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Teaching Tango in Africa

March 27, 2016

A few years ago I received an email from Camille Cusumano requesting support for her “Go Fund Me” campaign to teach tango in Africa. Camille is someone I’ve known for several years now, first as the author of Tango: An Argentine Love Story and then in person as a Bay Area dancer and teacher. Her teaching partner in this endeavor was Mungai Waweru a young Kenyan-American who was quickly becoming an accomplished tango dancer here in the Bay Area. Inspired and intrigued by this request and their mission, I was also very curious to learn of how it would transpire. Would it work? Would young Africans even want to learn Tango? Recently I had the opportunity to read Camille’s story of the experience. It was far more intriguing and inspiring than I imagined. Camille has graciously shared an excerpt from her recently published book Tango Fantasia. 

TangoGoesToAfricaTango Goes to Africa (Excerpted from Tango Fantasia)

By Camille Cusumano

In late February, 2014, Mungai Waweru and I flew to Nairobi Kenya to teach slum-dwelling youth Argentine tango. I had been invited by a Christian church group two years before and finally got the time and finances to be able to jumpstart this project. The goal was to get the kids, ranging in age from about 17 to 29, skilled enough to eventually teach tango and earn some income.

Mungai and I taught about fifty youth at two different venues, both church halls. The main one was St. Peter Claver in the grungiest part of Nairobi. (Peter Claver was a Spanish Renaissance man, who became the patron saint of slaves.) We taught there Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The floor was large enough but decomposing stone and unmaintained. We had to sweep up the decay and debris constantly. When it rained, the water poured in through holes. The afternoon wind carried the street stench. We got used to it only after four weeks.

The youth were instantly delightful to work with. Present, engaged, eager to learn, accepting of critiques, willing to practice, passionate about the dance, so affectionate and open toward Mungai and me. The teaching was a joy. They were shy at first but then began to show their many talents. At the end of the long exhausting day, they’d perform a skit for each other. One time, Koresha, Jack, and Alex shouting vehemently in Swahili, were channeling their powerlessness, it seemed, into a satirical skit about a slumlord taunting tenants. Jack was on all fours pretending to be a table. It was in Swahili. Mungai and I only laughed because of the infectious nature of laughter. There were several accomplished salsa dancers. I put on my favorite salsa tune, Lobo Domesticado, and they gave us a riveting display of that spicy Latin dance. Amazing that the healing power of art is still untapped.

Camille_Tango_Africa2

Having been a student and/or teacher of tango going on twelve years now, I can assert one thing with great certitude—that no two people teach tango the same way. It is exactly like the elephant that the three blind men keep trying to describe to each other. One starts at the trunk, one at the tusk, another at its tail. So after one or two days of teaching our classes of about fifty kids all told, Mungai and I disagreed on one method he used to teach the youth how to shift weight. I thought it was a mechanical gimmick that confused them. But Mungai, who adored Gabriel Misse, the Argentine teacher who used this mechanism, was adamant that it was useful.

After one heated debate, I conceded to his preference. After all, he was closer in age to the youth and resembled them more than I, had a good strong voice for teaching, had an organized idea of the sequence of teaching, and he would be with the students longer—I’d leave in April, he in July [Note: Mungai ended up staying a full year].

I don’t think I’m exaggerating to call Mungai a prodigy when it comes to tango. After a mere two years, he’s smoother, more polished, musical, and sensitive to the intricacies of the dance than many longtime tangueros. I think he has an innate ability to feel the dance internally. His honed skills in hiphop and as a flight instructor for indoor skydiving no doubt help him be such a top-notch leader. I speak from a place of having danced with hundreds, if not thousands, of leaders through my years of living in Buenos Aires and dancing in major cities from San Francisco to New York, Denver to New Orleans, Baltimore to Philadelphia, and Paris to Prague. Oh, let’s not forget Nairobi. It takes a lifetime-and-a-half to learn tango, the Argentines say. But Mungai is the exception who proves the rule.

