There are five Thursdays in March (2, 9. 16, 23 and 30) with no birthdays and no celebrations, just fabulous learning, dancing, socializing, and eating. What could be better?
Florida beckons, so I'll be out on March 16th. Thanks once again to our awesome and
cooperative A Team.
March 9
I'm here. (I put the wrong date for Florida in last week's newsletter. Not true. The 16th is correct. Thanks to all who noticed this and informed me of the error. I apologize. Yet another middle-of-the-night mixup). I was planning to make corned beef
and cabbage for everyone. Alas, I got into my car, and nothing happened -- absolutely, positively dead. So much for Shop Rite and cooking. Instead, it was AAA and Lyft. I wish you all a happy St. Patrick's Day next week. I will be thinking of you. I wore green and played Irish cortinas.
March 16
Sue out - A team
takes over
I'm off to Florida Once again that week, I will play hooky. This time, I'm passing up Firehouse for fun in the sun. Fortunately, I can leave my baby (That would be Firehouse Tango) worry free because I
have incredible friends who are more than willing and able to keep the Firehouse fires burning brightly. Please support our wonderful back-up team.
The logistics - The A Team
Terri Lopez (Wonder(ful) Woman) and Steve Turi (aka Superman) have generously offered to head up our milonga logistics team in addition to
their normal invaluable weekly help. The tasks involved in running Firehouse are monumental, and we are incredibly fortunate to have so many fabulous friends willing to step in whenever needed.
But What about the Music? Richard Ariza DJ's
Richard Ariza has been away from Firehouse for much too long, and many of you have asked when he will
be back. Not to worry. While I am away, your tangos, milongas and valses will be spun by this fabulous guest DJ. Aren't we fortunate to have such a him in our Firehouse Family? I know the music will be marvelous. What a pity I can't be there!
Here's some more information about Richard: he hosts the delightful Friday afternoon milongas at Triangulo WWW.TANGONYC.COM. He has guest-DJ'd at many New York and New Jersey milongas, and we've had the pleasure of his company - not to mention DJ expertise - quite often at the Firehouse. If you haven't been to Triangulo, you don't know what you're missing. You'll find information below in this newsletter about Rich's Friday afternoons at
Triangulo..
How about the newsletter?
This Firehouse Tango newsletter has been published nearly every week since March, 2002 and thanks to Fran and Pat, the next two weeks 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 his handiwork out when I return.
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. Every day at Firehouse Tango is a celebration!
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 This week, I played Irish cortinas for early St. Patrick's Day. I'm waiting for more suggestions for
cortinas. Thanks to Mike Porro for some great easy listening music, which I will use when I return. Let me know if you have some favorite non tango music, and I will try to play it. This week's cortinas were for Dave Brubeck. Next week's will be Big Band cortinas. When I return, my playlist will use Edith Piaf cortinas.
A cortina (curtain) is a short piece (20–60
seconds) of non-dance music that is played between tandas at a milonga (tango dance event). The cortina lets the dancers know that the tanda has ended. The partners can then without
insult thank each other and return to their own tables, to find a new dance partner at the next tanda. Cortinas are used at many of the milongas in Argentina and Uruguay but are increasingly
common elsewhere. - Wikipedia
Let us know if you are celebrating an occasion and would like to request special music for that night’s cortinas. We will try very hard to accommodate you. 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
Thanks to all for your messages after the passing of our dear friend Sal Zullo.
From Inna Dranovskaya Dear Sue,
It takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, and a day to love them, but it takes an entire lifetime to forget them.
—Anonymous
That's exactly how I feel about Sal Zullo. He
was a charismatic person and he knew how to inspire others. He was an artist in his heart.
My earliest years of tango bring me back to Sal and Laura, a lovely couple. Those memories will stay in my heart.
Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of a friend, a wonderful person, Sal... Sincerely,
Inna and family.
