Nov 12: Carolina del Rivero & Donato Juarez. Class by Nigel Smith

This week, fasten your seat belts for an awesome midnight performance by the superstars Carolina del Rivero & Donato Juarez from BsAs!

Class by Nigel Smith (Paris/Montreal/US).

DJ Tine

More about our stars

Carolina del Rivero and Donato Juarez combine in their art exceptional technical and interpretive qualities, where musicality; elegance and precision intersect in a point of true originality. As teachers, Carolina and Donato enchant and inspire with their energy and passion.

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Carolina del Rivero started dancing at the age of 6. She studied ballet at the world-famous Teatro Colon (the most renowned opera house in Latin America) and later modern dance on at the famous “Taller de Danza Contemporanea del Teatro San Martin”. She discovered tango in 1995, and since the year 2000 Carolina has travelled arround the world giving workshops and exhibitions. Every year since 2001, Carolinahas been on the faculty as a master teacher and dancer in the “Congreso Internacional de Tango Argentino” (C.I.T.A) -the world's largest annual tango event that takes place in Buenos Aires every March.

Applying all her artistic knowledge from other dances, she brings to tango, style and elegance, as well as a profound understanding of the technique and dynamics of the dance, and also of the woman’s role in it. She is one of the most renowned master teachers and performers in the world of Argentine Tango.

Donato Juárez is one of the most talented of the new generation of tango dancers in Argentina. Musical, elegant, precise, driven, Donato teaches tango as he dances it: with energy, passion and sensitivity. From his hometown of Mar del Plata in Argentina, he has been part of a group of enthusiastic young dancers that has continued to tirelessly explore the intricacies of this dance. He has studied with many renowned teachers who were quick to notice his impressive technical skills.

Donato has taught at international tango festivals in the United States, Iceland, Australia, New Zealand, Europe (Italy,Spain, Holland, Belgium, Greece, Switzerland, Finland), and Mexico and has performed in many theaters in Argentina. He taught and performed with Cecilia Gonzalez, in the 2006, 2007 and 2008 International Argentine Tango Congresses (CITA) in Buenos Aires.

Nigel Smith

Nigel was born in Montreal, grew up in Canada and the US, and lives in Paris, where he dances, teaches, DJs and sings opera. He has taught tango all over Europe, as well as in Egypt, China and Australia.

Nigel says: " Tango is a language spoken all over the world, and each dance is as unique as each conversation you will ever have.

I treat the tango as a language when I dance, and when I teach. My goal is to help dancers express themselves in a personal way. I'll help you build a vocabulary, but learning new things to say is not even half of the work. In a conversation as in tango, what we say is a response to what our partner says, and vice versa. A good conversation is an two-way exchange of interesting, funny, pertinent and surprising interactions, and listening is as important as talking. The same goes in tango! So, along with steps, there's a lot of work on listening: to the music, to each other, even to ourselves."

Fri Nov 5: Andres Amarilla & Meredith Klein. DJ Lung-kuei

Andres Amarilla and Meredith Klein will teach the class at 8.30pm and perform at midnight!

DJ Lung-Kuei

Jennifer Wesnousky will host Tango Lounge this week while Tine is DJing at the festival in Albuquerque NM.

Jennifer will perform with Orlando to promote their upcoming show "Mientras Tango", one night only Nov 13.

There are simultaneous classes for beginners with Paul and for intermediate with Jennifer.

More about our stars

ANDRES AMARILLA

In 1986, Andres was a bored 10-year-old sitting around his house in Villa Crespo (a neighborhood of Buenos Aires), watching TV. Although tango had existed for nearly 100 years by that point, there was practically no tango being danced in the city of Buenos Aires at that moment. As luck or fate or chance would have it, a program came on TV featuring Juan Carlos Copes (the most famous tango stage dancer of all time) dancing tango. Transfixed and fascinated, Andres sat through the program and then promptly began a program of whining and cajoling to get his mom to find him tango lessons, of which there were practically none at the moment. A year later, when the local blacksmith began teaching tango classes in a neighborhood community center, Andres's mom enrolled him, and the rest is history.

