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Alma Del Tango’s “Tango Dreamscapes”
Debuts on Valentine’s Weekend

January 31, 2015 in Press & Media

Dream adventures come to life through a surrealistic tour of the Argentine Tango in this annual student production and fundraiser, conceived and directed by Debbie Goodwin.

You will meet the “sneak thief” in pursuit of the tango fairy; the wannabe artist who dreams of dancing off with his muse, the accordion-playing hobo who imagines winning the affections of the gorgeous society lady, two friends who are lost in nostalgia for the romantic days gone by when they danced the tango in Milongas all over town.

Pamela Shreeve and Michele Richards in Alma del Tango's Tango Dreamscapes

Pamela Shreeve, the Tango Fairy with Michele Richards, the Sneak Thief.

William Zemsky and Sylvia Flores portray Picasso and his muse in Tango Dreamscapes, a student production in Marin

William Zemsky as Picasso with Sylvia Flores, his muse

Tango dancers Tanja Obear and Mark Anderson perform in Alma del Tango's Tango Dreamscapes

Mark Anderson, street musician, and Tanja Obear,  his object of desire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two pieces have been choreographed for women only. “Pretty Feet” showcases the intricate footwork a follower must master, and “Femme Fatale” is a slightly noir ensemble dance with the dancers wearing masks.

Beautiful shoes worn by followers in Pretty Feet, a dance choreographed for women in Tango Dreamscapes

Focus is on intricate footwork in Pretty Feet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Musical performances and guest artists
Choreographed by Debbie Goodwin, Rose Vierling and John Campbell, and danced by 18 members of the Marin Argentine Tango community, Tango Dreamscapes also features musical numbers from dancers William Zemsky on guitar, Mark Anderson on accordion and Christianna Valentina, a professional vocalist/pianist.  Ms. Valentina will be partnered by John Campbell, a professional dancer and co-founder of Alma del Tango.

Guest artists Debbie Goodwin, Rose Vierling and Erin Malley from the all-women  company Tango Con*Fusion and the new Debbie Goodwin Dance Company, will perform a new work.

Performances and Tickets:

Treat your Valentine to a romantic evening (or afternoon) of  tango fantasy:
•   When:  Friday and Saturday, Feb. 13 and 14 at 7:00 & 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, 2  & 3:30 p.m.
Show runs 1 hour.
•   Where:  Alma del Tango, 167 Tunstead Ave., San Anselmo, CA
•    Tickets:  In advance $20 general seating; $25 premium.  Available at almadeltango.org. Or call 800-838-3006. $25 and $30 at the door, if available.
•    Proceeds will benefit Alma del Tango, a Marin-based non-profit dedicated to encouraging artistic expression and the development of community through Argentine Tango.

Conceived and directed by Debbie Goodwin

Headshot of director/choreographerDebbie Goodwin, director/choreographer, Debbie Goodwin Dance Company

Debbie Goodwin, director/choreographer of Tango Dreamscapes

An accomplished tango dancer/choreographer and teacher living in Marin, Ms. Goodwin has immersed herself in Argentine Tango culture for the past 18 years. Tango Dreamscapes is rooted in her ethnological research of tango communities, the topic of her master’s project in dance from CSU Sacramento, and her continued interest in the profound effects tango plays in the lives of those who enter into this culture.

About Alma del Tango
Alma del Tango is a non-profit 501(c3) organization dedicated to encouraging artistic expression and the development of community through Argentine Tango. Under ADT’s umbrella, Debbie Goodwin and John Campbell bring dance classes, lecture demonstrations and performances to the Marin community. Also under its auspices are the all-women’s dance company Tango Con*Fusion,  Debbie Goodwin Dance Company, Alma Video and Seth Asarno y su Sexteto Tipico.  For more information: almadeltango.com

For additional photos and interviews with Artistic Director Debbie Goodwin
contact:
Lanny Udell
(415) 459-8966
press@almadeltango.org

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Alma del Tango Celebrates Bay Area Dance Week with free events

April 9, 2014 in General News, Press & Media

Free performance of Tango Magic – The Spell is Cast
plus, free introductory Argentine Tango classTango Magic - the spell is cast

To coincide with the Bay Area celebration of National Dance Week,
April 25 – May 4, Alma del Tango will open its San Anselmo studio
to dance lovers on May 4 with a free performance of their student
production, Tango Magic –The Spell is Cast.  The show, featuring
intermediate/advanced students from the Marin tango community
along with guest artists, debuted in February 2014.

