Press
Un pedacito de Argentina en Los Angeles
Casi a diario, los amantes del tango pueden encontrar sitios para bailar y disfrutar de la milonga
Silvina Szperling, Especial para Clarín Espectáculos
Hubo un tiempo en que los argentinos emigrados a Los Angeles suspiraban por un mate, una galletita con dulce de leche o un buen asado a la parrilla. Cada vez que uno viajaba a su patria traía obligatoriamente varios paquetes de yerba, mates, bombillas y frascos de dulce de leche, bajo pena de ser expulsados por los amigos si no lo hacía. La carne bien, gracias.
Cuando algún porteño expatriado escuchaba media nota tanguera flotar en la no-ciudad de Los Angeles se le "piantaba (escapaba) un lagrimón".
Por suerte, los tiempos cambiaron, y si bien el flujo de personas de Buenos Aires en Los Angeles parece no ceder un ápice, varias compañías importadoras con visión comercial (aprovechan muy bien la diferencia de valor entre el peso y el dólar) traen los preciados productos, cocinan empanadas y cortan las mejores carnes al uso argentino. De la mano del abaratamiento de las comunicaciones y la mentada globalización, el negocio multicultural hace que se escuchen varios idiomas en los comercios de expendio de productos argentinos, más allá del particular español con acento italiano que da forma al dialecto porteño.
Y aunque uno no se acerque a dichos negocios, se topará con productos de ese origen en cualquier parte: esta primavera, las cadenas de café llegan incluso al abuso, agregando dulce de leche al capuchino (algo que un argentino no haría jamás).
Aún se pueden extrañar los adoquines que le dan a las callecitas de Buenos Aire ese "que se yo" que el poeta Horacio Ferrer tan bien utilizara para introducir la Balada para un loco, con música de Astor Piazzolla. Ni que hablar del ruido que hace la lluvia al caer sobre los adoquines de la húmeda reina del plata (Buenos Aires). Pero, señores, lo que se extraña cada vez menos es el Tango, en particular la milonga, ese local de baile donde se citan hombres y mujeres para abrazarse con permiso.
Y ese que en los últimos años las milongas han crecido en cantidad, tamaño y popularidad, tanto es así que casi todas las noches de la semana se puede disfrutar de un buen tanguito en Los Angeles. Eso sí, hay que permanecer despierto por lo menos hasta la medianoche, más allá de la costumbre local.
Casi a diario, los amantes del tango pueden encontrar sitios para bailar y disfrutar de la milonga
Silvina Szperling, Especial para Clarín Espectáculos
Hubo un tiempo en que los argentinos emigrados a Los Angeles suspiraban por un mate, una galletita con dulce de leche o un buen asado a la parrilla. Cada vez que uno viajaba a su patria traía obligatoriamente varios paquetes de yerba, mates, bombillas y frascos de dulce de leche, bajo pena de ser expulsados por los amigos si no lo hacía. La carne bien, gracias.
Cuando algún porteño expatriado escuchaba media nota tanguera flotar en la no-ciudad de Los Angeles se le "piantaba (escapaba) un lagrimón".
Por suerte, los tiempos cambiaron, y si bien el flujo de personas de Buenos Aires en Los Angeles parece no ceder un ápice, varias compañías importadoras con visión comercial (aprovechan muy bien la diferencia de valor entre el peso y el dólar) traen los preciados productos, cocinan empanadas y cortan las mejores carnes al uso argentino. De la mano del abaratamiento de las comunicaciones y la mentada globalización, el negocio multicultural hace que se escuchen varios idiomas en los comercios de expendio de productos argentinos, más allá del particular español con acento italiano que da forma al dialecto porteño.
Y aunque uno no se acerque a dichos negocios, se topará con productos de ese origen en cualquier parte: esta primavera, las cadenas de café llegan incluso al abuso, agregando dulce de leche al capuchino (algo que un argentino no haría jamás).
