Past events
Here are some of the events we've hosted in 2010:
Christmas Party
Event description
For our tenth birthday, we're going to party! Yes, Rojo y Negro is celebrating ten years. Ten years of great students, ten years of laughter, partying and dancing the Tango. We're celebrating big this year. We have a surprise film screening in honour of Carlos Gardel, a Tango music seminar, live music and a DJ. And if that doesn't sway you, just come for Bianca's cake—it's legendary!
More than anything, this party is about you! We are grateful to have met so many wonderful people in this town (and further afield, too), and that you've given us so much support over the years.
We thank you.
Artist background
Juan Maria Solare
The grand piano maestro and composer Juan Maria Solare, whom many of you have seen at our TangoRojo festival, earlier this year (as well as last year), treats us to a seminar of the evolution of Tango through the perspective of Tango singers of the ages.
Juan Maria has extremely diverse influences, from classical music all the way through to Tango, and is well-versed in many orchestra's individual styles of Tango.
Guillermo Rozenthuler
Guillermo Rozenthuler is a contemporary South-American musician, a versatile vocalist, guitarist and composer. He is the lead singer of Rioplatenses, a band featuring some of the UK's top Latin musicians.
Guillermo says that Tango found him after his arrival in Europe. He was formerly the vocalist of outstanding saxophone player Gilad Atzmon's Orient House Ensemble, winner of the BBC Jazz awards, and can be heard in their album Musik, hailed “Best Jazz album of the year” (J. Lewis, Time Out).
Tony Walker
Last, but by no means least, DJ Tony Walker, one of the most popular DJs in town, will ensure you're entertained and dancing to the best music Tango has to offer, deftly selected from his vast library of Tangos, Milongas and Valses.
Programme
Film screening
In honour of Gardel's anniversary, we're putting on a surprise collector Tango movie.
Canyengue workshop
So you love Tango? Then, see and learn elements of the original dance—Canyengue—Tango's predecessor, in this blast-from-the-past workshop with Bianca.
Music seminar
Juan Maria Solare—Don Solare—introduces, through lecture and piano playing, the most famous Tango singers presenting the evolution of the Tango song genre through Tango history.
Milonga
Dancing to traditionally played music with tandas and cortinas with guest DJ Tony Walker. At 10pm Guillermo Rozenthuller plays (and sings) live through the milonga. Christmas cakes and best dress prize draw later in the evening.
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 5:00-6:30pm | Film screening |
| 6:45-7:45pm | Canyengue workshop |
| 8:00-9:30pm | Music seminar with Juan Maria Solare |
| 9:30pm-2:00am | Dancing Dancing until 2am & live music with Guillermo Rozenthuler Christmas cabaret, cakes and best costume prize |
Venue
When Salsa meets Tango
Event description
Rojo y Negro, in collaboration with Salsa organisers from Paso Adelante present a unique and special event in London—this autumn's Tango and Salsa event with workshops, a performance and dancing until the early hours.
Christmas special: Zumba! A special Christmas treat for all—have a taste of the latest craze in the world of dance, the sexy fusion dynamic aerobic dance which mixes all Latin dances.
Programme
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 6:30-7:30pm | Workshop 1 & 2 Salsa (all levels) & Introduction to Salsa + Christmas Special: Zumba! |
| 7:35-8:35pm | Workshop 3 Tango technique for leaders and followers (all levels) |
| 8:40-9:40pm | Workshop 4 Salsa-Tango fusion Special workshops for all levels, fusing the best of Tango with the best of Salsa moves—not to be missed! |
| 9:40pm-1:00am | Dancing Dancing until 1am & performance at 11pm |
Venue
When Salsa meets Tango
Event description
Rojo y Negro, in collaboration with Salsa organisers from Paso Adelante present a unique and special event in London—this autumn's Tango and Salsa event with workshops, a performance and dancing until the early hours.
Programme
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 6:30-7:30pm | Workshop 1 Salsa (all levels) & Introduction to Salsa |
| 7:35-8:35pm | Workshop 2 Tango technique for leaders and followers (all levels) |
| 8:40-9:40pm | Workshop 3 Salsa-Tango fusion Special workshops for all levels, fusing the best of Tango with the best of Salsa moves—not to be missed! |
| 9:40pm-1:00am | Dancing Dancing until 1am & performance at 11pm |
Venue
When Salsa meets Tango
Event description
Rojo y Negro, in collaboration with Salsa organisers from Paso Adelante present a unique and special event in London—this summer's Tango and Salsa event with workshops, dancing until the early hours and a performance.
Programme
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 6:00-7:00pm | Workshop 1 Salsa lady styling (all levels) & Introduction to Salsa (beginner/recent beginners) |
| 7:00-8:00pm | Workshop 2 Tango technique (all levels) |
| 8:30-9:30pm | Workshop 3 Salsa-Tango fusion Special workshops for all levels, fusing the best of Tango with the best of Salsa moves—not to be missed! |
| 9:30pm-1:00am | Dancing Dancing until 1am & performance at 11pm |
Venue
Live music with Oscar Acebras and Carlos Quilici
Event description
Live music evening with Oscar Acebras (Guitar, Voice) and Carlos Quilici (Bandoneon). We've had both perform at our venue in the past and what can we say, everyone loved them so much, we simply had to have them again.
Programme
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 7:00-8:00pm | Beginner workshop, as usual |
| 8:00-9:30pm | Mixed-level workshop, as usual |
| 9:30pm-12:00am | Milonga and live music by Oscar Acebras and Carlos Quilici |
Venue
Cristian Duarte and Lilach Mor
Event description
This wonderful couple come from the famous DNI school of dance from Buenos Aires. Not only will you have an opportunity to sample this beautiful and sultry style of dance, they will run a day of workshops so interesting, they must not be missed!
Artist background
Lilach Mor has studied Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Flamenco, Circus, Air Dancing, Salsa, and Tango - her biggest passion. She has danced and performed in musicals such as Cats in Broadway NY and in Buenos Aires she has preformed in famous Café Tortoni, amongst other places.
Cristian Duarte was Argentine Champion 1992 in Marshal Arts, and since 1998 has been dancing Tango, creating a unique dance technique which he has taught in DNI studio Dana Frigoli and Pablo Villarazza in Buenos Aires for the last 4 years. He has toured with the DNI Tango dance company throughout Europe.
Together they have incorporated their love for Tango and for each other and found a very unique and interesting, simple technique of communication within the couple which is incorporating their knowledge of so many different arts.
Thursday Programme
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 7:00-8:00pm | Beginner workshop with Bianca, as usual |
| 8:00-9:30pm | Mixed-level workshop with Cristian and Lilach Breaking the embrace |
| 9:30pm-12:00am | Milonga with performance from Cristian and Lilach around 10:30pm |
Venue
Sunday Programme
Cristian and Lilach lead four workshops this day.
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 2:30-3:45pm | Workshop 1 New techniques for connection in improvisation—corporal organic connection |
| 4:00-5:15pm | Workshop 2 Using the energy of the leader to create movement |
| 5:30-6:45pm | Workshop 3 Close and powerful complex ganchos in the close embrace |
| 7:00-8:15pm | Workshop 4 Air tomadas |
Venue
Libertango
Event description
This event is dedicated to the 200th anniversary of Argentina's independence, the historic roots of Tango, Ladies in Tango and expressions in Tango.
Expect a day of workshops, a Tango cinema double bill and a milonga with a live Tango duet.
Artist background
Laura De Altube is a Tango dancer, Pilates technique instructor, dance and body expression teacher, a Hatha Yoga instructor, Actress (anthropological drama) and plastic artist. She was one of the teachers in Buenos Aires in the Escuela Argentina de Tango and Tango Brujo schools. She has performed in well-known milongas in Buenos Aires: Villa Malcolm, Salon Canning, El Cachafaz, C. C. Torquato Tasso, Milonga de las Morochas, Porteño y Bailarin, Variete Tango and La Viruta.
She has toured Europe, teaching and performing and was part of the organisation behind the Umeboshi Tango festival in the UK in 2006. You can find out more about Laura on her blogspot website.
El Farabute is a transatlantic Tango duet formed by pianist Pablo Citarella (Buenos Aires) and violinist James Ogle (London).
Their first album, entitled Duo de Tango, is a collection of Tango classics with an original flavour.
Programme
Workshops
We open this day of events with workshops led by Bianca and Laura, designed to take you back to the roots of Tango.
Milonga is the daughter of candombe just like Tango is the son of Milonga… says the song ‘Zitarossa’ (Bajofondo). This is a fin workshop for all levels. Learn to enjoy this joyful rhythm.
Canyengue was the original way that Tango was danced. It was this style, with cortes and quebradas, which took Pais and the world by storm in the years before the first world war. Come and discover more about this interesting style of dance that was danced until 1920. Open to all levels.
Film screenings
Culto Tanguero
This testimonial-documentary, by Laura De Altube aims to contribute to the debate on the impact of Africans in Tango and the culture of Buenos Aires.
The film explores the role of women, improvisation and the relationship with the dance partner. It features some of the greatest names in Tango—Rodolfo Dinzel and Facundo Posadas.
I don't know what your eyes have done to me
This is a most fascinating documentary about the famous singer and actress of the 1920s and 1930s—Ada Falcon, who had, during this period, made over 200 recordings. She was in a long relationship with Francisco Canaro, who composed the song this documentary is named after, and dedicated it to Ada whose green eyes were magnetic.
She mysteriously disappeared from the limelight in 1942 and lived as a recluse until her death in 2002. The maker of this documentary finally tracks her down after a long search.
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 5:00-6:00pm | Workshop 1 Milonga |
| 6:15-7:15pm | Workshop 2 Canyengue |
| 8:00-8:30pm | Film 1 Culto Tanguero |
| 8:30-9:30pm | Film 2 I don't know what your eyes have done to me |
| 9:30pm-1:00am | Milonga With a performance by Bianca and Laura and Live music by duet El Farabute |
Venue
When Salsa meets Tango
Event description
Rojo y Negro, in collaboration with Salsa organisers from Paso Adelante present a unique and special event in London—this summer's Tango and Salsa event with workshops, dancing until the early hours and a performance.
Programme
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 5:30-6:30pm | Workshop 1 Salsa lady styling (all levels) & Introduction to Salsa (beginner/recent beginners) |
| 6:45-7:45pm | Workshop 2 Tango "styling" (all levels) & Introduction to Tango (beginner/recent beginners) |
| 8:30-9:30pm | Workshop 3 Salsa-Tango fusion Special workshops for all levels, fusing the best of Tango with the best of Salsa moves—not to be missed! |
| 9:30pm-1:00am | Dancing Dancing until 1am & performance by CP at 11pm |
Venue
GastroTango: 4-Day Tango Retreat in France
Event description
Indulge in your passion for Tango, and start your holiday season in the heart of France! Kindly arranged by the wonderful Les Soeurs Anglaises, we offer four days of Tango workshops and enjoyment of the majestic French countryside, punctuated by gastronomic feasts a wine tasting, and other pleasant diversions.
The workshops are aimed at beginners as well as those who have been learning Tango for a while, improvers. The event is certainly not limited to just couples, it is open to individuals, so please let us know if you're interested as soon as possible to ensure even numbers.
Have a look at some of the photos from last year in our Facebook gallery.
For more information and to print off a flyer of the event or merely to send it to a friend, please download the GastroTango flyer [pdf].
Programme
The Tango Programme consist of four hours tuition per day from Friday the 28th to Monday the 31st May. On Tuesday the 1st, there will be no tuition, and is an optional day, depending on individual travel arrangements.
All enquiries for future GastroTango events through us.
