Happy New Year! - info

January, 2002Volume 3, Issue 1C O N T E N T S3 Chicago Tango4 Letter to the Editors5 Chicago Events6 Reflections ofSummer7 Central Tango8 Milongas – Santa Fe,New Mexico9 La Pulpera de SantaLuciaHappyNewYear!www.tangonoticias.com

C h i c a g o T a n g oChicago ClassesOn-Going Classes: call instructors for details or check theteachers’ pages on our website www.tangonoticias.com:Al GatesBob Dronski and Kathleen KrelerErica SuttonSean ErwinFred RomeroChicago MilongasTuesdaysClub 720, 720 North Wells 3 rd Floor, ChicagoSponsor: Chicago Tango Club Argentine8:00 pm – midnight; $5 cover plus $3 for tango floorComplimentary lessons available at 8 until the floor gets crowdedContact Charlotte Vikstrom 773.493.0666 for details.First & Third Fridays – January 4 th and 18 thLake Street Milonga, 942 W. Lake (at Peoria), Chicago8:30 pm – 1:00 am $10 (Please note price increase).Introductory Lesson 8:00 – 8:30 pm4 th - Casablanca” - What better way to recover from theholidays than a casual, relaxing evening at Rick’s Cafe?A warm breeze and a night of tango will take the winterchill away.18 th - “Arabian Nights” - Dress for a night at the Casbah.Bring a favorite Mediterranean food to add to our buffetand look forward to a special guest - an authentic bellydancer!Call Jan Carpenter 312.258.6137, Beth Braun 847.846.5611,or Erica Sutton 773.505.1577 erica@tangoparatodos.comfor details.Last Friday of the Month – January 25 thTres Tangueras Milonga; Latvian Community Center4146 N. Elston (at Hamlin)7:30 pm – midnight – $10Contact Valentina Cisar 773-763-8729 for details.SaturdaysTango...nada mas; 6137 N. Northwest Hwy, Chicago9:00 pm – 2:00 am (Free Introductory Class at 8:30)$15 includes light buffet.Contact Bob Dronski 773.792.2099 for details.Sunday, January 20 & 27Gallery on Lake, 942 W. Lake Street, ChicagoWhat in the world is Meren-Longa?! In the first weeklearn the basics of merengue with super turns and greatstyle. Then in the second week learn how to dance milongato merengue music. You will never dance another dull5-minute merengue after Meren-Longa!Merengue + Milonga = MEREN-LONGA5:00 - 6:30pm Meren-Longa Workshop6:30 - 7:00pm Merengue Practica7:00 - 8:00pm Milonga Lesson8:00 - 10:00pm Practica - Merengue, Milonga & Tango$25 for the WHOLE NIGHT$20 Meren-Longa workshop only$10 Milonga Lesson, plus Practica only$5 8:00 - 10:00pm Practica onlyFor more information: erica@tangoparatodos.com 773.505.1577www.TangoParaTodos.comAbsolutely the HOTTEST 2 Sundays in January!Chicago PracticasTango...nada mas6137 N. Northwest Hwy., ChicagoFridays beginning at 8:00 pm Cost $5Contact Bob Dronski 773.792.2099 for details.North Shore Dance Studio6163 N. Broadway, ChicagoFridays beginning at 7:30 PM Cost $10Contact Al Gates at 773.994.7929 for details.Gallery on Lake942 W. Lake, ChicagoSundays 8:00 10:00 pm Cost $5Contact Erica Sutton 773.505.1577 orwww.tangoparatodos.com for details. 3

C h i c a g oDecember31st New Year’s Eve Party - Yea!!Tango…nada mas, 6137 N. Northwest Highway, Chicago8:30pm - early morning. $65/person in advance/$75 at thedoor; $25/person after midnight. Welcome the new year instyle! Enjoy a full buffet with wine, catered by BastaPasta at9:30, followed by champagne at midnight, and a breakfastbuffet. Tables will be reserved, so make your reservationsin advance. Elegant attire requested. Contact Bob Dronskiat 773.792.2099 or www.tangonadamas.com for details.January20th & 27th Merengue + Milonga = MEREN-LONGAGallery on Lake, 942 W. Lake,ChicagoWhat in the world is Meren-Longa?! In the first weeklearn the basics of merengue with super