Aún se pueden extrañar los adoquines que le dan a las callecitas de Buenos Aire ese "que se yo" que el poeta Horacio Ferrer tan bien utilizara para introducir la Balada para un loco, con música de Astor Piazzolla. Ni que hablar del ruido que hace la lluvia al caer sobre los adoquines de la húmeda reina del plata (Buenos Aires). Pero, señores, lo que se extraña cada vez menos es el Tango, en particular la milonga, ese local de baile donde se citan hombres y mujeres para abrazarse con permiso.
Y ese que en los últimos años las milongas han crecido en cantidad, tamaño y popularidad, tanto es así que casi todas las noches de la semana se puede disfrutar de un buen tanguito en Los Angeles. Eso sí, hay que permanecer despierto por lo menos hasta la medianoche, más allá de la costumbre local.
La Opinion
May, 23rd 2004
May, 23rd 2004
Top
Frente a un fuerte desafío
Tras participar durante varias temporadas en uno de los espectáculos "underground" de mayor receptividad popular, nos referimos a la obra "Hacé la Calle" del autor Juan Carlos Patrón, la joven actriz Mónica Orozco se apresta a vivir próximamente otro desafío escénico de connotaciones sanguinas en la vida histórica de los Argentinos. Se trata precisamente de "Evita, la mujer", pieza de Agustín Pérez Pardella, que con dirección de Jorge Aimeta y un importante elenco, se desarrollará en importantes localidades del interior del país, para luego establecerse en la sala Casacuberta del Tartro Municipal General San Martin.
"No tengo dudas de que la personalidad de Eva Perón se encuentra muy bien retratada en este espectáculo, que movilizará a un publico mayoritario -expuso la actriz- ya que la figura de Eva se inscribe en la batalla cotidiana de la vida, la defensa de las convicciones y la lucha por la justicia social". En otro orden, Mónica Orozco forma parte de un grupo de intérpretes que desarrollará varios trabajos en el rubro video para ser presentados en televisión.
Tras participar durante varias temporadas en uno de los espectáculos "underground" de mayor receptividad popular, nos referimos a la obra "Hacé la Calle" del autor Juan Carlos Patrón, la joven actriz Mónica Orozco se apresta a vivir próximamente otro desafío escénico de connotaciones sanguinas en la vida histórica de los Argentinos. Se trata precisamente de "Evita, la mujer", pieza de Agustín Pérez Pardella, que con dirección de Jorge Aimeta y un importante elenco, se desarrollará en importantes localidades del interior del país, para luego establecerse en la sala Casacuberta del Tartro Municipal General San Martin.
"No tengo dudas de que la personalidad de Eva Perón se encuentra muy bien retratada en este espectáculo, que movilizará a un publico mayoritario -expuso la actriz- ya que la figura de Eva se inscribe en la batalla cotidiana de la vida, la defensa de las convicciones y la lucha por la justicia social". En otro orden, Mónica Orozco forma parte de un grupo de intérpretes que desarrollará varios trabajos en el rubro video para ser presentados en televisión.
Crónica Newspaper,
Buenos Aires
October, 12th 1989
Buenos Aires
October, 12th 1989
Top
Mónica Orozco
With a style that combines the traditional melodies with the latest modern styles, influenced by Astor Piazolla, this great artist spreads the sensual dance of Tango to every corner of the planet. With a solid framework, that includes studies in cinematography, ballet, tap and contemporary dance, she studied tango with the most traditional milonga maestros of Buenos Aires.
As teacher and dancer, she has been invited to participate in the Tango Festivals of Italy and France, while preparing works to present in Washington and New York. Concurrently she finds herself preparing her video of exercises entitled "The Development of Muscles for Dancing Tango".
This year she was named the Director of the "Hollywood Tango Festival" occurring in October, in conjunction with "The Movie Festival" which was organized by the Argentine Consulate and the City of Los Angeles. Also, along with the Musical Director of Forever Tango, she is preparing a show with the music of Astor Piazolla, his first tango opera, which will commence in July or August.
