Golden Age Tango Academy 501c3

Thank you Joan Borsten for helping inform people about this Important, but mostly forgotten, part of our heritage. The Jerusalem Post - Israel News Grapevine J...anuary 15, 2021: By GREER FAY CASHMAN JANUARY 14, 2021 20:03 IN THERAPIES involving word associations, it is doubtful that many people when hearing the word Auschwitz would think of tangos. It is known that Auschwitz had an orchestra, and until they were sent to the gas chambers, the instrumentalists included some of Europe’s finest musicians, many of whom were Jewish. One such musician was the Hungarian-born mother of Ivan Schvarts, who was born in the USSR,and now lives in the US. Both his parents were Holocaust survivors. His mother was liberated from Auschwitz by the Red Army. As Schvarts was growing up, his mother would tell him stories of how they played tangos. Some of these were Yiddish tangos that were played in pre-war Yiddish cabarets. The stories have remained with him, and tangos, especially Yiddish tangos, signify for Schvarts the image of survival. Not surprisingly, he is a tango teacher. He has been teaching tango since 2007, and runs a not-for-profit Golden Age Tango Academy that provides tango classes for seniors, veterans and people with disabilities. Although he teaches tango to universal tango tunes, he remains committed to the Yiddish tango. Schvarts has studied the history of tango, which originated in Buenos Aires as a blend of European immigrant cultures with Afro-Argentine rhythms. According to Schvarts, tango was born as a dance of resistance and defiance. Decades later and continents away, Yiddish-language tangos emerged as a significant part of Jewish culture in Eastern Europe, and continued to be played and danced to in the ghettos and concentration camps. Like the people who survived the camps, the Yiddish tangos survived with them. Schvarts, who is keen to preserve them for future generations, currently serves as president of the San Francisco Russian WWII Veterans Association, where he runs six major tango programs sponsored by the City of San Francisco and the American League of Veterans. These programs also include Yiddish tangos, which Schvarts says are rich in history. He is aware that he does not know the whole history of the Yiddish tango and is always eager to learn more, especially from people who played Yiddish tangos or heard them in the concentration and labor camps. Schvarts can be contacted at [email protected]. See more

Live Band TANGO BRUMOSONovember 8th. 2-5pm Donations for the Band uppreciated Mask & Social Distance in place for everyone, Dancing with your designated partner Individuals with No partners welcome to enjoy the music & the ocean air

Free classes & pactica Tuesday January 5, 12noon-2:30pm with guest teacher Julie Liu

Sunday Tango at Fort Miley with Live Orchestra Brumoso Thank you everyone for coming to spend the afternoon with your friends in the most beautiful spot in Sa...n Francisco and a special thanks for the amazing musician Orchestra Brumoso Looking forward to having the Milonga next Sunday November 15.2-5pm if Wether permits See more

*Milonga la Paz in the times of Covid-19* Have your local tango classes and milongas been cancelled for too long? Would you like to keep your tango journey alive during social distancing?... Let’s take this opportunity to dive deep into your tango by learning from the best. https://www.letsdancetango.com/ Tango Classes now on Zoom! Everyone at Milonga La Paz is missing the weekly milongas and get togethers terribly. Until we meet again, join us for some fantastic tango classes on Zoom! Golden Age Tango Academy / Milonga La Paz has done its research and has teamed up with the Lets Dance Tango, a group of internationally renowned teachers and tango professionals who host weekly classes on Zoom. Pick the time and date that works best for you and join us for some amazing tango classes. https://www.letsdancetango.com/ *We are limiting the number of places available so that you may get personal attention from our instructors - make sure you sign-up now*

Matinee milonga a Sunday May 18 at The Red Vic Tango Salon, class with Oksana 2-3pm, milonga 3-6pm, Vino, coffee chocolate, $10, students with ID $5

By popular demand Chantal Eril with superb pedagogy talent is beck to Milonga La Paz Friday February 28, 7-11pm

The subtleties of tango - What generally is not taught Tango etiquette suggests that the leader should cabeceo only AFTER the music has started. That gives the follower a chance to decide if she/he wishes to dance that particular tanda.

Not to be missed. Tonight, Friday Jan. 17, 2020 at 7:00 pm Margarita Friday at Viernes Milonga La Paz!

Join us for a Margarita Viernes (Friday) Milonga in the beautiful War Memorial Veterans Building! 401 Van Ness Av. room 212 Civic Center San Francisco... 7:00 -11:00pm - Milonga Party with complementary margaritas, wine, salsa, chips and snacks! DJ - to be announced $15 Individuals FREE for veterans with ID Beginners Welcome! No partners necessary

The subtleties of tango - The "cabeceo" - What if you are seated among a group of followers and are unsure if you were the "intended"? There are two options. One can discretely point to oneself and the leader should confirm with another nod or you wait in your seat until the leader is directly in front of you. Never get up and never, never walk to meet the leader half way.