turns and greatstyle. Then in the second week learn how to dance milongato merengue music. You will never dance another dull5-minute merengue after Meren-Longa!E v e n t sMid-February 2002 - Immersion Tango TourAh, the chill of autumn…winter’s on its way. Don’tdespair, just plan to get away…Contact Natalie Pepa 312.217.4363 tangonata@aol.com orPhoebe Grant 312.446.6601 pgrant@idevgrp.comMarch17th - 24th Congreso Internacional Tango Argentino (CITA)Buenos Aires, ArgentinaRegistration is now open for the 4 th CITA event, which isorganized by the stars of “Tango Lesson,” Fabian Salas andGustavo Naveira. Besides 120 classes with extraordinaryinstructors, extravagant shows and performances at specialmilongas, there is an opportunity to meet and dance withtango enthusiasts from around the world. A variety of packagesare available to fit your budget and stamina. Contact:Leroy Hearon leroytango@aol.com or Phoebe Grantpjg@mindspring.com; 312.342.4335 for details.5:00 - 6:30pm Meren-Longa Workshop6:30 - 7:00pm Merengue Practica7:00 - 8:00pm Milonga Lesson8:00 - 10:00pm Practica - Merengue, Milonga & Tango$25 WHOLE NIGHT$20 Meren-Longa workshop only$10 Milonga Lesson, plus Practica only$5 8-10pm Practica onlyContact Erica Sutton 773.505.1577 or www.tangoparatodos.com.February12th -19th Brooke Burdett Returns to ChicagoVarious locationsKeep your calendar open for Brooke’s return. Details inFebruary’s issue of Noticias or contact Erica Sutton773.505.1577 or www.tangoparatodos.com.15th - Corazón Tango Ball/Benefit for September 11thGallery on Lake, 942 W. Lake, Chicago8:30 pm - 2:30 amCome for a special evening of tango, tapas, and art, inhonor of Valentine’s Day. Enjoy Spanish tapas, doorprizes and great music. Tickets are $25 in advance and$30 at the door with all proceeds benefiting the Familiesof Freedom Fund, which provides scholarships for thoseaffected by the tragedy of September 11 th . For tickets call773.505.1577 or buy tickets online at www.CorazonTango.com.March 17 - 24, 2002CITA is organized by the stars of“Tango Lesson” – Fabian Salasand Gustavo Naveria as cofoundersof CosmoTango.• 6 days of instruction with up to20 classes for all levels & styles.• 6 Milonga Nights with the bestlive orchestras, local milonguerosand tangueras, and special performancesby the best professionaldancers of Buenos Aires;• 3 Grand Shows by the MasterTeachers.A variety of packages are available.CosmoTango offers a substantial discount for early registration.Contact Leroy Hearon, Jr. (LEROYTANGO@aol.com) orPhoebe J. Grant (pjg@mindspring.com / (312) 342-4335)www.cosmotango.com for details and registration. 5

Reflections ofSummer Tango2001!Jan Carpenter:One of the best experiencesI had on theWednesday nights was thelast milonga I attended. Iintroduced myself to ayoung couple who wherevisiting for the first time.This was what the youngwoman told me: We startedwalking over the bridge andit reminded me of the tangoin the park in Paris and alsoBoston. I told my friend thisreflection and said, “All weneed now is tango music andsome dancers.” Right at thatmoment we crested thebridge and saw some tangodancers on the other side andthen heard the music! It wasan uncanny coincidence! Itturns out the woman learnedto dance in Boston aftermoving from Chicago. Hercompanion is a Chicagolocal and a ballroom dancer.He was very excited aboutthe tango and hopefully wehave recruited anotherdancer.Pamela Strateman:Like any milonga, it wasa social event. We wouldcongregate at the front of thedance floor near the musicand socialize. But the dancingbecame very private andvery personal. The dancefloor