Tangocamp

Opening night @ Stenungsbaden

2010-06-18T17:32:00.001+02:00

Oh my god, what is this! This hotel that we’re in is something different. It’s on a hill, with view on the sea/lake, beach volley outside, and lots of light. The milongas take place on the sixth floor, which makes for a great panorama.

The first milonga on Thursday started with a baile de maestros and the fabulous Sexteto Milonguero.

It also featured the by now legendary parlando intro on Cafe Dominguez by Esteban. Something tells us we might be expected some Brazilian improvisation tonight, when the Sexteto plays again.

And then, of course there was a milonga, where the international crowd could meet with the Swedish locals. A very friendly bunch, as far as we can tell now.

Tangocamp behind the scenes

2010-06-17T22:27:00.001+02:00

The film crew here is very active, and have made some really nice ‘official’ trailers, but some of the material was a bit too chaotic to be shown in those. So they made a ‘behind the scenes’ video. Enjoy!

Tangocamp 2010 Italy Behind the scenes from DK Video Productions on Vimeo.

Teaser video: Tangocamp Italy

2010-06-17T10:00:00.000+02:00

Just like they did for Germany, the excellent video team (Georgios, Dimitris & Efi) has compiled a teaser video from the best shots of Tangocamp Italy.

Tangocamp 2010 Italy teaser from DK Video Productions on Vimeo.

Sunday performances @ Rome

2010-06-14T15:47:00.000+02:00

Sunday featured a ‘DJ battle’ between Peppe di Gennaro and Luca Lamberti, which was actually much more harmonious than it sounds.

The demos started with the Roman teacher couple Daniel Montano & Natalia Ochoa, with a powerful and dynamic exhibition.

Then came Javier & Andrea, displaying their mastery of the Villa Urquiza style.

The performances ended with the top of the bill Gustavo Naveira & Giselle Ann, who amused the crowd with their feeling for drama and delicate dancing.

And so the demos ended for Roma, and the floor filled with dancers for a lot more hours after that.

Saturday performances @ Rome

2010-06-13T23:02:00.000+02:00

On Saturday the DJ was not just a DJ, it was the Tango Groovemaster SuperSabino from Venice. With an excellent selection of tango songs and memorable cortinas from the 80’s he took the crowd on a wonderful tango trip from the evening until the morning.

Still, we also had some demonstrations from maestros around midnight. First came Mr Smooth Mazen Kiwan, from Lebanon, together with the gracious Maria Filali from Paris, doing their first show of the festival.

Then it was time for Esteban and Evelyn from Uruguay. They got a enthusiastic reaction from the crowd for their masterful display of musicality.

The last show was by Alejandra and Adrian, who not only danced with elegance and skill, but undoubtedly were the best dressed couple of the evening.

Friday performances @ Rome

2010-06-12T22:20:00.001+02:00

DJ on duty was Enzo Climaco from Naples and he certainly lived up to his nickname DJ Climax.

After some warm-up dancing Sexteto Milonguero started with a steaming set and made the crowd go bananas.

Sometimes unexpected performers joined in to add some (e.g. Uruguayan) flavor.

Then there was the baile de maestros, the introduction of the teachers, followed by the first demos of the festival.

The demo of special guests Loukas and Georgia from Athens, Greece was very well received.

Yanick & Eugenia demonstrated impeccable technique, a flair for drama and some acrobatic moves.

And then Diego ‘El Pajaro’ and Maria Belen took the floor with style, humor and a beautiful pregnant belly. Their last performance turned into a group dance with the Sexteto Milonguero and some innocent bystanders.

A great start of an even greater evening!

Teaser video: Tangocamp Germany

2010-06-10T22:44:00.000+02:00

Tangocamp also has a film crew, consisting of 3 brave Greeks dashing around with heavy cameras, tripod and lights. They try to capture some of the life at Tangocamp. The material from Germany resulted in the following video:

Tangocamp 2010 Germany Teaser from DK Video Productions on Vimeo.

Tangocamp Germany milongas

2010-06-07T23:45:00.000+02:00

Lest we forget, the Tangocamp experience is also lots and lots of dancing at excellent milongas in beautiful locations.

Check all the pictures in the Düsseldorf album!