Tango Magic explores the magical moments of the dance … that unspoken connection between partners, the music and the movement. Conceived and directed by Debbie Goodwin with choreography by Ms. Goodwin and Rose Vierling; script by Lanny Udell and Jonathan Cutler.

Where:  Alma del Tango, 167 Tunstead Ave., San Anselmo, 94960
When:  Sunday, May 4, 2 p.m. – Sold out!
Tickets: Reserve here
Limited seating: only 50 tickets available.

A second performance will take place at 3:30 p.m. with tickets at $25 and $20. Proceeds will benefit Alma del Tango, a Marin-based non-profit dedicated to encouraging artistic expression and the development of community through Argentine Tango.
Purchase tickets here

Free class – Introduction to Argentine Tango

Rose Vierling, Alma del Tango instructor

Rose Vierling & David Caditz in Close Embrace: A Tango Love Story

Enter the captivating world of the Argentine Tango. In this introductory class with instructor Rose Vierling of Alma del Tango Studio, you will begin to learn to move like a tanguero(a); to embrace and walk the Argentine way; and to navigate the social dance floor. You’ll even practice the particularities of Argentine Tango etiquette. Partners are welcome, but not necessary. Please wear leather or suede sole shoes.

Where: Alma del Tango, 167 Tunstead Ave., San Anselmo, 94960
When: Tuesday, April 29, 7:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Admission: Free
Register here

Click here for a full schedule of Alma del Tango classes and events.

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Fundraiser to Benefit Alex Levin Recovery Fund

April 1, 2013 in General News, Press & Media

Alma del Tango hosts a benefit milonga
in support of Marin resident/tango dancer hit by car    

Friday, April 5 at Alma del Tango Studio, San Anselmo

            (San Anselmo, CA, April 1) The Marin tango community comes together in support of one of its own at a fundraiser to benefit the Alex Levin Recovery Fund. Levin, a San Rafael resident, was struck by a car while traveling in Vladivostok and remains in critical condition in a Russian hospital.

Alex & Karina dancing at La Milonga de San Anelmo July 2012

Alex & Karina dancing at La Milonga de San Anselmo July 2012

 

What:  Milonga (tango social dance) and silent auction fundraiser hosted by Alma del Tango
When:  Friday, April 5. Class by Debbie Goodwin & John Campell (levels 2-4) at 7 pm.
Dancing  8-11 pm. DJ Ashvin Iyer.
Where: Alma del Tango studio, 167 Tunstead Ave., San Anselmo
Ticket price: $15 minimum donation.  All proceeds go to the Alex Levin Fund.

Jessica Lewin, a friend of Levin and his wife Karina, will match all donations during the evening benefit dollar for dollar, up to $1,000.

Silent Auction features private lessons from Bay Area professionals

To show their support, several tango professionals are offering private lessons in a silent auction with proceeds donated to the Alex Levin Recovery Fund. Exciting auction items include:

•    Two tickets to El Arrabal for the May 4 milonga. Includes a 1 ½ hour workshop with Eduardo Saucedo, the milonga with music by Seth Asarnow y Su Sexteto Tipico, and a table for two with a bottle of champagne. From Steve & JoAnn Palubinskas & Adolfo Caszarry.
•    Alexander Technique lesson for tango dancers, from Janet Lott.
•    Private Tango Classes from:
–  Christopher Nassopoulos & Caroline Peattie
–  Pier Voulkos  & Daniel Peters
–  Debbie Goodwin
–  John Campbell
–  Jonathan Yamauchi  & Olivia Levitt
–  David Caditz & Lulu Hung
–  Donna Agoitia
– Homer Ladas

 About Alex & Karina Levin

Alex & Karina dancing in Tango Tales Feb 2012

Alex & Karina dancing in Tango Tales Feb 2012

Alex & Karina Levin, one of Marin’s favorite tango couples, are a joy to watch and a dream to dance with. Born in Russia, Alex and Karina emigrated to the U.S. in 1995. In 1999, they read a newspaper article about Argentine Tango and their passion for the dance was ignited. They began taking lessons, first with John Campbell and other leading Bay Area instructors. Then they made two trips to Buenos Aires to study the classic milonguero style as danced in the salons of central Buenos Aires. This style stresses the improvisational nature of tango and the connection between partners. Alex and Karina enjoy social dancing with emphasis on musicality. “We just love it,” says Karina. In addition to frequenting the milongas, the couple has been known to play a diSarli CD and dance in their kitchen.

Here,  Alex & Karina dance in a featured piece in Tango Tales 2012 produced by Alma del Tango.