was huge and theremight be fifteen feetbetween couples, givingeach their own privatespace. It was dark, and I feltmy partners and I becamemore open, less self-conscious,knowing that otherscouldn’t really see us. Thefloor was made of blocks ofwood that were soft, almostsilky. The uneven spacesbetween the blocks made usaware of how we stepped. Ifound myself dancing slower,calmer, when leading.When following, with myeyes closed, I would knowwhen we had reached the farend of the dance floor fromthe scent of prairie grassesand wildflowers.Erica Sutton:I distinctly rememberone of the first Tango in thePark milongas I attendedwhen nearby hotel guestsbegan to wander over withblankets and champagne towatch what must haveseemed like a strange andethereal event – tango dancingin the park by the glowof street lights. What anawesome evening! Can youimagine being a visitor tothe city out for a stroll in thepark and stumbling upontango dancing? Chicagoisn’t just about the Bears,brats and beer anymore.Summer Tango 2002Beth BraunThe process of bringing Argentine tango into the officialschedule of SummerDance, or onto theSummerDance floor, has started! There is also thepossibility of tango being a founding member of a new outdoorsummer program near Montrose Harbor. As I continueconversations about this with city representatives I wouldvery much like to have the input of members of our tangocommunity. I am interested in any ideas, observations, wishesand/or criticisms you may have based on our trial run thislast summer; I am also interested in experiences you mayhave had dancing at outdoor milongas in other cities. As withanything, this cannot be all things to all people, but I want toincorporate as much of your input as possible into the finalform outdoor tango in Chicago will take this summer.My goals from the beginning up to this point havebeen 1) to enjoy dancing outside and 2) to maketango more visible so that people who might be interestedin it have a chance to see what it is like and giveit a try. I thought one of the big successes of our gatheringslast summer was the interest of passers-by andthe visits from out-of-town guests that we had almostevery week.Your comments will make a difference! Please emailme (Bethdanceb@aol.com), call me (847-846-5611) ortalk to me at a milonga about your ideas. Anonymouscomments are also welcome online at www.tangoparatodos.com.Perhaps thinking about summertango will help us forget about winter weather, if andwhen we ever get it! I hope you all have a warm holidayseason with time for tango in between all theother things going on.Chicago TeachersTom Barnard*tbbarnard @hotmail.comVito Bertucci** 773.277.4398Jose & Gerri Caravantes* 773.286.6424Bob Dronski & Kathleen Kreher** 773.792.2099Emilia Boykov** 773.743.2962Sean Erwin* 773.274.9564Carlos Favre * 773.481.1551/773.852.6555Leroy Hearon * 773.276.1518Louis Gallo ** 773.878.8089Mark Johnson * 312.446.0468Gadi Lissak ** 773.472.8776Tina Mangos ** 773.282.5108Elena Robles* 773.327.1667Fred & Yermen Romero** 773.725.0518Pamela Strateman** 312.902.2803Erica Sutton** 773.505.1577Charlotte Vikstrom**Argentango@usa.net*Privates only **Classes and Privates 6