Last performances @ Düsseldorf

2010-06-07T22:37:00.000+02:00

After four days of workshops, milongas and demonstrations Tangocamp Germany had to end, and to some extent, that’s a good thing because there’s a limit to the number of nights you can dance until 5AM.

The demos took place in the other room this evening, and I took a position on the 1st floor, which explains my bird-eye view at times.

Yanick & Eugenia danced 3 beautiful songs, of which the last one was very special both in the music and the acrobatic and theatrical moves.

Then Diego showed off his excellent milonguero skills, with the radiant and über-pregant Maria Belen. Their last song was really cute, with Diego pretending(!) to smoke and answering a phonecall in the middle.

After which people danced out their last drops of energy, before Monday, when normal life started again.

Saturday performances @ Düsseldorf

2010-06-06T14:44:00.003+02:00

After two days of awesome demos, Saturday couldn’t bring us any less, and it sure didn’t. First Frank Obregon & Jenny Gil from Venezuela, who had been visiting the festival for the last 3 days, got invited to do a small demo.

Then came the maestros from Uruguay, Esteban & Evelyn, with some dances that showed their impeccable sense of timing and beautiful musicality.

After that came Alejandra & Adrian, combining precision and originality with their abundant elegance. A worthy end of the Saturday demos!

Check out all the pictures on Tangocamp Germany Dusseldorf

Sexteto Milonguero on Friday

2010-06-05T15:46:00.001+02:00

Sexteto Milonguero was clearly enjoying themselves on stage yesterday, they played two memorable sets that kept us all dancing. The energy was flowing both in the band and on the dancefloor.

And if they were not crazy enough, at some point Esteban, Adrian and Diego joined in and made it really hard for Javier, the singer, to remain in control.

I even have a video of this chaotic outburst – should be coming later today.

Friday performances @ Düsseldorf

2010-06-05T14:35:00.002+02:00

When the crowd is there, you need to welcome them with a big event, and that is what Tangocamp and Tanzhaus nrw did on Friday: with a concert by Sexteto Milonguero (more about that later) and solo demos by some of the visiting maestros.

Jost Budde (Tanzhaus nrw) is proud to present the maestros.

The first demo was given by Loukas Balokas & Georgia Priskou from Greece. Energetic, inventive and much appreciated.

Next, Javier Rodriguez and Andrea Misse demonstrated their skills in the Villa Urquiza style.

And to conclude, Gustavo Naveira & Giselle Anne took the stage and showed why they’re so admired, showing both flawless technique and a lot of humor.

After that, it was time for the Tangocampers themselves to show off. So DJ Christos gave them just the music to do that.

Friday workshops @ Düsseldorf

2010-06-05T13:43:00.002+02:00

Friday is the day the big crowds arrive. People register, get a bracelet of the right color (depending on level and style: traditional/neo) and start looking for familiar faces and new shoes. Then at 19h the first workshops start: five maestro couples, five rooms and five groups of eager pupils. Tango immersion has started.

Opening night at Tangocamp Germany

2010-06-04T15:25:00.001+02:00

Yesterday the big tango rollercoaster that is Tangocamp started with a performance in Dusseldorf: a presentation of all the visiting maestros accompanied by the superb Sexteto Milonguero. The show was an impressive mixture of styles and colours, showing the skills of the maestros and whetting the appetite of those in the audience who take workshops in the following days. It ended with an explosive chacarera and a standing ovation.

Sexteto Milonguero

Gustavo Naveira & Giselle Anne

Adrian Veredice & Alejandra Hobert

Esteban Cortez & Evelyn Rivera

Javier Rodriguez & Andrea Missé

Diego Riemer & Maria Belén Giachello

Yanick Wyler & Eugenia Parrilla

Chacarera time!

Check the full album here: http://picasaweb.google.com/tangocamp2010/TangocampGermanyDusseldorf

Everything is taking place at the Tanzhaus nrw, a beautiful place with –from experience- a super terrace in the sun.

Saturday night performances

2009-06-28T13:32:00.003+02:00

On Saturday night Ozhan Araz & Serkan Gokcesu and Adrian Veredice & Alejandra Hobert gave performances.

What did you think about the performances? Please comment.

