Portland Skyline
Portland ValenTango Feb 20-25, 2013

Photos by Irina
ValenTango 2013 Evaluation Form
ValenTango 2013 Evaluation Responses 

(Click on links below for specific information)
Full Schedule - Condensed Schedule - Prices - Register - GiveAways

Mission:

Spend a passionate and romantic four days in Portland dancing, eating, shopping, and schmoozing with other obsessed tangueros at the beautiful and convenienly located DoubleTree by Hilton.

DoubleTree by Hilton, 1000 NE Multnomah, Portland OR:

All classes and nearly all milongas will be held in the Double Tree--located near downtown and right on MAX (Portland's famous light rail system). For only $2.50 you can pick up MAX at the PDX baggage claim area, get off at the Lloyd Center/NE 11th Ave Stop and you're there. (Taxi costs around $35.) To get special rate (starting $92/night but expires Wed Jan 30), click on DoubleTree ValenTango Reservations and use the Code "VF2". Or call 800-996-0810 or 503-281-6111 and ask for the ValenTango Rate.

 Hotel Features include:

  • Two in-house restaurants serving fresh, local and organic foods; a coffee shop open most hours; and a bar serving local beer, wine, and spirits.
  • Lloyd Center--Oregon’s largest shopping mall--is just across the street (and Oregon has no sales tax!).
  • MAX (Portland's light rail system) is just across the street. $2.50 from airport or $5.00 to ride all day on any train, bus or streetcar to any location.
  • Easy walking distance to the Convention Center and Memorial Coliseum.
  • Adjacent to Historic Broadway District with more restaurants and shopping.
  • Complimentary loaner bicycles/helmets/locks for guests.
  • Complimentary parking only for overnight guests booking under the special ValenTango rate. ($5 for day parkers).

Instructors (shown top to bottom): [Top]

  • Daniela & Hernan (Buenos Aires) [video] “Since our childhood we realized that dancing was the play we loved the most; and today we make that play in our way of living. Embraced by tango many years ago, we try to pass on what our teachers have told us and that what we really love.”
  • Hiba & Rene (London) [video]. "Our foundations are traditional but our methods embrace modern techniques and natural, organic movement."
  • Homer & Cristina (San Francisco) [video] Emphasizing a fusion of tango ideologies, via the 'organic tango' philosophy, Homer and Cristina are committed to creating a positive class environment and try to reduce barriers that may inhibit students from really finding their own dance!
  • Javier Rochwarger (Buenos Aires) [video] & Vanja Modzelewski (New York). Javier seamlessly integrates a variety of influences, making his insights valuable whether you consider yourself a devotee of milonguero style or a nuevo tango renegade. Internationally recognized teacher and DJ, Vanja's style is defined by sensual elegance and exquisite musicality.
  • Luciano & Alexandra (Buenos Aires) [video]"Alexandra and Luciano (runner up world champion in Tango salon category, BS. AS. Argentina 2004) implement distinctive methods of instruction comming from Villa Urquiza Style and enriched by their knowledge in the field of communication and psychology, to revolutionize the way we see, feel, hear and experience Argentine tango"
  • Murat & Michelle Erdemsel (Hawaii-Istanbul) [video]. M&M live half the year in the USA, the other half in Europe teaching at the most prestigious Tango events in both places--including Portland Tango Festivals, Amsterdam TangoMagia, Brussels Tango Festival etc.

Orchestra & DJ's: [Top]

Special Features: [Top]

  • 15 Milongas and 3 Free Practicas: Traditional, 50/50, Mixer, Grande Ball, Afternoon, Matinee, and Late Night.
  • 2 Performance Nights: Friday and Saturday
  • 49 classes--4 Different Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced & Advanced Couples
  • Seeing the Bigger Picture in Music, *Reloaded. Saturday lunch hour keynote presentation about music, art and tango by Murat Erdemsel Lloyd Center Ballroom. Free admission. (Web Link)
  • GYROKINESIS® Tango Warm Up with Bianca on Fri, Sat & Sun morning at 10:00am in the Pacific NorthWest Ballroom. (Free)
  • Space for Privates and Practice: The following rooms in the DoubleTree are availabe at no charge:
    • Ross Island 9:00-10:30a and 5:00-9:00p (reserved exclusively for instructors and their students)
    • Cascade (upstairs) 9:00a-12:00p
    • Weidler 9:00-10:30a and 6:30-9:00p (gerneral practice room for all attendees)
  • Two rooms (Morrison—where Advanced Classes are held and Weidler where Beginners Classes are held) will open 9:00a-9:00p and available whenever  classes (11:00a-4:30p) or other events are not schedule.  Morrison is specifically for privates with instructors and Weidler for general practice by anyone .  There is no charge to use this space and you do not need to reserve it.  However, you may have to share  Morrison with other instructors. 
  • Vendors Sselling shoes, clothing, books, music etc will be available in the foyer.
  • Valentango by Bike organized by Jeff Mandel on Fri 8:00pm  - 10:00pm. An easy loop bike ride starting at the DoubleTree with stops for coffee, chocolate, cake and prizes at the end.

