2802  NA-E:NYC, Fundraising and Politics

Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 12:08:19 -0400
From: Lucille Krasne <lukrasne@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: NA-E:NYC, Fundraising and Politics

On the issues of fundraising and/or politics, I think it matters how it is
done. I am organizing a very partisan milonga (on October 3, Sun.,during the
day and evening). It is a separate event and is clearly billed as partisan
by its title, "Let's Help Kerry Tango Into the White House"

My flyers do say there are tables for Republicans--got this idea from a
famous old North Beach bar in SF whose window sign read, "Tables for
Psychiatrists"--I loved that.

The title for the Kerry event was inspired by a Maureen Dowd column in the
NY Times in which she talks to Kerry about his cultural interests. Kerry
said he liked to dance, and mentioned he would love to learn to tango. This
gave me the idea to hang an event upon and I am lucky to have the support of
almost the entire NYC body of tango organizers, performers and teachers.

As Trini points out, there is serious apathy among American voters. I would
have no problem if the Republicans or Greens, etc. put on events using
tango. One does not have to attend.

Taking a good look at the way repressive governments punish the arts is not
a bad idea, and Argentina is a fine example.

Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2004 18:59:56 -0700
From: Carlos Lima <amilsolrac@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Fundraising and Politics

I think it very hard to question anyone's right to organise legal
entertainment for the explicit purpose of raising funds for any defensible
purpose, including that of providing scant additional lining for the
organisers' pockets. If I were to encroach on this right on grounds of
purity, I would start by profit, not non-profit motives.

To organise a milonga is in the entertainment category, even though I tremble
(with both guilt and fear) as I say this.

I do not see it possible to question the right even on high minded
deontological grounds, or grounds of propriety. It would be thought of as odd
to do so in the case of, say, a salsa party, or a performance of Molihre.
Now, we do not want to appear odd, do we -- particularly since we actually
are odd, aren't we.

Bringing tango to politics does not politicize tango any more than a banquet
with the purpose of making some political noises politicizes food.

There is also no reason to limit causes that it is appropriate to support via
tango dancing to Argentinean ones. It is of course most honorable to support
worthy Argentinean causes; but a more reasonable criterion, coming to things
like charity, is need. Unfortunately we all know that I need not complete my
thought here.

Anyway, I place little faith in charity (other than fairly close to home); I
have greater faith in outrage. We are hung up on petty political matters, and
there are horrendous problems out there that can be solved, and it is
criminal for those in power to do nothing to solve them, or worse. Come to
think of it the USA itself faces grievous problems, and many are not only not
solved by politics of any kind, they are caused by them. In this too, tango
is like life, only less so.

I am not (officially?) a citizen of the USA, but who will be the next
President of that country will affect Argentina, and all the rest of the
world, including me. I am so very happy that I do not qualify to participate
in the choice this time around! My discerning powers are just not fine enough
to decide who is "the best man for the job".

I may even go to Lucile's milonga, if it I remember to, etc., etc. To get in,
I do not need to decide if I want to be a Democrat or a Republican (neither,
perhaps?) and I do not need to match the lady's political views (if any) in
order to get high on tango with her.

You know what I really do not like in milongas? To listen to a lot of
advertising in the middle of them. The announcements breaks ought to be
abolished. I do not even wear clothing that advertises the manufacturer in
big stenciled letters. I am not in that line of business.

Cheers,

PS - I typically mix tragedy and farce 50-50 in my postings, in hopes that
there will be enough people who think it is all tragedy, and enough who think
it is all farce. Today I went for 67-33. It just don't look for Lucile.

Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2004 00:20:58 -0400
From: Miamidances@AOL.COM
Subject: Re: Fundraising and Politics

After reading Carlos Lima's complete post I noticed at the bottom of the post there is a section with this.

Tango-L is for discussing Tango. Everyone is welcome to make their Milonga's, Art shows or any function for the benefit of whatever you want. If you want to post it, keep it on Tango-A.

Thank you

Randy