1110  Tango "Breakthrough" Events

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Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2003 16:15:54 -0800
From: Trini or Sean - PATangoS <patangos@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Tango "Breakthrough" Events

Looks like we could use a new tango-related topic. How about
"Breakthrough" events? By this I'm referring to events that have
helped a community break through a plateau and reach a new level of
tango. It might be nice for smaller communities to learn what made a
big difference for other communities.

I'll go first. We just finished our Musicality TangoFest in
Pittsburgh. It included some organizational changes and learning
processes. But I'll refer to the end effect in the community, which
to me, is what is most important.

What were these effects?
- it set a higher standard for dance quality and expectations,
- greater appreciation for individual style and interpretation,
- development of stronger regional networks,
- greater appreciation by students of the organizational aspects
involved with hosting events,
- really energized those who came by making them see how much fun
(party-wise) tango can be.

What kinds of things led to these effects?
- having 2 instructors (Tom Stermitz & Robert Hauk) with different
dance styles that even beginning students could see (which validated
their personal interpretation of the music),
- concentrated effort on involving other tango groups in the region,
- which led to a higher level of dancing that locals could see,
- lots of opportunities (both formal and informal get-togethers) that
let students ask questions from our much more experienced visiting
instructors.

We've had other breakthough events before:
- Last year, Susana Miller got everyone stepping on the beat and got
us started on exploring musicality,
- Daniel Lapadula got us to appreciate leading more and keeping the
connection (as opposed to just copying a pattern or step),
- Brigitta Winkler introduced close-embrace (salon) a few years ago.

What would you consider to be a "Breakthrough" event for your
community? It would be interesting to see such interpretations by
organizers and non-organizers.

Trini de Pittsburgh
Organizer



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PATangoS - Pittsburgh Argentine Tango Society
Our Mission: To make Argentine Tango Pittsburgh's most popular social dance.
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