Lost & Found: [Top]

To locate an item lost at the DoubleTree Hotel, call 503-281-6111 ex 4148. (If calling from hotel guest room or house phone, dial just the extension 4148.)

Parking: [Top]

  • DoubleTree by Hilton, 1000 NE Multnomah.   Parking with in-and-out privileges is complementary for overnight guest. If you don't stay, here's two options:

    (1)  Park in the DoubleTree lot, come to the ValenTango registration desk and pick up a pass which you will then give to the garage attendant as you leave and pay $5.

    (2)  Park in the DoubleTree lot, come to the ValenTango registration desk and buy a $10 plastic key card pass which gives you in and out parking privileges for the four days of the event.

  • Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th. Free street parking and free lot west of building available evenings and weekends.
  • Tango Berretin. 6305 SE Foster. Free street parking.

Private lessons and practice space: [Top]

For private lessons, please coordinate and negotiate times, locations, and prices directly with the instructor of your choice. For contact info, go to their website (link shown above) or see VT13 Contact Spreadsheet. The following rooms in the DoubleTree are availabe at no charge (but you may need to share):

  • Ross Island 9:00-10:30a and 5:00-9:00p (reserved exclusively for instructors and their students)
  • Cascade (upstairs) 9:00a-12:00p
  • Weidler 9:00-10:30a and 6:30-9:00p (gerneral practice room for all attendees)

Vendors: [Top]

Various vendors selling tango shoes, clothing, pictures, jewelery, music, etc will be available. If you are interested in being a vendor, email or call our vendor coordinator, Jay Rabe at 503-752-3664.

Refund Policy [Top]

Full refund minus $15 for processing is given for cancellations of a registration at any time for any reason.

Biking in Portland[Top]

Portland is especially great when seen by bike. Many people who dance in Portland ride a bike to milongas, practicas, workshops, etc. We welcome you to join in the great experience of riding bikes to and from dancing and for a special ValenTango Bike Ride Friday evening organized by Jeff Mandel. Below are a few Portland Hotels with loaner bikes available.

  • Ace Hotel - 2 loaner bikes for guests, first come first serve
  • DoubleTree by Hilton - 4 complimentary loaner bicycles/helmets/locks for guests.
  • Hotel Monaco - 4 loaner bikes for guests, no extra charge, first come first serve.
  • Hotel Aloft - 9 loaner bicycles for guests, no extra charge, first come first serve.
  • Jupiter Hotel - 7 bikes for guests at $20/8 hours or inquire about full day rentals.

Volunteers [Top]

If you are interested in being a ValenTango Volunteer, contact the following staff people:

  • Polly (Host of Sat Grande Ball and miscellenous stuff)
  • Amy (Host of Wed Norse Hall evening traditional milonga)
  • Dan Hayes (Host of Sat Matinee Milonga and Sun Late Night.)
  • Jerry (Host of Thur Double Tree evening traditional milonga)

You can also go to the schedule and see who is hosting each milonga and contact them. But keep in mind that priority is given to tangueros who live in the Portland Area. The general rule for compensation is that if you work one time slot cashering at a milonga, you get free admission to that specific milonga.

Drawing for Free Milonga Pass and for Free Pair Tango Shoes [Top]

  1. All attendees who pre-register and pay by Feb 13, 2013 will automatically be entered into a random drawing sponsered by Turquoise Shoes for one free pair of woman's and one free pair of man's tango shoes. Just stop by their vendor table during the festivals to see who's won.
  2. Enter below for a random drawing to receive a free Full Milonga Pass. (If you win and have already purchased a Milonga Pass, a refund of $120 will be given.)

 

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