Furthermore, currently she can be found working as the choreographer for the program Soulfood on the Fox television channel.
As teacher and dancer, she has been invited to participate in the Tango Festivals of Italy and France, while preparing works to present in Washington and New York. Concurrently she finds herself preparing her video of exercises entitled "The Development of Muscles for Dancing Tango".
This year she was named the Director of the "Hollywood Tango Festival" occurring in October, in conjunction with "The Movie Festival" which was organized by the Argentine Consulate and the City of Los Angeles. Also, along with the Musical Director of Forever Tango, she is preparing a show with the music of Astor Piazolla, his first tango opera, which will commence in July or August.
Furthermore, currently she can be found working as the choreographer for the program Soulfood on the Fox television channel.
Con un estilo que conjuga desde las melodías mas tradicionales, hasta las formas mas modernas influenciadas por Astor Piazzolla, esta gran artista, difunde !a sensual danza del Tango en cada rincón del planeta. Con una sólida formación, que incluye estudios de cinematografía, ballet, tap y danza contemporánea, estudió tango con las mas tradicionales maestros milongueros de Buenos Aires.Como maestra y bailarina ha sido invitada a participar en los festivales de tango de Italia y Francia, mientras prepara trabajos para presentar en Washington y New York. Conjuntamente se encuentra preparando su video de ejercicios "Desarrollo de músculos para bailar el tango".
Este año fue nombrada Directora del "Hollywood Tango Festival" a realizarse en Octubre conjuntamente con el "Movie Festival" organizado por el Consulado Argentino y La Ciudad de Los Angeles. También, junto al Director musical de Forever Tango, está preparando un espectáculo con música de Astor Piazzolla, su primer opera tango, que se estrenará en Julio o Agosto.
En estos momentos, además se encuentra trabajando como coreografía en televisión para la cadena Fox en el programa Soulfood.
Este año fue nombrada Directora del "Hollywood Tango Festival" a realizarse en Octubre conjuntamente con el "Movie Festival" organizado por el Consulado Argentino y La Ciudad de Los Angeles. También, junto al Director musical de Forever Tango, está preparando un espectáculo con música de Astor Piazzolla, su primer opera tango, que se estrenará en Julio o Agosto.
En estos momentos, además se encuentra trabajando como coreografía en televisión para la cadena Fox en el programa Soulfood.
De Norte a Sur Newspaper
Uruguay / California
April 2004
Uruguay / California
April 2004
Top
Tango Argentino in San Diego
There are many places in San Diego to go to learn and practice Tango Argentino. You can practice Tango at Caffe di Fiori every Wednesday in Hillcrest, also on Mondays at Tio Leos after 8:00 pm. These two offer Tango "practica" and there is no cover charge. At Caffe di Fiori many Tango instructors and excellent dancers have made their cruzadas and ganchos such as Marizabel and Todd. Jorge Visconti and Mónica Orozco, Fernanda and Guillermo, and Susan Lake. Back in December Ludmille and Ive, founders of El Mundo Del Tango visited Caffe di Fiorl.
Now, if you would like to see a show Cafe Sevilla offers a dinner and show every Friday.
If you would like to take classes of Tango Argentino, there are several places and many instructors. You are welcome to call La Sonrisa Latina at 619-276-5840 and we will provide a list a list of instructors. From beginners to advanced.
There are many places in San Diego to go to learn and practice Tango Argentino. You can practice Tango at Caffe di Fiori every Wednesday in Hillcrest, also on Mondays at Tio Leos after 8:00 pm. These two offer Tango "practica" and there is no cover charge. At Caffe di Fiori many Tango instructors and excellent dancers have made their cruzadas and ganchos such as Marizabel and Todd. Jorge Visconti and Mónica Orozco, Fernanda and Guillermo, and Susan Lake. Back in December Ludmille and Ive, founders of El Mundo Del Tango visited Caffe di Fiorl.
