Tango in the Spring - October 2008, Canberra Australia

Program

Tango in the Spring present a full program of social dancing - for when you just want to dance! Our tango program features four milongas, and a practica, and now a milonguita - all with quality music DJ’d by some of the best tango DJs from across Australia in a friendly and warm social setting. Dance with new partners, and catch up with old tango friends.

There’s a bunch of other social activities as well, including a lecture about tango lyrics, an asado, and a movie!.

We’d love it if you can join us for all four days of course, so hopefully this program will tempt you. Check out our lineup of events on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

6-8pm
University of Canberra (Building 2 Lecture theatre 2B11) ( venue map)
FREE

As part of “Argentine Month in Canberra”, Tango in the Spring in association with University of Canberra and the Embassy of Argentina present the tango documentary film “Si Sos Brujo: Una Historia de Tango”. more…

Welcome to Tango in the Spring: Friday milonga

8.00pm –midnight
Refectory, University of Canberra (venue map)
$15
DJ: Jarny

Our welcoming milonga will give everyone a warm welcome to spring in Canberra (and if the weather doesn’t co-operate, we’ll just dance!). There is also a café next door where can buy drinks and coffee and snacks(apparently no snacks at night - sorry!); there will also be some free Argentine wine and snacks provided by the Argentine Embassy from 8-8.30; and we’ll provide some sugary la-la’s later in the evening to keep you going.

12.00 – 2.00pm
St John’s Church Hall, Constitution Ave, Reid (venue map)

Local Argentine charity Puente Austral is running an Asado – an authentic Argentine BBQ - in association with Tango in the Spring. If you are a red-meat lover, this is an opportunity not to be missed. They love their meat, and they sure know how to cook meat! Only $35! Book by 19 September (they have to order in the ribs…). More details here. There is also a vegetarian option - just let us know.

Playtime at two: Tango Social Club of Canberra practica

2.00 – 4.00pm
St John’s Church Hall, Constitution Ave, Reid (Tango in the Spring venue map)
Free
DJ: Josh

Every Saturday the Tango Social Club of Canberra holds a practica: a get-together to practice tango in an informal setting. There is no formal lesson, but the emphasis is on learning and practising.

The music tends to be grouped into tandas so you get similar music for 3-5 songs then a change into something different.

At practíca, dancers are welcome to stop and talk on the floor, practice a step on the spot, practice by themselves, dance with the same person the whole time or switch partners every dance. It’s an informal learning environment — use it how you like!

Tango til two: Saturday milonga

9.00pm – 2.00am
Italo Australia Club, Cnr National Cct and Franklin St, Forrest (venue map)
$15
DJ: tbc

The Saturday night milonga is close to both Kingston and Manuka where there are plenty of restaurants. And it runs through till 2am - no pumpkins!

2.00 - 2.30pm
King’s Hall, Old Parliament House, King George Terrace, Parkes (venue map)
Free after admission to Old Parliament House, $2.

The popular image of tango is of a sensual dance, the epitome of romantic passion. In tango lyrics, however, there is only tragedy, hopelessness and unrequited love. This talk will look at this perceived lack of correspondence, especially in songs between 1914 and 1930, when tango-canción was born in the outskirts of Buenos Aires and Montevideo. The social context of the tragic characters depicted, and the demographics of Buenos Aires, can help us understand the music and the dance.

Daniel Martín is a Senior Lecture in Spanish and the convener of the Spanish program at The Australian National University. more…
Presented by the Tango Social Club of Canberra in association with Old Parliament House.

King’s Hall Tango Café: afternoon milongita

2.30 - 4.00pm
King’s Hall, Old Parliament House, King George Terrace, Parkes (venue map)
Free after admission to Old Parliament House, $2.

After Dr Martín’s talk, we will have a milonguita: a ‘little milonga’, in beautiful King’s Hall at Old Parliament House. We’ll have a small dance floor installed, and tables and chairs so you can soak up the ambience. more…
Presented by the Tango Social Club of Canberra in association with Old Parliament House.

Tango til two –the sequel: Sunday milonga

9.00pm – 2.00am
German – Harmonie Club, 49 Jerrabomberra Avenue, Narrabundah (venue map)
$15
DJ: Lisa

Our Sunday will be our last big night time milonga so stay the extra night and don’t miss this opportunity to dance with people from all over Australia.

Monday, 6 October

Tango at two: Monday afternoon milonga

2.00 – 6.00pm
Bogong Theatre, Gorman House Arts Centre, Ainslie Ave, Braddon (venue map)
$15
DJ: Tim (Chanop)

If you’re still in Canberra then come and join us for our Monday milonga to chill out, relax and squeeze in a few more tandas. Plenty of time for you to catch flights home later in the evening.