Hello

Following months of preparation the day finally came when we packed up the car on a hot Friday afternoon and headed down to one of our favourite country towns… Bundanoon together with 130 other tangueros and their friends and partners.

This year was the third year that we’ve hosted this event together with the Tango Social Club of Canberra and we felt that this year, would be the best yet.

The weekend began with a screening of Tango with a Twist on the Friday night followed by a milonguita dj’d by our friend Callum Dodd from Melbourne. We endeavor to involve the locals and seek their support and ownership of this event as well, considering we bring so many people to their town. The film was open to the general public, and we were rewarded with a great show of support from the locals. The director and editor of the film Dominique Pile & Ros Baker were on hand and must have felt thrilled by the warm round of applause at the closing of the film.

More people trickled in as the night drew on, and the floor filled with tangueros while the music drifted softly around the town.

Saturday morning and temperatures close to 35 degrees were expected. But who ever heard of details such as this to damper the enthusiasm of tangueros hailing from New York, Perth, New Zealand, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sunshine coast, Port Macquarie, Sydney & Canberra.

Dancers could choose to join a historic walk around town, cycling, visit the winery or amazing monastry before heading to the hall for dancing. We offered a beginners workshop for the locals, and again were warmly regarded by the locals who took up the free offer. There is now a group of people very interested in taking up this dance that we love for any teachers out there willing to take up this opportunity.

The practica was another welcome for people who arrived and registrations continued with the first 100 people receiving complimentary Bundy bottles (reusable drink bottles to be filled up by the water fountains around town for free). The Bundanoon mission was promoted, where the first person to provide 30 names of dancers they’ve danced with (a minimum of 5 being strangers) would win a prize. As organizers, our goal for this weekend is for it to be a social weekend, where everyone would meet and dance and socially interact, making tango in Australia stronger and more community minded. The practica was a real sign that the weekend was going to be a success with the floor already being quite full, and seeing many happy smiling faces was again rewarding. Thankyou to our  DJ’s from Brisbane Miguel and Lydia.

The afternoon/early evening was a time for swimming/relaxing and dressing for a dinner at the Bundanoon hotel where we filled the restaurant. The food was outstanding. We then walked over to the hall for the Grand Milonga.

Walking into the hall in the evening gives me goose bumps just thinking about it. It was just beautiful. The tables were all dressed with flowers (by Flowers by Teresa), candles, glasses and themed tablecloths. The beautifully preserved wooden dance floor from the 1920’s looked so welcoming, the stage had the musical instruments including a magnificent harp and double base. Very special. Everyone dressed for the occasion and were treated to wine & champagne. Thanks to our sponsor Tertini Wines for providing us with their beautiful wines.

It didn’t take long for the room to fill and for the dance floor to resemble a busy floor in Buenos Aires where a beautiful energy developed. It was devoured and enjoyed by us all. The band Los Jovenes de Tango a local tango band were just wonderful, and many dancers stopped dancing just so they could simply listen and enjoy the music. We were again rewarded with Bundanoon hospitality by way of the caterers who worked silently in the background and provided us with a delicious supper. Thankyou to our DJ Yuko whose music was greatly enjoyed by us all.

The night ended all too soon, but with another 4 hours of dancing the following day, we all hugged each other after just one of those special nights. Our volunteers quickly returned the hall to normal and we all went off to our respective after milonga parties, some of whom enjoyed a midnight swim and dancing till 3.

The next morning, Callum again came to offer his services by way of providing a Tai Chi lesson where approximately 30 people came to chillout and stretch before the practica.

Then Miss Anne-Maree – our beautiful guest from New Zealand, provided us with her fabulous playlist at the practica. It was great to see so many people really use the practica to practice steps. Something that could be done more of we think.

It all came to an end so quickly, but as co-organiser, it was just such a pleasure and so rewarding knowing that our efforts were appreciated by so many people. I’d like to especially thank Linda MacFarlane from Canberra who is just such a pleasure to work with. Her ideas and eye for detail were really gratefully received by everyone who went to this event. Thankyou also to the many wonderful volunteers, who made our job seem effortless. It really makes such a difference.

The event will definitely happen again next year, and as word is getting out about the success of the event, there will be a cut off point for registrations. So when it is announced, we recommend you book early.

Photos will appear on Tango Synergy soon, however a very talented photographer Anton from Brisbane, has posted some photos onto: www.facesoftango.com. We invite you to review.

Kind regards

Karen Garnett

Treasurer Tango Synergy
Co-organiser of BASH