- Telephone: 020 8520 2726 / 07748 648 322
- Email: info@rojoynegroclub.com
TangoRojo
Event description
2010 sees the 2nd TangoRojo festival. Launched in 2009, it was, and still is, London's only festival of Tango arts.
Not satisfied with taking the prescriptive approach of workshops, milongas and performances, TangoRojo is different in that it is designed around Tango artists, not just Tango teachers; the visual and auditory feast we have in store for you this year simply has to be experienced!
Tango performers
Many of you have been fortunate to meet, study with and see the gorgeous Anibal and Valeria. They are quite simply endowed with a super-human energy, and never stop dancing (nor talking). Their performances are equally stunning on so many levels, from pure sex-appeal, all the way to their speed where the eye simply cannot follow their movements. They will honour us with their presence, with a workshop and a beautiful performance.
With an impressive history of shows and festivals, Cristina and Rojer Zalazar not only tantalise, but will ensure we're kept on the straight and narrow through a series of 6 specialist workshops during the week. Not content with Tango, they both bring with them their ‘other’ passions; Rojer with his exquisite style in Argentina's folklore dances, and Cristina with her professional Tango fashion creations, which she will bring with her to exhibit and fit to any of you ladies looking for something a little different—real Tango fashion in our city that's so underwhelmingly stocked for us Tango dancers.
If you've ever wondered what our haphazard Tango would look like coupled with modern and highly structured dances such as ballet and contemporary dance, then you simply must see Amir Giles and Tara Pilbrow, who have done precisely that. They bring with them a fusion between these seemingly conflicting dances in the most beautiful and graceful way, in their Tango Infusion performance at the festival.
Musicians and concerts
We are fortunate to be living at a musical crossroad here in the UK, and in Europe in general. This has made it possible to call upon a great variety of musicians, both from Argentina, and those trained in the Argentine phenomenon that is Tango music.
There will be four evenings of late-night milongas, with a live band playing each and every one of those evenings. To list them here would not do them justice, we urge you to look through the biographies of the musicians invited to this year's festival. For those who came to last year's festival, suffice it to say that you will once again have the pleasure of music by Mazaika, a Tango duo that enthralled the milonga last year (people were literally queuing to get in and dance), as well as the incredibly talented and supremely knowledgeable pianist and composer, Juan Maria Solare. There are a number of newcomers this year, as well as a unique Tango opera and concert, sung by a lovely soprano with Del Plata, backing her, as well as playing the concert later, during the milonga. You've already met and heard one of the members of Del Plata—Enrique Galassi, the double bassist from last year's La Yumba Trio.
Featured artist
This year's featured artist is Isabel Carafí, an Argentine-born painter. Isabel is quite unlike many artists you've seen; with a visceral, expressive style, she will not be found pigeonholed by any given topic. Tango forms a part of her world, both as a dancer and an artist. More interested in painting the aboriginal peoples of any given country and situation, not least her Argentina, and erotic nudes, her playfulness with proportion puts them squarely centre-stage, her brush-strokes exaggerating minute details, yet reducing the surroundings, give her subjects a kind of character difficult to see with the naked eye, until all the extraneous detail has been stripped away. The humanity and emotion of her scenes are achieved to spectacular effect—just pay attention to the hands and faces in her paintings. With many of her paintings dwarfing a person, and only coming to the fore in a large, minimalist gallery, Isabel will bring with her a number of her small-format Tango and other paintings.
Film screenings
Ever since we started with our film screening at last year's festival, it's been clear you've all been hungering to see the Tango enjoyed on the silver screen, not merely the dance floor. We've heard your plight and have lined up three evenings of Tango film-making; for your pleasure, 6 films will be screened during the festival, films covering all the intrigue, love, lust, betrayals, disappointments, sleaze and nostalgia that Tango is known for. It doesn't stop there. Not content with just inventive story lines, we have one of Tango's most touching documentaries ever filmed—Café de los Maestros—a documentary-film tracing the lives of musicians who were the glue of the most famous Tango orchestras Argentina has unleashed upon the adoring world, going back to the golden era. Discover these pillars of the musical establishment, without whom Tango would have been an empty and cold dance, see them on film one last time, as they are growing literally fewer in number with every passing year. Pay homage to music that reaches out and touches the soul at that deepest of levels.
