It's not often that we have the opportunity to listen to tango music live, so head down to the Alp Ice Cafe at 7-9pm on Fridays this month to experience the beautiful renditions of a selection of South American styles (Bossa Nova, Samba and Tango) by Belinda and Johannes of Cachaca Duo. They will focus on Tango for the second half of their performance.
To help cover the costs of website hosting, venue hire for tango events and other expenses, TangoClub is once again selling Entertainment Books for $65 each (we get $13). These books contain vouchers for discounts at hundreds of Auckland businesses, from 2-for-1 to 25% off deals, usable until 1 June 2013. Purchase online or contact Sarah.
TangoClub is a non-profit group made up of Argentine tango enthusiasts in Auckland. We love the music, we love the dance, and we want to share that joy with others. Keep up to date with our tango calendar, and let us know if you are keen to help out with running future events.
For those new to tango, we have compiled a list of teachers in Auckland from whom you can take classes. You can see some great dancers in action in the tango demos, and we have also tried to answer any questions you might have in our FAQ page.
We are going to start small, but we have many more ideas for our club activities. Feel free to contact us with any any suggestions or comments. We look forward to seeing you on the dance floor!
The TangoClub team
- Christchurch Tango Weekend: 11 - 13 May 2012 in Christchurch. Three nights of milongas and two days of workshops with Sebastian Arrua. The Saturday Grand Milonga will be opened with a performance by Modern Violinist Yoomia Sim.
- New Zealand Tango Festival: 19 - 26 June 2012 in Wellington. Annual highlight of our tango calendar, with inspirational international teachers, milongas and performances. A great way to meet other dancers from around the country and beyond.
- Tango in the Sand Festival: 18 - 26 August 2012 in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. Run in parallel with the Cairns Festival, Tango in the Sand will offer milongas and workshops, and feature a sunset performance of Argentine Tango by Amy Teuchert and Jairo Sanchez Rivera on the beach!

Photo credit: Christian Choi
Recent News
Last chance to take a class with Argentinian musician and tango dancer Mariano Vasquez this Wednesday 2 May, 7 - 8:30pm at the Pasión Por Tango studio. $20. Don't miss this opportunity!
Check out the schedule at the Jambalaya Festival of Rhythm and Dance. You can do a tango immersion course with visiting teachers Fabio and Ana, or simply dance socially at a milonga on Friday and Saturday night ($25 and $35 respectively, hosted by Jessye and Antony Purcell - note $5 surcharge unless you purchase at least a day in advance)! There are plenty of other classes and activities to do with other forms of dance as well, such as swing, zouk and salsa.
Come and learn a thing or two with these young, gorgeous and experienced Argentinian teachers! $40 per workshop, at Unitec entrance 1, Carrington Road, Auckland. Contact Cecilia on 022 190 5985 to book.
- Saturday 31 March, 2:30 - 4:30pm: Colgadas
- Sunday 1 April, 2:30 - 4:30pm: Technique
TangoClub will be running a TangoFactory practica every Tuesday night at the Pasión Por Tango studio, beginning in March. A chance to practise what you have learnt, great music from our DJ Stephan, and a host of friendly faces to discuss your tango problems with... what else would you rather do on a Tuesday? See you there!
Pasión Por Tango is organising two milongas for us this week, in their beautiful new studio at 4 Poynton Terrace, off Pitt Street, not far from K'Rd. They've also announced their new timetable for February, with classes taught by two different teachers from Argentina!
- Valentine's Milonga - Tuesday 14 February, 8-11pm, $15
- Saturday Night Milonga - Saturday 18 February, 8pm-11:30am, $15
Enquiries to Marion (027 202 0501 or 09 445 9544).
Great news—Pasión Por Tango has a beautiful new studio off Pitt Street, close to K'Road. You can see the results of the many hours of hard work put in by Marion and John on Valentine's Day (Tuesday 14 February), when they will hold their first milonga there. We're also looking forward to the return of the fantastic Argentinian teacher Cecilia Trini. We'll keep you posted on further details...
We've got a slow start to the year, with Carl's milonga and Vikki and Martyn's practica not happening this month. But never fear, Pasión Por Tango is here! In addition to the usual other milongas (thanks Cecile and Maida), the following will both be held at the Devonport Seascout Hall, King Edward Parade (next to Yacht Club on the waterside), Devonport.
- Twilight Practica - Sunday 15 January, 5-8pm, $10
- Milonga - Friday 20 January, 9pm-12:30am, $15
All welcome. Enquiries to Marion (027 202 0501 or 09 445 9544)
Their beautiful downtown studio may no longer be available, but the forces behind it are putting on great tango events for us. The following will both be held at the Devonport Seascout Hall, King Edward Parade (next to Yacht Club on the waterside), Devonport.
- Twilight Tango Practica - Sunday 11 December, 6-9pm, $10
- Tango Christmas Milonga - Friday 23 December, 9pm-12:30am, $15
Enquiries to Marion (027 202 0501 or 09 445 9544)
Ten years ago, Kapka Kassabova began dancing tango in New Zealand and was hooked. She shares the attraction of this dance, this way of life, in her book Twelve Minutes of Love: a tango story which will be available on 28 November where all good books are sold. RRP $39.99 - Christmas present sorted!