The first day of teaching at St. Peter’s, I told Mungai, “Indulge me, even if you think it’s corny.” First, I reminded the class that the night before, their compatriot, Lupita Nyong’o, had won the Oscar for best-supporting actress and had given a stirring acceptance speech. Then I put on Peace Train by the O’Jays and had us all hold hands in a big circle of friendship, and march around to the music. I can still see the obliging youth now, a kaleidoscope of colorful and funky clothing and the shoes—the green high tops, beaded sandals, purple plastic loafers—as we snaked into one tight group hug bouncing together to the music. The ritual set the tone and if there was any ice, it was broken and melted. The number of hugs we all shared in a day far exceeded the minimal daily requirement set by the experts.

Teaching Tango—in Africa? “As soon as one starts digging into the origins of the tango, its black creole roots emerge,” writes Robert Farris Thompson in his book, Tango, an Art History of Love. Tango? In Africa? How many times was I asked that question. The fact is, that tango traces a direct genealogy to Africa. Yale professor Thompson, with significant research, makes that convincing and cogent argument in his book.

Thompson writes, “Tango culture and tango humanism are Buenos Aires phenomena. They emerged from the encounter of dance concepts from Kongo with the city’s cultural and social situation, involving African-born blacks, blacks born in Argentina, European migrants from Spain and Italy come to . . . seek . . . fortune . . . also of Andalusian influenced gauchos who brought stamping patterns . . . the habanera arrived with black Cuban sailors, . . . . Elements came together in late-19thcentury Buenos Aires. But the strongest root is pure Afro-Argentine, a development of Kongo-style dancing, as elaborated in black dancing groups called candombes . . .” Of course, even our Kenyan students didn’t know this history.

Kenya-Tango-Students

We started with teaching the kids to walk—how to step across body in a straight line, with good posture, landing on the balls of the feet. We broke down the mechanics. We showed them how to shift weight, the proper way to execute an extension and how to transfer weight. We taught them rock steps, check steps, and pivots, and how to perform contra-body movement or spirals. We showed them the unique and dynamic embrace of tango that is ever shifting, never fixed (as in ballroom or American tango). We slowly introduced them to the basic steps of tango— walking in cross and normal systems, front and back ochos, molinetes (or giros), the cruzada or cross. Mungai was fond of explaining what I call the “taxonomy of tango”— the four ways the body can move: front cross, back cross, open step, pivot.

I don’t think the students always understood the words, but they watched intently and showed they understood the body moves. I liked Mungai’s passion for the dance and the gentle way he led—most beginners overdo it at first—and that he was an equally good follower. It is no surprise that by the time I left Mungai to teach alone—on April 3—our kids were dancing to tango, vals, and milonga music. And a good crop of them were the crème de la crème, picking up such advanced moves as leg wraps, enganches, lapices, and boleos. The teaching was rigorous as well as rewarding. It was unlike what I’ve experienced with any other population (adults and seniors) I’ve taught.

Intrigued?

Watch Youtube video of scenes from the Nairobi Tango Classes.

Interested in reading more?  You can purchase books via Amazon via the links below:

“Tango Fantasia – Three Tango Books, A Tango-Lover’s Collection” and “Tango Goes to Africa”:

   

See the results for yourself:  Students Newton & Evelyne dance to Cafe Dominguez, by D’agostino.

Filed Under: Guest Post, Learning Tango, Musings Tagged With: Camille Cusumano, SF Tango, Tango Fantasia, Tango Goes to Africa

Tango scenes in SF

sflovestango

Celebrate #bayareatango community, support everyone involved & share ♥️ of #tango with San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.

sflovestango
🧨 New year, new beginnings! One happened yester 🧨 New year, new beginnings! One happened yesterday at @thetangodome – first Women's Gathering hosted by @ayano.yoneda.tango, including folks who identify as women.

Part clothing & shoe swap, and part cultivating a safe space to be vulnerable, be generous, be supportive, and be real with each other.

