The Diva Tango Boutique, which has branches in Chicago, Buenos Aires and Clearwater, is participating in the 13th Miami Tango Festival with a big promise: They  will be bringing the largest collection of Comme il Faut shoese outside Buenos Aires (over 500 pair), their entire collection of Tara Shoes, men’s tango shoes, dancing sneakers, practice shoes and also clothing.

This might be the perfect opportunity to buy that illusive perfect pair of dancing shoes that you’ve been waiting for all these years. Comme Il Faut (means “As it should be”), which is my personal favorite, is one of the most reputed companies in the Tango Shoes business. The main selling point of Comme Il Faut shoes is that they are all Unique - No Comme Il Faut shoe is the same as any other.

Comme Il Faut

So, if you own a pair of these dancing shoes, you can rest assured that you will be the only one flaunting them on any dance floor anywhere in the world. Now, that’s something!

Tara tango shoes is a company with its own tango story to tell. It was started by a flat footed tango dancer in search of a elegant but equally comfortable pair of shoes. Their moto is “You shouldn’t have to suffer to feel beautiful!”.

The Women’s collection of tango shoes that will be available at the Miami Tango Fantasy can be checked out at www.diva-boutique.com. Men - you will have to just visit the store or the festival

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The United States Tango Congress, founded by Lydia Henson, is holding its 13th Annual Tango festival this memorial day weekend (May 21st to May 26th) on Miami Beach. This is the longest tango festival held anywhere outside Buenos Aires and promises to be an excellent treat for all the tango lovers. The prices are a bit high but you get 5 days packed with Tango lessons, Milongas, excellent performances from famous tangueros and brilliantly romantic evenings of tango dancing under the moonlight on the beach. The festival is going to be held in the Deauville Beach Resort on Collins Avenue. Here is the exact address:

Buy Now!

United States Tango Congress 13th Annual Tango Festival

Tango Fantasy 2009,

Deauville Beach Resort

6701 Collins Avenue,

Miami Beach

FL 33141.

Ph: 305-865-8511.

For registration, program schedules, list of tango performances, milongas etc visit www.tangofantasy.com.

Even the City of Coral Gables, which has managed to maintain its independent existence from Miami, vehemently protecting its own identity and structure from being infiltrated by outsiders, cannot protect itself from tango. Dianne Castro runs a Tango practica every Tuesday in the heart of Coral Gables, just three blocks north of the Miracle Mile at Shakra Relaxation oasis. 

I will make a more detailed post about the place with my thoughts about the kind of tango music, and the flavor of tango etc. as soon as I manage to go and experience dancing there myself, but for the time being here is the address and times and costs: 

Tango Practica “El Abrazo” with Dianne Castro

(and all of you)

Shakra Relaxation Oasis

271 Alhambra Circle, 

Coral Gables, FL  34145.

Ph: 305 - 975 - 7753.

The place is just three blocks north of Miracle mile, between Ponce De Leon Boulevard and Le Jeune Road. 

The guided practica runs from 8 PM to 10 PM and the cost is $15.

Miami in recent years has seen a significant increase in the Argentinian population and with it a great surge in the tango scene. There is a milonga to go to every night of the week, most nights with two or three to choose from, if you are willing to drive as few miles. For tourists, who will probably end up in the Miami Beach area, the most convenient location is the Monday night milonga in Tapas y Tintos.

This little restaurant at the intersection of Española way and Drexel avenue serves excellent calamari and has a good sellection of spanish wines, apart from being a platform for all sorts of latin music and dance: Tango on Mondays, Salsa on Tuesdays, Flamenco on Wednesdays Saturdays and Sundays (highly recommended).

The space is small, so the dance floor can get crowded, but the DJ Lorena plays good classical tango music and the ambiance is genial. The milonga starts at 10 PM and is free but there is also a lesson available from 8:30 which costs $10.

For more information contact:

Tapas y Tintos
448 Española way
Miami Beach FL-33139

Ph: 305-538-8272.
http://www.tapasytintos.com

viva la milonga!

For those of you living in the western parts of Miami, Florida International University offers an excellent option for tango lessons: The graham center in the Florida International University hosts tango classes Four Days a Week, two hours each day! 

The tango instructors Angel and Maria are extremely friendly and helpful and will make you feel comfortable and a part of the group right away. Angel was born and brought up in Argentina and has been dancing tango since the age of seven and although his porteño accent has diminished a bit, his boleos and ganchos are as sharp as ever. Maria was born in Cuba but moved to Miami as a kid and grew up here. She was a karate fanatic before she turned to tango after an injury. During the day, she is a highschool teacher. There is no fixed syllabus and everyone starts at their own level and learn at their own pace. The group of people who dance there are also a very amiable lot and everyone dances with everyone else, beginners and advanced students alike. 

Although the official timing of classes is from 7 PM to 9 PM, they usually go on till 10 PM at least, and sometimes even longer, especially on Fridays. 

Usually the whole class goes out to eat at one of the Colombian Hot Dog places after the Friday class. If you are considering joining tango because you are new to the town and are feeling a bit lonely and in need of new friends this would be the best place to start. 

Here is the exact location and times:

The Graham Center

Florida International University South Campus

SW 107 Av and SW 16 st,

Miami 33125.

Ph: (305) 632-2567.

Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 7 PM to 9 PM.

Wednesday: 9 PM to 10 PM.

For more information and other classes taught by Angel and Maria go to epocatango.com.