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February
2005
Argentine Tango is Hot in the Catskills!
Hot Dance Heats
Up Cold Nights in Woodstock
by Inez Sacada
Argentine Tango is Hot in the Catskills!
There’s nothing like Argentine Tango to bring people
together. We’ve all heard about the dramatic mystique
of tango…. The dance of passion and seduction…of
sensuality and romance. Yes, it does take two to tango!
That’s because tango is the essential dance for connecting
with a partner, for communicating on a level that goes beyond
life’s daily responsibilities, when two people can
share something that goes beyond words or explanation.
The Argentine Tango was born at the turn of the century
in the tenements of Buenos Aires as poor immigrants sought
to fill the need for companionship, community and connection
in a strange and sometimes alienating new world. So too
is tango an attractive, and some would say necessary, balm
in our too fast, too often disconnected world. We are all
searching for community and connection. Dancers find it
in Argentine Tango, the ultimate dance of connection.
In the Woodstock arts colony, the Argentine Tango has gained
a champion in Woodstock Tango, a year old group founded
by Ilene Marder, a media relations consultant, former political
reporter and ardent tango dancer, who finds that people
are seeking the community tango offers: “So many of
us are sitting at our computers all day, talking on the
phone, in our cars, not really connecting as much as we’d
like with other human beings. Tango contributes something
that many feel is missing in 21st century life—the
sense of touch and connection, up close, warm and personal.”
This is why Argentine Tango is really more than a dance.
Watch out! It can be addictive…an obsession, a lifestyle
for aficionados. The bond formed during the dance feels
so elemental to our well-being that dancers get hooked and
want to repeat the experience as often as possible!
Dancing tango is about personal trust, communication, discovery
of one’s balance in relation to a partner…one
body, four legs. There is a strong focus that many liken
to meditation, when dancers experience a moment when everything
is complete—when there is nothing else but the dance
and the connection with your partner moving to some of the
most beautiful music in the world.
And if that isn’t enough, Marder says many people
are attracted to tango because it is a living art form:
“Tango is similar to jazz. It’s not a ballroom
dance like the fox trot, cha cha or even the American tango
where you learn a set series of steps and that’s it.
Argentine Tango is a close embrace, improvised dance. Rather
than set steps, there is a vocabulary learned by the dancers
who then use the language to express their feelings and
desires through the dance. People who have danced for 30
years still say they learn from it every day. It is a very
exciting, dynamic dance with endless possibilities.”
Woodstock Tango first began hosting events in February
2004 at The Catamount Café in Mt. Tremper. The milongas
(tango dance parties) attracted many dancers from all over
the region with growing tango communities—including
Albany, Poughkeepsie, the Berkshires, Northern New Jersey
and the NYC metro area. A ‘tango outpost’ in
the country was born! The group has since grown into an
inter-generational community with a solid core of enthusiastic,
dedicated dancers, hosting weekly classes, monthly milongas
and special workshops featuring outstanding dancer/teachers
from NYC and Buenos Aires.
Argentine Tango is Hot in the Catskills!
Woodstock Tango celebrates its first anniversary on Saturday,
February 19 with a Gala Milonga Dance Party at 9 pm at the
Mountain View Studio, featuring renowned tango star Junior
Cervila, plus live tango music. There will be a one hour
introductory group lesson at 8 pm. The $15 admission covers
the group lesson, a buffet of home-cooked specialties, door
prizes and tango demonstration. Cervila, the star of the
famous Broadway production of Tango Argentino and the Academy
Award nominated film Tango, will conduct two workshops in
the afternoon.
Woodstock Tango hosts weekly classes every Thursday night
from 7 pm to 9 pm in Woodstock at the Mountain View Studio.
Taught by Argentine-born Dario Da Silva, a professional
dancer/teacher now living in the Berkshires, the two hour
sessions cost $12 per person, and covers all the essentials.
Beginners are welcome and no partner is necessary. Just
bring smooth soled- shoes for dancing.
On any given week, there are between 15 and 30 people learning
about embrace, connection and musicality in addition to
the steps and turns that make up the basic dance. Da Silva
tells students that dancing tango is not about how many
steps you may know: “You can be all over the floor
with complicated steps, but if you are not connecting with
your partner, it’s not tango. The connection you have
with your partner is the yardstick of success, so even beginners
can begin to experience the very special feeling that happens
in tango when they walk together with connection.”