Within a year, Andres was studying tango with Gustavo Naveira, who has since become tango's most famed pedagogue. And within three years, Andres was dancing on stage in the dance company of the very same Juan Carlos Copes whom he had seen on TV just a few years before.

In the 23 years since Andres began dancing tango, the dance has been transformed from a throw-back danced quietly by several couples of grandparents in outlying Buenos Aires neighborhoods to a worldwide phenomenon enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds in hundreds of cities. Andres has had a unique vantage point on this explosion. He remembers taking the 93 bus with a group of tango students for over an hour to get from the city center to the far-flung neighborhood of Villa Urquiza in order to seek out and learn from the few die-hard milongueros (milonga-goers) who had stopped dancing tango neither during the 1950s when everyone cool started dancing rock n' roll, nor during the 1970s when the military government effectively quashed all cultural life in the city of Buenos Aires. And while Andres is recognized today as one of the foremost dancers of contemporary tango, having taught & performed in over 40 cities on 5 continents, the roots of his dancing and teaching are firmly grounded with those abuelos in Villa Urquiza.

MEREDITH KLEIN

Although Meredith always wanted to dance, she grew up in a family where playing the piano was more important, and went to a school where playing field hockey was more important. As all parents hope, the piano ended up being a life-long source of joy and fulfillment, if also of neurosis and angst. Field hockey turns out unquestionably to have been a complete waste of time.

As a result of all of these distractions, Meredith didn't start dancing until adulthood. She began studying Argentine Tango in 1999, growing increasingly involved and obsessed to the point where in 2005 she sold everything she owned in order to move to Buenos Aires, where she promptly met Andres Amarilla, fell in love, bought an apartment that likely cost less than your car, and began dancing tango professionally.

In the past 5 years, Andres & Meredith have taught and performed in over 40 cities on 5 continents in countries including Australia, Turkey, Cyprus, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, and the US. In 2008, Andres & Meredith moved to Philadelphia and established the Philadelphia Argentine Tango School, where they have already taught over 600 students.

Back in 2006, when Andres & I performed, along with a few other couples, in Gustavo Naveira's milonga in Buenos Aires, Gustavo spoke about the state of tango, saying "El tango se baile mejor dia por dia." ("Day by day, tango is being danced better.") Whether I'm in Buenos Aires at the milongas there, on tour in other cities, or here in Philadelphia, I see that happening, and that fact excites and motivates me. As a dancer, teacher and administrator of our tango school, I'm working in my small way to fulfill that statement.

Andres and Meredith's Philadelphia Tango School

LUNG-KUEI LIN

While quietly going about his business, Lung-Kuei has attracted both envy and affection throughout the tango community. The men want to dance like him, and the women like to dance with him. His immersion in the tango world has been a happy success.

Lung-Kuei started studying tango in 2005 and began deejaying in 2007. Gradually he built a solid reputation as a deejay and now he’s invited to spin tunes at the most popular and best milongas and practicas in New York and festivals around the country. His choices are not strange: he just plays one good song after another, placed in sequence with sensitivity.

Lung-Kuei has zero attitude about what he does well, and always keeps a sense of humor about things, while remaining a serious milonguero, 100% dedicated to the craft, the life, and the music of tango.

Friday Oct 29: Orlando Reyes and Adriana Salgado, Metin's birthday! DJ Tine

This week, join your friends at Tango Lounge so celebrate Metin's birthday, and see a preview of the show Mientras Tango by Orlando Reyes and Adriana Salgado!

There are 2 simultaneous classes for intermediate and total beginners, taught by Jennifer and Paul.

DJ Tine

PLUS! Help Metin celebrate his birthday. Metin Yazir is the newest addition to the DanceSport faculty. He started the Bailatango schools in Germany, Turkey and the US before most of us had even heard of tango. But never mind his CV, he's a crazy fun guy, and it will be a party!

