The only tango shows I have seen were years ago: Luis Bravo's "Forever Tango" on Broadway and Estampa Portenas "Tango Fire," at Pepperdine University's Smothers Theatre. "Once Upon a Tango," a local Los Angeles tango show produced by Guillermo De Fazio and Giovanna Dan, is the complete opposite -- and is a uniquely delightful show. The two were large productions, with a … [Read more...]
Back to the Dance Floor: New and Old Milongas, Great Tango Instructors in Town
After more than six months of not being able to dance the tango because of a broken ankle, I'm finally back on the dance floor. A few new milongas have cropped up since my injury, and a few others have closed. As well, there is a flurry of upcoming activity with the SoCal Tango Championship & Festival in February, fantastic tango instructors and performers in town, and M3 … [Read more...]
Tango BC Duo, Cecilia Gonzalez Make It a Hot Night at Tango Room
It was a treat last night to go to the Tango Room and discover that a live band would be playing. A platform was set up in the middle of the floor, between the two poles, for a keyboardist and guitarist. At first I thought it wouldn't be much with just two players. I was definitely wrong. Tango BC, comprised of pianist Mariano Barreiro and guitarist Santigao Cursach, is … [Read more...]
The Comedy of Tango
An acquaintance of mine asked me about a tango video I shared years ago, showing the comic personal/public interaction between tango dancers, as they show up for a milonga, and during the dance. It was shot in Buenos Aires, and done very well. Dancers with extremely different personalities show up early at a milonga, preparing themselves in anticipation of getting the dance … [Read more...]
The Lombard Twins and Piazzolla
I saw this YouTube video on Facebook, and thought I'd share here. Love the musicality of their dancing. Here's another one from the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert where they are performing June 17. Maybe they'll come to Los Angeles .... They've been dancing since they were 7. More about the tap dancing, directing brothers can be found here. … [Read more...]