Visiting teacher Sebastián Arrúa (16-08-2010)
Sebastián Arrúa, the energetic young dancer we first saw at the NZ Tango Festival, will be available for classes at the Pasión Por Tango studio from 17 - 31 August. Weekend workshops are:
- Saturday 21 August: Balance in tango. Part I 1 - 2:30pm, Part II 3 - 4:30pm. $25 for one, $40 for both
- Sunday 22 August: Colgadas and combinations. 2 - 3:30pm. $25
Sebastián is also available for private lessons for $95. Contact Marion on +64 27 202 0501 if interested.
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 through our weekly milongas and other 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
- The New Zealand Tango Festival: 23 - 26 June 2011 in Wellington. Workshops, performances and milongas, with immersion courses before and after the festival with taught by fantastic international teachers. Meet tango dancers from all around the country!
- The 10th Anniversary Grand Chateau Tango Ball: 5 November 2011 in the Whakapapa Village, Mt Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park. Celebrate the 10th anniversary of the first tango festival in New Zealand! The Ball will feature two dance floors: the Main Ball Room, beginners slope, and Nuevo room. Prices start from $260 inclusive per person (triple, doubles, twins and singles available).
- Sydney Tango Salon Festival: 29 September - 4 October 2010 in Sydney. Inaugural festival with workshops by international teachers, performances, milongas and free beginners classes.
- Tango in the Spring: 1 - 4 October 2010 in Canberra. Four days of social tango dancing, organised by volunteers.
- Milongueando: 9 - 15 August 2010 in Buenos Aires. A week of classes and guided practicas with milongueros and milonguero-style teachers, plus milongas with performances, live music and a chance to dance with people from around the world. Vikki and Martyn (info@tocatango.co.nz) are the ambassadors for this event in New Zealand—contact them for further information or possible group travel arrangements.
- Tango World Championship: 13 - 31 August 2010. The best dancers from around the world compete for the title of World Champion in the categories of Salon and Stage Tango.
Photo credit: Christian Choi
News Archive
Tango influences from outside Auckland (24-07-2010)
Those tango addicts looking for fresh dancing experiences will be glad to hear that there will be an all night milonga on 14 August in Melbourne. Also, rumour has it that the gorgeous young dancer we first saw at the NZ Tango Festival, Sebastián Arrúa, will be up in Auckland very soon! Woop!
TangoClub weekend milonga (20-07-2010)
TangoClub will be hosting a milonga from 9pm - 12:30am on Friday 23 July following our next free beginners tango class. Join us for a great night of dancing at the beautiful Pasión Por Tango studio. There will be a special game that we will explain on the night—but don't worry, it won't disrupt your dancing and beginners are very welcome to join in. $15 entry, light refreshments provided.
Guest performance by Alicia Pons (01-07-2010)
Argentinian guest teacher Alicia Pons, particularly admired for her beautiful footwork and presence in the dance, will be performing at the milonga at the Pasión Por Tango studio this Friday. For a private lesson with this inspirational dancer, contact Vikki (vikki@tocatango.co.nz).
Entertainment Books still available (15-06-2010)
We are selling Entertainment Books again this year as a fundraiser to help pay for website maintenance and TangoClub events such as free classes. These books contain literally hundreds of 25% off and 2-for-1 discounts redeemable at restaurants such as The Grove, Wine Chambers, Prohibition and Squid Row. Eat out just a few times, and the book, which costs $65, will have paid for itself already. Contact Sarah if you would like a copy.
No more TangoBar milongas until further notice (26-05-2010)
Our weekly Tuesday night TangoBar milonga will be discontinued for now. We encourage the tango addicts out there to support the only other mid-week venue, Café Limon.
Tango history seminars presented by Stephan Resch (13-04-2010)
Our very own Stephan (dancer, DJ and lecturer at the University of Auckland) will be presenting two seminars on history of tango at the Pasión Por Tango studio:
- Part I (Sunday 16 May, 3 - 4pm) will examine the history of tango as a dance, looking at key figures and influences to see how different styles of dancing developed.
- Part II (Sunday 23 May, 3 - 4pm) will look at the evolution of tango music, exploring the achievements of some great band leaders and the beautiful poetry of tango lyrics.
$10 each seminar.
Tango singer Raquel Soaje performing at Pasión Por Tango milonga (14-04-2010)
Argentinian singer Raquel Soaje will be performing at the Pasión Por Tango milonga on Friday 23 April. It's going to be a great evening!
Entertainment Books now available (26-03-2010)
We are selling Entertainment Books again this year as a fundraiser to help pay for website maintenance and TangoClub events such as free classes. These books contain literally hundreds of 25% off and 2-for-1 discounts redeemable at restaurants such as The Grove, Wine Chambers, Prohibition and Squid Row (not to mention at our Tuesday milonga venue, Sugar Bar, and the Lone Star restaurant across the road). Eat out just a few times, and the book, which costs $65, will have paid for itself already. Contact Sarah if you would like a copy. The vouchers are usable from today, until 1 June 2011, so you have more than a year to make the most of the offers.
