Author Archives: TangoNova

Info on Summer Milongas 2019

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Here’s the scoop on Tangonova milongas in the summer:
I’ve booked the waterfront for the Milonga Del Puerto,  Saturdays,  June 22  thru Sept 8, 2019 from  6:30-9:30 pm (weather permitting). Last year similar schedule resulted in only 5 waterfront milongas!
BREAKING NEWS: As of July 6 we now will use Sundays as a bad weather back up, rather than 1313 Hollis.
I will use 1313 Hollis as a bad weather back up to the waterfront, when it is the only way  to ensure there’s  a milonga at least every two weeks, indoor or out. This means if the weather permits, we may dance outside two Saturdays or Sundays  in a row but if the weather is bad two weeks in a row, only one of those will be inside.The indoor Hollis St milonga 1313 starts later/8-11 pm or 8:30-11:30.
If you want to know when the milongas will be, make sure you are on my email list and/or check my web site  for latest news. On iffy weather Saturdays, location or cancellation announced by 5 pm.
Milonga del Puerto (waterfront) =   typically $5
Milonga 1313 (Hollis St/later) = $10 
If  you would like to DJ sometime inside or out, let me know.
On the waterfront we dance on rolled out vinyl sheets – 8 of them. Helpers are needed to unload, unroll and tape the floor together. Then we hang lights.  NO SPIKE HEELS PLEASE =they puncture the floor!
 
FYI I will be at a beach cottage Aug 14-21. There will be a milonga with Tomas at the Round Church Aug 17.
Are you willing to help make the Milonga del Puerto happen now and then? I will need set-up volunteers thru out the summer. To kick off the effort, send me an email with your general weekend availability June 22-Sept 8.  BTW,  unlke 1313, I cannot set up the outdoor floor alone. If no one offers  to help, I either cancel or sit at the waterfront until someone arrives. 
Saturday Aug 24: Special Guest DJ Andrea Shepherd/Mon Tango/ Montreal with possibly opening class with Andrea and Wolf!!
Contact: Margaret 902-229-8585

 

What is a “Milonga”?

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squeeze-box-argentina_11322_600x450*The word Milonga has two meanings, often confusing for beginner dancers! 1) Milonga, is a gathering/ tango dance party: an event where people are dancing to recordings of tangos, vals or milonga (see second meaning). USE: I am going to the milonga tonight. 2) Milonga, also refers to the name of a dance form  in the tango genre (tango, vals, and milonga)  with  an upbeat 2/4 rhythm, and classes are offered in Milonga.  Historically the milonga dance form pre-dates tango, and has more Afro- Caribbean roots.  USE: Let’s take that milonga class so  we can dance the milonga set at next Saturday’s milonga.

Milonga Event Format:  Tango is a traveling dance that moves counter clockwise along the line of dance. Ideally couples “navigate” respectfully  on the dance floor, not passing one another or colliding or stalling the flow. Music is played by a DJ in tandas (sets) of 3-4 songs of one type (tango, vals or milonga). The end of the tanda (set) is marked by a cortina (curtain) – a short  non-tango riff of 25-35 seconds. This is the time to escort one another off the dance floor and switch partners, if you like. When a couple choose to dance together, it is customary to dance out the full tanda, not rotating until the cortina. Should either  person decide to end the partnership mid-tanda,  it would be considered rude for him or her  to then acquire a new partner for that same tanda. These are customs not rules. If you are planning to dance at milongas in Buenos Aires, additional codigos (codes) may apply, useful to know  and readily available on the internet.

About Halifax Milongas

SUMMER  Milonga Del Puerto Mid-June thru mid-September  = look for tango on the Halifax waterfront. Foot of Morris at  Lower Water St/across Cunard parking lot. Likely Saturday evenings. Weather permitting! Indoor venue: Tangonova Milongas are at  1313 Hollis St. 

For current info, Check web calendar or tangonova  or East Coast Tango Society  FB page  /or get on my email list.

Regular  DJ = Leggy Peggy (mostly traditional tango recordings  from the golden age of tango with  a few contemporary sets. Requests honoured, when in keeping with group spirit.  Occasional Guest DJs,   local or out of town visitors.

 

 

Welcome to Tangonova

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“This is how to dance the tango!
Feel the blood rise to your face with every beat;
While an arm winds like a snake
Around a waist that is about to break.
This is how to dance the tango!”

 

Founded in 2003 by dance instructor Margaret Spore, Tangonova is dedicated to establishing an authentic tango presence in Nova Scotia. Intimate, improvisational and challenging. Argentine tango is truly the dance of fearless passion.

To inquire about classes at any level in Argentine tango, contact Margaret at 902-229-8585.  Tangonova offers classes for both new beginners and experienced students, in all genres of of the dance.  Singles and couples  of all ages welcome, as well as those learning both roles.