Now, if you would like to see a show Cafe Sevilla offers a dinner and show every Friday.
If you would like to take classes of Tango Argentino, there are several places and many instructors. You are welcome to call La Sonrisa Latina at 619-276-5840 and we will provide a list a list of instructors. From beginners to advanced.
La Sonrisa Latina Magazine, San Diego
February 2003
February 2003
Top
Mónica Orozco y Passion & Power
In order to bid the year farewell and show her students' great strides, the dance teacher, Monica Orozco, produced a creative show at the Argentine Association on December 4 of last year.
The event had the patronage of the Argentine Consul of Los Angeles and with the presence of the Adjunct Consul, Mr. Roberto Diez, and was highly attended by the many tango fans from our country as well as of the United States.
Prior to the commencement of the show, an exquisite dinner was served, and in times like this with the tango rhythm, everyone took advantage of the opportunity to dance in this healthy vice which they carry in their blood and that moves them to dance tango every time they hear it.
The show consisted of old "piringundines" where the tango was danced at the beginning of the last century and it was dominated by "Memories" and started with a waltz danced by the professors, Pedro Monteleone and Monica Orozco, called "From The Heart" from the orchestra Color Tango; then they danced to the beat of "The Gallop," then later the students, Jorge Morales and Ani Morales, danced "Milonga Old Milonga," David Niemetz and Noriko Niemetz danced "La Yumba," Miguel Dilela and Anika Tuzco danced "Grises" To conclude, Klaus Hense and Marina Lampres danced "Summer of Buenos Aires."
At the end the teachers danced "Evaristo Carriego," also from the orchestra "Color Tango," and closed with a farewell with all who participated hand-in-hand with the teachers.
Monica demonstrated once more why she is one of the great tango dancers in the United States and an excellent teacher. As if this wasn't enough, she leaves evidence that she has a great ability to organize and present shows.
The event had the patronage of the Argentine Consul of Los Angeles and with the presence of the Adjunct Consul, Mr. Roberto Diez, and was highly attended by the many tango fans from our country as well as of the United States.
Prior to the commencement of the show, an exquisite dinner was served, and in times like this with the tango rhythm, everyone took advantage of the opportunity to dance in this healthy vice which they carry in their blood and that moves them to dance tango every time they hear it.
The show consisted of old "piringundines" where the tango was danced at the beginning of the last century and it was dominated by "Memories" and started with a waltz danced by the professors, Pedro Monteleone and Monica Orozco, called "From The Heart" from the orchestra Color Tango; then they danced to the beat of "The Gallop," then later the students, Jorge Morales and Ani Morales, danced "Milonga Old Milonga," David Niemetz and Noriko Niemetz danced "La Yumba," Miguel Dilela and Anika Tuzco danced "Grises" To conclude, Klaus Hense and Marina Lampres danced "Summer of Buenos Aires."
At the end the teachers danced "Evaristo Carriego," also from the orchestra "Color Tango," and closed with a farewell with all who participated hand-in-hand with the teachers.
Monica demonstrated once more why she is one of the great tango dancers in the United States and an excellent teacher. As if this wasn't enough, she leaves evidence that she has a great ability to organize and present shows.
Para despedir el ano y mostrar los avances de sus alumnos, la profesora de baile Mónica Orozco, realizó un creativo show en la asociación Argentina de Los Angeles, el 4 de Diciembre pasado.
El evento contó con el auspicio del Consulado Argentino en Los Angeles y con la presencia del Cónsul Adjunto Sr. Roberto Diez, y fue muy concurrido con presencia de fanáticos del tango tanto de nuestro país como de EE. UU.
Antes del comienzo del show, hubo una exquisita cena para todos los presentes y, como siempre en estos casos al ritmo del tango, todas las parejas presentes aprovecharon para despuntar este vicio tan sano que llevan en la sangre y que los mueve a bailar el tango cada vez que lo escuchan.