Saturday night milonga

2009-06-28T13:14:00.003+02:00

On Saturday Dj Sonja Armisen played nuevo tango on the large dance floor in the theater while traditional tango was played in the foyer by Don Carlos.
In the theater there were a huge video projection all the time. Very impressive.

What do you think about the Saturday night milonga? Do you prefer traditional tango or nuevo or do you enjoy both? Please comment.

Friday performances

2009-06-27T16:49:00.003+02:00

On Friday there were three performances: Gustavo Naveira & Giselle Anne, Javier Rodriguez & Stella Missé and Marcelo Gutiérrez & Sigrid van Tilbeurgh.

What was your favorite part of the Friday performances? Please comment.

Tango everywhere and at the square

2009-06-27T16:36:00.003+02:00

Halfway between the hotel Holiday Inn and Tanzhaus (just a 5-6 minute walk btw) there is a square where there is a pretty good pizza place if want to grab a quick meal between lessons.

Yesterday night I sat down there with the team who films and produces the Tangocamp DVD. After a while I realized: There is really tango music being played even here, it was not just in my head as I first thought.

Some local dancers had decided to have a "guerilla" milonga at the square. Really nice.

Do you also have "guerilla" milongas in your local tango scene? Please comment.

Friday night milonga

2009-06-27T15:18:00.003+02:00

Yesterday was the first big milonga night in Dusseldorf with two dance floors. The main room is built as a theater so beside the large dance floor (the stage) there is also plenty of space to get a good angle to watch the dancers.

Sexteto Milongero was playing right next to the dancers which gave the milonga an intimate feeling and a good contact between the dancers and the orchestra.

The dance floor was full with dancers all through the night.

What do you think of the Friday night milonga at Tanzhaus? Please comment.

Check in in Dusseldorf

2009-06-26T15:40:00.002+02:00

Right now check in is going on in Dusseldorf. The weather is so nice so it's done outside in the shade.

Tangoshow at Tanzhaus, Dusseldorf

2009-06-26T12:04:00.006+02:00

Yesterday the teachers of Tangocamp made a spectacular show at Tanzhaus in Dusseldorf. All the colors of the lighting added to the intensity in the performances. All the emotions that the performers are portraying became even stronger.

Everybody finds different things they like in the performances: I like like the high intensity and theatrical feel of Adrian Veredice & Alejandra Hobert, the playfulness of Pablo Villarraza & Dana Frigoli in a milonga, the precision in the steps that Javier Rodriguez & Stella Missé has.

I like the softness and sense of caring that I feel from Marcelo Gutiérrez & Sigrid van Tilbeurgh; how Gustavo Naveira & Giselle Anne has a physical and emotional connection between them and how they make every step look easy.

I like the different energy when two men dance together like Ozhan Araz & Serkan Gokcesu and I love the roundness and swirling feeling that Damian Esell & Nancy Louzan has.

The Tanzhaus was sold out and after the tango show the performers were given a standing ovation by the audience.

Were you at the tango show at Tanzhaus? What are the things you liked about it.? Please comment.

Rehearsal for the tango show

2009-06-25T14:04:00.001+02:00

Right now the rehearsal for tonights tango show in Tanshaus. Here is a few behind-the-scene shots. The first one is of Pablo Villarraza & Dana Frigoli from the side of the scene.

Adrian Veredice were giving out directions where and how everybody should move when they are all on stage.

Here's an overview from where the audience will sit.

Please comment.

Tangoshow at Tanzhaus with all the tango stars

2009-06-25T11:20:00.005+02:00

Tangocamp has arrived in Dusseldorf and tonight the festival will start at Tanzhaus with a big tango show that features all the tango stars that teach and perform at Tangocamp as well as the orchestra Sexteto Milongero.

I have really enjoyed all the performances so far and I really look forward to see the them again but now with the extra lights and more powerful sound that the stage brings.

In the photo you see Damian Esell & Nancy Louzan performing. Come see them and all the other tango stars tonight!

Whart are you looking forward most about the show tonight? Please comment.

Guest performance: Daniel & Anna

2009-06-22T19:10:00.003+02:00

On Sunday it was once again time for a guest performance, now by Daniel & Anna from Tangocompaniet.

Look at those lovely colors in her dress. I think you dance better when you dance in clothes that you really like.