Tango in Auckland will be getting a boost of energy very shortly, in the form of visiting teacher Hernan Brizuela. Apart from performing at a milonga, he is offering workshops from 14 to 16 October. Prices: 1-2 workshops: $45 each; 3-5 workshops: $40 each; Workshop Package (includes all workshops and entry to Practilonga): $220. Hernan is also available for private lessons. For bookings, please contact tangoinoz@gmail.com or call Stephan on 021 232 5195.
TangoClub's TangoBar Tuesdays are on hold until further notice. We encourage you to dance at Limon and the Friday milongas though!
Cecile and Nigel are teaching a free tango class as part of the Birkenhead Village Argentinian Festival of the Arts. Sunday 9th October, 10.30am - 1.00pm, Nell Fisher Marquee, Birkenhead. The class will be followed by a free milonga, with a tango demo by John and Felicity.
Cecile's usual milonga is cancelled this Friday for the Opening Night of the Rugby World Cup, however Martyn and Vikki's practica is still on Sunday. Also, please note that the TangoBar milongas at the Crib are cancelled on 20 and 27 September. On these nights, the bar will be open for viewings of live games.
Craig (Sooty) Love is starting tango up classes in Mount Eden, beginning next week. This is a great option for those looking for something fun and funky.
With the Pasion Por Tango studio no longer in action, TangoClub has decided to fill one of the gaps in our social calendar by hosting milongas on the third Fridays of the month for the time being. As a result, we are putting our Práctica in the Park temporarily on hold. If you've been thinking of organising tango events yourself, now is the time to step up and give it a go!
It's the end of an era. After inspiring hundreds of students for almost exactly 4 years to the day, Pasion Por Tango will cease to have use of their downtown studio at the end of this month. As a fitting farewell, they will be holding a grand finale ball on Saturday 23 July, 9pm - 1am, $20. Dress up for the theme of "Fire and Ice" as much as you like, and make it an evening to remember!
In September/October, the Birkenhead Town Centre Association is hosting an Argentinian Festival, with Argentinian films, tango classes, music and more. Further details will be available on their website in August.
Our TangoBar milongas on Tuesday nights now offer a greater variety of drinks, with a new non-alcoholic menu specially created for our dancers. Join us for an early night of dancing to a mix of traditional, nuevo and alternative tango music.
Nayeli and Pablo will be giving another fun workshop this Sunday on Argentinian folk dancing. $10, 2:30 - 3:30pm Sunday 5 June, at the Pasión Por Tango studio. Contact Marion on 027 202 0501 for further info.
The Entertainment Books we sold last year as a fundraiser have just expired. The new book is now available, and contains hundreds of vouchers with discounts of 25-50% off and 2-for-1 offers from many of the best restaurants, hotels and attractions in Auckland, usable until June 2012. Contact Sarah to order your copy today!
We want to encourage more people to share our love of tango, so we are organising some free beginners tango classes. The next one is on Sunday 29 May. Let all your friends know, and find out what Argentine tango is about!
We are excited to announce that we have a new venue for our TangoBar milonga. Every Tuesday night from 7:30 - 10:30pm, you can now dance to our DJ Stephan's music. There is a good selection of food and drink, as well as plenty of seating available, so feel free to bring your friends along too.
Nayeli and Pablo will be giving a fun workshop this Saturday on Argentinian folk dancing. $15, 2 - 3:30pm Saturday 30 April, at the Pasión Por Tango studio. Contact Marion on 027 202 0501 for further info.
We are cancelling our April Práctica in the Park so that we can all enjoy a long holiday, but straight afterwards on Tuesday 26 April, you are invited to join us for a trial TangoBar milonga at The Crib, 151 Ponsonby Road, from 7:30-10:30pm. As usual, fantastic music from our DJ Stephan is on offer, and pizza will be available for purchase for those who turn up hungry ($10 before 7pm). Please support our venue and have some food and/or drink!
Shastro and Maria, a couple from Maui, Hawaii, will be in Auckland from 4 - 8 and 28 - 30 March. Hosted by the Pasión Por Tango studio, they will be giving a number of workshops, and are also available for private lessons. Contact Marion 09 445 9544/027 202 0501 for further information.
We haven't had a chance to review A Pickpocket's History of Argentine Tango yet, but this new book sounds intriguing! Explore "the rise of Tango in Argentina: its social and political climate, its characters, music, dance, song and poetry", and let us know how you get on.
Chan Park of TangoZen is working on a tango documentary named Tango Your Life, due to be released early this year. The trailer available online includes part of an interview with blind dancer Gyles from Auckland, who is now living and dancing in Buenos Aires. You are welcome to support this project by making a financial contribution.
Actress, singer and tango teacher María Mognaschi is returning to Auckland for one workshop on musicality and technique. Tuesday 1 February, 8 - 10pm, $25 at the Pasión Por Tango studio.