Tango and Shakespeare Meet in San Diego with TANGOCENTRIC

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

San Diego Tango

Our friends over at TANGOCENTRIC are hosting a unique event here in San Diego.  

The TANGOCENTRIC Dance Project will have a special lecture/workshop on how Tango and Shakespeare fit together so perfectly.

Alex Sandie, President of the San Diego Shakespeare Society, will share his unique expertise in the area of theatre. Passion, love, and betrayal will be the focus of “Shakespeare and Tango.”

This program is open to all levels of dancers and dance enthusiasts.

For more information please check out the RSVP page at the San Diego Salsa and Latin Dancing Meetup Group. 

 

“Forever Tango” Dancers to Host Workshop in San Diego

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

 

Our friends at Tango Caminito contacted me recently about an exciting event coming to San Diego.  Cristian Cisneros and Virginia Porrino from “Forever Tango” fame will be hosting a Tango Workshop here in San Diego this weekend.  If you are not familiar with the dancers I’ve attached this video of them dancing in past performance at the beginning of this post.

The event will be held at Champion Ballroom Academy ( 3580 5th Avenue, downtown San Diego) and runs all weekend long beginning with a performance on Friday at 9pm.

The tango dance workshop schedule is as follows:

TANGO WORKSHOP: 
OCTOBER 25, Saturday

1: 00 pm to  2 :00  –  SACADAS Y SECUENCIAS

2: 15 pm to  3:15  –   DIFERENTES BARRIDAS 

3 : 30 pm to 4:30  –   MILONGA LISA
                                   

OCTOBER 26, Sunday
1: 00 pm –  2:00 – MILONGA CON TRASPIÉ
2: 15 pm – 3:15  –  ADORNOS FOR MEN AND WOMEN
3:30 pm – 4:30  –  GIROS Y CAMINADAS

5 pm to 7 pm – PRACTICE. MILONGA. SHOW with CHRISTIAN and VIRGINIA,
(additional $ 5 per person). 

For pricing information and any questions please contact Elena at 760-728-7185

I’ll leave you with another video of Cristian Cisneros and Virginia Porrino.  Enjoy!

 

Be a Part of Tango’s New Direction with TANGOCENTRIC

Saturday, July 26, 2008

TANGOCENTRIC AUDITION FLYER

Tango dancing has moved in many new directions over the last few years.  Here in San Diego a unique dance ensemble called TANGOCENTRIC is making its mark on the dance scene.

TANGOCENTRIC  originated with 6 talented dancers under the direction of Susan Lake .

Experimenting with Jazz, Ballet, and contemporary techniques, this innovative dance company is pushing the boundaries of what we all know as tango.  Definitely not for the weak of heart, the challenging choreographies break the traditional look of what we have accepted as tango dancing today.

Saturday morning on August 9th, the first TANGOCENTRIC dance auditions will take place as the company continues to find its place in the theatrical dance community.  For anyone wanting to expand their dance experience, this would be a dance "must" according to Susan Lake, director of TANGOCENTRIC.

To find out more information and to RSVP for the audition please visit the San Diego Salsa and Latin Dancing Meetup Group.

Ritmo Bello Interview with Tango Producer Susan Lake and TANGOCENTRIC

Saturday, July 5, 2008

As the Main organizer for the San Diego Salsa and Latin Dancing Meetup Group I have the honor of meeting dance professionals from all genres of the Latin dance world.

Here in San Diego the dance community is particularly privileged to have one such professional from the Tango world helping keep the dance alive.

Susan Lake from Susan Lake Productions recently sat down with me for an interview to discuss tango dance and music here in San Diego, California. Below is the article. Enjoy!

________________________

Ritmo Bello: Hi Susan, thanks for taking the time to address the Ritmo Bello audience. What is the focus of your organization in relation to the San Diego Dance community?

Susan Lake: My company, SUSAN LAKE PRODUCTIONS, has always been about bringing to San Diego the best information on dance. 10 years ago, I created the TANGO BALL which served as an arena for not only some of the best tango performers in the world, but became the beginning roots of dance fusion in San Diego. As the Artistic Director for TANGOCENTRIC , a performing tango dance ensemble, I have opened the door to experimental dance using tango as the dramatic center of the choreography. At present I am conducting workshops in San Diego for performers and advanced dance companies who wish to integrate tango into their own particular dance styles.

Ritmo Bello: What are the origins of your production company?

Susan Lake: I am originally from New York City, Where I attended Hartt College of Music. When I came to San Diego I became part owner of Mac Vitties Dance Studio. After selling the studio, I started a dance company called TANGO LAGO. I organized dance classes, brought guest artists to San Diego conducted educational tours to Argentina for the study of tango and eventually originated the longest running event of its kind, the TANGO BALL. At present my company is called SUSAN LAKE PRODUCTIONS and my career has led me into the areas of Producer, Director, Project Developer and lecturer.