How important is wearing the right clothes when you dance tango? Whar do you think? Please comment.

Guest performance: Mette & Martin

2009-06-22T19:00:00.003+02:00

Not only do you see all the teachers do performances, at Tangocamp you'll also see performances by invited couples. Saturday night Mette & Martin from Denmark performed.

What did you think about the performance? Please comment.

Masquerade party

2009-06-22T18:30:00.004+02:00

At Saturday night at Tangocamp Sweden there was a masquerade party with the theme "Traveling around the world...".

There were people dressed as flight attendants, people in their folk costumes and of course pirats. Arrrgh!

The first two photos shows the winning couples that won free participation in Tangocamp Germany next year. Congratulations!

During the night the teachers had come up with a little sketch comedy with a drama that took place onbord an airplane.

What did you think of the masquerade party? What was you dressed up as? Please comment.

Cheering for Sexteto Milongero

2009-06-20T16:37:00.004+02:00

Everyone at Tangocamp has been commenting on the energy that the orchestra, Sexteto Milongero, has on stage and how they transfer that energy to the dancers.

The band gets called back on stage two or three times when they perform and the audience goes crazy and cheer for them.

Sexteto Miongero has finished their two gigs at Tangocamp Sweden, but if you want to see more of them, you can always go to Tangocamp Germany in Dusseldorf next week.

I saw the organizers, Pino and Natalie, in the crowd in front of the band and also on the dance floor. It's usually a good sign that a festival goes smoothly when the organizers have time to enjoy themself.

What do you think of Sexteto Milongero? Please comment.

Bandoneone - the essential tango instrument

2009-06-20T16:20:00.005+02:00

For me the bandoneone is a essential tango instrument, it's one of the instruments that is needed in order for me to call it tango music. The bandoneone is used for rhythm since there are no drums in most tango orchestras.

The orchestra at Tangocamp, Sexteto Milongero, has two bandoneone players: Diego Braconi and Mauricio Jost.

What instrument in the tango music do you like the most? Is there any instrument that you adapt your dancing to? Please comment.

Midsummer

2009-06-19T16:16:00.004+02:00

Today everybody in Sweden celebrate Midsummer, it's one of the biggest holidays of the year.

At Tangocamp Midsummer is celebrated by having a lunch buffé with traditional Swedish food like pickled herring, several kinds of salmon and freshly picked potatos.

Dj Anna with flowers in her hair played traditional Swedish folk music and the small kids at Tangocamp were running around everywhere.

Tangocamp Sweden is here

2009-06-19T11:16:00.003+02:00

Tangocamp Sweden started in Tylösand yesterday. I'll report from here but I might also add some blog posts from the previous Tangocamps.

It's great to get back to Sweden for a while and to meet all the Swedish friends that I've missed dancing with. Although, when I'm away at festivals, I try to dance with mostly new people but some people you just have to dance with anyway whenever you see them.

Above you see the the singer in Sexteto Milongero when the band played at the opening milonga in Tylösand.

When there are so many people to dance with at Tangocamp, do you have a strategy which dancers you dance with or do you just see what happens in the moment? Please comment.

Huge crowds for the performances

2009-06-18T12:08:00.003+02:00

Tangocamp Greece is such a large tango festival with many people and you notice that especially when everybody gathers to see the the teachers perform at night.

There are three or four rows of people in a circle all around the large ballroom. Everybody squeezes togehter so that everybody get a good view of the performers.

During the performances there are three big spotlights that follows the tango couple whereever they dance. In the corners you'll find the camera crew from Greece that records the performance for the Tangocamp DVD.

It's so great to be able to see all these shows because several of the couples improvises their performance so you'll get to see a unique performance each time.

What do think of the performances at Tangocamp Greece. Where there any performance in particular that you liked? Please comment.

Full dancefloor on Tangocamp Greece

2009-06-18T11:18:00.003+02:00

The dancefloor at Tangocamp was full at all times, people was standing in line to get in when it started and the milonga room was buzzing with activity all the way to the early morning hours.

Beach party at Tangocamp Greece

2009-06-18T09:55:00.001+02:00

Going to a festival like Tangocamp is a great way to meet lots of people. You'll of course meet them at classes and milongas but there is also plenty of other activities where you can meet them.