In addition to weekly classes, Woodstock Tango each month
hosts special afternoon workshops with visiting artists
followed by an evening Milonga. The winter/spring schedule
includes:
February 19: Junior Cervila—Celebrate Woodstock Tango’s
First Anniversary with Junior Cervila (“the Gene Kelly
of Latin Dance”) plus evening Milonga, Live Music
with tango musicians from NYC!!
March 12: Ruben ‘Milonga’ Terbalca—A Traditional
“Milonguero” & Tango Historian from Buenos
Aires.
March 26: Mariella Franganillo—(Forever Tango, Swango)
Widely regarded as one of the best dancers of her generation.
April 9: Pulpo y Luiza—Amazing dancers and teachers,
known for their innovative style and attention to detail.
April 30: Eugenia & Chan Park-Tango Zen, Dance Here
Now!! Explore the meditative aspects of Tango…. Realizing
and expressing one’s true nature through tango.
For more information on Woodstock Tango classes and events,
and other tango events in the region, visit www.WoodstockTango,com,
or call Ilene at 845 246 1122.
Contents of this article
©2000-2005 Catskill Mountain Foundation - All Rights
Reserved. |
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Ilene Marder Media Relations, (845) 246-1122; imhmedia@ulster.net
WOODSTOCK TANGO 1ST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
with special guest JUNIOR CERVILA
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH
Afternoon Workshops/Evening Milonga
At The Mountain View Studio, Woodstock, NY
The ‘Gene Kelly” of Latin Dance helps launch
second year of Argentine Tango in Woodstock region.
(Woodstock, NY) Jan 12: Woodstock Tango celebrates its first
anniversary with a Super Celebration featuring Junior Cervila
- the “Gene Kelly of Latin Dance” - and afternoon
workshops and evening milonga dance party, Saturday February
19th, at the Mountain View Studio in Woodstock, NY.
Founded
in January 2004 by Ilene Marder, Woodstock Tango hosts weekly
classes, monthly workshops and milongas (tango dance parties)
with some of the best dancer/teachers in NYC and Buenos
Aires. It was the first and still is the only organization
hosting regular Argentine tango events in Ulster County.
The group has grown into a vibrant community with a diverse
core of enthusiastic, dedicated local dancers who are often
joined by fellow dancers from Dutchess and Orange counties,
Albany and the Berkshires. Guest teachers come from all
over the world to teach and perform at Woodstock Tango events.
Junior Cervila, featured in the seminal Academy Award nominated
film Tango and in the original Broadway production of Tango
Argentino, has a special bond with Woodstock, citing the
creativity and open-mindedness of participants here. The
Feb 19 appearance marks his third visit to the arts colony,
even as he is in the midst of an international tour with
his own show, Latin Dance Carnival.
There will be two one and a half hour workshops Saturday
afternoon, followed by an evening Milonga with live music
by some of the best tango musicians based in NYC:
AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS: No partner or experience
necessary!!!
3-4:30p: Tango Essentials for all levels – Designed
for beginners and excellent for experienced dancers as well:
Embrace, connection, balance, musicality, walks, turns.
4:45-6:15p: Intermediate- The latest from Buenos Aires and
beyond!
Bring smooth-soled shoes.
The cost is $25 per workshop ($20 for members); 2 workshops
@ $45 ($35 members), Couples- $45 per workshop ($35 members).
EVENING MILONGA:
8p-9p: Introductory Group Lesson 9p: MILONGA (Argentine
Tango Dance Party)!
Milonga Only: $15, includes Lesson, Buffet, live music,
Door Prizes, Special Surprises!
The milonga includes LIVE MUSIC , interspersed with classic
tango recordings with a lively mix of nuevo and alternative
tango, plus salsa and swing breaks, spun by DJ Ilene.
Workshops and Milonga are held at The MOUNTAIN VIEW STUDIO,
Mountain View Avenue, Woodstock NY. Reservations strongly
suggested. Junior is also available for private lessons
on Sunday, Feb 20, contact Ilene Marder, (845) 246-1122.
Antonio "Junior" Cervila is a highly respected,
internationally known performer, choreographer and instructor.
He is recognized for his creative tango stylings, his intricate
footwork, as well as his dance versatility, earning a well-deserved
reputation as the ‘Gene Kelly of Latin Dance’.
Junior’s performances have been seen worldwide; most
recently he produced and directed Latin Dance Carnival,
a musical extravaganza using music and dance to dramatically
depict the evolution of Latin culture from it's African
roots. Junior's own company of dancers performed this to
standing ovations in Japan and is just completing a second
tour of China and South America.
