Showing posts with label festivals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label festivals. Show all posts
Friday, October 7, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Festival NaturalTango 2011
Great festival!
http://www.naturaltango.com/festival/page/home/
and for facebook users
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=251446858220268
http://www.naturaltango.com/festival/page/home/
and for facebook users
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=251446858220268
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Random Thoughts from Tango Festivals
Square corners on dance floors really help the dancers maintain their lanes, Oval, round, or odd shaped floors make it difficult to establish and maintain inner lanes.
Why do women dance with that old hack dancer that doesn't know what he is doing after all these years? Are they that desperate?
People need time to get from one venue to another.
A person should be able to sign up for a whole tract or for all of the lessons with one particular teacher/teachers and not be limited to a small number of classes with that instructor (first come first served).
The rubber band (Lance Armstrong style) wrist bands are comfortable, can be removed over the weekend and give participants a sovounier to keep. The plastic wristbands are the next best thing, tags and badges are the worst. Although it is nice to be able to see someones name that you are unfamiliar with as often happens at festivals.
Gorrilla style events require adaquete transportation arranged in advance, it's not cool to find out that you can not attend something because the bus is full.
Outside events need backups in case of weather or sheltered dancing very nearby, transportation is a must.
It is cool to give participants a package with maps, directions, convenient restaruants and things to do near your events, as well as attractions in the area.
Keep on top of small things at venues heating/air conditioning, water, adequate seating, use hallways for snacks etc... rather than create problems with the dance floor.
Seating should be arranged so that everyone isn't getting on the floor in the same area, this creates huge traffic problems and can really distroy floor craft, (Denver could use some help with this concept)
Women leaders (not all, but most, generaly speaking) need to pay more attension to floor craft, watch out for these (even the really good ones don't seem to get the lane idea)
I personally feel that it is ok for women to ask men to dance at festivals, it's also ok to say no for any, or no reason.
When you are sitting next to someone, just ask them to dance, no need for silly games
The dance floor should be ready to dance on before the milonga starts no slick spots or sticky areas.
Floor Wax and Tango do not mix (same goes for talc on the floor) you can't dance on "ice".
Non Tango people that you stay with may not understand your Vampire like Tango ways, so be prepared to explain in advance late hours and the need for sleep. Make sure they are cool with it before hand.
Most dance floors can support more than just an outside lane and every one should try to use inside lanes as well as the outside lane to alleviate congestion (I've been to to many milongas where everyone is dancing on the outside lane and it's to crowded to move) contrary to popular belief the best dancers don't only dance in the outside lane.
Using the center of the floor for "spot type" dancing only works if the floor is relatively square, if the room is long and narrow the center of the floor should be avoided (to much risk of collision with dancers that are moving.)
Why do women dance with that old hack dancer that doesn't know what he is doing after all these years? Are they that desperate?
People need time to get from one venue to another.
A person should be able to sign up for a whole tract or for all of the lessons with one particular teacher/teachers and not be limited to a small number of classes with that instructor (first come first served).
The rubber band (Lance Armstrong style) wrist bands are comfortable, can be removed over the weekend and give participants a sovounier to keep. The plastic wristbands are the next best thing, tags and badges are the worst. Although it is nice to be able to see someones name that you are unfamiliar with as often happens at festivals.
Gorrilla style events require adaquete transportation arranged in advance, it's not cool to find out that you can not attend something because the bus is full.
Outside events need backups in case of weather or sheltered dancing very nearby, transportation is a must.
It is cool to give participants a package with maps, directions, convenient restaruants and things to do near your events, as well as attractions in the area.
Keep on top of small things at venues heating/air conditioning, water, adequate seating, use hallways for snacks etc... rather than create problems with the dance floor.
Seating should be arranged so that everyone isn't getting on the floor in the same area, this creates huge traffic problems and can really distroy floor craft, (Denver could use some help with this concept)
Women leaders (not all, but most, generaly speaking) need to pay more attension to floor craft, watch out for these (even the really good ones don't seem to get the lane idea)
I personally feel that it is ok for women to ask men to dance at festivals, it's also ok to say no for any, or no reason.
When you are sitting next to someone, just ask them to dance, no need for silly games
The dance floor should be ready to dance on before the milonga starts no slick spots or sticky areas.