The beach party at Tangocamp Greece is a perfect example of this. On Friday the beach was completely filled with all the Tangocamp participants.

A local salsa dj was there playing and people busted out their salsa moves or just let loose with any kind move, having a good time.

The weather during all of Tangocamp Greece was great, very varm and sunny. In addition to having a tango experience you also got a nice holiday experience.

To cool down during the beach party you could order some drinks from the bar or of course take a swim in the ocean.

What did you think of the beach party at Tangocamp Greece? Please comment.

Swimming choices

2009-06-13T18:21:00.004+02:00

Tangocamp is not just about tango 100 percent of the time , there is plenty of time to just enjoy the great surroundings. The surroundings in Greece mostly consists of pool areas.

Up at Eretria village there is a large area of shallow pools, a two minute walk from Holidays in Evia there is a deeper salt water pool and then, of course there is the sea!

You have plenty of choices where you can take a bath. I personally recommend that you swim in salt water pool around 19 when the temperature has come down a little bit and you don't have to worry too much about being burned by the sun.

What is your favorite place and time to take a bath at Tangocamp in Greece? Please comment.

New rooms for lessons

2009-06-13T17:01:00.002+02:00

Tangocamp Greece is the largest of all the Tangocamps. There is no less than 13 groups.

In order to find place for all the participants in the tango classes, the Tangocamp organizers has made sure that a new room called Electra has a new wooden floor to dance on.

What do you think of all the dance floor at Tangocamp? Do you have a favorite? What makes a perfect dance floor according to you? Please comment.

Thursday welcome party

2009-06-13T14:02:00.004+02:00

On Thursday night there was a welcome party by the pool where snacks and dricks were served. Here was a great opportunity to meet some new friend.

I also noticed some familiar faces in the crowd since some people from Tangocamp Rome has traveled here as well.

Resting after dinner by the pool

2009-06-11T20:16:00.000+02:00

After yesterdays dinner with Michel, Rodan and Elena from Stockholm, we all felt life was pretty good and we had not to do anything, so we just grabbed some drinks and lay in the chairs by the pool.

We looked out over the pool area and listened to the music that was played by the dj at the other end while we looked at some of the pictures we had taken during the day.

What is your favorite way to relax at Tangocamp Greece? Give me your best tips! Please comment.

Late night tango by the pool

2009-06-11T14:08:00.001+02:00

There was no official milonga Wednesday evening but the dj by the pool at Eretria village played some neuvo tangos for all the people who wanted to get started dancing at Tangocamp.

I guess they had to cure their tango abstinence from the trip here to Tangocamp Greece.

How long pause can you have until you feel the need to dance tango? Please comment.

Breakfast time

2009-06-11T11:12:00.002+02:00

At breakfast time it’s easy to make new friends, this morning I met Annamaria & Thorsten that lives in Germany. Annamaria has been dancing tango for about two years.

She say: “I have visited Tangocamp Rome before, then I bought the Tangocamp DVD and saw all the beautiful surroundings here in Greece and I knew that I just had to come here as well. I'm so happy to be here. We’ll head to the village for a while and look around before we get back to when the classes start.”

What made you decide to sign up for Tangocamp Greece. Please comment.

A room with a view

2009-06-11T07:50:00.002+02:00

The hotel here in Greece consists of two areas that are connected, “Holidays in Evia” and “Eretria village”. It’s only a two minute walk between them. If you stay at Holidays in Evia you will have a wonderful view over the sea. Here is what the view is like outside my room both day and night.

What do you think about the hotels in Greece? How important is the accomodation to you? What kind of accomodation do you prefer. Please comment.

Pablo Inza & Eugenia Parrilla

2009-06-10T22:16:00.001+02:00

One thing that I like about the classes at Tangocamp is that there is a good balance on what is taught, there are both classes and teachers that focus on technique and others that focuses on a small sequence. You'll always need both.

In this way there is a good chance that the teachers touch on a subject that you need or want to work with.

The picture above features Pablo Inza & Eugenia Parrilla from he performance on Sunday.

What are the things in tango that you would like to know more about when you take classes at Tangocamp? Please comment.

Dana Frigoli & Pablo Villarraza

2009-06-10T12:45:00.005+02:00

One of the highlights of last week was the very last lesson of Tangocamp Rome where I had the plesure of having Dana Frigoli & Pablo Villarraza as teachers.