More about our stars

Adriana Salgado and Orlando Reyes have been professional dancers and teachers of Argentine Tango for over a decade. With background in classical ballet, they went to study Tango in Buenos Aires under the auspices of such renowned tango masters as Gustavo Naveira, Claudio Gonzales, Melina Brufman and Cristina Cortes, among many others. Other influential coaches have been Guillermina Quiroga and Roberto Reis. Adriana and Orlando have danced in numerous critically acclaimed productions.

Their energetic, precise and passionate dancing, their changing embraces, breathtaking jumps and their wonderful connection makes their performances outstanding. Their enthusiasm and love for Tango is palpable and has won them recognition with awards at home where have been acclaimed as one of the best representative couples of Colombia by "Corporacion Nacional de Danza" and Cultural Industry of Dance "Los Danzantes." They were also semifinalists in the 3rd Tango World Championship in Buenos Aires, 2006 and more recently they came in 3rd place at the "Long Island Dance Championship" held in Long Island and sponsored by the NY Salsa Congress.

Currently they teach, coach and perform for DanceSport studio in New York City.

Oct 23: Raul, Agape, Jennifer, Orlando, Adriana, Tine!

We have a galaxy of stars for you this week at Lounge!!

Raul Cabral and Agape Pappas will teach the upper level class, title: Milonguero Moments

8.30pm, included with admission!

Jennifer teaches the pre-interm class and Paul the beginners.

Midnight performances!

**Raul and Agape

**Jennifer Wesnousky, Orlando Reyes and Adriana Salgado will give a preview to promote their upcoming show Mientras Tango with Octavio Brunetti (one night only, Nov 13!)

DJ: Tine Herreman

More about our stars:

A native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Maestro Raúl Cabral is a dedicated teacher, a cultural envoy, and an exquisite dancer of improvisational social tango, Tango Milonguero.

The essence of his art and teaching is to develop the competence of each student through amplified awareness of musical rhythm and natural body movement. Dedicated to a non-choreographic methodology, both leader and follower learn to enrich the quality of their dance by learning to move correctly but freely, while expressing attention and sensitivity toward their partner. He makes the execution of this very complicated dance form seem easy utilizing a simple but detailed breakdown of movement techniques, balance and floor-craft. Known as “The Doctor”, Cabral guides the dancer, at any level, to discover and heighten their awareness of self and to expand their ability and confidence to dance on the social floor.

Agape Pappas's performances and classes have captivated students and onlookers alike across the United States, Canada and Europe. Her style fuses a variety of influences with their own interpretive skills, all emphasized by the type of improvisation that comes from a deep connection between partners. This connection is reflected in a teaching style that emphasizes the importance of walking, balance, focus, musicality, and technique that involves leading with the heart in both close and open embrace. The result, as seen in her performances, is a style imbued with a deep understanding of technique, a willingness to take risks, and a palpable sense of joy.

Agape Pappas studied flamenco dance while living in Madrid but soon became immersed in the beautiful music and lyrics of tango, propelling her on a journey into Argentine Tango. Agape's 10-year background in acrobatics and tap dancing segued seamlessly into a dancing and teaching Argentine Tango. While living for extended periods in Buenos Aires, she studied intensively with master teachers.