EI show consistió en una ambientación de los viejos "piringundines" en donde se bailaba el tango a principios del siglo pasado y lo denominaron "Memories" y comenzó con un vals bailado por los profesores Pedro Monteleone y Mónica Orozco llamado "Desde el alma" de la orquesta Color Tango; luego danzaron al compás de "A1 Galope" para luego mas tarde a los estudiantes Jorge Morales y Ani Morales, Estos bailaron "Milonga Vieja Milonga", David Niemetz y Noriko Niemetz, bailaron "LaYumba", Miguel Dilela y Anika Tuzco, danzaron "Grises" Por ultimo Klaus Hense y Marina Lampres bailaron "Verano Porteño"
El cierre llego de la mano de los profesores bailando "Evaristo Carriego", también de la orquesta "Color Tango'', finalizando con la despedida de todos los que actuaron y de la mano de los profesores.
Mónica demostró una vez mas por que es una de las grandes bailarinas de tango en EE. UU. y también una excelente profesora, y como si esto fuera poco, deja evidenciada una gran capacidad para montar y organizar shows.
Festejo de Navidad y Hannukkah en la AALA
El viernes 19 de Diciembre se celebró en la Asociación Argentina de Los Angeles la Navidad y Hanukkah con cena y baile de lo mejor, como nos tiene acostumbrado este lugar. No falto nada hubo regalos para los chicos de la mano de Papa Noel. Luego hubo baile musicalizado por Victor Cruz. También hubo un pequeño show de tango con la presencia de Alberto Fernández,y uno melódico con Elio Martel.
Luego se hizo el tradicional brindis, donde todos chocaron sus copas, y se desearon felicidades, y por supuesto que todos tengamos un excelente 2004.
La fiesta fue un éxito con lleno total, y todo el mundo bailo hasta tarde.
El evento contó con el auspicio del Consulado Argentino en Los Angeles y con la presencia del Cónsul Adjunto Sr. Roberto Diez, y fue muy concurrido con presencia de fanáticos del tango tanto de nuestro país como de EE. UU.
Antes del comienzo del show, hubo una exquisita cena para todos los presentes y, como siempre en estos casos al ritmo del tango, todas las parejas presentes aprovecharon para despuntar este vicio tan sano que llevan en la sangre y que los mueve a bailar el tango cada vez que lo escuchan.
EI show consistió en una ambientación de los viejos "piringundines" en donde se bailaba el tango a principios del siglo pasado y lo denominaron "Memories" y comenzó con un vals bailado por los profesores Pedro Monteleone y Mónica Orozco llamado "Desde el alma" de la orquesta Color Tango; luego danzaron al compás de "A1 Galope" para luego mas tarde a los estudiantes Jorge Morales y Ani Morales, Estos bailaron "Milonga Vieja Milonga", David Niemetz y Noriko Niemetz, bailaron "LaYumba", Miguel Dilela y Anika Tuzco, danzaron "Grises" Por ultimo Klaus Hense y Marina Lampres bailaron "Verano Porteño"
El cierre llego de la mano de los profesores bailando "Evaristo Carriego", también de la orquesta "Color Tango'', finalizando con la despedida de todos los que actuaron y de la mano de los profesores.
Mónica demostró una vez mas por que es una de las grandes bailarinas de tango en EE. UU. y también una excelente profesora, y como si esto fuera poco, deja evidenciada una gran capacidad para montar y organizar shows.
Festejo de Navidad y Hannukkah en la AALA
El viernes 19 de Diciembre se celebró en la Asociación Argentina de Los Angeles la Navidad y Hanukkah con cena y baile de lo mejor, como nos tiene acostumbrado este lugar. No falto nada hubo regalos para los chicos de la mano de Papa Noel. Luego hubo baile musicalizado por Victor Cruz. También hubo un pequeño show de tango con la presencia de Alberto Fernández,y uno melódico con Elio Martel.
Luego se hizo el tradicional brindis, donde todos chocaron sus copas, y se desearon felicidades, y por supuesto que todos tengamos un excelente 2004.
