A new partnership
As far as I know this is only the second demonstration between these two – Carlitos Espinoza and Noelia Hurtado. Similar to their very first performance together, at times the dance was less fluent, compared with when they were dancing with their respective ex-partners. However, I do have high expectations of them in future because both are exciting dancers to watch.
Popularity: 15%
Invierno: yet another hard-to-find track
Given the state of preservation (or the lack of) of recorded tango music since the 1940s, it’s little wonder that we can commonly find from the major labels like Sony-BMG, EMI, etc., are but only a fraction of all that was recorded during the Golden Age of tango. In fact, many gems are only available in the expensive editions released by private collectors.
Here is another beautiful piece from Canaro, “Invierno”, which I heard for the first time a couple of months ago. By the way, even the usually reliable resource http://eng.tango.info has no information as to the source of this song! Incidentally I really enjoyed this clip from the well-known DJ Damián Boggio as he showed off a little of his record collection.
* However, this song must be reasonably “accessible” in Buenos Aires as I have already seen 2 performances this year using this song. Once source that I have discovered is Club de Tango, but perhaps there are others?
Popularity: 20%
End of a partnership
What a shock it was tonight to find out that Pablo Rodriguez and Noelia Hurtado will no longer be partnering each other! Although probably not as “earth-shattering” as the break up of that other famous tango couple, I did feel sad when I heard the news. While their current style may not be to everyone’s taste (mainly the traditionalists) I have always enjoyed and admired their dancing since the post-Championship days till now, the free-flowing energy that emanates from their dancing. The only regret is not to have seen them perform live… All the best to their respective careers in future!
Here they are, dancing for the last time together, to the lovely “Invierno”, by Francisco Canaro with Roberto Maida, at the place where it all started 7 years ago.
Popularity: 16%
Organising milongas
A tongue-in-cheek vision of a good milonga.
While I don’t agree with everything shown here (food, and no mention about teaching on the dance floor, for example), for me some of the take-home messages are:
- Good music – with a not-too-shabby sound system that can produce consistent quality of sounds,
- Good floor (not necessarily dust-free but at least should be stable and safe to dance on!),
- Considerate dancing which becomes even more acute as the size of the dance floor gets smaller,
- Pleasant atmosphere, which from experience is largely dependent on the attitude of the host.
On a more serious note, I recommend highly to anyone contemplating (or even if you are already organising events) to start a milonga to read: “How to organise a milonga”. Almost all of the major points of ensuring a good event are covered, as anyone with some hands-on experience can attest to.
If you are already organising a regular milonga, how many of the issues listed have you considered? If not, probably not too late to learn something new and time to take action! 
Popularity: 11%