Born and raised in California, Jennifer Wesnousky trained in gymnastics, ballet and jazz throughout her childhood, performing as a member of both the San Luis Jazz dancers and the Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo. After working and studying in Los Angeles, Spain and Argentina, her pursuit of careers in Latin music and Spanish translation brought her to New York, where, she chanced upon Argentine tango. Enamored, she studied extensively with top tango masters at home and in Buenos Aires, where she traveled annually. Her most influential instructors have included Diego Di Falco, Pablo Pugliese and Mariela Franganillo, with whom she choreographed a children’s tango project for the New York City Center. As a performer, Jennifer has danced at locations and events as diverse as Lincoln Center’s Midsummer Night Swing, Joan Lunden’s Camp Reveille, the New York Tango Festival, Latina Magazine’s Poet’s Den and in the film, “ParAmor.” She also appeared with the all women’s tango ensemble, “Tango por Ellas,” at the World Financial Center’s Winter Garden and in numerous stage productions such as the renowned Turkish musical, “Hisseli Harikalar Kumpanyasi,” at the Beacon Theatre, Valeria Solomonoff’s “Tango por Ellos,” which won the Latin ACE Award 2010 for Best Choreography, and “Borges and Piazzolla Tango” at the Thalia Spanish Theater. As a teacher at Paul Pellicoro’s Dancesport, Jennifer is passionate about taking her students to the next level. She has also been a guest instructor and performer in several of the United States and in Israel.

Adriana Salgado and Orlando Reyes have been professional dancers and teachers of Argentine Tango for over a decade. With background in classical ballet, they went to study Tango in Buenos Aires under the auspices of such renowned tango masters as Gustavo Naveira, Claudio Gonzales, Melina Brufman and Cristina Cortes, among many others. Other influential coaches have been Guillermina Quiroga and Roberto Reis. Adriana and Orlando have danced in numerous critically acclaimed productions.

Their energetic, precise and passionate dancing, their changing embraces, breathtaking jumps and their wonderful connection makes their performances outstanding. Their enthusiasm and love for Tango is palpable and has won them recognition with awards at home where have been acclaimed as one of the best representative couples of Colombia by "Corporacion Nacional de Danza" and Cultural Industry of Dance "Los Danzantes." They were also semifinalists in the 3rd Tango World Championship in Buenos Aires, 2006 and more recently they came in 3rd place at the "Long Island Dance Championship" held in Long Island and sponsored by the NY Salsa Congress.

Currently they teach, coach and perform for DanceSport studio in New York City.

Daniel Raphael has been working as a professional dancer and instructor for more than twelve years, training individuals, teaching groups, and conducting workshops in Rio de Janeiro , São Paulo , and in New York City at DanceSport. He has performed many different dance styles for television and stage that include Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary Dance, Flamenco, Latin rhythms, Brazilian dances and Tango, his specialty. He has spent the last few years meticulously researching a process regarding the teaching of Tango and the preparation of new dance professionals, developing a personal teaching method based on strong body awareness and concepts and techniques from the fields of psychology and holistic therapies. His teaching method is committed to the development of self-confidence and focuses on integral health regardless of age. This commitment is based on his own successful training in Ballet (Classic, Modern and Contemporary), Alexander Technique, Yoga, Bioenergetics Therapy and Ayurvedic Massage. In 2007, Daniel began working in New York City where his expertise in Tango and his progressive technique have had great impact. Daniel’s vast experience allows him to embrace Tango's many aspects, from the old Canyengue style to the contemporary Tango Nuevo.

Friday Oct 15: Metin Yazir

Friends,

Join Metin tonight for his milonga class, 8.30pm, upper level, and included with admission to Tango Lounge!

Metin moved back to New York and will make his home at DanceSport. Come welcome him, and check out what cool stuff he has to share on the dance floor!

DJ Tine

More about our star:

Metin Yazir is the founder of the Baila Tango school which he started in Munich, Germany in 1993. Baila Tango has become synonymous with great dancing. Many instructors have gravitated to the simple yet sophisticated methodology of Baila Tango. Gustavo Naveira had big influence in the way Metin developed his teaching style. Metin Yazir’s career has taken him to 91 cities in 26 countries as teacher and performer. His unique, fun and straightforward approach to teaching tango made him one of the most sought after instructors in the world. His careful analysis of the movement and interaction between partners, combined with his motivating presentation has earned him the admiration of tango dancers worldwide.

Baila Tango opened the gates for tango in Istanbul, Turkey, Metin’s homeland. In a matter of a few years, Baila Tango grew in Ankara, Izmir, Eskisehir and Bursa. In fact, the influence of his school has made Turkey the fastest growing tango community in the world.