Looking forward to more of this and building a community that keeps involving what tango events can be beyond the dance! 🙌 
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#tango #argentinetango #tangoargentino #tangolovers #womenintango #bayareatango #sisterhood #beyondthedance
As the year-end approaches, many SF local tango ev As the year-end approaches, many SF local tango events have had or will have their last event of 2022 to wrap things up. This year's last Milonga Rubia al Sur happened this past Sunday, Dec 18 with DJ @ayano.yoneda.tango and special performance with visiting artist, @martinalmironartist, and milonga host, Lisette @passion4tango. 

With the holidays coming up and Argentina winning the world cup, dancing tango all night long around Lisette's very own flower arrangements was just the appropriate celebration people needed.

Hosted by Lisette Perelle, Milonga Rubia is held every 1st & 3rd Sunday of the month, with current location at Just Dance Ballroom (2500 Embarcadero) in Oakland and a different DJ for each event.

✨ Fun fact - how Milonga Rubia got its name... ✨

Lisette's Argentine friends have always been calling her 'Rubia' because of her blonde hair. One day about 6 years ago, when she was discussing naming this new milonga with @julian_tangosf, he said, “Why not just call it Milonga Rubia?" That's how Milonga Rubia got its name! The event once was in a venue in Emeryville/Richmond. Once Lisette changed venues to a more southern location (Just Dance Ballroom in Oakland), the event's name was changed to 'Milonga Rubia al Sur' accordingly.
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#tango #tangoargentino #argentinetango #tangoevent #sundayfunday #milonga #milonganight #socialdancing #bailemos #embrace #tangodancers #bayareatango #oakland #keepdancing #dancingislife #weekendrecap
Last Saturday, Saturday Dec 17, @abrazoqueertango Last Saturday, Saturday Dec 17, @abrazoqueertango hosted their Holiday Bash with performances by @mirabtango and Miranda at @tangodome, a cool art gallery and dance space at 951 62nd St in Oakland.

🏳️‍🌈 Abrazo Queer Tangois a volunteer-run organization, and after expenses, all funds are used to pay for their events and offer discounts to students and folks short on cash. To help the org break even in 2022 and fund its 2023 programs, last Saturday's event was positioned as a fundraiser with a sliding scale $20-$40 for folks to choose how they'd like to show their support, offering a sweet night of performance, community and great music in a magical location. 

Missed the event yet still would like to support Queer Tango? Donations always totally work! Please write *donation* in the comment via your favorite method:
Venmo ➡️ abrazo-tango (Karen Curtis)
Paypal ➡️ abrazoqueertango@gmail.com
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#tango #tangoargentino #argentinetango #tangoevent #specialevents #milonga #saturdayvibe #socialdancing #bailemos #embrace #tangodancers #bayareatango #queertango #oakland #keepdancing #dancingislife #weekendrecap
💫 #motivationmonday is not over yet so here is 💫 #motivationmonday is not over yet so here is a quick recap of the International Day of Tango at @greatnorthernsf last night! 💫 Milonga hosted by @julian_tangosf with DJ @loco_chung. 
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#diadeltango #tango #tangoargentino #argentinetango #tangoevent #specialevents #milonga #sundayfunday #socialdancing #bailemos #embrace #tangodancers #bayareatango #sanfrancisco #keepdancing #dancingislife #weekendrecap
This Friday night in the heart of San Francisco, t This Friday night in the heart of San Francisco, tango dancers and the public who are curious art lovers had a unique experience with live music performed by local tango musicians and the strategic mix of TANGO • VALS • MILONGA • ALTERNATIVE music by DJ @jonas.aqui of @jxtango at @drawingroomsf_annex, an art • gallery • studio in the Mission district – a free event by the collaboration of @chetangosf, @drawingroomsf and @artistmigration. 

Artists featured:
Sumi Lee (piano) @sfsumi
J Ramada (bass)
Basma Edrees (violin) @basmaedreesviolin
Verónica Freidkes (vocal) @veroverofreidkes

Check out our stories and story highlights for snippets of the performances and tango dancing around art pieces!
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❣️ about Che! Tango SF❣️

All events created by Ramada Salieri and Elaine Chiu are dedicated to providing an inclusive and friendly dancing and learning environment in San Francisco and the Bay Area regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, or any other characteristic or trait.