They are so easygoing and makes the class so fun, they have a lot of humour. They bring a lot of energy into the class room and that energy is contagious and you walk out afterwards with a smile on your face.

Which was your highlight at Tangocamp Rome? Please comment.

Marcelo Gutiérrez & Sigrid van Tilbeurgh

2009-06-10T12:27:00.004+02:00

Besides the regular tango teacher staff there is also a couple that are special guests: Marcelo Gutiérrez & Sigrid van Tilbeurgh. They will teach some drop-in lessons at most places but in Greece they will also teach regular classes.

Were you at the drop-in classes in Rome or are you taking some in other Tangocamps? What do you think of drop-in classes? Please comment.

Javier Rodriguez & Stella Missé

2009-06-10T11:18:00.003+02:00

Here is a picture of one of the couples that teaching at Tangocamp: Javier Rodriguez & Stella Missé.

I'm very happy to be able to see the collection of all these great teachers and performance together at one place.

Since I haven't seen any of them before I enjoy the opportunity to see what kind of style they dance and what they focus on in their classes.

Which of the teachers at Tangocamp suits you the best? What kind of things do you want to learn when you're on Tangocamp? Please comment.

Performance by Gustavo Naveira and Giselle Anne

2009-06-07T17:14:00.008+02:00

Durings the nigths at Tango camp there will always be performances by the teachers. At Friday nigth the performances started with that all the teachers danced at the same time and after that some couples did their own individual performance.

On Friday Gustavo Naveira and Giselle Anne performed for all the milonga guests sitting around the dance floor.

What did you think of the Friday night milonga at Tangocamp? Please comment.

Welcome party by the pool

2009-06-07T16:54:00.006+02:00

On Friday night the participants of Tangocamp Rome gathered by the pool for som drinks and snacks.

The organizers, Pino and Natalie welcomed everybody and all the teachers at the camp were introduced.

New and old friends met eachother. Here I noticed the first cultural difference, in Sweden most friends hug eachother but here in Italy the custom is to kiss oneanother once at each cheek.

A little while later the very first milonga started. Everyone was there. The grand ballroom at the hotel is huge but the dance floor still became really full.

One poor girl however missed the milonga because she just was supposed to "rest for 5 minutes" but instead she woke up at 2 AM. What a pity. So, the lesson is, don't try to sleep, just dance! ;)

How will you greet you friends when you meet them at Tangocamp. Kisses or hugs? Please comment.

Tango shoes at Tangocamp

2009-06-05T13:04:00.007+02:00

Yesterday there was all kinds of things done to prepare for Tangocamp attendees. One of the tasks that was to set up the shop where you can buy tango shoes and clothes.

Here are some of the shoes that you can find there.

How many pairs of tango shoes do you have? You will always need one more pair, right? Please comment.

Registration has started

2009-06-05T12:41:00.005+02:00

The registration for participants started already on Thursday for those who take the Gustavo and Giselle seminars.

Above you see Pino Dangiola busy giving the arrived guest their papers. One of the things I very inpressed of at Tangocamp is that you receive your own personal schedule. Excellent!

When you register you'll also receive a colored bracelet that indicates which group you're in.

Today many more people will arrive. I looking forward to meet you. Please don't be shy, come and say hello to me. I'm trying to learn some basic Italian phrases, so if you want to teach me some I'd be very happy.

In the coming posts I'll present what the surroundings look like.

Is there anything in particular that you would like too see? Tell me. Please comment.

Day 3 Arriving In Italy

2009-06-04T13:06:00.006+02:00

A slumber later I wake up south of Milano. Yes, we´re in Italy! But, there are still 500 or 600 km to go, (whatever!). It would have been great to have breakfast at the hotel in Rome, but that clearly isn’t going to happen.

As Peder is a café owner, he likes to sample to coffee here. We stop for a few minutes and we have a cappuccino and a sandwich. We have only short breaks (15 minutes or so) when we change drivers every 2 hours. We think that it’s much nicer to get to the hotel in Rome than to have longer breaks at the road.

