1381  Tribute to a Milonguero

Date: Sat, 7 Jun 2003 23:26:21 -0300
From: Janis Kenyon <jantango@FEEDBACK.NET.AR>
Subject: Tribute to a Milonguero

Manolo Garaban (April 19, 1932 - June 2, 2003)

I had the pleasure of dancing milonga with Lolo several years ago in Buenos
Aires. For the last three years he has danced exclusively with Aura
Tassosian with whom he became engaged in December 2001. Those of you who
went to Afiche on Saturday nights had the pleasure of seeing them dance
their very special milonga con traspie. Lolo's favorite music was Guardia
Vieja. He couldn't stay in his chair when he heard Canaro.

I am fortunate to have footage of Lolo and Aura dancing at their engagement
party, but I regret that I didn't get the opportunity to talk with him about
his life in tango.

Pichi de Buenos Aires

Date: Fri, 9 Apr 2004 19:00:29 -0300
From: Janis Kenyon <jantango@FEEDBACK.NET.AR>
Subject: A tribute to a Milonguero

Luis Domingo Ferrari
April 9, 1924 - April 1, 2004

I learned today that "Pirucho" had passed on, only hours after I had visited
him last week in the Hospital Ramon Mejia. His wife Dolores, and his
nephews were with him. He had been hospitalized since January.

Pirucho told me that milonga was his favorite dance. In his younger days,
he went dancing at Atlanta, Club Hurucan, El Argentino, and Salon Augusteo.
I had the pleasure of attending his last two birthday celebrations in Club
Bristol (La Rioja & Brasil), where he and his wife were the resident
caretakers. Luis and his friend Cacho would cook an asado for 40 friends
seated at tables on the club's basketball court. I took photos of Pirucho
and his milonguero friends. Today I came across a photo from last year's
party with Pirucho seated at the end of the long table, raising his glass
and smiling as I took the photo. He was talking about his 80th birthday for
months, and I told him we would dance a milonga.

I will always remember Luis as a jokester, ready to make everyone laugh. He
was a regular at the Saturday afternoon "Milonga de Los Consagrados" last
year. Although he didn't dance during the last few years because of cancer,
he was in the milongas to enjoy conversation with friends and listen to his
favorite music.

Pirucho and I shared special moments at his table in the milonga when we
would take on the role of bandoneonistas in the orchestra of Juan D'Arienzo,
with our fingers flying on our imaginary instruments, our knees bouncing,
and our heads shaking to the powerful compas. When I danced near his table
in Lo de Celia, he would call out my name.


Pichi de Buenos Aires