ONGOING EVENTS
Che! Milonga: Every 1st and 2nd Saturday of the month 
Che! Música + Milonga: Once every quarter on a 2nd Saturday
Milonga Uno: 3rd Saturday of every other month
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❣️ about The Drawing Room SF ❣️

MISSION
The Drawing Room connects community through art to help improve the overall human condition by making art accessible and part of the daily fabric of our lives. 
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❣️about Artist Migration❣️

ANTI CAPITALIST ART
Artist-led curatorial project providing performance and exhibition opportunities to international artists.
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#tango #tangoargentino #argentinetango #concert #milonga #specialevent #onenightonly #livemusic #fridaynights #art #tangomusic #contemporarymusic #contemporarytango #womenintango #womeninmusic #artislife  #tangomusicians #musiciansofinstagram #sanfrancisco #california #bayareatango #sflovestango #jxtango
Those who came out to @tangolabruja last night had Those who came out to @tangolabruja last night had an epic evening of dancing and live music with three highly skillful tango musicians’ improvised music – Trio Tangazo, a dynamite tango trio made up of Sascha Jacobsen (bass), Seth Asarnow (piano), and Adrian Jost (bandoneon). 

~~Fun fact~~
Sascha, Seth and Adrian all performed at La Bruja previously - either with other tango ensembles or in duo - but it was the first time all three of them taking the stage together!

📍 @berkeleycityclub 
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#tango #concert #milonga #milonganight #specialevent #onenightonly #tangomusic #improvisation #travelingmusician #musiciansofinstagram #california #berkeley #bayareatango #tangomusicians #tangodancers #socialdance #dancingislife #sflovestango
🥧 Tomorrow is Thanksgiving so @milongamalevaje 🥧 Tomorrow is Thanksgiving so @milongamalevaje is closed for that matter, but here is something different & fun from last Thursday 😉 with DJ @jonas.aqui, courtesy of hosts @tanguera_e, Ramada Salieri and Adolfo Caszarry.

Have a wonderful holiday everyone!
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#tango #tangoargentino #argentinetango #milonga #milonganight #tangoevent #tangoalternativo #alternativetango #tangonuevo #embrace #bailar #bailemos #socialdance #partnerdance #tangodancers #dancingislife #bayareatango #sanfrancisco #sflovestango
✨ FRIDAY NIGHT TANGO ✨ It’s been awhile sin ✨ FRIDAY NIGHT TANGO ✨

It’s been awhile since Milonga La Genesis (hosted by @julian_tangosf) has live tango music. Last night LEO TANGASSO QUARTET was in the house, featuring @leogassomusic from Montevideo, Uruguay on bandoneon,  @smurfetteshum on piano, Stella Bonilla on violin,  @digsmahler on double bass.

(🎥 @tangonnection, edited by @sflovestango)
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#tango #argentinetango #tangoargentino #specialevent #bayareatango #tangomusic #livemusic #tangomusicians #bandoneon #piano #doublebass #violin #quartet #onenightonly #milonganight #sanfrancisco #sflovestango
👏 The all-female tango ensemble, 𝙇𝙖𝙨 𝘼𝙡𝙢𝙖𝙨, wrapped up their 2022 concert tour at @alameda_elks1015, playing for a full house of guests at the @housetango Community Milonga.

𝙇𝙖𝙨 𝘼𝙡𝙢𝙖𝙨 is a collaboration between powerhouse female tango musicians @sfsumi (piano), @heynisolera (bandoneon), and @teagbby (violin). Their concert on Sunday featured guest bassist @fabricanfabricant and vocalist @teresatam.sing.