It’s been said that all roads lead to Rome. I’m very surprised over this particular road that takes us there. I expected it to be of better quality, this is supposed to be one of the main roads to Rome but it’s very bumpy at times. I’m spoiled after driving at Autobahn. Road construction leads us to a very small road, more road bumps. After 100 km things improve. The closer we get to Rome, the better it gets.

Sometimes it just feels that you’re driving forever, Peder and I have established "The Close Rule", if we’re less than 200 km from our destination we’re allowed to say “we're getting close”.

The trailer behind the mini bus really pushes us forward when we go down the hills towards Rome. When we reach the ring road around Rome, we feel like it’s close but we’ve still 30 km to go.

At 3 PM we arrive at the hotel. I practice parking with the trailer. Finally we are here, the 24 hours drive from Dusseldorf is complete.

How long does it take you to get to Tangocamp? Please comment.

Day 2 Tuesday

2009-06-04T11:51:00.004+02:00

Too little sleep today also. Big sigh. I would like to get going on the road again but we have lots of things to do in Dusseldorf first. We need to first get a trailer behind the mini bus and then we have to pick up all the things that you will find in the shop when you arrive at Tangocamp, like shoes and t-shirts and more. Finally, at 14:30, we are ready to go.

The first bit the road goes over hills and valleys and I’m glad that Peder is driving. When I take the wheel in Wiesbaden the hills stop and the landscape is flat again. Yes!

One of the things I noticed that is different between Sweden and Germany is that the trees are much closer to the road. That’s because they don’t have any elks to worry about suddenly turning up in front of your car.

It’s 22:45 when we cross the Swiss border, we worry because we have heard that the Gotthard tunnel under the alps maybe closes at night. After a bit of adventure on small roads we notice that luckily that’s not the case. We drive through the long tunnels (also a surrealistic experience because of all the lights on the side of the tunnel, you lose reference points and the tunnel looks like it’s going on forever) and at this time of night there is no other traffic. That is good because you have less things to worry about. (No traffic. check. No elks. Check. No worries mate. Check.)

At a certain point uphill becomes downhill and you almost don’t have to press the gas pedal at all. It feels good to drive and I’m surprisingly not that tired, but at 4:00 AM we reach Lugano and Peder takes over the stearing wheel. I lie down in the back of the bus to get a little rest while Peder takes us into Italy.

How do you get to Tangocamp? By plane, train or car? Please comment.

Day 1 Monday

2009-06-04T00:18:00.007+02:00

The alarm clock goes off at 06:45. It was early. Way too early and way too little sleep but after a quick breakfast and a last minute coordination talk with Pino I was ready to leave. I drove into Stockholm to pick up the other driver of the mini bus: Peder Nordenstad.

I picked him up at his café, Kafe Tjärlek. His café is a tango café where there are always tango in the speakers. It’s good to have Peder in the bus, because he has done this Tangocamp tour two times before and has lots of experience of what to do and not to do.

Peder is a little late and I’am eager and impatient to go. I know we have a tight schedule in order to drive to Dusseldorf in one day. Peder told me that.

As we drive down through Sweden I notice what a beautiful and warm summers’ day it is. It’s almost a pity to leave Sweden when it’s so nice. But I know that we will have awesome weather at Tangocamp as well.

In the middle of the afternoon we leave Sweden by ferry and roll down through Denmark and Germany. Everything goes well until Hamburg where we get stuck in a traffic jam and it takes us an hour to get going again. Say “so long” to our plan.

It gets dark and now we must rely on our GPS, without it we would be lost. I can tell you that it’s a really surrealistic experience to drive in the small streets in the suburbs of the German towns. You think: Is really this the right way?

But of course it’s the right way. We are getting closer to our destination for the first day: Dusseldorf. At 3:20 am we stumble into the hotel and goes directly to sleep.

Tell me about your trip to Tangocamp! Please comment.

Day 0 Sunday

2009-06-04T00:14:00.002+02:00

Pino picked me up at Stockholm central station and I test drove the minibus to Pino’s and Natalie’s house. The minibus is the one that is going to take us in the crew around all of Europe. It was really nice to drive it.

Back at Pino’s house we packed stuff into the minibus and later on while I was installing some software , Pino and Natalie was busy checking all the participants registrations and putting them into their proper groups. Quite a complex task.