C e n t r a l T a n g oRegional Supplement to Tango NoticiasTo add, change or update information appearing in this section please send your notices to central_tango@hotmail.comChampaign-Urbana, ILContacts:Rita Marvelli:marvelli@uiuc.edu; 217-344-2123Leonardo:Tangoleon@aol.com; 217-328-1311Joe Grohens: joe@wolfram.com;217-328-1008Milongas: Tango Society ofCentral Illinois — Monthlymilongas held at PhillipsRecreation Center:Admission $3. For moreinformation contactLeonardo.Classes: For schedules visitwww.prairienet.org/whitesteet/tango.html.Detroit, MIContacts:MotorCityMilongueros.comAmy & Ray: MotorCityMilongueros.com;313.561.3236Lori Burton:Argentinetangodetroit.com;810.726.2370Amy & Ray: MotorCityMilongueros.comClasses:—Tuesdays at DanceSportAcademy of Michigan,Dearborn. All levels 8:00to 9:00pm.—Thursdays 7-9 pm followedby a Practica 9-10pm;Pitsfield Grange, Ann Arbor- all levels. $10 ($5 withstudent id) for all evening.—Fridays at FarmingtonYMCA, Farmington Hills.Class 7:30 to 9:00pm,Practica 9:00 to 10:00pm.Peña: Every 4 th Saturday atthe Pitsfield Grange,September through May;classes from 7-9 PM andgeneral dancing from 9-1am. Light refreshments,$10/students with ID $5.Milonga: Milonga del añonuevo, Jan. 12 th at DanceSport Academy of Michiganin Dearborn – cost $10.Special Guests: AngelGarcia and Rosa Collantes.Lori Burton:Argentinetangodetroit.comor LnBrtn@compuserv.net;810.254.0560Classes:— Argentine Tango Detroit:every day of the week, 7758Auburn, Utica, MI; seewebsite for details.Milongas:— Argentine TangoDetroit/Tango Suave; threetimes weekly see websitefor detailsBrickhouse. Auburn Road,Utica, MI. 8 pm; $7.Visiting Teachers:The following teachersare being hosted by thestudios of Lori Burton:Kely & Facundo – Firsttwo weeks of JanuaryAmes, IowaContacts:Valerie Williams:515.232.7374;vjw@cnde.iastate.eduClasses: 7-8 pm; BeginningClass and TechniqueTango Salon: Dance heldfollowing class on alternateThursday; call for informationor check website.Location: Café Diem, 323Main Street, Ames, IA 50014Kansas City, MOContacts:Korey Ireland;korey@kodair.com or816.665.4916; alsohttp://www.kodair.comClasses: Tuesdays at StMark’s, 38 th & Troost:7-8:30 Beginning; cost $58:30-10:00 Intermediate;cost $5.Practicas: The Hurricane;Sundays at Westport andBroadway from 7-9PM.Milongas: Wednesdays atFedora on the Plaza; 210W. 47 th , lessons from 7-8pm. Live tango music byTango Lorca from 8-11 pm.Madison, WIContacts:Steven Fosdal:fosdal@mail.com;608.288.8339Anna Snider:atango@mail.com;608.836.7716tango@fosdal.net;tango.doit.wisc.eduPracticas: Pasión delTango: Every Tuesday atUnion South, Univ. of Wis.campus at the corner ofRandall and Johnson streets;7-8:30, no charge.Milongas: February 15 th atGreat Hall MemorialUnion.; 7-11PM. Also,March 28 th — ContactSteven & Anna for moredetails.Visiting Teachers:Workshops with BrookeBurdett, Feb. 13 th from 6-9:30 at Union SouthMt. Vernon, MOContacts:Karen Whitesell: 417.471.1001;Fax 417.471.1002.www.thelearningdepot.com/murrays-1/Milonga Venue:Murray’s Vintage Venue:202 S Hickory, Mt VernonMO 65712St. Louis, MOContacts:—Roxanne McKenny:stltango@aol.comCarter Maier:tngomn@hotmail.com—Estella & Randy:tangoartists@tangorosa.comLourdes Ylagan:Lylagan@path.wustl.educontinued on page 8 7

continued from page 7Practicas: First twoMondays at Focal Point –Maplewood, MO from 8-10pm - cost $5; call314.849.3007 for details.Milongas:—Club Viva, SecondTuesday of every month;call Roxanne for details.—Soulard Coffee Garden;910 Geyer Avenue; call fordetails: 314.241.1464.