make. The result is that the leader ends up literally chasing you into the next step. Your job as a follower is to respond to each lead by taking whatever individual step is invited, then come to a complete stop
and wait for the next lead before making another move. If you're a relative beginner, if you're a bit nervous, if you're distracted, or if his lead is inconsistent, stopping at the end of every step can often be very challenging. But that's the job, and ultimately as a follower you simply must find a way to get it done. Number Two for followers is -- you guessed it! -- balance. Everything I just said about the leader applies to the follower. No leaning, no hanging on, and no correcting a loss of your balance during or at the end of any given step by using the leader as something to grab onto, should things go wrong. Making this job even more difficult is the fact that there has been a
very popular -- and to my mind, insidious -- fad in Tango over the past several years in which the follower is actually told that she's supposed to lean on her leader. My opinion is that this is very bad dance practice, and you should avoid it. If a leader tries to pull you forward at the beginning of the dance, pull back onto your own balance, and stay there. If he insists, excuse yourself, and find someone else to dance with. Another problem is that a great many leaders seem to have no
conception of your need to find balance at the end of every step. The result of this is that they spend most of the dance literally throwing you around the room, never allowing you to find a moment in which you can get your balance together. Once again, your only recourse in such an instance may be to walk away, and find someone else to dance with -- at least until this partner learns how to make you feel comfortable. If you can practice the "Big Two" skills I've described above for leaders and followers, I guarantee that your Tango will improve significantly, and you'll find that you're finally beginning to enjoy dancing, rather than finding it an experience you don't look forward
to. with Fran Chesleigh and Pat Altman Sunday, August 17 12:30 -- 3:30 P.M. One of the most satisfying -- and challenging -- moves you can make in Tango is molinete, when the follower glides around the leader in an effortless "grapevine" as he turns in place with perfect balance. Molinete Magic!
is a fast-paced, 3-hour, intensive Tango workshop that will help you build your molinete right from its basic foundations all the way to a host of advanced accompaniments and adornments. Here are some hot spots: · Learn the basic followers' techniques for perfect execution of molinete. · Discover how a skilled leader initiates, controls, and concludes the flow of molinete. · Enhance your molinete with an exciting vocabulary of followers' adornment. ·
Make some advanced leaders' moves such as aguja, enrosque, rulo, and lapis. Molinete
Magic! offers you a unique opportunity to transform your Tango, Vals and Milonga into the polished, seriously authentic dances you've been working so hard to achieve. Don't miss it! Prepaid by Friday, August 16: $35 per person Standard price: $40 per person No refunds. No exchanges. Dance Manhattan Ballroom,Swing and Latin Dance Studio 39-47 West 19th Street, 5th Floor New York, NY 1-212-807-0802 dancemanhattan.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.
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 a link to the Facebook page, where you
can hear the music:
August 1st , 1907: ALBERTO SOIFER is born. Composer, pianist and conductor. He was part of Francisco Canaro's and Juan Maglio Pacho's orchestras and the creator of the successful program "Ronda de Ases" broadcast by Radio El Mundo. As a conductor of his own
orchestra he did not grab the public's attention. He wrote a lot for the revue theater, a sub-genre of the comedy. He composed the milonga that we are listening to now.
Here is a link to Monica's Facebook account, where you can listen to the selection: NEGRITOFrancisco Canaro y Carlos Galán (1934) CD Nº34 Colección Natucci (40
CD)
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 - New this week
MPTango Presents Eduardo "El Nene" Masci
at PractiMilonguero Click on cc underneath the screen for English subtitles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBECqsZMnl0&feature=youtu.be
Domingo Tango Club - Returns October 5th
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We look forward to the reopening of Domingo Tango Club after a well-deserved summer break. This is our favorite New York milonga with our favorite New York DJ, Rich Ariza.
