[Tango] Tango this week with Lois

[Lois Donnay]

Milonga Month continues! We have been doing some fun and valuable things.
People are dancing so much better! We've been having a lot of fun in all the
classes, and have been adding in embellishments. Last week was leader's,
this week will be for followers. Yes, Saturday classes at 10AM are milonga
as well. Even the following for leaders!

Milonga Martes - Last week's party had both deviled eggs and ham - reminds
me of the time Mark Jefferis asked the class if they were hungry, then asked
me if I could make breakfast - which I did! Tonight we may have cake,
because my birthday is tomorrow.

Saturday: It's Black Dog time! Unfortunately, hard times are making the
Black Dog close at 11 again (we're continuing to push it), so we'll reduce
the price to $4. That includes the lesson.  7:30 lesson, dance 8 to 11PM 308
Prince St, St Paul (across from the Farmers Market). The floor is much
better now.  Be generous! Come and help the new people with the lesson!

Swing/Tango Fusion with Steve Lee and Lois: We'll start Wednesday, February
25th at 8.  Steve calls this Westtango. You need to have experience with
both West Coast Swing and Tango for this class. Cost: $75 for 5 classes, or
$20 each.

Lois Donnay
www.mndance.com
612.822.8436

More TSOM History
I hope some of you got to see the history area of the TSoM gala last
Saturday. I know that Lisa Thurstin did a great job (I didn't see it - by
the time I got there it was closed), as she did on so many other aspects of
the evening. She really worked hard to make the evening "a gift to the
members", as she told me.

When I was president in the early days of TSoM, we had very little money, so
I was delighted when I found the 42nd Ave Ballroom, a very nice, big place
that would only charge us $2/person. We charged $5 admission, so that left
us with a potential profit!  Plus, they let us have our dances from 9 to 3AM
(we wanted to be like Buenos Aires); and they had a kitchen, tall ceilings,
nice floor and plenty of free parking. The neighborhood wasn't great, but
the area was well-patrolled and the Camden Area Council loved us and helped
us whenever they could. Things were great, except for the uneven heating and
cooling and the coffee shop underneath, who for some reason didn't like the
ballroom. But no place is perfect!

One night, about 11PM, we got a taste of what it meant to be in a safe
neighborhood.  I was in the middle of a lovely dance when Lisa Eriksson, who
was manning the door, came running up to us, saying "Lois, come here right
away!" Now it is well-known that it is not right at all to interrupt a
couple right in the middle of a dance, but I got over my irritation when she
said "the police are here!"

Yes, there in the lobby were 8 or so  (it seemed like a lot) of our city's
finest, complete with all the frightening armament - definitely not helping
the mood of our dance. By the time I approached them, they had already been
told who we were and what we were doing. So they explained to us that
someone had told them some kids had broken in and were having a "rave". But
they could tell we were pretty sedate and not much of a threat, and were
really nice and apologetic for upsetting us.

Of course, I did leave them all with literature, and an offer to come back.
In different attire, of course. 

P.S. It was Mike Helffrich who found Mears Park for our outdoor milongas,
and came up with the lawn (sand) spreader idea. He also reminded me that the
cost and trouble of hauling the sound system was the main reason they
stopped. You can only ask so much from volunteers!  Good news, though: Sea
Salt has expressed interest in sponsoring our outdoor milongas again this
summer!
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