La fiesta fue un éxito con lleno total, y todo el mundo bailo hasta tarde.
La Sonrisa Latina Magazine, San Diego
February 2003
February 2003
Top
Mónica Orozco y su Academia de Tango
Residing in Los Angeles, the argentine dancer, Monica Orozco, opened her dance academy to teach tango with the intent to have the popular argentine dance known to a large public sector.
Renown for her dedication to dance, she's been invited to participate in the Tango Festivals taking place in France and Italy, as well by FOX television, in their "Fine Living" program as an expert in tango. Ultimately she's been nominated as the director to the next Hollywood Tango Festival, followed by the Argentine Film Festival sponsored by the City of Los Angeles.
At the moment, along with her tango classes and gym classes, she is preparing a video for the muscular development required to dance tango.For more information regarding classes, milongas, and tango activities, call 213/880-5225.
Renown for her dedication to dance, she's been invited to participate in the Tango Festivals taking place in France and Italy, as well by FOX television, in their "Fine Living" program as an expert in tango. Ultimately she's been nominated as the director to the next Hollywood Tango Festival, followed by the Argentine Film Festival sponsored by the City of Los Angeles.
At the moment, along with her tango classes and gym classes, she is preparing a video for the muscular development required to dance tango.For more information regarding classes, milongas, and tango activities, call 213/880-5225.
Radicada en Los Angeles, la bailarina argentina Mónica Orozco abrió su academia de baile para ensañar tango con la intención de hacer conocer la danza popular argentina a un amplio sector del publico.
Reconocida por su dedicación al baile, ha sido invitada a participar Festivas de Tango realizados en Francia e Italia, como así también por la cadena de televisión de FOX, en su programa "Fine Living" como experta en tango.
Últimamente ha sido nombrada Directora del próximo Hollywood Tango Festival, seguido del Festival de Cine Argentina patrocinado por la Ciudad de Los Angeles.
En la actualidad, junto con sus clases de tango y gimnasia, está preparando un video para el desarrollo muscular necesario para bailar tango.
Reconocida por su dedicación al baile, ha sido invitada a participar Festivas de Tango realizados en Francia e Italia, como así también por la cadena de televisión de FOX, en su programa "Fine Living" como experta en tango.
Últimamente ha sido nombrada Directora del próximo Hollywood Tango Festival, seguido del Festival de Cine Argentina patrocinado por la Ciudad de Los Angeles.
En la actualidad, junto con sus clases de tango y gimnasia, está preparando un video para el desarrollo muscular necesario para bailar tango.
Tango Reporter,Los Angeles
March 2003
March 2003
Top
Dance of a Lifetime
By Traci Mack
Masters of Argentine tango want you to love their art as much as they do.
Throw your leg over your significant others' shoulder at a 45degree angle, while maintaining perfect balance in high heels and a smoldering passionate glare.
Sound difficult? Well, it's all in a day's work for Jorge and Monica Visconti. The Viscontis are professional tango dancers originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, who now reside in Sherman Oaks.
Their love of Argentine tango inspired them to teach classes and sponsor local contests in Southern California, where they have lived for four years.
"The tango is a living art form," says Jorge, 38. "It has a glorious tradition, but it is also growing and changing, always presenting a contemporary face.
"Performing and teaching tango is how the Viscontis make their living.
Their 10-year partnership as professionals has them busy teaching weekly classes at the Dance Arts Academy in Los Angeles and Anisa's School of Dance in Sherman Oaks. The couple also performs throughout North and South America. The V'iscontis also serve as official cultural ambassadors employed by the Argentine Consulate - all this in the name of the dance Jorge calls "the three minute romance."
"In other dance, you just have to follow one set of choreography," said Monica, 36. "In Argentine tango, you have to follow your heart, and use your emotion.
