Portland ValenTango XII
Wed-Mon, Feb 11-16, 2009

Mission: Portland Skyline

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 over 600 tangueros attended ValenTango making it and the Portland October TangoFest two of the most popular and successful tango events in North America. (For more infomation about the city, visit City of Portland Web Site.)

Schedule, Prices, Registration, Poster, & City Map:

Classes, Practicas & Milongas:

  • 50 Different classes ranging from absolute beginners to advanced couples.
  • 3 Supervised practicas with instructors available for individual questions and help.
  • 6 Traditional evening milongas.
  • 3 Afternoon alternative milongas.
  • 1 Matinee Milonga con los Maestros with instructors available to dance with students.
  • 2 All night milongas.

Instructors: click here for detailed description of each instructor's class.ValenTango 2008 Instructors

Orchestra & DJs

New This Year

  • Video Passes are no longer required. As in the past, video taping will still not be allowed during the instructional part of the class, but now all paid and authorized attendees may video tape the final five minute instructor summary, and as always, may video tape all performances.
  • Detailed class descriptions are available and can be found by clicking here.
  • Two blogs have been created to help attendees and local residence offering lodging connect. They are: Tango Lodging Offers and Tango Lodging Requests.
  • 11-piece "Orquesta Tipica" under the direction of Alex Krebs will play at the Grande Ball Saturday evening (admission still $20/person if pre-purchased and $25 at the door.).
  • New venue, Hipbone Studio on Burnside a few blocks away, will be used for the Thu & Fri afternoon Alternative Milongas.
  • New venue, Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell will be used for the Wed Opening Milonga.
  • Beginner's/Mixer Milonga (Thursday evening) with emphasis on milonga customs, etiquette, navigation, mixing, and optimizing your dance opportunities.
  • Bike route map, rental locations, and information about a midnight milonga ride can be found by clicking here. 

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

  • Opening Milonga: If you arrive in Portland by Wednesday Feb 13, come to the Opening Milonga at Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell from 9:00p-2:00p. Admission is $10. If you bought a Full-Milonga Pass and because you can't pick it up until the next day, there will be a special Full-Milonga Pass list at the door (for this night only) with your name on it so you won't have to pay twice.
  • Registration: Starting Thursday Feb 14 the registration desk at Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th Ave will be open daily from 10:00a-4:00p. Before taking any classes you must obtain an admission badge. If you pre-registered, there will be a pre-registration packet waiting for you at the desk. If you are not pre-registered, fill out a special registration form and present it at the desk along with payment by cash, check, VISA, MasterCard or Diner's.
  • Milongas: If you are not taking classes but just going to milongas, you do not need to register and you can pay at the door of each milonga. However, if you pre-purchased or wish to purchase a full milonga pass for $85, then again you must go to the registration desk in Norse Hall and pick up your Full-Milonga Pass.
  • Maps: Most classes and milongas are within a few blocks walking distance. Maps will be available in your pre-registration packet and at the registration deck in Norse Hall. (Also, click here for Portland City map)

Lodging:

Festival Attendees: The mojority of attendees stay at one of three nearby hotels, or with local residents (who may or may not charge a fee). For details, click here.

Portland Residents: If you have a house, room, or apartment that you are willing to share or rent out, there's a special "Festival Lodging Offer's Blog" that you can post this information to.

For additional information or personal attention: contact our housing coordinator: Jerry Wallach

Carpooling for Portland Tango Festivals

If you are looking to connect with other drivers or riders to attend any of the upcoming Portland Tango Festival, please visit the Carpooling for Portland Tango Festivals Blog. To post your request or offer a ride on this blog, send an email to portlandcarpooling@gmail.com with all the pertinent information (city, dates, number of passangers, contact info, etc) and it will be posted there

Venues--address and parking information:

  • PDF map of local venues.
  • Ankeny Street Studio, SE corner of 9th and Ankeny. Map. Free street parking. Parking lot on the south side of building becomes a tow-away zone after 6:00 PM and on weekends.
  • Chelsea Ballroom, 1510 SE 9th Ave. Map. Free street parking.
  • Hipbone Studio, 1847 E Burnside. Map. Free street parking and lot next to building.
  • Imago Theatre, 17 SE 8th. Map. Free street parking.
  • Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th. Map. Free street parking and free lot west of building available evenings and weekends.
  • North Star Ballroom, 635 North Killingsworth Court. Map. Free street parking.
  • Oaks Park Pavilion, East end of Sellwood Bridge. Map. Free parking lot.
  • Paradise Ballroom, 826 SE Belmont. Map. Free street parking.
  • PPAA, 618 SE Alder. Map. Free street parking and free US Bank lot at 6th & Alder available on weekends.
  • Tiffany Center, 1410 SW Morrison St. Map. The "U-Park" lot at SW corner of 14th and Alder (1 block N of Tiffany Center) has been reserved exclusively for attendees of the Sat Grande Tango Ball. However, do not leave your care there overnight. Metered street parking (Mon-Sat 8:00 AM-6:00 PM) and various paid lots nearby (weekend rates are flat $5).
  • Wonder Ballroom, 128 NE Russell. Map. Free street parking.

Private lessons and practice space:

Please coordinate and negociate times, locations, and prices directly with the TangoFest instructors that you would like a lesson with. (Use instructor links above for communication.) The following locations will be available for privates and/or for practicing

  • Amouress Studio of Dance, 4515 SW Corbett, Portland, OR, 97219, 503-616-2944. Available at various times.
  • Ankeny Street Private Studio 9th & Ankeny (this is a different space but the same building as the classroom).  $25/hour.  Available at various times.  Contact Jane (503) 233-4601 to schedule.
  • Imago Ballroom (upstairs), 17 SE 8th Ave.  No charge. Available only on Thu-Sat 12:15pm-1:15pm.
  • Jupiter, 800 E Burnside, no charge. Ask at front desk for Dreambox or Conference Room.  Available at various times.
  • Norse Hall Main Ballroom, 111 NE 11th Ave.  No charge. Available only Thu-Sat 12:15pm-1:15pm and Sun 10-11am.
  • Norse Hall Lodge Room (upstairs), 111 NE 11th Ave.  No charge.  Available only Thu-Sat 12:15pm-1:15pm and Sun 10-11am and 5-6pm. 

Transportation from Airport to City Center:

  • Tri-Met "Red Line" light rail. $2.05 takes you to any stop. (Suggestion: call taxi en route and have them meet you at Convention Center or Rose Garden stop to take you to your hotel.)
  • Cabs @ $40 from airport to center center. (503) 227-1234 or (503) 227-1212
  • Shuttles @ $15.
  • Suggestion: check out Portland Oregon Visitor Center (POVA) and call their contact phone number to get answers about visitng Portland.

Schedule, Prices, Registration, Poster, & City Map: