City steps up its passion for tango with latest festival

Published on Monday 21 April 2008 10:48

EDINBURGH is set to stage yet another festival – dedicated to the fiery Latin American art of tango.

Hundreds of aspiring dancers from across the city will be showing off their moves at a series of events to be held in Edinburgh University's Pollock Halls, South Hall complex and Teviot Row House, between May 23 and 26.

With a ten-piece tango orchestra flown in from Buenos Aires, internationally-renowned dance teachers and beginners workshops for those born with two left feet, the festival is striving to cater for all levels of ability.

Festival organiser Brian Moretta, a financial consultant from Edinburgh who has been dancing the tango for seven years, said: "Last year we celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Tango Society in Edinburgh, but this year we thought we could go one better.

"We want to bring tango to a wider audience and we feel there is a growing community of tango dancers in Edinburgh."

La Orquesta Tipica Fervor de Buenos Aires will be playing in the UK for the first time, during the Spring Ball finale to the event, while there will also be performances from Nancy Louzan and Damian Essel, judges of the World Tango Championships.

Paris-based Celine Ruiz and Damian Rosenthal will also perform, alongside Dutch DJ Michiel Lombaers.

Edinburgh-based tango experts Jenny Frances and Richard Oria will be taking part, along with experienced teacher Toby Morris who will be taking the beginners classes.

Mr Moretta added: "The orchestra that we're bringing over are an up and coming group who have developed a really good reputation in Argentina and in Europe. They've developed their own style which is really exciting.

"I'm sure people will have a good time whether they have danced the tango before or not."

Tango hit the headlines in the Capital last year when an Edinburgh couple became the first Scottish-based pair to qualify for the World Tango Championships.

Tim Hospedales and Julieta Pineda travelled to Argentina to compete in the event.

Julieta, who is originally from Argentina but only began dancing when she moved to Scotland, practices two hours a day, seven days a week, and has helped to organise the festival.

She said: "Edinburgh is known in the tango community for being welcoming and having good dancing.

"This Festival should boost that reputation, as well as giving a chance for new people to experience the magic of tango."

In all, the festival features more than 20 different workshops, from beginner to masterclasses.