Sunday Evening: 6:30 'till 10:30 PM hosted by Richard & Eddie
TRIANGULO
135 West 20th Street, Suie 301 New York, NY
10011 (212) 633-6445
September Stardust Dance Weekend
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Ballroom Dance Resort Weekend: September 12-14, 2014 Joe and I are planning to attend this weekend. Let me know if you would like to sit with us (firehousetango@gmail.com .)
This is our 99th dance weekend! We are pleased to introduce you to the new HONOR'S HAVEN RESORT & SPA (formally known as the Fallsview Resort). Located only 90 miles from New York City and Albany on a 250 acre private estate with spectacular surroundings and glorious views of the Shawangunk Mountains. The new ownership has renovated all the public spaces and the hotel grounds. Best of all, they have thousands of square feet of wooden
dance floor. Honor's Haven Resort also has the finest chef in the Hudson Valley, making it the perfect dance venue! - Overnight Accommodations at Full Service Resort
- 7 Meals
- Champagne & Wine Reception
- Open Bar Cocktail Party & Smorgasbord
- Over 50 Dance Workshops
- Night & Day Dancing to 4 Great DJ's
- Swing Shift Orchestra
- Great Gatsby Theme
Saturday Night
- Dancing During Lunch & Dinner
- Top Nite Club Entertainment Each Evening
- Friday Lunch is on us! (Served from 1 - 2 PM)
- Your choice - Separate Dance Facilities for Latin, Ballroom, Argentine Tango, & Hustle/West Coast Swing
- Special Thursday Night Package (Join us for our Stardust Mixer Thursday Night to meet old and new friends)
- Call for more information 800-537-2797
(Monday-Friday 9am - 5pm) Outside USA & Canada 845-794-4707
- DAY PACKAGES AVAILABLE (based on availability, limited space) - Click here for info!
*For more information click here --> Dance Weekend FAQ Section OVER 50 DANCE WORKSHOPS
Please note: Each class is designed for different levels of proficiency.
Most classes are repeated offering everyone a chance to learn these
stylish new steps.
(A) Beginner (B) Intermediate (C) Advanced *SPECIAL WORKSHOPS*
2 Hour Salsa Workshop
2 Hour West Coast Swing Workshop
2 Hour Argentine Tango Workshop
*2 Hour Hustle Workshop
Click Here to Meet The Stardust Dance Faculty
Los Pitucos Milonga next Saturday, August 16
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A little bit of Buenos Aires in Franklin Lakes, NJ Next Milonga - Saturday, August 16th, 2014 Special guest instructor - Silvana Brizuela-Weigel
Silvana studied Tango with the best instructors in Buenos Aires. She has performed and taught Tango at numerous and noteworthy venues and shows in Buenos Aires, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Boston and Pennsylvania. More information at http://www.bostontango.org/silvana-brizuela.html Silvana's class at 7:00pm, social dancing from 8:00pm
Couples, singles and beginners welcome! Admission $15, including home cooked "delight" Location: VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) 725 Franklin Avenue (corner of Pulis Avenue)
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
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
From Gretchen Janssen
Congrats to Teri on the birth of her great grand baby! Yikes! My oldest grandchild just turned 11 and the youngest is 6. I don't think I'll live to see a great one!! Tell Joe I am holding a dance card with one marked for him at a later birthday bash. It is wonderful that love has cured him ! I'm still thinking about Argentina. Gretchen.
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
- Tsipoyra Sartan
- Steve Maisch
- Elena Titova
- Debbie Glaser
- Walter Milani
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
- George Ngo
- Banana chips and grapes
- Debbie Glasser - Blueberry bars
- Bonny - Guacamole and chips
- Eva Roth - Meatballs with vegetables and Cherry pie
And these people brought wine
- Bill
Krukovsky
-
Rifky
Mackeen
-
George
Ngo
-
Jack
Messing
-
Horatio
Piccioni
Horatio
Piccioni
-
Naum and Slava Khromov
Tango in New Jersey and New York
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