Fedupgirl ([info]fedupgirl) wrote in [info]argentinetango,
2006-02-02 10:39:00
Hi everyone! I just started Argentine tango on January 9, and I am loving it! I'm in Portland, where the tango community is really strong. I'm so lucky! One of the biggest Tango festivals in the states is coming up this month in P-town, its called Valentango. Is anyone planning on attending? I was wondering if anyone has been to a festival before, and what they are like. I'm kind of nervous about attending since I haven't been to any sort of public dance before. What kind of things should I expect?

Also, there is something called a Grand Tango Ball at the end of the festival. What does one wear to something like that?

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[info]khepa

February 2 2006, 19:39:40 UTC 6 years ago

Robert Hauk from Portland was here in Urbana couple weeks ago. He was a great dancer and teacher. If you get a chance, dance with him.

We had some smaller festivals here. It was mostly workshops during the day and milonga at night. There were people from different levels --from first timers to veterans. So it is not hard to find someone that is in the same level as you.

[info]fedupgirl

February 2 2006, 21:12:28 UTC 6 years ago

My instructor is Rachel Lindskog, and I know she does all sorts of dance and is (to be quite honest) so talented its scary. But a great teacher. I have no idea how much she dances in other states, though I know she goes to Argentina to dance occasionally.

Did Robert Hauk come to teach you guys? That is so cool. Where do you go to learn?

PLEASE excuse my ignorance. Where is Urbana?

[info]khepa

February 2 2006, 21:19:00 UTC 6 years ago

PLEASE excuse my ignorance. Where is Urbana?
Central Illinois.
http://centraltango.com/

[info]fedupgirl

February 3 2006, 00:43:28 UTC 6 years ago

Oh , I never would have known. Cool society!

[info]tangomusicology

February 5 2006, 05:38:13 UTC 6 years ago

I think I've danced with you before.

I used to dance at cowboy-monkey every Wednesday for a while, but also went to the tangos at Verde and a few of the evening milongas during some of the workshops.

Neat.

[info]khepa

February 5 2006, 17:19:23 UTC 6 years ago

Cool.
I was at Verde last night. You should come back and dance!

[info]alese

February 2 2006, 20:45:29 UTC 6 years ago

There used to be a handful of Portland tango dancers in this community, so they would theoretically be the best sources, if they choose to come out from the woodwork. (I'm an ex-Portland dancer.) If you've never been out dancing in public, GO! Portland used to be super friendly. I was always fond of Nocturnal on Wednesday, but my information's a year and a half out of date.
I always liked Valentango, for what it's worth, though there used to be problems with jackass couples dancing too aggressively (ie, running over people in their way) because it got so full.
Go and gawk, and learn for yourself what it's about. It's definitely worth seeing and hearing, though it can feel a bit isolating, especially if you don't know a lot of people in the community. (Most Portland dancers have out of town favorites/friends they spend a lot of time dancing with, so finding people you know to dance with can be nigh impossible. So you dance with strangers, and then they're not strangers the next time they come to town for a festival.)

[info]fedupgirl

February 2 2006, 21:08:35 UTC 6 years ago

Hmm.. well I will just have to spread the word a bit. A bunch of friends and I are all taking tango together (its offered as a PE class!), and they've all got LJs.

I think Portland is still super-friendly, everyone assures me it is. Its just that my schedule recently has been catastrophic, so no going out much at all! Sadly. It was only last week that Rachel (my teacher) assured us we could all go out and dance with anyone, and not make fools of ourselves! Yay! For three weeks of instruction, I don't think thats too bad. :)

I think there is tangoing here every night, says the TA for my class anyway. I just haven't got the nerve/energy/motivation to go out dancing on a week night. So yeah, I was thinking that Valentango would be a good opportunity to just kick myself in the butt and do it. Cuase its so expensive, I wouldn't let myself get chickened out.

[info]bokchoy42

February 2 2006, 20:48:34 UTC 6 years ago

Welcome to the tango community. My friends and I will be attending valentango this year and we're all from seattle. The festival is a very good opportunity to meet and dance with other tangueros/tangueras from all over the west coast. There is no need to be nervous, you will be amongst friends and other tango lovers like yourself. You should expect to dance your legs off, and get lots of sleep ahead of time, because you'll need it for the weekend. Oh, the tango ball is a chance for you to wear your best tango dress of course. My name is Hai by the way, hope I get a chance to dance with you.