Baila Tango considers tango as a dialogue (as opposed to monologues by the dominant men) between two independent and actively participating individuals, connecting them at a higher level. Lead and follow concepts transcend to invitations and acceptances. This heightened respect for women is the foundation of this vision.The vision is inclusive: everyone can dance tango regardless of age, background, or body type. While the stage dancers bring their art to audiences, tango still belongs to the people from which it came.

Fri Oct 8: Sara Grdan & Ivan Terrazas

This week we have the popular Sara and Ivan teaching and performing at the Tango Lounge!

Tine will DJ.

Upper Level class by Sara and Ivan at 8.30.

Included with admission

There are simultaneous classes for pre-intermediate and beginners. Bring your non-tango friends so they will become tango friends!

More about our stars:

Ivan Terrazas and Sara Grdan are among the most recognized of young couples on the East Coast, both socially and as teachers and performers. Ivan is originally from Mendoza, Argentina, and began training in tango and folkloric dances at age 12. Sara is from Croatia and has studied folkloric dances, ballet and modern dance before taking up Argentine Tango. Together, Ivan and Sara have performed at major festivals, shows on the national stage, and on television. As teachers, they are known for their focus on flawless technique and precision, and they have a loyal following among serious tango students.

Oct 1: Claudio Villagra and Roina Levin

Friends, study with Claudio Villagra and Romina Levin at Lounge tonight,

Upper Level Class

8.30

Included with Admission

Midnight performance by Romina and Claudio!!

DJ Tine

More about our stars...

Claudio Villagra belongs to a new generation of professional dancers in Argentina. He studied dance at the School of Art of the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, with teachers ranging from his grandfather Hector Contrera to Aurelio Juan, J.C.Copes, Virulazo, Antonio Todaro, Pepito Avellaneda, Gloria y Eduardo, Dinzel, and N. Guichanduc. After beginning his career with major tango shows in Buenos Aires, he has appeared on major stages of the world, including Broadway theaters, the Olympia in Paris, Luna Park, Astral and Cervantes in Buenso Aires, and the Auditorio Nacional and the Teatro Bellas Artes in Mexico. He has worked with renowned orchestras like that of Osvaldo Pugliese, Mariano Mores, Sexteto Sur, El Arranque, Sexteto Mayor, and others. His most distinguished partners have been Siliva Toscano, Mora Godoy, Leticia Falliacara, Karina Piazza, Natalia Hills, and Guillermina Quiroga.

Claudio was a member of the National Ballet of Argentina and a representative of diverse dance institutions promoting tango throughout world. He has represented the government of Argentina in diverse events both nationally and internationally. He has been the featured dancer in such shows as Tango Seduccion, and Tanguera and directed and choreographed his own show, Latin Tango. Claudio is currently performing in the show Forever Tango.

Born in Argentina, ROMINA LEVIN has devoted her life to the dance, graduating in ballet and modern dance.She has studied Argentine Tango with Osvaldo Zotto, Lorena Ermocida, Mingo Pugliese and Gachi Fernandez. She formed part of the cast of the important Buenos Aires “Casas de Tango”: La Ventana, Señor Tango, La Esquina Carlos Gardel, El Viejo Almacén and Taconeando.

She was part of the National Folkloric Ballet performing in several Buenos Aires theatres and touring Argentina. She performed in the show “Solo Tango” directed by Dolores de Amo and Juan Fabri in the Buenos Aires Lola Membrives Theatre. In 2003, she joined Tango Por Dos Company, performing in “Tangos Una Leyenda” in Buenos Aires, Barcelona, Verona, Bolonia, Rome, Milan and London.

She has given master classes in the International Festival of Tango in the Buenos San Martín Theatre.

In 2005, she toured Turkey, Israel, Estonia, Poland, France and Holand with the company Tango Seduction. Romina is currently touring with Claudio Villagra in Forever Tango.• She was partnered for more than two years with Miguel Angel Zotto in his Tango Por Dos Company.