Practica El Beso

Alberto Dassieu, a true Maestro

Practica El Beso — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:44:47 +0000

Having had the pleasure of watching Alberto Dassieu for years in the milongas in Buenos Aires and dancing with him upon hearing he was doing a North American tour in 2011 with a stop in Toronto the idea of taking a private class with him struck home. What would we talk about, dance, what did I want the legend to share with me?
Upon reflection the easiest course that came to mind for me was hoping he would share a little bit of his insights into the orchestra Carlos di Sarli. Of course he would have some interesting views on the topic and want to include me in on them with his long experience.

The class was very interesting and right after we danced one beautiful tango Alberto honoured me with the invitation to do some demonstations with him in Toronto.

Even though we didn’t have the opportunity to ever practise together; when our chance came to share a beautiful tango at a milonga, Alberto was utterly clear with the vision that we should dance the Tango “Llueve otra vez”.

Thank you for sharing a little with me Alberto Dassieu, a true Maestro.

About the music:

Llueve otra vez
Tango 1944
Música: Juan José Guichandut
Letra: Juan José Guichandut
Escucha corazón
el eco de su voz…
Escucha, corazón, está lloviendo
y la lluvia va tejiendo
los recuerdos de su amor.
¡Qué pena, corazón!
No es ella, ni es su voz.
Tan sólo es la obsesión que me domina,
el recuerdo que castiga
desde su adiós.

Llueve…
y un látigo de luz me azota,
relámpago de fiebre loca.
La lluvia, sin cesar,
golpeando en el cristal,
renueva la emoción perdida.
Y entre la bruma creo ver su imagen,
igual que entonces, diciendo adiós.
Llueve…
y el cielo se llenó de sombras,
lo mismo que mi corazón.

Tristeza que dejó
el eco de su voz.
Tristeza de esperar inútilmente
y creer que nuevamente
con la lluvia volverá.
¡No esperes, corazón!
¡No penes por su amor!
Mañana cuando el sol radiante asome
al calor de otros amores,
olvidarás.

Longing for springtime tango…

Practica El Beso — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 21:24:29 +0000

Whether it be Portland, Chicago, Santa Fe, Buenos Aires or even Milan…who wouldn’t adore following the spring weather for a little tango travel? Time to brush off the suitcases, polish the soles of our shoes and follow our whimsy for a little travel.

If well planned one could experience the arrival of spring in many tango capitals for weeks on end and be truly refreshed for the dance floor…

Maybe we will meet in spring flight …in Santa Fe and Chicago this April, ….Toronto in May, …Costa Rica June or Buenos Aires from June till September. Until then may your dancing be a light as the spring sunshine !

Alluring improvisations….

Practica El Beso — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 18:09:15 +0000

At times I have asked myself if other people that dance tango in the milongas truly adore the absolute thrill and visceral power of dancing totally “improvisationally” as much as I do.

When the opportunity arises to attend a milonga the anticipation beforehand is palpable.

What music will be played?

What should I wear?

How will my tandas be?

Will my favourite partners be there?

How will the floor/group feel?

Will I be able to open a little door and create some of the magic that will leave us both desiring more at the end of our beloved tanda?

Having the experience of dancing here,abroad and travelling to Buenos Aires many times and residing there for months on end my desire to improvise something beautiful/passionate and completely in the moment has never been diminished.

I would be thrilled to hear some of your stories about interesting spontaneous tandas and would love you to share some of them here if you like.

Here is one of my last demos this year in Buenos Aires at Cachirulo,the Saturday night milonga hosted by Norma and Hector in Villa Malcolm. This tango is pure spontaneous improvisation….and to me, completely thrilling.

Isabella Szymonowicz currently is one of the hosts of a Monday night practica.
For details/times please check Swansea Town Hall

This article has been translated in articulos en espagnol.

Let’s join together…

Practica El Beso — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:50:29 +0000

Dear friends,

As most of you already know I have had the honour of working for the school board here in Toronto for many years. I have shared my passion for music with many educators and students.

Fridays events have left me shaken (as with the rest of the world) and questioning my beliefs. In an effort to try and do ‘something’ I would like to invite you to make a donation with me to the families and community of Sandy Hook. I don’t possess to have any knowledge of how this must feel but I do know what it is to lose a loved one.

Today we will have our last practise of 2012. We will have a special envelope for anyone to donate if they wish with me.

If you are unable to join us this evening, online donations are accepted here.

We look forward to seeing you this evening, and I want to extend our wishes for a peaceful holiday and joyful new year to those who are unable to join us.

Come celebrate !

Practica El Beso — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 19:47:45 +0000

We invite you come out and share our joy in celebrating our one year Anniversary of classes, workshops and special events at Practica El Beso with a little toast Monday November 12.

Each week we offer Buenos Aires style Argentine Tango music in a beautiful space with wood floors, mirror, and barre. In the Teiaiagon Room at Swansea Town Hall,95 Lavinia.

We encourage you to come out and viscerally feel the music as styled from the milongas of Buenos Aires by Isabella and practise your beloved tango in a supportive environment.

Cost $8.00

From 8p.m. till 10p.m.

Stay tuned for upcoming events…

Monday Night Practica…

Practica El Beso — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 15:01:59 +0000

Practica El Beso is pleased to announce a new weekly Argentine Tango practise on Monday evenings from 8-10 p.m. starting on October 1st in the Teiaiagon Room at Swansea Town Hall, 95 Lavinia Avenue, Toronto.

Your hosts will be Isabella and Nicolai.

This informal practise will feature Argentine Tango music from the Golden Age.

The Teiaiagon Room is on the second floor at Swansea Town Hall and features a beautiful wood floor and mirrors.\

Price $8 each participant.

We encourage you to bring a partner to practise with.

Free Parking behind the building and street parking available. We are close to Runnymede subway.

This article has been translated in articulos en espagnol.

one night in Cachirulo…

Practica El Beso — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 00:12:37 +0000

Laughter, beautiful embrace with my partner Javier Gramigna, Alicia Pons tapping the rhythm with her fingers, incredible vals music by Donato, La Tapera, selected by Carlos Rey and off we go for our second ‘despedida/cumple’ dance at Cachirulo in Buenos Aires recently.

The festive atmosphere, the seduction of mystery, the improvisation, the union of music and partner and the thrill of knowing that dance will never be repeated all hook you in deeply and keep you hungering for more.

Thank you to Hector and Norma for this latest invitation to dance.

Re-opening of El Beso, Buenos Aires

Practica El Beso — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 20:14:10 +0000

Black door, relaxed chairs in a new alcove and upstairs to the sounds of the milonga “Lujos”on Thursdays.

Once inside the main space, everything seems the same but so much better somehow. The re-opening of El Beso on Riobamba in busy Buenos Aires may have created an even higher level of affinity towards this special place. Briefly chatting with some of the regulars and very happily being seated at my ‘place’ the milonga slowly unfolds with much eagerness and high expectations of beautiful dances with incredible music.

This is the place to dream, share an artistic expression of tango music with a partner and enjoy!

Thank you to everyone who made this happen.

Join us for two weeks in May…

Practica El Beso — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:11:56 +0000

Come join us at Practica El Beso on Mondays May 14 and 28th.

We will focus on explorations in connections and playing with beat and rhythm.

From 8:00p.m. – 9:00p.m. at Swansea Town Hall.

Drop in $20.

gracias y adiós El Beso

Practica El Beso — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:33:27 +0000

…the street Riobamba, an emblemic red door, stairs leading to music, friends, the brief hush of the group at the beginning of the tanda, quick cabeceo’s across the floor and off we go with an embrace that brings us into another space, time, reality…