 To make an online donation to the Alex Levin Recovery Fund visit www.gofundme.com/2f6zq4
For event information visit our Facebook page

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A Tango Love Story in Marin by Maika Higgins

December 11, 2012 in Press & Media

The following article is from SF Loves Tango website by Maika Higgins

A Tango Love Story in Marin

December 10, 2012

While most of us are in the midst of shopping for the Holidays, Alma del Tango is in the middle of preparing for their next Tango production: “Close Embrace, A Tango Love Story”.

The production follows the story of a romance fiction writer who is working on a novel about a woman’s journey through love, heartbreak and healing. Her character travels to Buenos Aires to immerse herself in tango and leave the drama of her break up behind.”  (Doesn’t this sounds familiar?)  The story is written by Lanny Udell & Jonathan Cutler and directed and choreographed by Debbie Goodwin.

Tanya Rohklin and Jose Orellana, regular students at Alma del Tango, play the lead roles. Guest artists include a few of our favorite local dancers and teachers:  Daniel Peters, David Caditz and Rose Vierling.  Debbie Goodwin and John Campbell will also make an appearance. This is sure to be a treat.

You may be asking yourself what is Alma del Tango, well…

Alma del Tango is a non-profit organization started by Debbie Goodwin and John Campbell in 1996. The organization is dedicated to encouraging artistic expression and the development of community through Argentine Tango.  Quite fittingly, “Alma del Tango” translates to heart or soul of Tango.  Debbie and John, along with putting on an annual student dance production, teach beginner to advanced classes plus host a weekly practica and a monthly milonga, all in Marin County, California.

Alma del Tango is also the umbrella organization for several note worthy Tango projects such as “TangoCalifia” that hosts milongas in public locations around San Francisco, the all-women Tango group, “Tango Con*Fusión” and most recently “Seth Asarnow y Su Sexteto Tipico“, one of the Bay Area’s most popular Tango orchestras. I highly recommend visiting their website for more information on all of Alma del Tango’s activities.  Plus, on the site they post video clips from their advanced classes demonstrating very fun patterns.

Seth Asarnow y Su Sexteto Tipico.
Photo by Peter Ivory

One of the things I like most about Alma del Tango, is that through their annual student dance productions they offer dancers the opportunity to perform, greatly increasing their confidence and skills.  One cannot help but improve with regular practice and a focused goal.  Performing on a stage can be quite frightening,  but for those who attempt it, it’s a life changing experience.  These tango productions are also a great way to educate the larger community about Argentine Tango and perhaps even inspire a few people to try it themselves.

If you have not seen one of their productions yet,  or cant’ wait to see another one, take advantage of the special pre-Sale Ticket rate of only $15 happening until December 15th.  Tip: The Valentines Day show makes for a great date.

Performance dates are Feb 14-16, 2013 at 8pm and Feb 17, 2013 at 2pm

Pre-Sale Tickets: $15 until December 15th.  Click here to purchase discounted ticktets now!

$20 In Advance, $25 at door if available

Location of Production:
Drake Little Theater
1327 Sir Francis Drake Blvd
San Anselmo, Ca 94960

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Seth Asarnow y Su Sexteto Tipico Join Alma del Tango

November 11, 2012 in Press & Media

Marin’s premier nonprofit dedicated to Argentine Tango

(San Anselmo, CA, November 12, 2012) Alma del Tango, a Marin County nonprofit based in San Anselmo, is pleased to announce that Seth Asarnow y Su Sexteto Tipico has come under the organization’s auspices.

Seth Asarnow y Su SextetoTipico

Seth Asarnow y Su SextetoTipico
Photo by Peter Ivory

A Marin native and resident, Asarnow is considered one of the best bandoneon players in the country, and his sextet is frequently seen and heard playing at tango venues throughout the Bay Area.”I consider myself a tango musician, not just a musician who plays tango,” he says.

Keeping the Golden Age of Tango Alive
Asarnow endeavors to reproduce the sound and style of tango orchestras that were popular during the Golden Age of Tango — the 1930′s to 1950′s. “These days very few musicians have the ability or desire to play in this style,” he says. “I’m trying to preserve an amazing style of music in its original form.”

After seeing the  show Tango Argentino in 1986, Asarnow was drawn to the bandoneon and its soulful, melancholic sound. The bandoneon, a type of large concertina, was developed in Germany and brought to Argentina by emigrants at the turn of the 20th Century where it became the essential instrument in tango ensembles. He describes the instrument as unusual, with many quirky features that give it a distinct and endearing personality. “Those qualities, along with its mournful, evocative sound are what make it so captivating,” the maestro explains.

