Tango Dancers!
There are not many changes or additions to the original plans for the Portland
ValenTango (Thursday Feb 12-Monday Feb 16--see below or my website
www.claysdancestudio.cm for details). However, there are a few additional
comments and topics I'd like to cover:
NAVIGATION:
As many of you know, there was quite a lot of discussion about navigation after
last year's October's TangoFest. I did a tally of the responses (see my web
site for actual emails) and about 20% blamed the beginners, 30% blamed
intermediates, and 50% blamed the so-called "advanced" hot-shots. Interesting
huh? As a result, I have asked all instructors to address navigation issues in
their classes, and at least four of the classes will specifically focus on the
issue of navigation and dancing on crowded floors. FURTHERMORE, I am asking
all of us to be more pro-active in confronting the few show-off hot shots who
create terror and fear on the dance floor. I don't mean getting into an
physical or verbal fight with them, but rather that we are all vigilant and if
we see inappropriate dancers we diplomatically and politely tell them so,
AND/OR we point them out to the milonga host or ValenTango staff members.
CROWDED CLASSROOM AND MILONGAS:
Attendance at last October TangoFest was about 40% greater than anticipated. I
apologize for the resulting crowded classrooms. However, I (and many others)
felt the milongas had great energy and were like being in Buenos Aires.
Traditionally, ValenTango attendance is about 50% of the TangoFest, so we
expect the classrooms to have plenty of room. Furthermore, for next year's
October TangoFest, I will rent larger venues which will nearly double the size
of the available classroom space.
FAVORITE TEACHERS:
Some of you have asked why your favorite teacher(s) are not returning for
ValenTango this year. Frankly, with all the great teachers that have been to
TangoFest and ValenTango in the past, and with all the great teachers yet to be
discovered and hired, there's just no way to accommodate all of them. However,
it is my intent not only to hire an excellent teaching staff, but also to hire
teachers with a variety of styles and philosophies, AND to constantly be
introducing new teachers into the mix. This means that even some very popular
teachers from the past will be passed over occasionally. Furthermore, please
do continue to let me know who you like through your evaluations, and please
let me know of new teachers you would like me to consider. All of this
information will be used in choosing the teaching staff for each new event.
PARKING:
There's a small parking lot next to the Viscount Ballroom. You can use the
gravel part of this lot anytime, but the paved blacktop area is available only
in the evenings (please read the signage). In addition, there is plenty of
on-street parking in and around the Viscount Ballroom and Norse Hall with no
meters. However, do not park on Burnside 4:00-7:00 PM weekdays or your car
will be towed away. ALSO, I have rented a parking lot about one block from the
Tiffany Center for Saturday evening. (Sorry I don't have the address, but it
will be in your information packet.) This lot holds about 80 cars, there will
be an attendant on duty and it will be free for those attending the Saturday
Grande Ball. There are also pay lots and on-street metered parking nearby.
You can also take a taxi from the Viscount to the Tiffany Center for about $5.
MINORS:
You must be 21 or older with valid I.D. for the Thursday milonga at the Lower
Melody Ballroom, the Saturday after-hours milonga at the Fez, and the Sunday
evening milonga at the Viscount. Minors will be able to attend the Friday
milonga at Norse Hall, Saturday afternoon milonga at Nocturnal, Saturday Grande
Ball at the Tiffany Center, and the Sunday after-hours milonga at the Berretin.
I apologize for this inconvenience--but it's the law.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Report #1 Information--The Portland ValenTango event is scheduled to start the
evening of Thursday Feb 12 and run through the morning of Monday Feb 16, 2004.
Below are a few of the highlights of this event. Details marked in red (if you
have Rich Text on) are new for this year's ValenTango . (See
www.ClaysDanceStudio.com for specific details and registration.)
INSTRUCTORS:
Patricio Touceda & Eva Lucero (Buenos Aires), Jorge Nel (Columbia/Miami),
Brigitta Winkler (Germany), Rebecca Shulman (New York), Jaimes Friedgen &
Rachel Smith (Seattle), Orlando Paiva Jr & Mariana Melling (Buenos Aires),
Christopher Nassopolous & Caroline Peattie (San Francisco), and Homer &
Cristina Ladas (San Francisco).
CLASSES:
Beginning through Advanced Classes! 30 different classes to choose from (45
hours of instructions).
PRACTICAS:
Daytime supervised practice session on Friday and Sunday with instructors
available for help and individual attention.
MILONGAS:
Thursday evening: "The Melody Milonga", Lower Melody Ballroom, 615 SE
Alder. DJ=Christopher Nassapolous. $10 includes light snacks. (No Minors)
Friday evening: "La Milonga Rosa", Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th DJ=Cathy
Richardson. $10 (All Ages)
Saturday afternoon: "Alternative Milonga", Nocturnal, 1800 E Burnside.
DJ=Homer Ladas. $5 (All Ages)
Saturday evening: "Grande ValenTango Ball", Crystal Room, Tiffany, 1610 NE
Morrison. Conjunto Berretin, performances and DJ=Robin Thomas. $20 (All Ages)
Sunday morning: "The Fez Milonga", Fez Ballroom, 316 SW 11th DJ=Dan Boccia
$8 (No MInors)
Sunday evening: "Sunday Milonga", Viscount Ballroom 722 E Burnside.
DJ=Ramu Pyreddy. $10 includes flowers and chocolates (No Minors)
Monday morning: "Sunrise Milonga", Berretin Studio, 6305 SE Foster,
DJ=Alex Krebs. $5 (All Ages)
Monday evening: "Monday Milonga", Viscount Ballroom 722 E Burnside.
DJ=Robert Hauk. $8 (No Minors)
ORCHESTRA & DJs:
"Conjunto Berretin" orchestra and DJs Robin Thomas (New York), Dan Boccia
(Alaska), Cathy Richardson (San Francisco), Alex Krebs (Portland), Jaimes
Friedgen (Seattle), Christopher Nassopolous (San Francisco), and Ramu Pyreddy
(Ann Arbor).
PRICE:
Full workshop (does not include milongas) is $125 if paid by Feb 5, 2004.
Price after Feb 5 is $150. Individual workshops are $20/class. If you prepay
for 6 or more different workshops it's $17/class. Milongas range $5-$20 and
are pay at the door. The Saturday evening Grande ValenTango Ball is $20/person
and tickets may be purchased in advance for those registering for classes.
Thanks...hope to see you there!
Clay Nelson
1340 N 79th Ave Apt 101
Seattle, WA 98103
(206) 729-7268
www.claysdancestudio.com