More information
For a complete guide to the festival, you need to visit the festival web site, where you will find an appropriate description and biography of all the artists, an in-depth description of all the events, a complete programme for the week and your chance to book early and claim the generous advance-booking discounts.
See you there!
Liesl Bourke and Federico Farfaro
Event description
Our guests for the March ball are Liesl Bourke and Federico Farfaro. They are an up and coming couple with a famous connection. Find out more over the three days of appearances this long weekend.
Artist background
Originally from Broken Hill (Australia) and Buenos Aires (Argentina), Liesl and Federico share an appetite for movement and dance of many variations that culminates at one point: tango Argentino. They seek to find the organic pathways of movement present in tango, while simultaneously connecting it to the emotion and the beauty of the dance.
Their classes combine a deep understanding of tango technique, music, and history, while exploring the boundaries, observing the evolution of the styles and movements present in contemporary tango.
You can explore Liesl and Federico in more depth on their web-site, especially their blog.
Programme: Thursday, 25th March
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 7:00–8:00pm | Beginner class as usual, with Bianca |
| 8:00–9:30pm | Workshop with Liesl and Federico—all levels Captivating sequences |
| 9:30pm–12:00am | Milonga, with performance by Liesl and Federico |
Venue
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 4:45-6:00pm | Workshop 1 Finding dynamics in your dance—playing with the axis (colgadas and volcadas) |
| 6:15-7:30pm | Workshop 2 Breaking the traditional structure—sequences with soltadas |
| 8:00-9:30pm | Film screening |
| 9:30pm-2:00am | Milonga performance by Liesl and Federico around 11pm |
Venue
Programme: Sunday, 28th March—workshops
Liesl and Federico impart some of their hard-earned secrets in this series of Sunday afternoon workshops, to end their stay.
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 4:00-5:15pm | Workshop 1 Adapt to your environment—close to open Embrace |
| 5:30-6:45pm | Workshop 2 Celebrate the rhythm—Milonga |
| 7:00-8:15pm | Workshop 3 Express Yourself—Musicality |
| 8:15-10:30pm | Practica Your chance to put in practice all that you've worked on the whole day |
Venue
Ana and Arturo
Event description
Ana and Arturo have toured the world dancing Tango professionally as part of the most important Tango companies, and for the first time are coming to London as guests of Rojo y Negro. Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn from a couple with the highest possible profile in dance.
Artist background
Ana and Arturo both started dancing very early, studying Tango, Ballet and Argentine folkloric dances. They are currently dancers in the company Tempotango. Previously they both danced in the prestigious Tango company Tanguera and Tango Emocion led by Mora Godoy. Arturo also danced in a contemporary Tango company Tangokinesis during the period 2004–2008.
Thursday Programme: 4th March 2010
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 7:00–8:00pm | Beginner class as usual, with Bianca |
| 8:00–9:30pm | Workshop with Ana and Arturo—all levels Working with legs, decorative introductions for giros for leaders and followers |
| 9:30pm–12:00am | Milonga, with performance by Ana and Arturo |
Venue
Sunday Programme: 7th March 2010
This is a day of intensive themed workshops with Ana and Arturo.
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 2:30–3:45pm | Workshop 1: Sequences and giros with enrosques |
| 4:00–5:15pm | Workshop 2: Musicality for volcadas and colgadas |
| 5:30–6:45pm | Workshop 3: Milonga; easy and fun sequences to play with the timing |
| 7:00–8:15pm | Workshop 4: Choreographic sequences for the stage |
| 8:15–10:30pm | Practica |
Venue
Ismael Ludman and Guggi Zuzakova
Event description
We start the new year 2010 with a long weekend, featuringa stunning young guest couple and a film screening in which they appear.
