2000 LABOR DAY WEEKEND TANGO GETAWAY

Planet Tango is happy to report the success of its Fourth Annual Labor Day Weekend Tango Getaway held September 1 -4. at the wonderful Reno Hilton in Reno, Nevada. As many of you already know, this is a great Argentine Tango weekend combining classes and socializing at its best.

Patricia, Guillermo, Fernanda, Alberto, Valorie and Nestor

Guillermo Merlo, Fernanda Ghi, Nestor Ray, Patricia Garcia joined hosts and Master teachers Alberto Paz and Valorie Hart for an enjoyable learning experience.

Nestor Ray and Patricia Garcia have been dancing together for more than ten years. In Buenos Aires they perform regularly in restaurants, cafe concerts, and many traditional clubs and confiterias. They were nominated Best Club Style dancers at the prestigious Hugo del Carril Tournament organized by the municipality of the city of Buenos Aires. They have taught at La Taberna de Ricardo, Social Rivadavia, and Confiteria Mariano Acosta in Buenos Aires, and in Winchester, Stanford, Virginia Beach, Washington D.C., San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, and Ithaca in the US. They have toured Europe teaching and performing with great success in Rome, Geneva, Bristol, London, Paris, Marseilles, and Naples.

Guillermo Merlo was in the cast of the San Francisco based company of Forever Tango, and toured with the hit show through England and Italy where he was honored at the Spoleto Festival. Fernanda Ghi danced professionally in Buenos Aires and in Japan before joining Guillermo in Miami a few years ago. Together they danced on Rafael Nicolau’s Tango, Tango Vivo and Tangoing. Their own production Tango Dreams has played in several US cities. Their original choreography is mesmerizing and breathtaking incorporating modern concepts to the traditional aspects of stage dancing. They have taught at various Tango weeks in London, Buenos Aires and Miami, and this was their second appearance at the Tango Getaway.

Alberto Paz grew up in the streets Buenos Aires, and Valorie Hart is American. He is also a writer, a historian and a lecturer on Argentine Tango. She is an artist who possesses a natural sensitivity for the Argentine Tango, the music, the dance and its culture. They teach and practice the traditional and authentic concept of improvisation as it is practiced in the clubs and salons of Buenos Aires. Their dancing is smooth, creative and elegant based on an authentic improvisational style. They are known for their enthusiasm, exuberance, patience and zest for Tango

Friday, people began checking in stopping by to pick-up your name tags and schedule of activities and meeting other tango friends on a dance floor ready with good music work out any cramped muscles caused by the journey to Reno.

Saturday morning and afternoon was dedicated to classes suitable for any and all levels of dancers. On Saturday night, participants and visitors were treated to the Reno Tango Ball with dinner and a show produced by the teachers.

TEACHERS EXHIBITION

Sunday had the same schedule and amenities. However, at the Sunday night milonga/dinner, the students were invited to perform at the now highly acclaimed performance. It was great fun! There was also a certificate presentation from the teachers to the students.

STUDENTS SHOWCASE – PART 1

STUDENTS SHOWCASE – PART 2

Monday had the last set of group classes, as well as some extra time to schedule those precious private hours with the teachers. So when you reserve your hotel room, make sure to specify that you want a late check-out on Monday, September 4. A fabulous Tango Boutique was set up as well featuring clothing, shoes, CD’s, and videos.

GROUP PHOTO

Kana from New York had a wonderful time. I’m already looking forward to return next year, she wrote. Valorie and Alberto’ are wonderful teachers. Their classes gave me me a great opportunity to thin about teaching.

Jack from Albuquerque thought that Reno was fantastic. The whole trip back all we did was talk about how much fun next year will be, he said, whether it be in Nawlins or Reno. All instruction was great and the best I have been exposed to since starting to dance tango.