3676  Meeting in the Middle of Mt Vernon, Missouri

Date: Tue, 9 Aug 2005 18:26:49 -0600
From: Oleh Kovalchuke <tangospring@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Meeting in the Middle of Mt Vernon, Missouri

I have promised Ney (NYC) to write a trip report for Meet in the
Middle festival. I happen to be a man who attempts to keep his word.
Here you go, Ney:

Some tango festivals sprawl across town (Portland, Denver), some take
place entirely in one hotel (Atlanta) and then there is Meet in the
Middle - a festival, which take place entirely within a single house.

Take a look at a map to find Mt Vernon, Missouri where people go to
Meet in the Middle. Not a big place. I ventured out of the house on
Saturday night to investigate attractions the town has to offer. The
trip around main square with a church in the middle took roughly five
minutes, plus 15 seconds to investigate Dalmatian hydrant in one
corner. If it were not for the tango house the picture would be rather
dismal in the vein of "The Last Picture Show" with appropriate sexual
innuendo (a group of teenage girls bring out folding chairs to chat at
the same square's corner at night, while a bunch of boys horse around
in the parking lot in front of them).

Given the settings one has to admire the audacity of Karen, the
festival organizer, to conceive this event (you could become a target
for next Herzog documentary). Talk about dreaming an impossible dream.
Close to a hundred people drove to this event mostly from within four
hour radius in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Tennessee, but also
one or two representatives from Chicago, Texas, and Colorado (yours
truly). Considering that simultaneously run and more show oriented
festival in New Orleans (somewhat more interesting location, I think)
drew about 70 people last year this is quite an achievement.

This is the most visitor and budget friendly festival I have attended
catered strictly to social dancers. Your $120 and will get you not
only three days of classes, milongas and practicas, a show by
instructors (four this time, lessons level beginner to advanced
beginner), but also all the meals (obviously the choices outside the
house are limited), a dinner to live tango music and if you bring an
inflatable bed a place to sleep in (recommended to students only).
Plus Karen threw in two visits by ice cream truck to boot - a very,
very nice touch indeed. If you do not wish to leave the house you do
not have to and you really get to socialize with people. On the flip
side three days in the same place even as curious as Karen's can make
you somewhat claustrophobic.

A girl at the festival asked me why did I come. Well to begin with I
am a vagabond to some extent. And so I went because I had some time on
my hands, I was curious about idea of a festival-in-a-house, to see
that part of the country, people who dance tango there, to promote
TangoSpring Milonguero Tours to Buenos Aires (of which I did rather
dismal job) and to listen to Dr. Who audio book on my 12 hour drive
there (not nearly as exciting as I have hoped it would be).

I have DJed at Saturday practicas. Playing music early in the morning
presents a bit of a challenge since the senses are still frayed from
the night before. I have opted for valses by Castillo and soft tangos
by Fresedo and Canaro in the beginning to ease into the harsh
realities of approaching day saving drama of Tanturi and
boisterousness of D'Arienzo for later. Robert Hauk who unbeknownst to
me happened to sleep in the room adjacent to the dance hall and, I
think, had been awakened by the music gave thumbs up to this choice.
For once I have nothing bad to write about the music at the practica.
Tsk, tsk, tsk. Well in the interest of full disclosure and in the hind
sight I think Garcia tangos were a bit too complicated rhythmically to
play in the beginning of practica.

The overall level of dancing was good - there were quite a few
followers with five or more years of experience even though as usual
some of them had open frame posture while dancing milonguero. I was a
bit tired first due to long trip then due to uncomfortable bed but
still enjoyed dancing most of the time. Pleasantly surprised by some
followers from Kansas City who dance less than a year (way to go
Korey).

To summarize: It's an interesting regional event. If you live within
driving distance (twelve hours for me is pushing it a bit, your
mileage may vary here) and have free time on your hands it's worth the
visit even if to simply marvel the idea of tango festival in Mount
Vernon, Missouri.