The film screening, of Dance with me, is brought to us by Sasha C. Damjanovski—its director—who will present the film on Saturday the 16th, and give us a questions and answers session, along with Ismael and Guggi, the film's dancers.
The Saturday milonga goes on until 2am, and we will be treated to a beautiful performance by Ismael and Guggi, around 11pm.
Dance with me synopsis:
Alice and Neil should be having the perfect holiday in their summer house in the country, she working with her dancers in the conservatory and he sipping on his tea by the lake, watching the amazing sky. Except it's not really a holiday, Neil is on a year's leave from work, pending further tests in his mysterious condition, and Alice, well she has her own problems.
There is no doubt of their love for one another, as there is no doubt of their commitment, yet, why are things so difficult? How does a simple question turn into a witty verbal joust and delivers no answers? Are Ali and Neil stuck? Will they simply learn to live with their situation, or is there, perhaps, a way out of it?
To find out more, go to the movie's website.
Artist background
Ismael Ludman belongs to the new generation of dancers of Argentine Tango. His curiosity led him to study Tango with a great diversity of teachers in Buenos Aires, always searching for dynamic, improvised and organic Tango. From an eclectic background, having trained in different disciplines such as physical theatre, dance theatre and contact improvisation, Ismael seeks a constant synthesis between dance and more universal forms of corporal expression. He is searching for a Tango with a particular emphasis on communication, a relaxed way of dancing and expressiveness. He was a member of CETA - Experimental Tango Art Club, Buenos Aires, and the company Raza Humana, directed by Jose Campitelli, Buenos Aires.
Ismael has visited more than thirty countries sharing his very personal way of tango, teaching and performing at many international tango festivals all over Europe and Middle East.
Guggi Zuzakova was born in Switzerland and studied contemporary dance and ballet in The Netherlands. She trained for 10 years of Argentine tango in Buenos Aires and Europe. In the Netherlands she has performed in: Cime (Andra Perrin), Ragtime (Lonneke van Leth), Hokhma (Roberto Olivan), Rule my heart (Tony Vezich), Blauwbaard (Dans Theater Telder), Zondagsservies (Company Komma4), 1001 nacht (Company Gift), Roomservice (Claire Dowling). Her choreography work includes the shows: Libertango, Samotari, NL, and DreamDiver , as well as My Name is Tango and Mordisco Tango as well as appearance in films Chicago Tango. She lives in Berlin working as a tango dancer and teacher in Germany and internationally.
Programme: Thursday, 14th January 2010
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 7:00–8:00pm | Beginner class as usual, with Bianca |
| 8:00–9:30pm | Workshop with Ismael and Guggi—all levels |
| 9:30pm–12:00am | Milonga |
Venue
Programme: Saturday, 16th January 2010
Film screening: projection of the film Dance with me by Sasha C. Damjanovski, in which Ismael and Guggi are the dancers. The screening is followed by a post-film talk with the director and dancers.
The milonga goes on until 2am, with a performance by Ismael and Guggi around 11pm.
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 6:00–7:00pm | Reception, with drinks and snacks |
| 7:00–8:30pm | Film screening of Dance with me |
| 8:30–9:00pm | Post-film talk by the director, Sasha C. Damjanovski, and dancers. |
| 9:00pm–2:00am | Milonga, with performance by Ismael and Guggi around 11pm |
Venue
Programme: Sunday, 17th January 2010
A day of intensive workshops with Ismael and Guggi.
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 1:30-3:00pm | Workshop 1: Movements around woman's axis, embellishments (led and non led) |
| 3:15-4:45pm | Workshop 2: Alternative ways of doing boleos. New dynamics and possibilities. |
| 5:00-6:30pm | Workshop 3: Exploring the embrace—from close to open, internal and centrifugal embrace. Exploration of dynamics of the dance. |
| 6:45-8:15pm | Workshop 4: Musical trip. Some ideas for bringing melodic colour to the dance interpretation. |
| 8:15-10:30pm | Practica |