[Tango] Tango things this week

[Lois Donnay]

Today, Tuesday, AUGUST 28th  9 Nights of Music at the Minnesota History 
Center, downtown St. Paul, with Mandragora Tango. Tango lesson at 6:30 with 
Lois Donnay, then dancing to the great music of Mandragora Tango, 
Minnesota's only live tango orchestra. That means, of course, that the 
beginning lesson at Old Arizona is cancelled this week.  So come to St. Paul 
and get a lesson, and help promote tango to a whole new group of people! 
Then it's back to Old Arizona for the Intermediate lesson at 8.

Tuesday night is the "third place milonga": food and drink, highly 
accessible,  involve regulars - those who habitually congregate there; 
welcoming and comfortable; both new friends and old. 9:30 PM, THIS WEEK (Aug 
28th) - CHANGE OF VENUE!
Victoria has offered to host the party, and we'll be dancing outside! She's 
just a few blocks south on 1st Ave. on 4735 1st Ave. SO, 55408. Listen for 
the tango music.

We have heard the sad news this week that Matty B's has decided to cancel 
their Thursday milonga. This is always such unwelcome news - we work so hard 
to find places for us all to dance. I even give up a Thursday lesson to help 
Babalu's and Mandragora promote their monthly dance, and offer free dance 
lessons to any staff of a place that offers to let us dance. So I will again 
repeat my lecture to the dance community:
We all know that it is important to buy dinner/drinks to support the venue, 
but don't forget one other thing - Be Nice. When we are using someone else's 
nice floor and sound system, try to think of yourself as less of a customer 
and more of a guest. That means - Clean up after yourself. Don't complain to 
the staff about the floor space, floor condition, music volume, selection, 
etc. Remember that they are used to folks who keep their seats and don't 
care about music.   Keep your dancer's paraphernalia (shoes, music, extra 
shirts, towels, coats, literature) contained and not in pathways or too 
visible. Be extra nice to the hostess, bartenders, staff, owners...and don't 
forget each other. And show up. It is better for you to be there and not buy 
much than not be there. The buzz of a lot of people makes it fun for us, the 
owner, and the staff.

Coming Up: Thursday, September 7th - Babalu's Passport to Buenos Aires 
Milonga.  Lesson at 7. dancing 8 to 11 or so to Mandragora Tango Orchestra.

I'm sure most of you heard Bob Barnes gave a fabulous workshop on tango 
music last weekend - what was supposed to last 1.5 hours went for 2.5, and 
we didn't even get it all in. So I am working with Bob to repeat it. I'll 
keep you posted.

Lois Donnay
www.mndance.com

> Schedule for tango lessons:
> Classes held at Old Arizona Studios, 2821 Nicollet Ave SO. 55408:
> Beginners 6:30 PM - Tuesdays (Intermediates welcome to come early)
> Intermediates - 8:00 PM Tuesdays

> Classes held at: 3142 1st Ave SO, Mpls, 55408:
> Beginners 10 AM Saturdays,
> Advanced - 8:00 PM Thursdays

> Cost is $14 per person per class