Epicurean Tango Society Celebrates Cultural Similarities of Country Dance with UofC Ballroom … a Shared History of Alberta & Argentina of Cowboys & Tangueros … Welcoming the Brazilians to Calgary Stampede 2011!

Epicurean Tango Society invites everyone to participate 
in honouring our cultural heritage, 
with a 5 Week Pre-Stampede Introduction 
to Country Dancing by talented

Instructor, Woody & Teaching Assistants at UofC Ballroom

At first glance, you may be skeptical about the similarities between Tango and Country since they're in opposite hemispheres and speak different languages, but look a little closer and you'll be surprised!

First of all, both of these magnificent lands were originally indigenous to Native Indians. They battled numerous explorers who attempted to steal it and force them to assimilate. Yet over hundreds of years, many wars ensued, blood was shed and innumerable lives lost; eventually lands were won/lost, people conquered others victorious. Hoards of newcomers traveled on word that a better life with great riches awaited them. But, nothing could have been further from the truth. As immigrants withstood harsh conditions to settle these new territories, wealth wasn't so easily acquired and survival depended upon working together. Core values such as respect, honour, trust, integrity were necessary to keep social order and those who violated these esteemed qualities, were publicly punished as examples to the others.  Perhaps I'm a little biased, but I have never a met a Cowboy that didn't have impeccable manners!

Dancing was a way to forget the grind of the hard living and work conditions with meager reward. Coming together sharing food cooked on the open fire or asado, socializing and music played on the banjo or bandoneon, Country or Tango, it lifted spirits to prepare for another day. (see schedule below)

 With tremendous fortitude and resilience Farmers, Ranchers and Cowboys worked the land to naturally emerge as the major community developers: first to feed their family, then to barter with the rest of the locals. The more visionary, ambitious and successful landowners, looked further afield to stake greater land mass, initiate larger trading networks and most importantly, cultivate alliances for protection against outside opportunists seeking to invade and lay claim to lands, for the good of their country.

It was such entrepreneurs who negotiated early bi-lateral trade agreements between individual countries that formed the basis for much of how, international business is conducted today.


Regardless of country, where there is farming, ranching and cowboys, come horses, cattle, bulls, wheat, vegetables, trade fairs, exhibitions, festivals, competitions and rodeos. Including the best little secret of the most highly valued commodity and frequently smuggled: bull semen, worth as much as gold, if not more!

Today, Alberta and Argentina are home to a significant number of cattle ranchers, suppliers and exporters of their respective, highly acclaimed beef, because of the sweet prairie grazing land. While Canadians eat nearly 29 Kg of beef, per person per annum Argentineans consume a whopping 54 Kg/person, as detailed in recent US reports!

For nearly a century, the Calgary Stampede, the "Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth" runs for 10 days in July hosting By Invitation Only, the world's top shelf rodeo professionals. It is certainly a hard earned honour to receive 1 of 30 coveted berths, within10 different categories and the opportunity to compete in this world class, prestigious event worth a cool $2 million in prize money! Over and above, the Chuckwagons compete for another $1.15 million! Lest you think Cowboys are only from Calgary, you would be totally wrong little buckaroo, this vibrant community is global. For 2011, the Calgary Stampede invited 2 Brazilian Cowboys (and ladies, they're just as sweet down there, as they are up here ;-) whose career earnings ie winning RODEO events hit the bull's eye, with nearly $5.5 million!  Check out those hearty Cowboys and heavenly Cowgirls at the Calgary Stampede, give them a big, warm, welcome and best of luck to all competitors!

Buenos Aires hosts the 11^th Annual Tango Festival & Dance Tango Championships billed as "the World's Largest Tango Extravaganza", for ~ 15 days in August, featuring 2 events with Tango everywhere! First is the free Festival and it is all about Tango, clothes, shoes, music, art, dancing, shows, film screenings, seminars, classes and live orchestras. Then the free Competition, open to amateurs and professionals who must comply to a strict code of rules for two Tango Dance Categories: "Salon Tango" aka "Traditional Tango" and "Stage Tango" (the Buenos Aires Dance Competition doesn't include close embrace alternatively coined Milonguero, by Susana Miller in the 90's).  Contestants of each style vie for the prestigious title plus reimbursement of travel for the August trip to BA.  Thanks to Matt for sharing his experiences in his exceptional write up, as well as his valuable Buenos Aires insights for travelling around.

Each of these cultural events are sponsored by their respective Governments to welcome locals, tourists and participants from around the globe to experience culture, hospitality and friendly competition.

Whether you're Argentinean, Canadian native, national, adopted citizen, or from another country, come and share in Calgary's celebration of the Wild West, the South Americans are. Where will you be?

Epicurean Tango is excited to announce this great cross promotion with Woody at UofC Ballroom!


Wednesday Night Tango Practica includes Stampede Dance Intro / Warm Up:

• Tango Practica 7 pm to 11 pm (1 hour Summer Bonus)
  
• $7 entrance includes tea, coffee, juice, water
  
• Lesson is included with Wednesday's$7 entrance and begins at 7:30 and will be 1/2 to 3 /4 hour
  
• Woody and his talented Teaching Assistants from UofC Ballroom
  
• Schedule:
  • June 8 - 2 Step
    
  • June 15 - Double Shuffle
    
  • UPDATE - June 22 - Closed for Scarboro Community Kids' Soccer Wind up Party
    
  • June 22 - ChaCha
    
  • July 6 - 2 Step
    
• No partner needed, leather soled shoes, boots, comfortable clothes
  
• Scarboro Hall, 1727 – 14 Avenue SW, Calgary – beside the Calgary Tennis Club
  
• See contact info below, if you have any questions
  

Drop in, Bring your Friends, have some fun getting ready for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth and welcome the world to Calgary! Yahoo!


RSVP for these Upcoming Milongas with More Exciting News to Follow Shortly!

June 11^th, Sultry Summer Milonga with Special Shimmy Shake by Arabia's Diamonds, Scarboro Hall 7 pm

July 9^th the 2^nd Annual Stampded Asado & Argentina's Independence 201 years, Scarboro Hall, 7 pm

July 23^rd, Simply Tango, 8 pm at Scarboro Hall

August 6^th, Simply Tango, 8 pm at Scarboro Hall

August 20^th Haute Summer Milonga, 7 pm at Scarboro Hall

Once again, a very special thank you to Bob and Dawn for your hospitality in taking us, on an incredible behind the Calgary Stampede Scenes, to meet the great people and families, whose decades long, generous community service have been integral to the Stampede's potent spirit, the gourmet food and extra-ordinary experience to be a few yards away at ground level face to face with those ~2,000 lbs bulls, totally epicurean!

Epicurean Tango Society

c: 403 540 2525

e:EpicureanTangoSociety@gmail.com

w: http://EpicureanTangoSociety.blogspot.com

 

We look forward to Welcoming You

Epicurean Tango Society © 2010 - 2011