—Monthly Milonga: Cost$10 at Focal Point; callEstella & Randy for details.Classes:Estella & Randy: call forclasses or see schedule atwww.tangorosa.comRoxanne: Basic,Intermediate, and AdvancedTulsa, OKContact:Bob & Gretchen Manhart;OKTANGO@prodigy.netMilongas: Contact formore details.Classes: Every otherSaturday 6-8 pm. $8 perperson or$15 per couple.Twin Cities, MNContacts:Tango Society ofMinnesota:: Mntango.orgSteve Lee: 612.729.5306tango@winternet.com,www.geocities.com/twincitiestangoLois Donnay: 612.822.8436donnay@donnay.netFrank Williams:612.379.4565Frankw@tc.umn.eduPracticas: Rebecca Trost’sTango Practicas: Tuesdays9-10:30 pm; $2.Four Season’s DanceStudio: Mondays, 9-10:30pm – cost $4; 1637Hennepin Avenue,Minneapolis 612.342.0902.Thursdays - Lake HarrietDance Studio, 6438 LyndaleAve., So., Richfield.Structured practica withSteve Lee; 9:00-10:30 PM:— $4 unstructured, $5structured.Milongas:Tango Society of Minnesota:2 nd Saturday/monthly atDancesport Dance Studio inHopkins, MN. Lesson at8pm; dancing from 9pm –1am. Cost $5 for membersor $8 for others.Steve Lee’s Tango Plus.Friday after 2 nd Saturday ofeach month; 9 pm – 1 am;lesson 9-9:30 PM. $5.Michael Cordner’s Mini-Milongas: Sundays 7-9:30pm $2; Four Season’sDance Studio, 1637Hennepin Avenue,Minneapolis 612.342.0902Classes:please see the followingwebsites for details:www.mntango.org/tsomcalhttp://i.am.tctangoVisiting Teachers:Florencia Taccetti – ongoingat Four Seasons DanceMilongas –Santa Fe, New MexicoBy Elisabeth DemmerEl Meson, a local Santa Fe restaurant and bar,hosts a milonga every Tuesday night. Withboth a restaurant and bar, it is a small space.The bar has tables and chairs surrounding the floor,and Christmas lights create a charming glow.Dimmed lighting and a mural with a medieval theme,painted on the back wall, adds to the aesthetic appealof the surroundings.The dancers who attend are very sociable. Eachweek you are welcomed by a familiar crowd andinvited to come and join a table. Everyone is anxiousto catch up on what has been happening in the tangoworld, such as workshops, classes, and milongas. Alarge group of people attends the milonga. Ages varyfrom teenagers to adults. Much of the crowd includesspectators who do not dance, but come to eat, watchthe dancing, and listen to music.The milongas in Santa Fe have kept growing.Greater numbers of people are attending. Not onlydancers from Santa Fe but also occasionally out of townvisitors come to take classes and dance at milongas.Most dancers in Santa Fe favor the elegantsalon style tango. Dancing apilado is not usuallyseen; usually a small distance is preservedbetween the man and the woman. Our dancers liketo practice using extended steps and try focusingon clean and articulate footwork. Dancers alsoconcentrate on standing straight and using theirown axis for balance.Studio; contact at612.379.4565 or ftaccetti@yahoo.comFor a weekly update ofTwin Cities tango activities,go tohttp://mntango.org/mailman/listinfo/and subscribeto ‘TSOM- announce.’◆To add, change or updateinformation appearing inthis section please sendyour notices tocentral_tango@hotmail.com◆ ◆ ◆ 8

Music: Enrique MacielWords: Hector Pedro BlombergLA PULPERA DE SANTA LUCIATHE SHOPKEEPER OF SANTA LUCIATranslation: Natalie PepaEra rubia y sus ojos celestesreflejaban la gloria del díay cantaba como una calandriala pulpera de Santa Lucia.Era flor la vieja parroquiaquién fue el gaucho que no la quería–Los soldados de cuatro cartelessuspiraban en la pulpería.Le cantó el payador mazorquerocon un dulce gemir de vihuelasen la reja que olía a jazminesen el patio que olía a diamelas.“Con el alma te quiero, pulpera,y algun día tendrás que ser mia,mientras llenán las noches del barriolas guitarras de Santa Lucia.”La llevó un payador de Lavalle,cuando el año cuarenta moría;y no alumbran sus ojos celestesla parroquia de Santa Lucia.No volvieron las tropas de Rosasa cantarle videlas y cielosen la reja de la pulperíalos jazmines lloraban ce celos.Y volvió el payador mazorqueroa cantar en el patio vacíola doliente y postrer serenataque llevabase el viento del río.