2011 Remembered (Ken)
21st December 2011
(For reference, here are relevant past entries: 2010 | 2009 | 2008
First of all, I apologise for not writing much this year. I could make all sorts of excuses, but work commitments and some laziness/non inspiration was the reason. I will try to do better in 2012.
Anyway, it was an interesting year...
January - March
January
Jag Jive - Kymme and I were asked by the organiser John Miller to have a regular monthly early evening Complete Beginners Tango class for his clients, held in the back room at Great Bookham, which we did throughout this year. It was a short taster with some interesting moves thrown in that seemed to satisfy those who attended, which was about 25/30 people on a regular basis (we had 'regulars' no less!).
We also did a Complete Beginners Tango Workshop in September for them, with about 30 people actually stumping up cash to attend!
We were clear to point out that we were NOT Tango teachers, but 'guiders' as such, with a get-out-of-jail clause of 'you're getting a taster of Tango so don't go saying "well this is how Ken and Kymme teach it!" to others'. There is some pressure on us to continue with further classes and workshops for next year, such is the demand for Jivers wishing to learn Tango.
February
Argentine Restaurant in Croydon - We were asked to 'entertain' the customers at the restaurant by dancing Tango occasionally. We were fed and watered for free (no choice mind, you were got what you were given), but it proved too, too far for us midweek to go to. Honoured, mind, for being asked.
March
The Tango Club - The potential Tango holiday to Egypt and Jordan organised by the Los Ocampo's that we were seriously considering was cancelled due to the uncertain political climate in the Middle East. That and bloody ash clouds previously, one day we will holiday with the Ocampo's, one day...
TangoUK - We attended Steve Morell's weekend musicality class in Bramshaw. They have now a new studio totally dedicated to Tango dancing, quite a slick operation. I sort of understand musicality now, some may beg to differ mind.
April - June
June
Mariano and Cosima Diaz Campos - We opted for a Tango Holiday in Greece this year, organised by a Dutch professional Tango couple. It wasn't on anyone's radar but we found it through the Internet and jolly good we did too. Please see the report I did on them in July. Would I go with them again? Youbetya.
July - September
August
Tango Berlin Trip - I organised another trip again on the August Bank Holiday for mainly the La Mariposa crowd. There were a bit too many ladies and not enough fellas wanting to go, but all-in-all, everyone seemed to have a good time. We met as usual in Berlin on the Friday at a restaurant and then went to a Tango club that evening. I remember that we found a ladies tango shoe shop and it gave us the low down on what-was-hot and what-was-not , Tango-scene wise. Some of the Tango venues were not as advertised on the Internet, more through leaflets etc which proved effective. It was also extremely hot in Berlin this time. We spent a lot of time over the weekend at a place called Tango Loft, which seemed to be open all the time! I wish there was a Tango Loft in London...
September
The Complete Beginners Argentine Tango Workshop - Kymme and mine's first foray into teaching. Scary! But great, loved it.
October - December
October
Jive Addiction (Hemsby): They had a Tango slot, still in the same vein as previous (the classes still too early Sunday morning etc, will they ever learn) and a lot more interest in the Milonga's than I thought they would. It's still attracting the MJ element, but in that unsure halfway-house bit between being good at MJ but not too good at Tango to completely go all-out to a tango venue.
La Mariposa: Alan Wallace took the venue from 3 Sundays a month to EVERY Sunday, and also extended the hours of opening to counter the new competition from the Boat, La Pavatita and other Sunday ventures emerging. LaM seemed to be as popular as ever, but with a changing clientele, people coming then not coming again, new people trying the place out. Their new venture was to concentrate on providing Tango lessons for beginners, which seems to have been successful.
November
Santiago and Sandra Monticelli - There was a new kid in town, and, thank God, they opened up a venue in the Siberia of AT - the South East of London (Beckenham).
At last, a quality venue that I don't need to travel across busy London to get to, it's just down the road from me. I can't believe how good these two are. I have never been so challenged as to what they put me through, and I will be attending more of their classes in the months to come.
Who is Santiago? Well, do you remember a showcase on Strictly Come Dancing where Flavia had to dance with three fellas? There was Vincent, another bloke, and, well, Santiago. He's a real find.
December
Tango on Strictly Come Dancing 2011 - Jason Donovan doing moves that were supposed to be Argentine Tango left me open mouthed in amazement, followed by my hysterical laughter at him actually getting 40 out of 40 from the, er, Judges. Complete nonsense. Vincent, Flavia, have a word will ya...surely to God you both must cringe...
Facebook - I raised a couple of issues that seemed to have caught people's imaginations: 'Women asking men to dance' which produced a response of replies mainly from women not totally agreeing with how traditional tango was being fair to them and, the Cortina songbook which showed the versatility of people's minds on what could be the most oddest of Cortinas there were possible.
Final Thoughts
Ceroc - It seems Ceroc in Southport has become established as the home for their take on Argentine Tango. I wouldn't know what it is like though as I still haven't been to a Southport run by Ceroc, and probably never will. Ceroc in Bromley is now so few of numbers, it is possible to practice my Tango moves at the venue mid-week without disturbing others. They sometimes even play Tango music (of sorts) for us.
Rising stars - Warren (aka DanceInspired) has seemed this year to have cornered the complete beginners Argentine Tango market in the South of England. He is also putting on weekenders that more serious AT dancers would be interested in. He's got into bed with Ceroc (a good thing? Only time will tell...) and has now become a well-established name at Negrachas, not forgetting Rock Bottoms as well. I doff my hat old son, you're going for it. Let's hope you make some serious money from your endeavours...
And 2012... Hev is venturing again with her Rock Bottoms Tango in Torquay - I wish I was going but I can't afford the time or cost, sorry Hev (again). Warren is doing TangoBootCamp Ardingly in June, must be worth a visit, and I'm going to try and avoid the Olympics where ever possible.
- Ken Royden, 21st December 2011