Ritmo Bello: A question I often get from my audience deals with identifying what is and is not Tango. What is Tango? How do you know if a piece of music is tango or not?

Susan Lake: The dance tango, has its origins in Argentina. It is the result of immigrants from Europe coming together in a time in history when people were being displaced from the countries they once called home. The dance tells the stories of humanity and its stuggle for an identity.

As far as tango music is concerned, yes there is music that is considered traditional tango music and is commonly identified by the sound of the bandoneon . However, today tango is danced to everything from jazz to symphonic music and electronic sounds.

Ritmo Bello: What is the difference between American and Argentine tango?

Susan Lake: One of the most distinct differences is the use of the legs. Secondly is the embrace or what is commonly known as the dance frame. One of the unique and beautiful aspects of Argentine tango is the use of the "pause", which significantly adds to the drama or "tension" of the dance. It is very typical to watch American style tango and be able identify "set" patterns. In Argentine tango, the combinations are endless and it is common to observe that everyone is creating their own story through the dance itself!

Ritmo Bello: I heard you mention earlier that you have a new performing ensemble called TANGOCENTRIC. Could you tell me a little bit about what that is all about?

Susan Lake: Yes, I started TANGOCENTRIC a year and a half ago. It is an experimental dance ensemble that incorporates different dance styles in the choreography. They have performed locally at several different venues and we are currently working on a unique Tango program.

Ritmo Bello: Do you have contact information in case anyone from the Ritmo Bello audience wants to contact you?

Susan Lake: Yes. As I am now an organizer on the San Diego Salsa and Latin Dancing Meetup Group and will continue hosting Tango events for the group’s members. I will also be available to anyone who may have tango questions. You can e-mail me at susanlakeproductions@gmail.com and you can reach me at 888-796-9670.

Ritmo Bello: Susan Lake, Thank you so much for your time and I hope to attend some of your Tango events in the future.

Susan Lake: My pleasure John.  Hope to see you at one of my upcoming events!

New Ritmo Bello website to launch soon!

Friday, June 13, 2008

If you follow me on Twitter you know that I’ve been busy planning a new upgrade to Ritmo Bello. I’ve provided a preview of the new website here in the picture I posted. The concept of Ritmo Bello has always been to provide quality, relevant information to anyone interested in learning more about the Latin dance scene here in San Diego, California.

I’ve received multiple emails since the inception of the site for more Latin dance information related to dances such as Argentine tango, samba, cha cha, merengue and everything else you could imagine aside from the general interest in salsa. The initial focus on San Diego salsa dancing has been great for Ritmo Bello, but the time is right to expand out to all forms of Latin dance.

Starting on July 1st, 2008, Ritmo Bello will have a new look to match the new focus on all types of Latin dance here in San Diego. Salsa dance information will still be found here, but you’ll start noticing more of an openness to posts regarding other local Latin dance events.

If you subscribe to Ritmo Bello please note that the feed changes permanently on July 1st. The new feed can be accessed on this RSS Feed for the new Ritmo Bello. Make sure to subscribe to the new feed before July 1st in order to not miss any posts.

If anyone has any questions or ideas for the new revised site don’t hesitate to email me at bello_jf@ritmobello.com . I’m always open to new ways to improve the website and want to make sure I provide information you are all interested in seeing.

Thanks for all your support and I look forward to providing even more dance information for the San Diego dance community.

John ;-)

Tango Dancing Performance Next Week 1/25/08!

Friday, January 18, 2008


Hello Everyone,

I have some information to share with you regarding a Tango event next week. On 1/25/08 – Tango Fire will be having a performance in San Diego. Tango Fire is the hit dance production by Estampas Porteñas–the hottest Tango company in Buenos Aires–combining the fabulous music of Astor Piazzolla with show-stopping choreography.

This performance will take place Friday, January 25, 2008 at 8pm at Stephen & Mary Birch North Park Theatre. Tickets may be purchased by visiting the La Jolla Music Society or by calling the box office at (858) 459-3728.

The La Jolla Music Society describes it like this:

Featuring a quartet of brilliant young musicians, passionate dancers and a great singer, Tango Fire takes the audience on a sizzling journey through the world of Tango from the red light district of Buenos Aires to the glamour of the Roaring Twenties. Combining the fabulous music of Astor Piazzolla with show-stopping choreography, Tango Fire has captivated audiences throughout Europe, Australia, Asia and the Americas.

Anyone that might go the event please come back and write a comment about it. Thanks!!

John F. Bello

Meet John ;-)

Found useful information here? Please Donate to Ritmo Bello

SD Dance Venues
Live View from Pacific Beach CA in San Diego
Scan This Bar Code for Ritmo Bello Contact Info!
San Diego Salsa Bachata Festival
BlackWhiteParty
Advertise with Ritmo Bello
Catholic Answers
Advertise with Ritmo Bello
Jesus Christ God's son Savior