281  Portland TangoFest/ Portland tango scene

Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 12:19:11 -0800
From: Dan Boccia <redfox@ALASKA.NET>
Subject: Portland TangoFest/ Portland tango scene

Clay asked earlier if we had any feedback on the Tangofest that just wrapped
up in Portland, Oregon (US). I really want to let folks on the list know
that the TangoFest is a diverse, quality event for people who dance ANY
style, of any ability. It brings the whole spectrum of tango together into
one event and it's really a wonderful experience. The instructors all do a
very nice job and the organization is excellent. I had a wonderful time.

The community of Portland has a tremendously cohesive, high quality tango
scene. The DJs there play wonderful music, they have many dedicated
instructors, and the level of dancing I experience there is high, and more
importantly, just plain enjoyable and really worthwhile. Of utmost
importance, the floorcraft, from raw beginners to the more seasoned dancers,
is overall very good (regardless of style) - a reflection of the local
instructors and their vision of the dance. I don't have many problems with
navigation there. This combination of good music and good navigation allows
me to get fully in a groove and have some really amazing dances. The men
and women there take care of each other on the dance floor and are aware
that their own experience has to be compatible with everyone else's on the
floor to allow the entire crowd to have a great night of dancing. Everyone
there makes me feel really welcome. There's some real magic happening in
that town.

At the conclusion of a really great lesson Wednesday night (not part of the
TangoFest), Cacho Dante gave Portland a really special, passionately raving
review. He had tears in his eyes when he gathered us around to give his
compliments to Portland. He complimented the DJs, the instructors, and the
dancers, men and women. He said he had a wonderful time dancing and
instructing there and that he had some truly great dances. The look in his
eye and the tone of his voice told me very clearly that he really meant it.
It was a touching moment from a man who's experienced a lot of tango in a
lot of places. After that a bunch of us kept dancing and it was really
tough to leave the room.....Cacho was one of the last ones out the door!

Thank you, everyone in Portland, for your warmth, enthusiasm, and great
energy.

Dan