Asarnow is happy to be associated with and support the other groups under the Alma delTango umbrella. His goal is to raise funds to expand the sextet to an Orquesta Tipica which usually has 10 to 12 musicians including a string section, three or more bandoneons, piano and bass.

“I’m excited to have Seth and his Sexteto as part of Alma del Tango,” says board president
Debbie Goodwin. “Music drives the dance, and live music takes the experience to a whole
new level.”

Debbie Goodwin & John Campbell

Debbie Goodwin & John Campbell, founders of Alma del Tango, the Marin-  nonprofit.
Photo by Alli Novack

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About Alma del Tango

Alma del Tango is a nonprofit 501c(3) organization dedicated to encouraging artistic expression and the development of community through Argentine Tango. Started by dancer/choreographer Debbie Goodwin and tango dancer John Campbell in 1966 under the name Social Dance Cultures, the organization is now doing business as Alma del Tango, translated Soul of the Tango. In addition to offering tango classes and events, Alma del Tango is the umbrella organization for the all-women’s company Tango Con*Fusion, Alma Video, Debbie Goodwin Dance, Tango Califia, and now Seth Asarnow y Su Sexteto Tipico.

For more information: www.almadeltango.org

 Media contact: Lanny Udell
(415)459-8966
lanny_udell@comcast.net

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Call For Tango Dancers: Close Embrace, A Tango Love Story

July 9, 2012 in General News, Press & Media

Close Embrace: A Tango Love Story follows the story of a romance fiction writer who is working on a novel about a woman’s journey through love, heartbreak and healing. Her character travels to Buenos Aires to immerse herself in tango and leave the drama of her break up behind. Written by Lanny Udell & Jonathan Cutler. Directed and Choreographed by Debbie Goodwin.

Please read more about Close Embrace in the articles below. If you are interested in joining the cast or still have questions, please phone 415-482-7588 or contact Debbie. The adventure begins this September 2012 and will culminate on Feb 14-17, 2013!

Debbie and John are a treasure in the Marin tango community! Their commitment and generosity as teachers is deeply heart-felt. Their love, passion, and dedication to the art of tango is inspirational and contagious!  Their teaching style is fun and playful! Participating in their student production is an absolute blast! Through my participation in their student production, All About Tango, my dancing and technique improved immensely. The experience got me out dancing several times a week and connected with the local tango community. I definitely recommend studying with them, attending their various tango events, and participating in their student production! – Kat Sun

Continue Reading →

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Social Dance Cultures names two new board members

December 1, 2011 in Press & Media

The Marin-based nonprofit is dedicated to encouraging and supporting dance as a means of developing community.

(December 1, 2011, San Anselmo, CA) Social Dance Cultures, a nonprofit organization focused on endeavors related specifically to Argentine Tango, welcomes Peter Ivory and Lanny Udell to its Board of Directors.

A cinematographer and photographer, Ivory has been dancing Argentine Tango for over eight years and has been active in the tango community in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. “I am joining the board because I feel that the tango community can benefit from the visual representation of the dance,” says Ivory. Udell, a San Rafael-based marketing writer and consultant, has been studying tango for four years. She looks forward to assisting with the marketing and PR efforts of Social Dance Cultures. “I am thrilled to be working with Debbie Goodwin and the other board members to bring the passion of tango to a broader community through performances, classes and video,” she says.

We are very excited to have Lanny and Peter joining the Social Dance Cultures Board, says Goodwin. “Being a part of the Argentine Tango scene in Marin, they understand the profound impact this dance has in one’s life, how it creates a deeper connection with others and within oneself. Their ideas, enthusiasm and skills are engaging and we are already seeing the effects in our budding community!”

Also serving on the board are John Campbell, treasurer, and Terence Clark, secretary.

About Social Dance Cultures

Social Dance Cultures is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit dedicated to encouraging and supporting dance as a means of developing community. Social Dance Cultures serves as the umbrella organization for several worthy groups. The all-women dance company Tango Con*Fusión explores gender roles and interpersonal relationships through performance of modern dance pieces informed by the themes of Argentine Tango. Alma Del Tango brings dance classes, lecture demonstrations and performances to the Marin County community. TangoCalifia supports scholarships for dance education and free public social dances in San Francisco. Alma Video Productions engages in documenting dance performances that would otherwise disappear with the fading sounds of the last note of music. The organization also assists other artists in their dance-related film or video projects by providing equipment and technical assistance.

Media Contact:
Lanny Udell
415-459-8966
lanny_udell@comcast.net

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