Portland TangoFest XVI, Wed-Mon, Oct 10-15, 2012
(Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th Ave)

Evaluation Survey Input

Evaluation Survey Results

Performance Videos:

Menu: (click any red link below for specific information)

Mission:

Spend an intense/passionate/romantic four days together in "tango friendly" Portland with friends and your favorite instructors, DJ's, musicians and tango partners learning, dancing, schmoozing, eating, and hanging out at the unique Portland ballrooms, coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants. Last year 600-700 tangueros attended TangoFest making it and the Portland February ValenTango two of the most popular and successful tango events in North America. (For more information about the city, visit Travel Portland Web Site.).

Master's Lessons

This year, for the first time ever, we will have a set of Master's Lessons on Friday, Saturday & Sunday. For these lessons:

  • Class size will be limited to 16 couples.
  • Couples will work exclusively with each other and not be required to change partners.   
  • Classes will provide an opportunity for advanced dancers to study new and challenging material.
  • Instructors will be able to present material that they could not normally use in a conventional festival classroom.

Cost is $65/couple and will be held at Paradise Studio, 826 Belmont--see Map. To attend you must be an advanced tanguero and Pre-Register Online as a couple (or, space permitting, at the registration desk in Norse Hall).  Note: Master's Lessons are not included with the Everything Pass and tokens used for the regular classes will not be accepted. For more details, click on Schedule.

Instructors:TangoFest 2012 Instructors

  • Javier & Kara (Buenos Aires) [video1, video2] Javiar and Kara's philosophy is to empower the student by embracing each dancer's individual talents, creativity, abilities and needs while communicating the long standing traditions of connection, musicality and partnership.  Their dancing is passionate, lyrical and precise--making them one of the most sought after tango couples for teaching and performing.
  • Oliver & Silvina (Buenos Aires) [video]  Recognized internationally as one of Buenos Aires most highly regarded teaching and dancing couples of our generation, Oliver & Silvina's relentless desire to share their deep understanding of everything Argentine Tango with their students is truly inspirational and the reason they are so popular at Festivals in the US and Europe. Their Lessons are unforgettable, highly educational and immensely entertaining. 
  • 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.”
  • Homer & Cristina (San Francisco) [video] Homer and Cristina each have over 14 years of social dance experience emphasizing a fusion of tango ideologies, via the 'organic tango' philosophy.  As teachers they are committed to creating a positive class environment and try to reduce barriers that may inhibit students from really finding their own dance!
  • Nick Jones & Diana Cruz (Denver) [video] Nick & Diana immerse themselves in tango as social dancers, teachers, performers, musicians and DJ's so that they can share the pure joy of dancing with you.  Between them they have danced for 40 years, and continue to study and grow to this day with their teachers Gustavo & Giselle.
  • Jorge Nel & Milena (Colombia/Miami) [video] Jorge Nel's dance career spans over 30 years and reflect his love and dedication to dancing and teaching tango. In 1985 he the first National Tango Championship in Colombia and he continues to teach all over the U.S. and sell his well known Mr Tango Shoes.

Orchestra & DJs: [Top]

Festival Features: [Top]

  • 3 DJ Seminars
  • 30 Different Classes
  • 6 Instructor Couples
  • 14 Great DJs
  • 17 Total Milongas
  • 6 Traditional Evening Milongas
  • 2 Afternoon Milongas
  • 1 Late Night Milonga.
  • 2 Free Mixer Milongas
  • 1 Free Practica
  • 2 Performance Nights
  • 3 Beginner's Boot Camp Classes
  • 1 Free Boot Camp Graduation Milonga
  • 1 Teacher Training Workshop
  • 3 Matinee Milongas
  • 6 Advanced Master's Level Classes

Prices (Discount and pre-register ends Oct 5, 2012!)