From Lucille Krasne
Dear Sue, these are difficult times and tho I do not know Sal I do understand these constant and dreadful losses of the most wonderful and dearest people. Thank goodness you knew how to move on beautifully. May this nice Laura learn from you—you surely are an inspiration to one and all. Love,Lucille
From CJ
Puotinen (CJ wrote all of the original interviews on our web site)
Oh, Sue - Thanks for letting me know. I was thinking about Sal the other day and wondering how he was doing. Is his wife's name Laura? Could you send me her address? I'll send her a card. Things are hectic here as we have moved into our new house and are moving the last of our things (so much stuff!) out of the old house. Plus we are getting a puppy. I think I told you in September of Chloe's unexpected death. Our veterinarian's two-year-old Lab gave birth on
January 9 to 12 puppies, blacks and yellows. We got first pick, requested a black female, and there was only one in the litter. Her name is Blue Sapphire and we will bring her home next week. Congratulations on the new man in your life. I'm so glad you're getting out and enjoying yourself, and I know Joe is smiling at the thought. Yesterday (March 7) is the
anniversary of Joel's departure. That was nine years ago. Both he and Joe were such interesting characters - I can still here them talking! Best wishes to you, Sue, and thank you so much for staying in touch, CJ
From Rosa Forte-Berg (Carlos and Rosa were our old tango teachers. They started Passional, which became Firehouse Tango)
Dear Sue,
I'm so sorry! I love Sal and I'll miss him too, even we
haven't seen each other for a long time, he is always in my heart.
Please, if you see her, give Laura my condolences, I hope she'll get over this difficult period soon!
Lots of love, I hope you are well! Rosa
From Gretchen Janssen
So sorry to hear this
news. I can just see him Sending his way around the dance floor.
Gretchen Janssen
Tango Tip of the week (There are two tips this week Last week's was a repeat.)
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3/2&9/2017
Hi everybody, Fran here with your Tango Tip of the Week. The question students ask me most often about Tango is "How long will it take me to
learn?" They're excited; they're motivated; they're pumped! They want it NOW, but okay, tomorrow or maybe next week will do, if absolutely necessary!
And you know what? I get it, really I do. I remember asking the same question myself about 30 years ago, when I first started my own Tango studies. Will it be a matter of days? Weeks? A month or two? "I pick things up pretty quickly," I thought. "If it's
like most other dances I know, it'll be no more than a couple of weeks -- I mean, I'm a pro, right?"
Oh boy (sigh). Fat chance. Crash and burn.
Anyway, let's get real. I'm going to try answering the "how long" question as honestly as I can. Let's start by assessing what the word "dancing" actually means. There was a
time, when "dancing" meant little more than actually being up on the floor, moving around together -- rather than sitting out every dance, because the man "didn't know how to do it." Women would feel they had to drag their husbands or boyfriends to a dance lesson, not because they wanted them to start a "Dancing with the Stars" performance career, but just because they wanted to convince them that being on the dance floor wouldn't kill them. If the dance lesson succeeded in getting his highness
out on the floor, the lady of the house was in heaven.
This leads us to an answer to the big question: "How long will it take to learn Tango?" Are you and your partner able to get up on the dance floor, form the embrace in some way or other, and move from one foot to the next with the music playing? If so, you're dancing Tango. I mean, you're really dancing Tango right now. Of
course, you're not dancing at what we might call a super high level. But you're out there, the music is playing, the lady is smiling .. what could be better? We'll refer to this as Stage One of knowing how to dance Tango.
How does that sound? From now on, if someone asks you the big question, feel free to tell them, "Yes, I know how to dance Tango." And you do, you do, you do. But the
next question is, are you happy being limited to Stage One? If so, eat, drink, dance, and be merry! On the other hand, if you'd like to progress a little further, be sure to read next week's Tango Tip. That's when we'll talk about "knowing how to dance Tango -- Stage Two."