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The mission of 𝙇𝙖𝙨 𝘼𝙡𝙢𝙖𝙨 is to present contemporary Argentine tango through virtuosic artistic performance and educational events.  Sumi, Heyni, and Teagan originally bonded in Buenos Aires, drawn by a mutual love of tango music, as well as by a realization of the inequality of professional opportunity for women in the tango genre. They studied under the same maestros and performed with prestigious tango orchestras in Buenos Aires.  They now frequently perform around the world, including in their respective adopted cities of San Francisco (Sumi), Washington, DC (Heyni), and NYC (Teagan). All of the musicians also produce their own music. 
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#tango #concert #milonga #specialevent #onenightonly #tangomusic #contemporarymusic #contemporarytango #womenintango #womeninmusic #travelingmusician #heynibando #tour #beautifulwomen #musiciansofinstagram #sanfrancisco #california #berkeley #oakland #bayareatango #tangomusicians
🎉 Saturday, October 22 marked the grand re-open 🎉 Saturday, October 22 marked the grand re-opening of Vecher Tango at the Russian Center of SF!

After a long pause of two and a half year, the magnificent grand ballroom was filled with tango energy again. What made the occasion extra special was the incredible performances by another visiting master couple @javierchikk & @moiracastellano. To top it off, @virginiaychristian "Los Totis" joined Javier & Moira on the floor for a mixed maestros dance!

Shout-out to our dearest friend Davood Yazdani, Julia Schiptsova of Tango Element, and all the local organizers for making this weekend feel like a mini tango festival in San Francisco!
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#tango #argentinetango #argentinetango♥️ #tangoargentino #milonganight #tangoperformance #bailar #bailemos #bailando #tangoshow #tangoevent #tangodancer #tangocouple #specialevent #onenightonly #tangophoto
✨It's a star-struck tango week in SF!!✨ @vir ✨It's a star-struck tango week in SF!!✨ 

@virginiaychristian "Los Totis" have been teaching in San Francisco (brought to you by our very own Davood Yazdani who's in collaboration with Julia Schiptsova of Tango Element!) And we were mesmerized by their fantastic performances last night at the special edition of @milongamalevaje at @verdiclubsf ! 🤩👏
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#tango #argentinetango #argentinetango♥️ #tangoargentino  #tangoperformance #bailar 
#bailemos #bailando #tangoshow  #tangoevent #tangoperformance #tangodancer #tangocouple #specialevent #onenightonly #tangophoto
💫 Exactly a year later, 𝙇𝙖𝙨 𝘼𝙡𝙢𝙖𝙨, an all-female tango musician collaboration, has returned to the SF Bay Area!! 

Last night they took the audience on a magical journey to Buenos Aires with a concert-milonga at @tangolabruja in Berkeley. Check out our stories to see more snippets of their performance!

𝙇𝙖𝙨 𝘼𝙡𝙢𝙖𝙨 is a collaboration between powerhouse female tango musicians @sfsumi (piano), @heynisolera (bandoneon), and @teagbby (violin). The concert last night featured guest singer @veroverofreidkes.

The mission of 𝙇𝙖𝙨 𝘼𝙡𝙢𝙖𝙨 is to present contemporary Argentine tango through virtuosic artistic performance and educational events. Sumi Lee, Heyni Solera, and Teagan Faran originally bonded in Buenos Aires, drawn by a mutual love of tango music, as well as by a realization of the inequality of professional opportunity for women in the tango genre. They studied under the same maestros and performed with prestigious tango orchestras in Buenos Aires.  They now frequently perform around the world, including in their respective adopted cities of San Francisco (Sumi), Washington, DC (Heyni), and NYC (Teagan). All of the musicians also produce their own music. 

Catch them for the rest of their tour!
🔸10/20 (Thur) 10pm, World Folk Jam concert w/ ten other world music groups, Oakland
🔸10/21 (Fri) 7pm, Sebastopol Center for the Arts
🔸10/22 (Sat) 7:30pm, Sunset Music and Arts, San Francisco
🔸10/23 (Sun) 3:30pm, houseTango Community Milonga @ Alameda Elks Lodge, Alameda
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#tango #concert #milonga #specialevent #onenightonly #tangomusic #contemporarymusic #contemporarytango #womenintango #womeninmusic #travelingmusician #heynibando #tour #beautifulwomen #musiciansofinstagram #sanfrancisco #california #berkeley #oakland #bayareatango
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