The festival website is here:
https://thelearningdepot.com/murrays-1/tango-festival.htm


--
Oleh Kovalchuke
https://TangoSpring.com

Date: Wed, 10 Aug 2005 14:08:51 -0600
From: Oleh Kovalchuke <tangospring@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Meeting in the Middle of Mt Vernon, Missouri

Couple more thoughts on this festival:

I have heard that the show was outstanding too. I didn't go because I
had not slept well the night before and had quite simply collapsed
after the dinner, had to take a nap.

It has potential to become a Nijmegen of mid South-East of US where
people come strictly for a weekend (48 hours) of uninterrupted dancing
if Karen decides to go that way.

Cheers, Oleh Kovalchuke
https://TangoSpring.com


On 8/9/05, Oleh Kovalchuke <tangospring@gmail.com> wrote:

> I have promised Ney (NYC) to write a trip report for Meet in the
> Middle festival. I happen to be a man who attempts to keep his word.
> Here you go, Ney:
>
> Some tango festivals sprawl across town (Portland, Denver), some take
> place entirely in one hotel (Atlanta) and then there is Meet in the
> Middle - a festival, which take place entirely within a single house.
>
> Take a look at a map to find Mt Vernon, Missouri where people go to
> Meet in the Middle. Not a big place. I ventured out of the house on
> Saturday night to investigate attractions the town has to offer. The
> trip around main square with a church in the middle took roughly five
> minutes, plus 15 seconds to investigate Dalmatian hydrant in one
> corner. If it were not for the tango house the picture would be rather
> dismal in the vein of "The Last Picture Show" with appropriate sexual
> innuendo (a group of teenage girls bring out folding chairs to chat at
> the same square's corner at night, while a bunch of boys horse around
> in the parking lot in front of them).
>
> Given the settings one has to admire the audacity of Karen, the
> festival organizer, to conceive this event (you could become a target
> for next Herzog documentary). Talk about dreaming an impossible dream.
> Close to a hundred people drove to this event mostly from within four
> hour radius in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Tennessee, but also
> one or two representatives from Chicago, Texas, and Colorado (yours
> truly). Considering that simultaneously run and more show oriented
> festival in New Orleans (somewhat more interesting location, I think)
> drew about 70 people last year this is quite an achievement.
>
> This is the most visitor and budget friendly festival I have attended
> catered strictly to social dancers. Your $120 and will get you not
> only three days of classes, milongas and practicas, a show by
> instructors (four this time, lessons level beginner to advanced
> beginner), but also all the meals (obviously the choices outside the
> house are limited), a dinner to live tango music and if you bring an
> inflatable bed a place to sleep in (recommended to students only).
> Plus Karen threw in two visits by ice cream truck to boot - a very,
> very nice touch indeed. If you do not wish to leave the house you do
> not have to and you really get to socialize with people. On the flip
> side three days in the same place even as curious as Karen's can make
> you somewhat claustrophobic.
>
> A girl at the festival asked me why did I come. Well to begin with I
> am a vagabond to some extent. And so I went because I had some time on
> my hands, I was curious about idea of a festival-in-a-house, to see
> that part of the country, people who dance tango there, to promote
> TangoSpring Milonguero Tours to Buenos Aires (of which I did rather
> dismal job) and to listen to Dr. Who audio book on my 12 hour drive
> there (not nearly as exciting as I have hoped it would be).
>
> I have DJed at Saturday practicas. Playing music early in the morning
> presents a bit of a challenge since the senses are still frayed from
> the night before. I have opted for valses by Castillo and soft tangos
> by Fresedo and Canaro in the beginning to ease into the harsh
> realities of approaching day saving drama of Tanturi and
> boisterousness of D'Arienzo for later. Robert Hauk who unbeknownst to
> me happened to sleep in the room adjacent to the dance hall and, I
> think, had been awakened by the music gave thumbs up to this choice.
> For once I have nothing bad to write about the music at the practica.
> Tsk, tsk, tsk. Well in the interest of full disclosure and in the hind
> sight I think Garcia tangos were a bit too complicated rhythmically to
> play in the beginning of practica.
>
> The overall level of dancing was good - there were quite a few
> followers with five or more years of experience even though as usual
> some of them had open frame posture while dancing milonguero. I was a
> bit tired first due to long trip then due to uncomfortable bed but
> still enjoyed dancing most of the time. Pleasantly surprised by some
> followers from Kansas City who dance less than a year (way to go
> Korey).
>
> To summarize: It's an interesting regional event. If you live within
> driving distance (twelve hours for me is pushing it a bit, your
> mileage may vary here) and have free time on your hands it's worth the
> visit even if to simply marvel the idea of tango festival in Mount
> Vernon, Missouri.
>
> The festival website is here:
> https://thelearningdepot.com/murrays-1/tango-festival.htm
>
>
> --
> Oleh Kovalchuke
> https://TangoSpring.com
>

Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 15:38:19 -0700
From: Sabina Lewis <sabina_nola@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: dueling dance events, was Meeting in the Middle of Mt Vernon, Missouri

Dear people,
I enjoy reading reviews of the various Tango events going on around the world. I can't attend
them all, but I did go to one of the very best last weekend right here in my own city. We had a fabulous time. However, It upset me to read some of Oleh's comments in a review he posted about the event held in Missouri. On 8/9/05, Oleh Kovalchuke <tangospring@gmail.com> wrote:

>Close to a hundred people drove to this event mostly from within four
> hour radius in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Tennessee, but also
> one or two representatives from Chicago, Texas, and Colorado (yours
> truly). Considering that simultaneously run and more show oriented
> festival in New Orleans (somewhat more interesting location, I think)
> drew about 70 people last year this is quite an achievement.

and that prompted a rant from Alberto on ATOF. Because, as Alberto said

> Karen's event can stand on its merits without the insertion of >negative
>bias to other people's efforts in order to make a point.

Once again, for the 4th year in a row here in New Orleans,(and 5 years previously in Reno) Planet Tango (Alberto Paz and Valorie Hart) put on a first class event in a beautiful setting. https://www.monaco-neworleans.com/
Valorie Hart has considerable experience as an event planner and it shows. The weekend boasted quality instruction, great parties, and delicious food catered by the hotel's highly rated Cobalt restaurant. https://www.cobaltrestaurant.com/
It kicked off on Fri night with a show open to the public, a dance revue based on the social dance history of tango. It was well attended (over 120 people) with wonderful performances showing many different styles. The milonga afterwards was electric. I had trouble getting to sleep that night (too excited)I overheard one of the participants/dancers say that they hadn't seen that quality of dancing in a long time. I danced a lot. Sat morning the hotel was playing a great version of "I've got the world on a string" and I'm thinking, now, ain't that the truth...
A disclaimer, I count Valorie Hart and Alberto Paz as my friends and teachers. I learn something about my dancing every time I take a class from them. Their generosity and knowledge is inspiring. I am happy to work at the festival and I enjoy every minute of it. Months of planning go into it, and seeing everyone dancing and enjoying themselves is the payoff. Some of the same people come year after year. The student showcase on Sunday nights is great fun and the opportunity to dance with other dancers from around the country is a treat. But to call it "show oriented" is missing the point. It's about the dance, the one we all love and consider our own. Tango,Argentine Tango. Improvised and danced with grace and heart. By dancers that know how.
It was a very emotional weekend, at times sad, sweet, touching, and funny. So when I finally checked my e-mail and saw Oleh's posting I felt compelled to write and add my opinion.
I'm very proud of my adopted hometown, it has a vibrant and unique culture, beautiful architecture and very friendly people who love sharing it with visitors. Not to mention the food and the music that we continue to create and share with the world. To say that we are a "somewhat more interesting location" is an understatement. Two other major events were going on in the city at the same time last weekend, Satchmo Fest, a free event put on by the city to celebrate Louis Armstrong and his legacy in this, the birthplace of Jazz https://www.satchmo.com/louisarmstrong/summerfest.html

and White Linen Night https://cityguide.aol.com/neworleans/entertainment/event.adp?page=detailSummary&id 81848
a huge event put on by local galleries and the CAC to promote our local artists and their art.
Now, tell me again where do you live Oleh?
I dance 4 to 5 nights a week. Social dancing in beautiful venues, and there is always something going on. I invite everyone to come see for themselves. Let the good times roll!
Sabina Lewis, New Orleans, Louisiana