From Fran

With Joe Dallon’s recent passing, we have lost one of the pillars of our Firehouse Tango community. Joe -- along with his wife Sue -- created the most vibrant Tango venue I know of anywhere from nothing more than an earnest desire to bring the music and dance they had come to love to a wider audience in New Jersey. What a great success it has been, and will continue to be, even though we've had to say farewell to one of our brightest guiding lights.

Joe was a very modest, very private man. No doubt, he would raise an eyebrow at the attention I'm about to pay to his memory. But there are just a few things I think you might want to know.

I first met Joe (and Sue), when I was teaching at a Stardust dance weekend at Kutscher's Hotel in the Catskills about eighteen years ago. They were attending my basic Tango class, and I pulled Joe out of the crowd in order to demonstrate a leader's movement technique. Although I'm certain he was quite embarrassed at being put on the spot, Joe acquitted himself with natural skill and grace in following my instructions to a tee. I remember thinking at the time: "This guy is going to be good."

As it turned out (and as we've all seen for ourselves over the years), he was very good, indeed.

Aside from his prowess as a Tango dancer, Joe enjoyed a very successful career as a University professor of biology at Ramapo College.

If you've ever been to Joe and Sue's home, you know he was a seriously proficient gardener -- the lush surroundings of their house in Ramsey are nothing short of a photographer's dream.

Joe was an expert beekeeper, which, of course, meant that Pat and I occasionally had the opportunity to taste some of the most delicious honey we've ever had.

Joe was a dedicated wine maker. Since I don't drink, I never had the opportunity to enjoy his product, but those who have tell me it was quite wonderful.

One night when Pat and I were visiting Sue and Joe at their home, we decided on the spur of the moment to sing some of songs we had all grown up with. (That's 1950's rhythm & blues and roll 'n' roll, y'all.) Joe pulled out an electric bass, handed me a Fender guitar, and said "Let's do it!" We kept our group entertained for several hours well into the wee hours of the morning. And Joe played like an absolute pro! At the time, I thought, "Where did that come from?"

It came from being a true renaissance man.

One of the indelible memories, which I'll treasure forever, is Joe in his yellow suit. That's right, folks, yellow. I think it was one of our Firehouse Halloween celebrations. Everyone dressed up for the occasion. The ambiance was electric. The costumes were magnificent. And then, suddenly, this ultra-hip, street-wise dude appears in a bright yellow pimp outfit with zoot suit trousers and an oversized, wide-brimmed hat -- not to mention a huge, beaming cat-that-swallowed-the-canary smile on his face. This mild mannered, elegant, conservative gentleman -- yes, ladies and gentlemen, Joe Dallon, as we had come to know and love him -- had been transformed before our scarcely believing eyes into SUPER PIMP!

These are a few of my thoughts about Joe Dallon, a fine man by any criterion, whom I am proud to call my friend. I will treasure his memory. I will miss him deeply. I will try my very best to emulate his uniquely admirable presence in the world.

From Pat

I am so very sad to be writing this, because it means that one of the most debonair, considerate and gentle of men has left us. Joe Dallon treated people with genuine interest and friendship. He had no agendas. When he spoke, he meant every word. He had a mischievous sense of humor, and he and I laughed at many small incidents in class over the years, sometimes with just a look or the raise of an eyebrow.

Joe had so many talents and interests. For Fran and me, a visit to Joe and Sue’s house would always hold news about a new hobby, or a spectacular new dish he was cooking for dinner. He specialized in dishes from New Orleans, where he was brought up, which for me (having been brought up in London) was always an adventure for the palate. Admittedly, I sometimes had to explain politely that a crawfish stew was not quite my cup of tea. But Joe always understood, and was never judgmental.

On the dance floor, Joe was electric. The music empowered and inspired him, whether it was Tango, Milonga, Swing or Salsa. Dancing with Joe, you just had to follow – there was no anticipating what he might do next. But what you did know was that he was always right on the beat and in the music.

Please join Fran and Pat for our Saturday Practica at Pearl Studios, 500 8^th Avenue (between 35^th and 36^th Streets; 2-4pm, $10 per person. (Bringing a partner isn't necessary.) Fran and Pat will be 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.

The following folks helped set up, break down and clean up before and after the milonga. Without them, there would be no Firehouse Tango.

• Tsipoyra Sartan
• Georgina
• Debbie Glaser
  
• Ferd Ritz
  
• Barbara
  
• Mike Porro
  
• Sydney St. James
  
• Steve M
• Elena T