Junior was featured in the Carlos Saura film Tango, which
won an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Film in 1998. In
addition to starring in the film, he was principal choreographic
assistant to tango legend Juan Carlos Copes. He also danced
in the famous Broadway production of Tango Argentino and
as part of Julio Iglesias’s World Tour. He has performed
throughout Europe, Asia and Latin America as well as the
United States.
Junior’s classes primarily focus on proper technique
for social dancing; His workshops are excellent preparation
for those interested to learn how to navigate smoothly on
a crowded dance floor as well as for those who wish to be
challenged by demanding figures. He has been praised by
many students for his ease of teaching style and the lucidity
in his communication techniques.
COMING EVENTS:
• March 12 RUBEN
'MILONGA' TERBALCA – BsAs Milonguero and Tango Historian.
• March 26 MARIELLA FRANGANILLO – (Forever
Tango, Swango) Widely regarded as one of the best dancers
of her generation.
• April 9 PULPO y LUIZA –
Amazing dancers and teachers, known for their innovative style
and attention to detail.
• April 30 EUGENIA &
CHAN PARK – TANGO ZEN, Dance Here Now!! Realizing and
expressing one's true nature through tango.
• ...
stay tuned for May and June events!
Woodstock Tango Background: Woodstock Tango hosts weekly
classes, monthly milongas and special workshops featuring
outstanding dancer/teachers from NYC and Buenos Aires. We
are a growing tango community with a solid core of enthusiastic,
dedicated dancers. In 2005, visiting artists include Nelson
Avila, Junior Cervila, Luiza y Pulpo, Ruben ‘Milonga’
Terbalca, Mariela Franganillo, Chan Park (Tango Zen) and
other stellar talents.
Woodstock Tango was founded in January 2004 by Ilene Marder,
an ardent tango dancer and media relations consultant, who
was getting tired of having to travel 2-3 hours several
times a week to dance tango. She noticed one day that a
client‘s venue had a great dance floor…. and
so the first Woodstock Tango events – Argentine Tango
milongas and workshops, plus live Salsa nights – were
held in February 2004 at The Catamount Café, outside
the arts colony of Woodstock in New York’s Hudson
Valley Catskills. Just 2 hours from NYC, the milongas attracted
many dancers from all over the region, from Albany, Poughkeepsie
and the Berkshires to New Jersey and the NYC metro area.
A ‘tango outpost’ in the country was born!
The first series of workshops was held February through
June and taught by Dario Da Silva, Jackie Wong, Daniel Trenner,
Junior Cervila, Angel Garcia Clemente & Rosa Collantes.
In the summer of 2004, we moved into a new venue in the
heart of Woodstock, hosting a second series of workshops
taught by Junior Cervila, Carlos De Chey, Ruben ‘Milonga’
Terbalca, Pulpo y Luiza and Dario Da Silva.
In September 2004, we began hosting weekly classes with
Dario Da Silva, a superb young dancer and teacher from Rosario,
Argentina, now living in the Berkshires.So far, we have
developed a core community of 30-40 dancers of all levels,
supplemented by many experienced dancers from the surrounding
tri-state area.
Woodstock Tango is dedicated to growing a vibrant tango
community by regularly hosting events with some of the best
dancers & teachers from NYC and Buenos Aires.
Call Ilene at 845 246-1122 for more information.
Check out www.WoodstockTango.com.
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Ilene Marder Media Relations, (845) 246-1122; imhmedia@ulster.net
WOODSTOCK TANGO Presents…
ARGENTINE TANGO MASTER
NELSON AVILA, Star of Tango Argentino and Forever Tango
AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS & EVENING MILONGA (Dance Party)
Saturday, January 15th at the Mountain View Studio, Woodstock
NY
The man who taught Robert Duval to dance tango coming to
Woodstock!
(Woodstock, NY) 1/2/04: Woodstock Tango is proud to announce
that NELSON AVILA, master teacher and international star
of Tango Argentino and Forever Tango, will be teaching workshops
on Saturday afternoon, JANUARY 15, and will perform at the
evening Milonga (Tango dance party), at the Mountain View
Studio, Mountain View Avenue, Woodstock, NY.
Mr. Avila and his partner Madalyn Klein, will give a not-to-be-missed
performance at the Milonga which begins at 9pm. In addition
to the afternoon workshops, they will also be teaching the
8p-9p introductory group class prior to the dance. No experience
or partner is necessary for either the workshops or dance
party.