[info]fedupgirl

February 2 2006, 21:10:44 UTC 6 years ago

I am so confused! WHAT ON EARTH IS A TANGO DRESS???? What do they look like? What are the requirements for a good one? I have only been dancing three weeks, and I haven't got the foggiest. Can you direct me to a website that has them just so I can get an idea of what is appropriate? Thanks so much!

Anonymous

February 2 2006, 21:19:37 UTC 6 years ago

you can wear anything that doesn't restrict your leg movements and also something light, it gets hot after a few dances.

[info]fedupgirl

February 3 2006, 01:04:42 UTC 6 years ago

would I stick out in something like this?
http://www.cache.com/ProductZoomPopup.asp?pid=75041L17265333

[info]camelai

February 3 2006, 01:48:07 UTC 6 years ago

That dress would work just fine. Many dancers tend to wear either red or black or some combination of those, but it's not a rule at all, and that is a lovely dress. One good rule for a tango dress would be LOTS of LEG. Slits are generally a good thing. One thing you want to watch out for is if they're too short or loose... too short is bad for obvious reasons. Too flowy... well... when you're trying a dress on, spin in front of a mirror. You don't want your underwear showing. ;)
I wish I could attend Valentango. It sounds like a lot of fun. Personally I'm saving up for Tango Week (or at least the weekend) in San Francisco this summer. :)

Anonymous

March 20 2007, 04:11:48 UTC 5 years ago

tango dress

Ms. Fedupgirl,
how long have you been dancing Argentine Tango? You have no idea what a Tango dress is? Then you need to go to more classes and dance in more Milongas, then you will know. Now please, don't ask me, what is a Milonga? Because if you don't know Milonga then you don't know Argentine Tango,comprende?

[info]fedupgirl

March 20 2007, 04:38:44 UTC 5 years ago

Re: tango dress

I was just on my way out the door to dance, but I had to respond to this. Ms. Rude responder, please don't tell me you were never a beginner. Everyone starts somewhere. That is a sentiment I will gladly repeat to you when I come to your obviously very, very small town to teach workshops.

[info]blaze2242

February 2 2006, 23:23:59 UTC 6 years ago

I went to Valentango last year (I live in Eugene) and I LOVED it I learned so much. I went with a partner, (which is nice, and probably preferable) But its totally ok to go alone. Go to as many workshops as possible, and I suggest, as afollower to attend a few intermediate ones, in addition to the basic ones (since you've only been doing it for a little while) I was thrown in above my head in most of the workshops (When I went last year, I'd only been tangoing since Christams, but I did it a LOT and my boyfriend, who took me was quite advanced) but dancing with people so much better then you is really helpful.

Seriously think about buying a pair of shoes while you're there too, if you don't already have tango shoes (note, they are different the ballroom shoes..) Be prepared to have you feet ache, and to tango even as you are walking down the street. There is an adorable cafe (which I can't remember the name of for the life of me) down the street from the norse hall that is great for lunches.

Attend as much as possible, and for the ball, wear formal, but something you can move in. I was dissapointed in my dress, I wish I'd done something else, but oyu want something not so long that you will step on it, and something that wont have straps falling off, or boobs falling out.

Be prepared to dance with a lot of different people, and to ask people to dance, it's expected, don't be shy about it. The Neo-tango milongas are awesome too!

I had such a fabulous time last year, I wish I could go again!

[info]blaze2242

February 2 2006, 23:50:39 UTC 6 years ago

Just a few ideas.. I googled...

http://www.zanabonidesign.com/assets/fringepg.gif
http://webzoom.freewebs.com/allthatglittersnow/ATG-843BN.jpg
http://www.lostislandtrading.com/casual_items/LFS-001/as_detail.jpg
http://www.gryphonsmoon.com/cat/clothing/dresses/two-level-model.t.jpg
http://shadylaneandkitsch.com/images/TangoDress.jpg
http://dreamgowns.dancepages.info/GetImage.aspx?jpg=s003.jpg&width=110

[info]fedupgirl

February 3 2006, 00:44:26 UTC 6 years ago

Re: Just a few ideas.. I googled...

WOW! Thanks a whole ton!
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