Last Saturday 24th June 2023 was a special party afternoon as Tango E14 has been awarded a recommended membership of AMBCTA with a celebration and Los Ocampo teaching as Guest Teachers.
Tango E14 has been honoured with a unique international award. It is recognition for work, dedication and spreading of Argentine tango dance in the local and wider community. Organisers and teachers Tony and Anita were made members of the ‘Association of Teachers, Dancers and Choreographers of Argentine Tango; (AMBCTA- Asociacion de Maestros, Bailarines y Coreógrafos de Tango Argentino based in Buenos Aires, Argentina).
Award for long-term commitment and dedication
The presentation was made on Saturday 24th June at Saint John’s Community Centre, 39 Glengall Grove, E14 3NE, by Monica Romero, who is the vice president of AMBCTA. Monica said the award was for the long-term commitment and dedication of Tony and Anita to the promotion, understanding and enjoyment of what Argentine Tango really is in the local and wider community, even though Tony and Anita are not Argentinean.
Tango E14 has been at this centre for over 14 years and stands out for its commitment and involvement of the local community and its dedication to engage people that have never danced Argentine tango before.
They say ‘Our objective is to help people discover the pleasure and joy to be had with Argentine Tango. To find ways to connect a couple as one and move together to the music. To appreciate and understand the music so that we, as dancers, become part of the music.’ In social Argentine tango there is no set choreography or steps. It is all improvised. Dancers interpret their feelings, their connection, and how they move with the music in each moment.
The afternoon also included a super lesson from Monica Romero and her partner Omar Ocampo, ‘Los Ocampo’. They are lifetime professional dancers from Argentina of Tango and Latin Folk dances. The class, involving all levels, was directed at discovering fun and playful movements. This was followed by Tango E14’s usual weekly Social dance/Milonga. Argentine tango is essentially a social partner dance.
Our objective is to help people discover the pleasure and joy to be had with Argentine Tango
Tango E14 often has guest teachers to introduce new ideas or clarify old ones, because Argentine Tango is evolving. ‘We are inclusive in both classes and social dancing, welcoming absolute beginners as well as experienced dancers.’
It usually runs from 1 – 5pm at 39 Glengall Grove, E14 3NE, (DLR Crossharbour), on Saturday afternoons. Please check the calendar page here for exact details.
