Siempre Milonga! - to all Tango teachers

Once a year Vietnam has a day dedicated to teachers is November 20th. Ta.Tango thinks that all of us, tango lovers, are "in debt" with our teachers, who gave (and are giving) us not only the steps and techniques, but also some could fill us up with tango spirit that keep us Tango-ing until today.

So, This month Siempre Milonga! will be dedicated to our wonderful teachers, such as Carlo Sansour (Siempre Tango), Bob&Pat (Tango Salon), Megan&Ben&Mark, Mario Consiglieri&Anabella Diaz, Alej Hobart & Ardian Veridice, Alejandra Mantinan & G.Garrido, Margarita Klurfan & W.Cardozo, Carl Gordon (Dance Planet), Andrea Pham and many more.

Venue: Petite Note cafe, 351/4 Le Van Sy str., dist 3, HCMC
Time: From 8.30 - 11.30 pm on Sunday, November 23rd
Fee: 50.000 VND per person at door (Early registration and Ta.Tango membership will allow you to enjoy discounts)
DJ: Ta.Tango
Dress code: Elegant for a Tango night

TaTango at TangoXposed 2008 (part 2)

One of the spot of the Fetival was the workshop No4 - Men and Lady techniques. It was just a walking backwar - forward and to the side but so many techniques, tips, muscle works were explained in details. We also are clear now with "feeling down to the Earth", how hips should be, which leg is responsible for what, what to do with the knees, which part of muscle groups play what role... Ooops, again, the elbow!



Guncho,guncho and guncho - a mystic and defining figure of Tango. Teacher showed how to secure leading and elegant execution of various, dynamic ganchos in turns for (and from) him and her. Use of energies was forced, using "The Code" given in the first workshop. The difference between Gancho and Voleos also clarifies, and of course the detials how to make a guncho but not merely a hook with heel! Everyone enjoyed this workhop so much that despite the feet ache before the third workhops of the day (about 300 minutes passed so quickly- Jesus!) The energy and passion of Alejandra seems endelss. Workshops after workshops in high heels and with foot massage in between, Alejandra merely showed a professional attitude and boundless love to the Dance anmed Tango. Gregorio also was of such great help and always smile. His cerefree manner makes us feel that everything is so easy (well, just a feel, the sweat on our face tells us different!) The last, the Fourth (!) workshop of the day was so exhauseted. Though our group devided and took participation in variuos classes but at this point everyone was carrying shoes in hands and wahed out the sweats! Except for teachers who agreed to carry on the last workshops (90 mins!) without break in between as it should be! The diffcult sequences of Vals complimented to the day!

Well, workshops ended with "fire" (in our souls and on our heels). We headed back to hotel for the last, the Farewell Milonga. All ladies dressed in white, men in more relaxed outfits. Music of Milonga was played without tandas so we danced for about 3 songs with each partner counting it as one tanda. Milonga was tuned frequently, maybe because orgznizer wanted the cheerful mood to domintate the farewell? well, at least that was the most "milonga" milonga we'been to :-) Everyone enjoyed - hugs and kisses exchanged - sweet photos taken - words of "good bye and see you soon" (Malaysia was said to be the next destination) were spread through!



Festival ended in such a nice atmosphere. Whole "suitcase" of techques, "luggage" of sweet memories with old and new friends, "ocean" of high mood, "loads" of pics and vids ... are all our "war booty" :-)

So, dear my Tango friends! Ta.Tango family will see you all at the next Tango events.

Ta.Tango at TangoXposed 2008 (part 1)

The idea of "going out" to a big tango event has born during my workshops in Singapore with Margarita and Walter. Ogie, organizer of TangoXpose, has given us generous offers which we happily took advance and made this Tango trip happened.

The trip was careffuly prepared with programs in details and logistics matters taken care of by a professional Event-maker (and lovely tanguera), so all we need was just packing suitcases and tango inspiration and let's head to Bangkok, where almost 100 tanguros from all over the region are waiting for a coctails of new tango techniques and new-old tango friends! Well, our delegation kicks off this way:


Our first activities at this Festival were 3 workshops with Alejandra Mantinan and Gregorio Garrido. The first lesson was about "Code" of leading techniques - how to use the elbow in leading, which part accords to the relative part of follower's body. For ladies one of the precious code I found usefull for myself (and it's said to be a totally new concept) was the way how should hip moves - YES Moving hips is a must for women, it's just how it should move and of course it's not shaking like salsa. Such hip movement makes the dance look graceful and fluid.

Workshop No2 was about voleos and some Neo Tango moves which only 1 member of TaTango attended (the remaining feel "not into Neo Tango). Well, it was said to be Fab too!

Giro and Molinette always are the most difficult, yet special, techniques of Tango. Our private questions diclosed so many "little tips" for men to lead and women to smoothly follow. The 3-points-and-4-steps concept requires more practice to reach. So the exercise that we "privately" asked teachers to give! Gregorio has shown wonderful skill on turning with dissociation in each part. Expamle of drive-motor-wheel is such vivid and easy to understand example.

We headed home for the most cheerful preparation - for the Gala Performance night! All dressed up with beutiful evening wears, repeating general rules of Milongas, secured memory cards to shot teachers' performance. It paid off, totally paid off. The performance kicked off with an usual performance of Julietta and her partener, an blonde partner in suit and beret! Of course, the partner was our beloved teacher with perfect leading tecniques! The dance is very... feminine! Julietta and Roberto did great performance with eye-catching sequences and good techniques. But the pint point of the night was 2 dances performed by Alejandra and Gregorio. Thougl we alreafy saw these perfomances on Youtube but it was totally different, the atmosphere was so excalaed, the hall shrunk in silience and the performance was dance in a silence to, only music are filled up in the air. The constant woooow and hand claps are the only "lovely disturbance" to the dance! The smooth lead, elegant walk and amazing sequences caused huge appluse at the end. And of course, our exclamation and "oh no, I'm gonna give up Tango cause I can never do this" attitude along with blissful smile made the Night happened!
(... to be continued)

First video clip of Ta.Tango's performance in Saigon

Here we go - this is The Clip (Thanks Ms Hanh for this video shot!)

A tranquil moment of (Ta)Tango!

The kind request of bellydance ladies to Ta.Tango to perform a Tango dance on the grand-opening party of Saigon Bellydance club (held at Cage bar, Saigon) was “irresistible”, so we reserved Sat night and one tango song for this event. We did have little concerns over a Tango dance “on one stage and one night” together with other foot-moving dances like salsa or swing performed by Saigon Swing group. However, we gave our nods cause we wanted to bring a little “tranquil moment” to the over-heated atmosphere of the night by a tender and romantic song “Tango to Evora” (̣̣̣the Greek version, of course). The choice of this alternative-to-Tango song somehow reflects audience-oriented approach of Ta.Tango. The sequences used in this dance also consistently follow this approach, with varied volcadas and sacadas, although for a social dancing we much more prefer (and are known for) ocho cortados and giro-turns. Together with success of Saigon Bellydance Club in their opening night, salsa and Saigon Swing with their funny and energetic moves, the fist appearance to public of Ta.Tango succeeded in many ways:

In a way that so many people wondered “What is this dance”? “wow, why is it so tender, so romantic and intimate?” and they got an satisfied answer “It takes to two to TANGO”.

In a way that the MC singing along la la lala (chorus of the performed song) and exclaimed “this is one of most beautiful dances I saw tonight” (and didn’t repeat this for more)

In a way that a lovely girl from Saigon Swing made a sincere compliment at my Facebook “Where's the next session of Tango class, chi? Your couple dance really romantics ")like it!

In a special way that for the first time Ta.Tango family decided to post our clip (of dances) on to the Internet, for a mere sharing of such a happy, touching moment of ours.

Hopefully, Tango can bring joy to may more people thanks to a litle tango performed by Ta.Tango!