There will be two afternoon workshops: No partner or experience
necessary. Bring smooth-soled shoes.
- 3p-4:15p: Tango Essentials for all levels- Emphasis
on Musicality; embrace, balance, connection, walking together.
For beginners and dancers of all levels.
- 4:30p-6:00p: Intermediate Class – Secrets of Tango
and Canyengue (Joyous traditional root dance of tango)!
The cost is $20 per person per afternoon workshop; $35
for two workshops. Couples- $35 per workshop.
Workshop fees include admission to the evening milonga.
Milonga only - $15 (includes Group Lesson at 8p, Buffet,
Door Prizes, Performance).
Call Ilene for reservations, 845 246-1122.
Nelson Avila has been named a member of the National Academy
of Tango of Argentina and is recognized as an authority
on tango. He was in the original cast of the world-renowned
Broadway show, 'Tango Argentino' and recently completed
an international tour with the hit show Forever Tango. From
Argentina, Nelson has toured and performed all over the
world. Nelson has danced for Princess Diana, taught Robert
Duval to dance the tango and, in fact, was best man at his
wedding. He also taught the choreographer who taught Al
Pacino to dance the tango in the movie 'A Scent of a Woman'.
Nelson also appeared in and worked with Raul Julia in the
movie 'Tango Bar'. The Argentine government selected Nelson
to choreograph the Argentine presentation at 'Expo Sevilla
1992', in Spain. In 1993, Nelson produced, choreographed
and performed his show, ' Buenos Aires...Tango' in many
cities, including the Lincoln Center, in New York. In the
USA, he has danced in more than 59 cities. Woodstock Tango
is proud to be able to present this stellar talent to the
community!
The Woodstock Tango Milonga is held every month at the
spacious Mountain View Studio, with visiting guest artists.
Admission includes an introductory lesson, home-cooked buffet,
beverages and door prizes. Music is by DJ Ilene and includes
classic tango recordings with a lively mix of nuevo and
alternative tango, plus salsa and swing breaks.
Mr. Avila is available for private lessons on Sunday. This
is his first visit to the Hudson Valley Catskills, and first
in a series of new Woodstock Tango monthly events.
Check out www.WoodstockTango.com. |
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Ilene Marder Media Relations, (845) 246-1122; imhmedia@ulster.net
Woodstock Tango Launches Weekly
Argentine Tango Classes:
Tango Thursdays at Mountain View Studio
(Woodstock NY) Nov. 30: Argentine Tango is going full swing
in Woodstock with the launching of weekly Woodstock Tango
classes at the Mountain View Studio in the heart of the
arts colony. The multi-level classes are held every Thursday
between 7p-9p, at a cost of $12 per person for each two
hour session including light refreshments. No partner or
experience is necessary. Bring smooth soled shoes. Call
(845) 246-1122 for more info.
Ilene Marder, founder and director of Woodstock Tango,
says the regular weekly class is a natural outgrowth of
the interest generated by Woodstock Tango events which have
been ongoing since last February, when she founded an Argentine
Tango Salon series at the Catamount Café in Mt. Tremper.
Marder moved the program to Woodstock this past summer and
says there is already a core of between 15 and 35 local
people who regularly come to class.
Thursday classes are taught by Dario da Silva, a native
of Rosario, Argentina, and one of the leading young tangueros
on the East Coast. Dario began dancing as a teenager and
went on to perform at the Teatro Cervantes in Buenos Aires,
among other venerated tango forums. He has received numerous
awards and citations from the Argentine Tango world teaches
and is well schooled in the traditional as well as nuevo
dance styles. He regularly teaches and performs throughout
the Northeast.
Unlike ballroom dances, Argentine Tango is an improvised
dance with a diverse series of steps that can be put together
in endless variations. Dario’s classes give participants
a thorough grounding in the intricacies of basic tango movements,
enabling participants to dance with anyone, anywhere in
the world, including the dance halls of Buenos Aires.
Woodstock Tango also offers an ongoing program of events
including milonga’s (Argentine Tango dance parties),
practicas and special workshops with outstanding visiting
artists including Junior Cervila, Angel Garcia Clement &
Rosa Collantes, Pulpo y Luiza, Carlos De Chey and other
stellar talents.
For information on Woodstock Tango programs,
Call: Ilene (845) 246-1122, or visit www.WoodstockTango.com. |
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© 2004-2005, Woodstock
Tango. All Rights Reserved. |
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