Re-sharing this earlier post by guest writer, "Tanguera Escondida", about using cabeceo... The cabeceo is considered an “Argentine” method of asking someone to dance. And honestly, it is not easy for us North Americans to feel comfortable staring at someone so directly. But once you get the hang of it, it’s definitely a great way to acknowledge your mutual interest in … [Read more...]
Tango and the Feminist
A new guest post By Sasha Cagen “You’re not getting the lead,” he tells me. Gruff, mid-fifties, beady eyes, a ponytail dwindling halfway down his back, Ponytail Man chose me as his partner for this advanced tango class at Floreal, a traditional milonga in Buenos Aires. It’s nice to be chosen, but now I’m not sure. Two famous teachers, los Totis, are teaching an unusual … [Read more...]
Celebrating 20 years of Tuesday Night Tango
The El V Story by Andrea Bindereif “Where did the time go?” asks Julian Ramil, and as they both shake their heads his wife Claudia repeats: “Yes, where did the time go?” We were talking about El V, one of the best-known milongas in San Francisco and beyond, and which was about to celebrate its 20th anniversary on May 30th at the very same venue where it started in … [Read more...]
Dancing through the Golden Years
With much excitement I introduce a new guest contributor, Andrea Bindereif of Andrea's Tango Blog. I came across her blog recently and was blown away by her journalistic style of writing and in-depth stories on the Bay Area Tango community. Andrea, born, raised and educated in Germany, came to California in 1994, worked as a freelance journalist for some of the most important … [Read more...]
Teaching Tango in Africa
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 … [Read more...]