Welcome.

Welcome to the newsletter of the activities of Tango Argentino dancers in Christchurch. There are many opportunities to dance, learn and practice Tango in ChCh. The ChCh tango scene grew considerably last year and there promises to be plenty of fantastic tango events happening again this year. We are always looking to encourage new faces to take up this wonderful dance. Please feel free to take a copy of this newsletter and distribute it.

Graham and Gloria came up with the fantastic idea of holding a milonga at the Band Rotunda in the Chch Botanic Gardens last month. In their words - "Dancing tango outside in the fresh air has become very popular not only in Buenos Aires but in many cities around the world. In Buenos Aires there are a number of places, like Plaza Dorrego in San Telmo, the pedestrian mall of Florida and even Caminito in La Boca where you can fall under the spell of this dance. While these places are mainly geared for tourists there is however one milonga, in the suburb of Belgrano, that brings together many porteño tango addicts. Originally this milonga was only held on Sunday afternoons but due to popular demand it is now also held on Saturdays. It is one of life’s pleasures to experience the bittersweet melody of your favourite tango as it floats in and around this little haven in the middle of so much concrete desolation. And this milonga doesn’t finish with the end of summer either. It is especially great to see tangueros, all wrapped up, dancing in the dead of winter and then needing to take off a few clothes as they get a little ‘hot’.

Well the day turned out to be perfect and many turned up to dance. We were all enchanted by the whole experience. Many passers by were mesmerised by our antics and stopped to watch. We will definitely have to do it again.

For many the word Tango conjures up images of two people dancing an impossibly spectacular passionate dance. However Tango is also about the music of Buenos Aires not all of which is danced to. The interpretation of Tango music and conveying that to your partner is what dancing Tango is. Its not just a string of practiced moves.

I reckon listening to as much Tango as you can makes the dancing Tango music that much more enjoyable and through that it becomes easier to dance. One of the problems we have in NZ is that Tango music can be difficult to get hold of.

For those who are looking to start a collection of Tango music it is worth knowing what to listen to:

Carlos Di Sarli. De Sarli is probably the most widely known music for learning Tango. It is simple but elegant with a slow, well defined rhythm. Notable for its absence of Bandoneon Di Sarli makes use of strings and piano to accentuate the rhythm. However Di Sarli is not just learners music as you become proficient at Tango it remains some of the most influential music you dance to.

Juan D'Arienzo - D'Arienzo was the most influential of Golden Age Tango of the 30's and 40's. His music is distinctively rhythmic and milongeuro in style.

Osvaldo Pugliese - Quite possibly the most inventive and important composers Pugliese brought a new interpretation to Tango up to the 50's. His music is passionate and expressive. Blacklisted as a communist his orchestra would place a red rose on the piano keyboard in his absence as a protest against his treatment.

Francisco Canaro - Canaro was a showman and prodigious composer of a wide range of Tango. His music is rythmic and golden age but he was more inventive than D'Arienzo.

Anibal Troilo - Troilo was quite unique in his style but still retains a rhythmic golden age feel. Troilo is fabulous bandoneon music, sweet and sophisticated.

Migual Calo - Calo's music is catchy and rhythmic. Calo and DArienzo define the golden age of Tango in the 30's and 40's.

Color Tango, Sexteto Mayor - Contemporary Tango Orchestras that provide new interpretations of Tango. It could be said that the future of Tango resides with these orchestras.

Vals and Milonga - It is always worth having a compilation of Valses and Milongas so you can learn to distinguish and interpret these forms of music.

Astor Piazzolla - Most Piazzolla is listening music but oh what music it is. This was the first Tango I heard (and I was instantly hooked through it). Piazzolla was a controversial and prodigious composer of contemporary Tango. His music is known worldwide and even if you may not dance to this music it is well worth listening to.

Calos Gardel - The quintessential Tango singer Gardel defined Tango for Argentina in the golden age. He had a golden voice and an enigmatic smile and the nation mourned when he was tragically killed in a plane crash.

Daniel Malingo - OK so this isn't exactly dance music but I have just discovered and just have to recommend Malingo. He looks like they only let him out after midnight and he makes Nick Cave sound like a choir boy. This is real Tango of the street.

This is just a simple rundown of music suitable for starting a collection but there are of course many other fabulous Tango musicians. Discovering them is part of the fun of Tango.

Weekly social Tango at the Media Club. This is a chance to dance in a relaxed atmosphere and socialise with fellow tangeros. Every Wednesday 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM 191 Armagh Street, opposite the Deaf Society, free entry, bar service.

1st, 15th, 29th Feb. 2:00pm - 5:30pm. At The Door Cafe. London St, Lyttleton. This is a regular social dance event. Come along, relax with a cup of coffee, dance or watch how its done.