a freezing night, but a warm milonga ...

This year, it's the second time we organized Outdoor Milonga at the Star Avenue. Again, hoping to make some voices and appearances to the public, so that more people at least have a chance to see what Argentine Tango is like, and feel how it is danced with a casual milonga environment.  

A video summary of the event can be found at Youtube http://hk.youtube.com/watch?v=tFztVcF_xlY  

Last update: 16-01-2009 09:31

What a night!  Our goal in organizing the Fourth Annual New Year's Eve Grand Milonga was to re-create the Buenos Aires milonga experience through and through.

It was frustrating finding a venue.  Operators in Hong Kong typically try to double their rates on New Year's Eve to cash in.  Fortunately the Mariner's Clubs was available and the catering manager Peter Lam remembered us from when we held our First Annual New Year's Eve Grand Milonga in 2005.  He understood our sincerity in making the event accessible to the widest number of people so gave a deal which we passed on to all of you.

We like the Mariner's Club best because for us it's a cross between Confiteria La Ideal and Canning-two of the most popular milongas in Buenos Aires.  This photo from the rehearsal shows the set up.   But the venue is the body, it's the music that is the soul of any milonga.  That's what matters most.

Anyone who's been to Buenos Aires will know that many of the best milongas are actually held in run down dance halls---is it just me, or is Villa Malcom is kind of a dump?  But it's the the music and people that I remember most, not the over-flowing toilets...

DJ Simon made sure we weren't disappointed keeping the dance floor full with his steady stream of classics.

But in preparing this year's New Year's Eve Grand Milonga we wanted something truly inspirational and extraordinary.  In 2006 we had the Tango Atipico's lead by Erica Lee perform.  They played at several of our events that year and graciously accepted our invitation.  That New Year's Eve was the last time they performed together as a group.

In November, we reached out to Erica to perform again and she agreed saying she would assemble a group especially for this event.   Leading on piano, Erica then brought in Gordon Hui on flute accompanied by violinists Peter Lau and Cecilia Fung.   Kitty Leung made her debut on vocals.    The group didn't even have a name!    (Here they are warming up before the party)  

They began their set with the Gardel standard Por Una Cabeza.  This was followed by two Piazzolla anthems: Oblivion and Libertango.   Finally, Kitty Leung stepped up to the microphone for her vocal debut.   Words fail, so you can experience it for yourself.   Tu Palida Voz, followed by Vida Mia.

The organizers would like to thank: TangoTang for its support and for the wine sponsorship, Coleman Koo and Belgium Diamond House Linda Cheung and her designer shoe label Paso a Paso, Mona Kuk's ECEC Tango, and Lily and Raymond's Tango Otro.

Last update: 12-07-2009 23:20

I recently came across a new description called "Practimilonga" and thought it may be a wonderful way to describe our TangoTang's Tuesday Guided Practica at Helena May.  Honestly, I have always been quite confused with our use of the terms practica vs. milonga.  So, I decided to do some research and share my thoughts with you on the two different terminologies.  Hopefully, we will all have better understanding after my research for this blog.

Last update: 16-12-2008 22:53

People have once told me that the world's largest tango community outside of Buenos Aires is Berlin.  I don't know the validity of the statement but regardless, that is still quite amazing to have a large, vibrant tango community somewhere outside the place of origin!  I thought if I ever visit Germany, I would have to add Berlin as a stop to check out the city's tango scenes.  Luckily, the wait was not long and I was able to make it happen in July of this year for a four day back to back milonga trip with my friend, Beate. 

I have met Beate at DNI Studio (dancing school by Pablo Villarraza & Dana Frigoli) last year when we were both taking lessons in Buenos Aires.  We hit it right off as good friends and partnered up to experience all the ups and down of tango in Buenos Aires.  Beate had studied both yoga and tango at DNI for over a year and have just returned to her home town in North Germany earlier of this year.  Unfortunately, her town is very small with only a population of 12,000 people so tango has not yet picked up there yet.  There is no milonga available close by her at all!  (Aren't we lucky to have milonga/practica almost every day of the week in Hong Kong?)  Therefore, she had not danced tango for over three months so when I brought up the idea to travel together in Berlin, she was eager to meet up with me to check out different milongas together.

Last update: 29-11-2008 23:35