Tango at Temple!
Philadelphia, PA--Tango fans take note! If you were among the more than two hundred tango dance aficionados at Temple University's "Mighty Milonga Program" at Mitten Hall this spring, and if you, like practically everyone else, dressed your best for this festive event, then you get the "Flying Colors Tango Devotee" award. Guaranteed.
However, if you missed this Latin revelry which continued until 3:00 am--you know these tango affairs never end till dawn streaks the morning sky--then be sure to check with Temple University's Festival Director, Elizabeth Seyler, for the next Milonga date.
This one was fabulous: Delicious Argentine empanadas from Chef D'Angelo of the Art Institute of Philadelphia; musical selections by Allen Krantz (guitar), Moonsun Lee (violin), Lidia Kaminska (accordion) and special appearances by area artists including the "El Go TanGo" dancers. A spectacularly flashy finale was delivered by the internationally recognized tango twosome of Russian-born Michael Nadtochi and Argentine-born Angeles Chanaha.
Temple's Mitten Hall is a beautiful structure with two, expansive, polished wooden floors for dancing, a large stage, great carved stone fireplaces, wrought-iron balconies and graceful, arched windows and entryways. No smoke-filled adobe hacienda in the barrio is this edifice!
The Milongas at Temple University support programs for Research in Dance Education that give Philadelphia children opportunities to dance for academic, artistic and personal growth. Included: Improvement in language and literary skills through dance and movement; the teaching of hip-hop, improvisation and other dance forms to elementary and secondary school children; scholarships for children and youths with Temple dance professionals.
For info about the next Mighty, Magnificent, Massive or Maybe even Melodramatic Milonga, PH: 215.204.7613; email: temple.edu/dancingforschools.