Please tell us what you thought! We’re thinking we might do it again. Just not this week…

And if you’ve got photos, maybe send us some at info@tangointhespring.org.au? Or post them on Facebook? — we’ve made a Facebook ‘fan page’ so you can stay in contact with us now the event is over.

Thanks to everyone!

There are over 130 people coming. 40% are from out of Canberra, and there’s a 42:58 female:male ratio. Not everyone is coming to everything, of course, and some people will turn up without having booked.

We’re still looking forward to people who decide to come on a whim, and just buy a ticket at the door.

Only one more sleep!

There’s more details on the program page and venues page.

But if you can get to the opening event, we’ll have copies of it there for you.  Only 2 days now!

So the doors will open for the talk at 7pm, and we’ll close the doors once the talk is underway.

And then re-open for milonga guests at 8pm – and once the Embassy’s wine is all gone, we’ll open the cash bar.

“Argentina: Bicentenary of the land of tango.”  His Excellency Pedro Villagra Delgado

The year 2010 is a very special year for many nations in Latin America, including Argentina – the bicentennial anniversary of independence from Spanish colonisation. We mark this occasion by hosting a special lecture by his Excellency Pedro Villagra Delgado, Ambassador of Argentina.

We all love tango, and many of us feel a connection with Argentina through our love for tango. Are you curious about the making of Argentina? Then, this lecture is exactly for you! The Ambassador will take us on a fascinating historical journey through stories of past and present, from the independence movement in 200 years ago to Argentina in 2010.

Let us know if you need more help!

View Tango in the Spring 2010 in a larger map

We are all looking forward to dancing with you!

Bookings for the asado  lunch are now closed. We are very pleased with the great responses – there will be over 80 people for lunch before practica!  It’s gonna be massive fun.

At the moment, intestate bookings are outnumbering locals — so come on Canberrans, get your act together!

Also, a quick note about the Sunday afternoon event — it’s sort of an optional extra, so we haven’t planned a venue that everyone can fit into.  In fact, it’ll probably peak out at about 40 or 50 people. We’re assuming lots of people will be off seeing Floriade,  or friends, or galleries, or just sleeping ready for the next night!  But, because we’re getting a lot of bookings now, we thought we better warn you not to count on being able to get into that one. It’ll be informal, in the lobby of this little boutique hotel. Fun, but probably squishy!

All the other venues will have plenty of room, and if you’ve booked we will have reserved a seat and a table for you!

Tango in the Spring 2010 is just 3 weeks away! 1-4 October 2010.

Asado lunch booking closing on 17 September Asado bookings now closed.— only $22 (What a bargain!!)

As most of you know, we are hosting an asado lunch on Saturday, 2 October just before the practica. This is a great opportunity  to meet new people and chat – which is, let’s face it, not always easy at milongas, because we all are so keen to dance!  The asado will be by our local asado man José.  ”This man knows how to do meat in Argentine style” is the word from Canberra Argentine community, so you are in for treat!

And we don’t want our non-meat eating friends to miss out on the fun. so we will prepare a good vegetarian alternative lunch too – just make sure you select it on the booking form!  So even if you are vegetarian, have no fear, join us and have a lovely social time.

We have to confirm numbers for the asado man (so that he can order meat) ahead of time.  So we must close our booking on 17 September, which is only 10 days time.  Don’t miss out, book now – you can book and pay online.  If you have any trouble, email us!

Well, that’s the news from us for now.  Only 3 weeks to go until we meet here in Canberra and have great tango fun together.

Can’t wait!

The Tango in the Spring team:

Yuko Kinoshita | Gary Barnes | Chanop Silpa-Anan | Jane Won

Tango at NewActon with Los Jovenes del Tango (2-4pm)

Venue: Diamant Hotel lobby, New Acton

We have (at last!)  finalised the Sunday afternoon social program: a performance by Canberra tango ensemble Los Jovenes del Tango.

We are in partnership with boutique Diamant Hotel in NewActon for this event, and Los Jovenes del Tango will play in their funky hotel lobby (Plus DJ Yuko).   It’ll be pretty intimate, but we’ll clear the foyer so there will be a space for a bit of dancing. The Diamant Lounge Bar is adjacent, so you can listen from there as well. There is a good cafe at NewActon, and  Parlour WIne Room will be open. So, come out and enjoy lunch or a drink, plus some tango in New Acton.

Here is some blurb about the band:

Los Jovenes del Tango

“A new Canberra quintet of classical and jazz musicians that plays traditional and modern dance music from Argentina - tangos, milongas, valses and more.

http://canberrajazz.blogspot.com/2010/06/milonga-on-air.html

After you dance the night away on Friday, you’ll need a big sleep-in followed by a lovely meal with your tango friends! Just crawl out of your bed and come out! Local Asado man José will be providing us with an authentic Asado (Argentine barbecue). It is a great opportunity to meet and socialise with other dancers. Great range of meat (as an Asado should be), salad, and bread for only $22!

Vegetarian option available.

Book by 17 September (they have to order the beef ribs from a specialist butcher).  You can book online here — and book your ticket for the whole event at the same time!

NB this is not the actual asado in question – this is just to get your tastebuds going!

Asado lunch — optional extra $22 12-2pm St John’s Hall, Constitution Ave, Reid

…when people’s faces light up and they cannot resist the pull of the music.

What first made you interested in tango DJing?

Bad DJ experiences at milongas in Europe confirmed for me the importance of a carefully thought out music structure to the success of a milonga. Even though such bad experiences are rare in Australia, I realised it was unfair to rely on the few who committed so much of their time and effort for the benefit of many. In short, it was time to step up.

What do you like best about DJing?

The reaction to a well chosen tanda opening, when people’s faces light up and they cannot resist the pull of the music and just have to be on the dancefloor.

What do you consider when selecting music to play?

Wow, big subject. Firstly I play only music written specifically for tango dancing, which pretty much means Golden Age plus and minus a few years. That gives a mega-huge range to play with. Within that range I choose pieces with a clear constant rhythm, no sudden tempo changes and melodies that caress but don’t confuse the ear by drowning the rhythm. I love songs and have favourite singers but tend to opt for the rhythm over the words when it comes to choosing.

Constructing tandas so that people get up with the first song is also important – once up they’ll stay up. With the orchestras I select I try to build an overall structure to the milonga that has a flow, starting off gently with easily recognised pieces, slowly building up to dramatic highpoints then tapering away as the night moves into the small hours. I love the tradition of finishing the night with La Cumparsita and there are so many fine versions available.

Within that overall structure I try to cater to the different levels of dancer and react to how the floor is responding, so it’s a complex process.

What music won’t you play at a milonga?

Music that wasn’t written for tango dancing at a milonga, so that excludes Piazzola (though I love to listen to his music) and anything electro/techno.

How much do you dance when you DJ?

As much as I can get away with, which is usually not as much as I’d like.

What is your current favourite tango piece?

Right now I can’t get enough of Donato’s ‘Se va la Vida’ and ‘Alas Rotas’, both songs with Horacio Lagos, and Troilo’s ‘Suerte Loca’ with Francisco Fiorentino.