“Dónde está con tus ojos celestes,oh, pulpera que no fuiste mia!Como llorán por tí las guitarras,las guitarras de Santa Lucia.She was blond and her blue eyesreflected the glory of daylightand she sang like a lark in a meadow,the shopkeeper of Santa Lucia.She was prized in the entire parrish,how could any gaucho not want her,and the soldiers of all the four quarters,sighed with longing behind the shop’s counter.A Mazorquero sang a song to this beautywith the sweet moan of ancient guitarssurrounded by the scent of jasminesin a courtyard with wrought-iron bars.“With my soul, I love you, shopkeeperand one day you will have to be minewhile all night in Santa Luciathe guitars will continue to whine.”But it was a man of Lavallewho took her away in the forties,and her blue eyes no longer sparklein the parish of Santa Lucia.Never more did the soldiers of Rosassing their songs to the lovely shopkeeper,and the jasmines wept on the fencesjealous for they could not keep her.One last time the bard sang his love songin the courtyard now empty without her –a painful serenade to his loved onethat the wind carried down river.“Where are you, my blue-eyed shopkeeperwho never turned out to be mine?The guitars of Santa Luciawill forever for you weep and sigh.”continued on page 10 9

continued from page 9THE HEARBREAKER OF SANTA LUCIABy Natalie Pepa“La pulpera de Santa Lucia” is one of the mostbeautiful and melodious porteño waltzes. Both themusic and the words were written in 1929, and it wasfirst performed on radio in April of that year. It was aninstant success and has remained one of the most popularwaltzes to this day – there is hardly a milonga inBuenos Aires that will not have it in its repertory mostevery night.Aside from its lovely melody, the words tell a storyset in a real place during historical times. The parishof Santa Lucia does exist; it is a chapel in BuenosAires located at 550 Montes de Oca Street in theneighborhood of Barracas. Although there is no historicalevidence of a blond, blue-eyed beauty that ranthe local pulpería – a general store – the song is soconvincing that we want to believe she did exist. Butthe events surrounding the fictional story are real.The 1840’s was a period of great turmoil inArgentina. Civil war had erupted as the rebel troopsattempted to overthrow the government of JuanManuel de Rosas, the governor of Buenos Aires. Thetroops of Rosas, distinguished by their red tunics,were called Mazorqueros. They imposed terrorthroughout by their intolerance and cruel dealingswith any rebellion. The government of Rosas left alegacy of some of the most terrible mass executionsand tortures.General Lavalle was one of the leaders of theopposition, based in Montevideo, Uruguay – downriver from Buenos Aires.Lake Street Milonga942 W. Lake, Chicago1st & 3rd Fridays$10 - light refreshments; BYOBDancing 8:30 pm - 1:00 amThis winter book yourself on the LSM Tango Cruise!The cruise starts in January on the north coast of Africa (Arabian Nights),travels to South America in February andfinally docks in Chicago in March for the Blue Moon Milonga.January 4th - “Casablanca”What better way to recover from the holidays than a casual, relaxing evening atRick's Café? A warm breeze and a night of tango will take the winter chill away.January 18th - “Arabian Nights”Dress for a night at the Casbah. Bring a favorite Mediterranean food to addto our buffet; look forward to a special guest - an authentic belly dancer!•••Contact your hosts for more informationJan Carpenter 312.258.6137 tangojan@hotmail.comErica Sutton773.505.1577 erica@tangoparatodos.comBeth Braun 847.846.5611 bethdanceb@aol.comHOME 10