1084  Copes, Miami, The Times

Date: Wed, 5 Mar 2003 18:54:50 -0500
From: Keith Elshaw <keith@TOTANGO.NET>
Subject: Copes, Miami, The Times

Hello everyone;

Wondered if I might share some thoughts as an event approaches ...

I was thinking, when a man with his important legacy still walks among us,
one feels a duty to pay homage earned now and then.

It is truly something to watch him walk, even stand on stage

Juan Carlos Copes. He kept Piazzolla going; he kept tango going. He kept
going.

Surely there has never been in tango his equal as a creator, an employer and
developer of talent. His shows hired the best and paid well. He taught them
the top life of show biz.

Juan was the first tango dancer I ever saw (with Maria) and it has been my
pleasure to dj his last two birthday parties (69 and 70) in Miami at Tango
Fantasy.

When I see him, I always picture his company dancing in front of Canaro,
Pugliese, Troilo, Piazzolla, Sexteto Mayor as they did night after night,
year after year. Those were an amazing 30 years Juan and Maria worked even
before "Tango Argentino" hit the stage.

(I have a live 1962 recording of Piazzolla and trio playing the Copes Revue
in New York - it's unbelievably fast. The hour was jammed with energy).

No one came close to having his earning power around the world. And he
spread it around, always.

When I watched his show "A Rose For Mr. Tango" for 5 months in 1990, he had
38 Argentinos up in Toronto all that time. And they had family members
around visiting, etc.

I have said on my website that we are all his children - if you know what I
mean. (https://ToTANGO.net/copes.html)

Anyhow, it has been a mark of class representative of the outside
(Argentina) world that Juan has always been given a special place at the
Tango Fantasy. He richly deserves some waves of sentiment he can feel, I'm
sure of it. He gets them. It's moving to still see him on stage if you know
a bit about him. (Having the Masters of Tango show in the Vegas-style
Tropigala Room is nice for 2 hours. Show time).

Randy & Lydia maintain the top spot for Juan as long as he wants it.

I feel some pride in a community which pays respects that way.

These (so far) 6 years at Miami will, I think, come to be seen as important
to Juan at this time in his life. Not to mention the same for the other
regulars.

I hope people are planning to be in Miami Memorial Day. It's Juan's
birthday. Every year!

It's a great party. Don't get me started on the fellowship with teachers and
people from around the world on South Beach at the end of May.

I want to see you. Got some special musical treats for you ...

Salut,

Keith