The DC Tango Marathon 2008
The Marathon 2008
It’s been quite a while since I wrote anything on this blog. I guess being on vacation, or retired or not having a regular job doesn’t mean having lots of time. There is always something to do!
So, after spending some time in Europe and two months in Buenos Aires I am back in DC to organize the Tango Marathon. It’s already the 7th year of this festival and this year I was wondering how well it would go. It was the first festival that I organized without being in the city. I just arrived about 10 days before the start, to finalize a few things, but otherwise the whole festival was done remote! Maybe next year I should organize a multi location, video streaming festival! Eh eh eh
It is really amazing… every time I organize something like that, I am exited to do it about 6 months in advance. Then, when the time comes closer I think that I am totally out of my mind to want to put such a big thing together; with teachers, room locations, organizing schedule etc etc… A week before cannot eat anymore because I am wondering what will go wrong, what did I forget and hoping all would work well. The the fun begins… I go and pick up the teachers, some dancers are already coming to town, the excitement is getting bigger and bigger… and then the fun really begins at the first milonga. This year again I joined forces with Bill at the Eastern Market Milonga. The space is just wonderful, great atmosphere… and when you fill it with about 100 great dancers… it becomes magical.
Then, seeing friends, realizing how many visitors are already in town and most of all, being very happy that people appreciate the dancers/teachers I brought this year, was like the icing on the cake! It’s always quite a challenge to figure out who I will invite as teachers. The States has a wonderful group of teachers, some of them travel the world to teach and are extremely well respected. But what I am looking for is to bring new people and be the link between Europe and the States. I have been lucky to travel and dance through Europe for the last few years, and met and became friends with some of the best dancers and teachers Europe has to offer… so, I am taking advantage of the fact that I organize a big tango festival to bring them over and give them the opportunity to visit the States and to be known here, and at the same time, I am bringing new ideas and new energy to the States… I am really happy that that has worked well. Now, there is more exchange …. Too bad the $ exchange is not better, so that we could go to Europe a little more!!! Oh well..
At the end, all was good at the festival. Pictures are online at http://www.unmomento.net and at http://www.SamsSnapshots.com
Enjoy