Floor Wax and Tango do not mix (same goes for talc on the floor) you can't dance on "ice".
Non Tango people that you stay with may not understand your Vampire like Tango ways, so be prepared to explain in advance late hours and the need for sleep. Make sure they are cool with it before hand.
Most dance floors can support more than just an outside lane and every one should try to use inside lanes as well as the outside lane to alleviate congestion (I've been to to many milongas where everyone is dancing on the outside lane and it's to crowded to move) contrary to popular belief the best dancers don't only dance in the outside lane.
Using the center of the floor for "spot type" dancing only works if the floor is relatively square, if the room is long and narrow the center of the floor should be avoided (to much risk of collision with dancers that are moving.)
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Denver Memorial Day Weekend Tango Festival 2010
Last weekend I attended the Tenth Annual Denver Memorial Day Weekend Tango Festival.
I had a fantastic four days and for the most part the dancing was extremely good and I totaly enjoyed almost every milonga that I attended.
Here are a couple of videos that others took of the festival.
First the Tango Colorado picnic at Cheesman Park, the most beautiful day I can remember there.
And for a change of pace some Tango rap From Momo Smitt at the alternative milonga Sat. afternoon. (the video is sideways at first but staightens out after a few seconds)
I had a fantastic four days and for the most part the dancing was extremely good and I totaly enjoyed almost every milonga that I attended.
Here are a couple of videos that others took of the festival.
First the Tango Colorado picnic at Cheesman Park, the most beautiful day I can remember there.
And for a change of pace some Tango rap From Momo Smitt at the alternative milonga Sat. afternoon. (the video is sideways at first but staightens out after a few seconds)
Monday, November 2, 2009
What a Way to Go
Nick Jones and Amy Anderson VERY FUNNY!
I think I saw this guy dancing in Buenos Aires.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Live Orquesta Tipica!!!! (or Bill Takes a Musical Tour of Heaven)
Orquesta Tipica D'Irelandia
Last night at the Merc. I think I died and went to heaven!
Look for me dancing in the crowd at 0:58, 1:20, 3:20
Nick really knows how to throw a party!
This festival is going to be one of the best in the country, I can tell already!
Look for me dancing in the crowd at 0:58, 1:20, 3:20
Five Bandoneons
Five violins
Bass
Piano
Vocals
and even a Trumpet, played one of the people responsible for my own tango Journey, Scott Betts.
(there may have been even more instruments than this, but I was blinded by the incredible sound)
After the live music an incredible DJ, John Miller.
and an amazing, outrageous, performance by Nick and Amy that had me rolling on the floor!
Nick really knows how to throw a party!
This festival is going to be one of the best in the country, I can tell already!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Denver Memorial Day Weekend Tango Festival 2009
Another Awesome Festival in Denver as Always!
I only attended six milongas and no classes, which is good because when I started out I only anticipated attending two, thanks to a couple of good friends I was able to stay two extra nights. (I really want to attend Daniel Trenner's classes but it just wasn't happening this trip).
Friday afternoon I arrived in time to catch the last hour or so of the afternoon milonga, really only danced four tandas and got to see a few friends I haven't seen for awhile. The energy was good.
That night at the Mercury also was fantastic, as Extasis was playing (always a treat). I especially enjoyed the more danceable tandas (thats a hint, if anyone is listening). I did get two compliments on my musicality (I guess some people have a hard time dancing to Pugliese). The floor was not as crowded as it has been in the past, really it was just right, similar feeling to the crowds in BA. Floor craft was a bit loose but not really bad at all.
The Alternative Milonga Saturday afternoon, This is always one of my favorite milongas In Denver. The music was right on, and everyone seemed to be having a great time (smiles clear across the dance floor). I did see a video of myself dancing during this milonga and was somewhat disappointed with my posture when I am dancing in open embrace with a shorter follower, as I have said before video does not lie so I have some work to do (whats new!).
The Elegant Milonga Saturday night, is it just me or does this milonga always feel a little stiff until about midnight (maybe it's just coming down from the high of the Alternative milonga earlier in the day), still I had many great tandas with old friends and new, I really don't remember sitting for longer than two or three tandas all evening (a man has to have a glass of wine and socialize from time to time). Tara finally kicked us out at three thirty.