Tuesday night TangoBar milongas now at Sugar Bar (16-03-2010)
We have discovered a hidden little gem in the form of Sugar Bar, at 3A York Street, Newmarket (diagonally opposite Lone Star). Join us on Tuesday evenings from 8:30pm to dance at this atmospheric venue, or turn up earlier and take advantage of their 2-for-1 pizza offer. Between dances you can have a drink on black and white tiling at the bar, or chat in the outdoor courtyard area.
Tuesday TangoBar milonga temporarily replaced by Wednesday outdoor milonga (01-03-2010)
Our TangoBar milongas on Tuesday nights are temporarily on hold to avoid competing with the live bands that have begun playing there. While we decide on a new venue, you are warmly invited to join us in dancing outside Cafe Limon on Princes Wharf on Wednesday evening from 7:30pm, for the next two weeks (3 March and 10 March).
TangoClub open air practilonga (24-02-2010)
We have had great feedback from our last milonga in St. Patrick's Square, so we are inviting you to dance there again! Join us for our practilonga after the free class, from 6 - 9pm, on Sunday 28 February. This replaces our usual practica in the Domain. A donation of $10 is requested to cover council permit fees and other expenses. Water is available from a drinking fountain, but you may wish to bring your own picnic dinner or refreshments.
TangoClub mini outdoor milonga (20-02-2010)
Dance with us from 7pm on Wednesday 24 February, outside Cafe Limon on Princes Wharf, and enjoy beautiful views across the harbour as the sun sets. Later in the evening we can move into the restaurant and continue dancing there. No cover charge, but please purchase drinks/food from Limon.
Free Waitangi Day tango music performance (03-02-2010)
Flavio Romanelli, guitar player and singer from Buenos Aires, will be playing on Saturday 6 February from 10:30am at the Ellerslie War Memorial (138 Main Highway). Free entry. This is part of the cultural activities in the NZ Tamil Senior Citizens Association Waitangi Day celebration.
Tango + Salsa Masquerade Ball and Carnival in Wellington (01-02-2010)
Stephen and Sharon from Wellington have organised a wondrous evening of dancing at the St James Theatre, 6pm-1am on Saturday 13 February. There will be live music and performances (including a performance by our very own Stephan and Era), and each ticket to the Masquerade Ball and Carnival gives you access to free tango classes.
Summer open air milonga (22-01-2010)
Join us for a beautiful summer evening of tango dancing by the fountain in St Patricks Square, 6 - 10pm on Friday 29 January (Maida is not holding her usual milonga on this date). Wear shoes suitable for dancing on stone, and feel free to bring along a picnic dinner. No alcohol please, as this is in the Liquor Ban Area. Suggested donation: $10.
Workshops with Cecelia Trini at Pasión Por Tango (18-01-2010)
We are lucky to have yet another visiting Argentinian tango dancer in Auckland—Cecilia Trini will be teaching at Pasión Por Tango from Saturday 23 to Thursday 28 Janaury. Workshops (1.5 hours) $20, classes (1 hour) $15, private lessons $85. Check out their website for details, or contact Marion Henton (445 9544 / 027 2020501) or Bev Goodwin (bgoodwin@woosh.co.nz).
Happy holidays from the TangoClub team! (23-12-2009)
TangoClub's last event for the year has now taken place. We will back in full swing again next year, beginning with our TangoBar milonga on Tuesday 12 January. For those with itchy feet, there is still the New Year milonga at the Pasión Por Tango studio. Happy holidays, everyone!
Pre-registrations open for New Zealand Tango Festival immersion courses (28-11-2009)
You can now register for the immersion courses at the New Zealand Tango Festival in Wellington in June. These courses sell out quickly, so book early to avoid disappointment.
- Miguel Zotto and Daiana Guspero—Advanced Tango: 28th, 29th, 30th June (Course including full Festival Pass $545)
- Alicia Pons—Int/Adv Milonguero Style Tango: 22nd, 23rd, 24th, June (Course including full Festival Pass $525)
- Fabrizio Forti and Celi Arias—Advanced Tango: 22nd, 23rd, 24th, June (Course including full Festival Pass $545)
- Fabio Robles and Ana Andre—Intermediate Tango: 28th, 29th, 30th June (Course including full Festival Pass $525)
All enquiries and bookings to festival@nztangofestival.co.nz.
Summer TangoCamp details announced (26-11-2009)
Check out the workshops and milongas focussed around internationally renowned dancers and teachers Demián García and Alejandra Mantiñan at the Summer TangoCamp in Auckland in January. Both are also available for private lesosns. All enquiries and bookings to info@tangoenz.co.nz or call Cecile on 021 482 339.
Live music at tango events (11-11-2009)
We are very lucky to have live performances by talented musicians this month. Get out dancing and support the artists as well as the event organisers!
- Tango55 Duo is performing at Cecile and Nigel's milonga on Friday 13 November, 9pm - 12:30am, Viva Latino Studio, 10 Newton Road. $15 entry, free for non-dancers.