In order to be fresh for the first day of the ride I retired myself at 00:30 but they stayed up until 03:00.

How late do you stay up the night before going to Tangocamp? Please comment.

The adventure starts - now

2009-05-31T15:37:00.003+02:00

It's been said: Even the largest trip must start with a small step. That's what I've done. My feet are outside my door, so is my large heap of luggage.

Today I'll make a small trip by train down to Stockholm. I'll meet Pino and Natalie there and we will discuss things about the trip. In the early hours of tommorrow I'll jump into the minibus together with Peder and we'll travel south down through Sweden and into Germany.

I hope I haven't forgotten anything.

Now it really feels like an adventure is starting.

Teachers at Tangocamp Italy: Video clips

2009-05-28T13:43:00.005+02:00

What do you do while you wait for Tangocamp to start?

Well, one of the things I have done is to look at Youtube videos with all the teachers. Below, I'll posted a list with video clips of all the teachers that will be there at Tangocamp in Italy.

Gustavo Naveira & Giselle Anne

Damian Esell & Nancy Louzan

Javier Rodriguez & Stella Missé

Pino D'angiola & Natalie Brateli

Marcelo Gutiérrez & Sigrid van Tilbeurgh

Pablo Villarraza & Dana Frigoli

Pablo Inza & Eugenia Parrilla

Adrian Veredice & Alejandra Hobert

Ozhan Araz & Serkan Gokcesu

So, have you have a favorite clip of the teachers at Tangocamp? Please comment and tell me which it is.

Preparing for Tangocamp

2009-05-25T14:45:00.005+02:00

About this time next week I'll be on my way to Tangocamp. There's is tons of stuff to prepare, things to check and organize.

So, do you have any tips on what one should bring when you are going to tango camp? Is there some things that are essential and shouldn't be missed? Give me your best advice!

The photo you see above is from a tango performance with Julio Mariño & Mirabai Deranja last weekend when they visited Uppsala. Taking classes is part of my preparation, to make sure that I'm in "tango mode" and to brush up on some technique.

What are the things that you do in order to prepare for Tangocamp? Tell me.

Julio & Mirabai did a great show and I can't wait to the coming weeks when I'm sure I'm going to see the fantastic shows at Tangocamp each night.

About the reporter: Henrik Eriksson

2009-05-15T13:37:00.002+02:00

Hi everyone!

Here is a short presentation of me, the reporter of this blog.

My name is Henrik Eriksson and I live in Uppsala, Sweden. I discovered Tango about 2 years ago and before that I've danced lindy hop for many years (and still do). Now I dance tango as often as I can, about 2-3 times a week.

For me tango is described by sensuality, elegance and intimacy. I enjoy the dramatic tango songs, the lyrical tango waltzes and the playful milongas. The music provides a wide spectrum of feelings to express in the dancing.

I freelance as a photographer and my speciality is dance photography. I've documented my local dance scene for years. Dance is a very rewarding subject since dance is a very visual way of expressing yourself. Dance is also one of the most challenging subjects to photograph, the light is often low and everyone is constantly moving. That's what makes dance photography so interesting.

I'm looking forward to participate in and document this years Tangocamp and to meet you all.

About the Tangocamp blog

2009-05-09T12:35:00.007+02:00

The Tangocamp blog is all about capturing the experience of being at the Tangocamp. What is it like to be there? How does it look? How does it feel?

The activities

So much is going on at Tangocamp. There are of classes, milongas and performances but also dinner time, time to relax and time to enjoy the company of friends. And then there is the moments behind the curtain and on the road.

The people

People are coming from all over the world to experience Tangocamp. Meet some of the interesting participants. Meet the teachers, the djs and the musicans.

The places

Great locations and surroundings are a big part of any experience. The blog shows you all the grand ballrooms and the classrooms. We will show you the surroundings where we are staying and where we are hanging out. Maybe there will be time to do some excursions as well.

The stories

With all the activities, people and the places stories are bound to happen. The Tangocamp blog should be the next best thing after actually being here. We wish that you would be with us.
Join the blog to experience all stories.

Have you been to Tangocamp before? Please share your experience and leave a comment.

Hello World!

2009-05-07T13:16:00.001+02:00

Hi Italy!

Hi Greece!

Hi Sweden!

Hi Germany!