Sunday Afternoon Milonga at Cheeseman Park Pavilion, this is arguably one of the best settings for an outdoor milonga and picnic that I have attended, despite heavy rain earlier during the day, everything went off without a hitch. Photographers were a bit of a navigation hazard as they were not one bit shy about getting right out there in the thick of things (I would like to get a look at those photos, and videos!). Several people choose not to attend this milonga (fear of rain I guess) man did they miss a treat, it seemed like almost everyone that was there was dancing most of the time (I'm guessing around three hundred people) after eating I danced almost every tanda.
Sunday evening, SLEEP ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Awaking in time to catch the last four and a half hours of the All Night Milonga (in retrospect this might just be the best way to do this milonga, much better than going early and dropping into bed dead at 6:30Am) the best vibe happens during the wee hours anyway! After the music stopped and the applause died down, I got some of the best hugs I've had all year.
Ain't Tango great!
Cabeceo, the trip to BA really taught me a great deal about how to get dances with the followers I want to dance with (don't hesitate, just do it or miss out), and navigating in difficult situations.
I only had two gripes, both about other leaders at this festival;
1. Leaders who will not move. (you can never trust someone who is completely terrified in traffic).
2. Leaders who are only interested in long slow figure demonstration for a nonexistent audience, with a complete disregard for the music and others on the dance floor.
I only attended six milongas and no classes, which is good because when I started out I only anticipated attending two, thanks to a couple of good friends I was able to stay two extra nights. (I really want to attend Daniel Trenner's classes but it just wasn't happening this trip).
Friday afternoon I arrived in time to catch the last hour or so of the afternoon milonga, really only danced four tandas and got to see a few friends I haven't seen for awhile. The energy was good.
That night at the Mercury also was fantastic, as Extasis was playing (always a treat). I especially enjoyed the more danceable tandas (thats a hint, if anyone is listening). I did get two compliments on my musicality (I guess some people have a hard time dancing to Pugliese). The floor was not as crowded as it has been in the past, really it was just right, similar feeling to the crowds in BA. Floor craft was a bit loose but not really bad at all.
The Alternative Milonga Saturday afternoon, This is always one of my favorite milongas In Denver. The music was right on, and everyone seemed to be having a great time (smiles clear across the dance floor). I did see a video of myself dancing during this milonga and was somewhat disappointed with my posture when I am dancing in open embrace with a shorter follower, as I have said before video does not lie so I have some work to do (whats new!).
The Elegant Milonga Saturday night, is it just me or does this milonga always feel a little stiff until about midnight (maybe it's just coming down from the high of the Alternative milonga earlier in the day), still I had many great tandas with old friends and new, I really don't remember sitting for longer than two or three tandas all evening (a man has to have a glass of wine and socialize from time to time). Tara finally kicked us out at three thirty.
Sunday Afternoon Milonga at Cheeseman Park Pavilion, this is arguably one of the best settings for an outdoor milonga and picnic that I have attended, despite heavy rain earlier during the day, everything went off without a hitch. Photographers were a bit of a navigation hazard as they were not one bit shy about getting right out there in the thick of things (I would like to get a look at those photos, and videos!). Several people choose not to attend this milonga (fear of rain I guess) man did they miss a treat, it seemed like almost everyone that was there was dancing most of the time (I'm guessing around three hundred people) after eating I danced almost every tanda.
Sunday evening, SLEEP ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Awaking in time to catch the last four and a half hours of the All Night Milonga (in retrospect this might just be the best way to do this milonga, much better than going early and dropping into bed dead at 6:30Am) the best vibe happens during the wee hours anyway! After the music stopped and the applause died down, I got some of the best hugs I've had all year.
Ain't Tango great!
Cabeceo, the trip to BA really taught me a great deal about how to get dances with the followers I want to dance with (don't hesitate, just do it or miss out), and navigating in difficult situations.
I only had two gripes, both about other leaders at this festival;
1. Leaders who will not move. (you can never trust someone who is completely terrified in traffic).
2. Leaders who are only interested in long slow figure demonstration for a nonexistent audience, with a complete disregard for the music and others on the dance floor.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wiki Map for Tango Events Worldwide
Check this out, one stop shopping for milongas, festivals, classes, and practicas anywhere in the world!
knowtango.com
knowtango.com
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