Pass for Everything Except Master's Lessons - $335

Admission to all classes, milongas, DJ Seminars and Teacher's Training workshop, EXCEPT the Master's Lessons. This pass is a wrist band which MUST BE WORN ON THE WRIST at all times for admission to each event. Saves $265 over paying for each event separately at the festival


Full Milonga Pass - $125 each

Includes admission to all 15 milongas. This pass is a wrist band which MUST BE WORN ON THE WRIST at all times for admission to each milonga. Saves $60 over paying for each milonga separately at the door!


Pack of 6 Class Tokens - $130 each pack

Each Token provides access for one person to any class EXCEPT the Master's Lessons. You may share these tokens with a partner or friend but there is a limit of four 6-packs per registration. Each 6-pack saves $38 over the price of buying single class tokens at the festival.


Single Class Tokens - $25 each

Each Token provides access for one person to any class EXCEPT the Master's Lessons. Buying now saves $3 on each Class Token over the price of purchasing them at the festival. (For ordering more then 5, choose the 6-pack above.)


Master's Lessons - $65/couple for each class

Very advanced material for advanced MASTER'S LEVEL COUPLES ONLY! Lessons will be held at the Paradise Ballroom, 826 SE Belmont St. You MUST pre-register on-line or at the Registration Desk in Norse Hall before being admitted to these classes. See Schedule for details.

Information for First-Time Attendees (what to do first!): [Top]

  • Registration: You can either pre-register (which is cheaper) or register on-site at the registration desk in Norse Hall, 111, NE 11th Ave open 10:00a-4:00p Thu-Sun, Oct 11-14, 2012. (Cash, checks, VISA MasterCard, Discover or American Express accepted.) If you pre-register, pick up your Wrist Band Pass and/or class tokens at the registration desk or at the evening milongas on Wed, Thu or Fri.
  • Classes: To enter any class (with the exception of the Master's Lessons on Monday) you must have one class-token/person (purchased at the registration desk or by pre-registering) which will be collected at the door or have an Everything Wrist Band Pass--no other means of class admission will be accepted. Tokens are good for any class of your choice and may be shared with a partner or friend.
  • Master's Lessons on Friday, Saturday & Sunday: These lessons are for advanced master level couples only and you must pre-register on line or sign up at the registration desk ahead of time.
  • Milongas: Admission to all milongas is by cash, check or Wrist Band Pass--which must be worn on the wrist.
  • Venues: All regular classes are in Norse Hall. Master Lessons are in Paradise. Sat Alternative and Sat & Sun Late Night milongas are at Imago. Click here for map.(Friday afternoon Alternative is at the Berretin, 6305 SE Foster. Too far to walk, so you will need a ride.
  • Lodging: Click here for information

Private lessons and practice space: [Top]

Please coordinate and negotiate times, locations, and prices directly with the TangoFest instructors and practica guides that you would like a lesson with. The following locations will be available for privates and/or for practicing

  • Norse Hall Nordic Room (Basement), 111 NE 11th Ave.  No charge. Available at all times when the building is open for TangoFest.
  • Paradise Ballroom, 826 E Belmont. $15/hour. Pay at the door. Available lunch times and before and after classes (check schedule). Call Astrid at (503) 730-8639 to schedule.

Vendors: [Top]

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

Lost & Found: [Top]

Please contact Rudolph McCaughan. 503-740-7170 - rpmccaughan@yahoo.com

Refund Policy: [Top]

Cancellations for any reason made on or before Oct 1, 2012 will receive a full refund minus $15 for processing. Cancellations made between Oct 2, 2012 and Oct 15, 2012 will receive no refund for the Master's Lessons and 90% back on all other fees. Cancellation notifications received after Oct 15, 2012 will receive no refund.

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!
More information can on be found on Jeff Mandel's web site and at:

  • Jupiter Hotel - fleet of 7 bikes for rental to guests; $20 per 8 hours or inquire about full day rentals
  • Ace Hotel - 2 loaner bikes for guests, first come first serve
  • 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

Comments: [Top]