- Flavio Romanelli, guitar player and singer visiting from Buenos Aires, is performing at the Pasión Por Tango practica on Sunday 22 November, 3 - 6pm, Pasión Por Tango studio, level 2 in the Barrington Building, 10-12 Customs Street East (next to Mercure hotel close to Britomart). $10 entry.
TangoClub Labour Weekend Milonga (14-10-2009)
Just because everyone else is going on holiday doesn't mean you have to give up your tango! Join us for a wonderful evening of dancing on Friday 23 October. Bring your friends along, even if they don't know how to dance, as there will be a free introductory class with visiting Argentinian teacher Martín Bratina before the milonga, as well as a guitar performance by Flavio Romanelli, another young talent from Buenos Aires.
Free beginners tango classes (11-10-2009)
There are a bunch of free tango classes this month. Let your friends know!
- Pasión Por Tango is having a studio open day on Saturday 3 October, with a free beginners class taught by Maida Zanaboni Doleman from 4 - 5:30pm on level 2 in the Barrington Building, 10-12 Customs Street East (beside the Mercure Hotel close to Britomart).
- Cecile and Nigel are offering free tango classes for absolute beginners for 5 weeks, from 15 October to 12 November, at Saint Kevin's Arcade on K'Rd, on Thursday nights, 6-7pm. Contact Cecile and Nigel Bale on 021 482 339 for further details.
- TangoClub is also offering a couple of free introductory tango classes over the Labour Weekend. Hope to see you there!
UNESCO declares tango part of world's "intangible cultural heritage" (01-10-2009)
We all know how special tango is, but now it's official—as of 30 September 2009, tango is on the UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity! Other traditions to be safeguarded include the whistled language of the island of La Gomera (Canary Islands), and Lefkara lacemaking from southeastern Cyprus dating back to the fourteenth century.
Argentinian tango teacher at Pasión Por Tango (18-09-2009)
A big welcome to Martín Bratina, who will be teaching tango classes on Monday nights at the Pasión Por Tango studio, beginning 21 September. No doubt he will be able to give great advice not just on dancing, but also on the highlights of his home town, the tango mecca of Buenos Aires.
Last chance to purchase Entertainment Books (30-08-2009)
We are returning our unsold Entertainment Books at the end of this week, so contact us now if you would still like a copy! Priced at $65, the books contain hundreds of vouchers (valid till June 2010) for 25% off to 2-for-1 offers from restaurants, arts and sporting attractions, and more. Make use of the book two or three times and it will have paid for itself already!
TangoClub weekend milonga (15-08-2009)
TangoClub invites you to another special milonga this month. Dance with us amongst candles and balloons on Friday 28 August. Before the milonga, there will be a free beginners tango lesson, so bring all your friends along for a great evening out. Special thanks to Sarah L and Jo W for offering to bring along empanadas and alfajores to add some extra Argentine flavour to the evening!
New TangoBar milonga venue (30-07-2009)
Yay, we have found a new venue for our Tuesday night TangoBar milongas. Join us for a drink and a dance upstairs at Grand Central, just a stone's throw away from our previous venue Bar de Baz. The same beautiful decor, the same cozy feel, and of course, your same friendly hosts: the TangoClub team!
Last TangoBar milonga at Bar de Baz (16-07-2009)
Bar de Baz, the venue for our TangoBar milonga has been sold, and we will hold our last milonga there on Tuesday 21 July. Please join us for a final dance in this beautiful bar. We will let you know about any future milonga plans once we have details confirmed.
Tango guitar performances by Flavio Romanelli (06-07-2009)
Argentinian musician Flavio Romanelli will be playing the guitar and singing a selection of tango music (Troilo, Goyeneche, Gardel, Laurenz, M.Mores and others) at the Pasión Por Tango studio this Saturday 11 July at 5pm; $10 entry. In addition, he will be performing at a number of milongas this month (both $15 entry, free for non-dancers):
- Friday 10 July—Casatango milonga
- Friday 31 July—TangoClub milonga
Experience the sounds and spirit of Argentina!
Workshops with Eva Garlez and Pablo Rodriguez (28-06-2009)
Argentinian tango milonguero dancers Eva Garlez and Pablo Rodriguez will be teaching beginner and intermediate level workshops and performing at the Pasión Por Tango studio from 13 - 19 July. All workshops $20, or $110 for 6 workshops. Private lessons $100. Contact Bev (021 258 5453 / 09 528 5591 / bgoodwin@woosh.co.nz) to register.
TangoClub weekend milonga (22-06-2009)
Our first weekend milonga of the year will take place on Friday 31 July and feature a performance by Argentinian guitar player Flavio Romanelli. Before the milonga, there will be a free beginners tango lesson, so bring all your friends along for a great evening out.
New Zealand Tango Festival open for registration (06-03-2009)
The teachers and workshops for the Tango Festival in Wellington have now been announced, and they look fantastic! Register now to ensure your place.
Workshops with Karina and Fabian Conca (05-03-2009)
Pasión Por Tango is once again bringing tango milonguero teachers Karina and Fabian Conca to Auckland, 28 - 30 March. Check out their workshop timetable.