Saturdays with Fran and Pat at Dardo Galletto Studios
Please join us for our Saturday Practica at Dardo Galletto Studios, 151 West 46th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues), 11th floor; 2-4pm, $10 per person. (Bringing a partner isn't necessary.) Pat
and I will both be on hand to answer any questions you may have about your dancing, and to help you with material you're working on. Plus you get a new “must-have” tango move each week! If you’d like a private lesson, you can visit our website at www.franchesleigh.com, call Fran directly at 212-662-7692, or email him at franchesleigh@mac.com Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/franchesleighllc
Biaggios Paramus Sunday, March
19th
Come join us for Dinner & Dancing at Biagio's Restaurant in Paramus NJ. ,,, Sunday March 19th Time: 6:00 to 9:00 pm ,,, Biagio's Restaurant The Banquet room (upstairs in the restaurant) 299 Paramus Rd, Paramus NJ http://www.biagios.com/,,, Please call for reservations: 201 652 0201 This helps the restaurant prepare the buffet! ... Cost: $35.00 per person (this includes tip) Cash bar Please call ahead for reservations. ... We will start the evening with a beginner partner dance lesson to welcome brand new people. This is a chance to learn a few steps, and to break the ice in meeting each other. ,,, There will be a variety of music and dances for the
remainder of the evening. Call Lisa with any questions 201 694 7087 http://www.simplysocialdancing.com/*** Future 2017 Dates: June 11 August 20 October 15
La Havana 59 Moonachie Tuesday, March
28th
Latin Night at La Havana 59 110 Moonachie Ave, Moonachie NJ
Tuesday, March 28th 7:00 to 10:00
pm
Mostly Salsa and Argentine Tango... some Bachata, Merengue, Rumba, & Cha Cha. A Latin evening for those who enjoy Latin music, food, and
dancing! An Argentine Tango lesson to start (for all level dancers).
$20.00 cover includes 2 house drinks or 1 drink & 1 Latin Night
appetizer
For reservations and directions:
Nelson and Madalyn's Milonga in Closter
Greetings Tango Amigos, Please join us for our Next "La Milonga”
at: VENTURADANCE CENTER 540 Durie Ave.Closter, NJ
Saturday Night, March 11th 8:30 to Midnight with the John De Cesare Tango Trio Tango Exhibition with Madalyn and
Nelson Avila, Nelson’s great selection of Tango Music including some Ballroom, Latin, Hustle, Swing
Complimentary Classes: Beginners 7:30-8:00 Int/Advanced 8:00-8:30
Coffee, Tea, Light Snacks and…. your presence for another Magical Night of Dancing!
$20 in advance, $25 at the door Call ahead to reserve your table and pay $20!
Tell them you are from Firehouse and you can have the $20 admission at the door.
Stardust Dance Weekend
| April 7th-April 9th, 2017
Honor's Haven Resort & Spa
Ellenville, N.Y.
- Full Service Dining - Seven Multi Course
Meals
- Champagne & Wine Reception
- Open Bar Cocktail Party & Smorgasbord
- Over 60 Dance Workshops
- Day & Night Dancing to Four Great DJ's
- Andy Moss & The Night Owls
Live Ballroom Dance Band - Saturday- Black Tie Event
- Top Nightclub Entertainment Each Evening
- Special Thursday Night Rate & Mixer
- Hosts Available for the Ladies
*Beautiful Wood Dance Floors in all our venues.... |
Thursday Workshops
8:30 pm - 10:30 pm Friday Workshops
11:00 am - 5:30 pm Saturday Workshops
10:00 am-5:30 pm Sunday Workshops
10:00 am-12:00 pm |
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Our cancelation policy - We STILL rarely cancel
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Even though we had to cancel once this year because of a blizzard, 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 my cell
phone 201-826-6602. Feel free to leave a message.
We cancel only when absolutely necessary (only about eight or nine times in all these years - including, unfortunately, the Thursday that I was in Florida, 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.
- Elena Titova
- Jesse Barton
- Tsipoyra Sartan
- Steve Turi
- Lynn Gross
- Chris
And of course, without Terri Lopez and Steve Turi we would have to close up shop. 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 - Grapes & Cheese
- Judy Assisi - Pepperoni & Cheese
And
these people brought wine - Barbara Lombardi
- Mary Pagano
- Bill Krukovsky
- Bill Auer
- George Ngo
- Diane Churchill
- Jesse Barton
- Diane Langmuir
Tango in New Jersey and New York |
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