"Recently the Viscontis added another notch to their belt, creating California Tango Contest 2000, the first tango competition in California. Held in late February, the contest inducted an amateur dancer into the world of professional tango. It also helped familiarize the community with a dance many have not experienced before.
"We created the contest to highlight the presence of Argentine culture in California and as a gift to the growing number of those who enjoy the tango," said Jorge. The winning couple were Emilio Flores and Adriana Diaz from San Francisco, who earned a trip to the International Tango Congress March 12-19 in Buenos Aires.
The Viscontis hope contests like these will provide a springboard for tango awareness in local communities. "In Argentina, tango is a phenomenon; it can become an obsession," says Jorge.
By nature, Argentine tango is a dance that can easily inspire obsession. In fact, it's fitting that the Viscontis have a passion for tango, because tango is all about passion. The performances are as much emotional as they are physical, with facial expression and sensuality essential as the movement. It is a dance of intricate footwork and flexibility, where both partners strain toward each other as if they long to be part of the same person.
Constant eye contact between partners is crucial, as the audience is to believe that the dance is an intimate love story told through movement. The Viscontis both agree that without inner passion, succeeding as a tango dancer is difficult.
"A good tango dancer is involved within himself, and puts a bit of themselves in the dance," said Jorge. "You need to dance with feeling.
"You have to have passion inside, because then you won't be able to project it outside, which is the thing that goes first." Monica said.
Expressing such deep feelings provides a beneficial psychological effect as well. Both Viscontis state that it's a cleansing, healing experience to perform a dance, which is so emotionally charged. Plus, people who learn the dance tend to become more social and less reserved. And it's not like the duo doesn't have plenty of romantic ammunition. The two learned the tango separately, Jorge in clubs in Argentina and Monica while appearing in a movie.
The pair met in high school while dancing with different partners. Eventually, Monica Orozco became Monica Visconti, and from then on they were together on and off the dance floor. But as in any partnership, living and working together can put a strain on things.
"We can get tired of each other every once in a while," said Monica with a rueful smile. "But we're professionals, this is what we do."
The Viscontis will never tire of Tango, however, because for them, it's a way of life. Every day, they take a larger step toward spreading that way of life to others.
By Traci Mack
Masters of Argentine tango want you to love their art as much as they do.
Throw your leg over your significant others' shoulder at a 45degree angle, while maintaining perfect balance in high heels and a smoldering passionate glare.
Sound difficult? Well, it's all in a day's work for Jorge and Monica Visconti. The Viscontis are professional tango dancers originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, who now reside in Sherman Oaks.
Their love of Argentine tango inspired them to teach classes and sponsor local contests in Southern California, where they have lived for four years.
"The tango is a living art form," says Jorge, 38. "It has a glorious tradition, but it is also growing and changing, always presenting a contemporary face.
"Performing and teaching tango is how the Viscontis make their living.
Their 10-year partnership as professionals has them busy teaching weekly classes at the Dance Arts Academy in Los Angeles and Anisa's School of Dance in Sherman Oaks. The couple also performs throughout North and South America. The V'iscontis also serve as official cultural ambassadors employed by the Argentine Consulate - all this in the name of the dance Jorge calls "the three minute romance."
"In other dance, you just have to follow one set of choreography," said Monica, 36. "In Argentine tango, you have to follow your heart, and use your emotion.
"Recently the Viscontis added another notch to their belt, creating California Tango Contest 2000, the first tango competition in California. Held in late February, the contest inducted an amateur dancer into the world of professional tango. It also helped familiarize the community with a dance many have not experienced before.
"We created the contest to highlight the presence of Argentine culture in California and as a gift to the growing number of those who enjoy the tango," said Jorge. The winning couple were Emilio Flores and Adriana Diaz from San Francisco, who earned a trip to the International Tango Congress March 12-19 in Buenos Aires.
The Viscontis hope contests like these will provide a springboard for tango awareness in local communities. "In Argentina, tango is a phenomenon; it can become an obsession," says Jorge.
By nature, Argentine tango is a dance that can easily inspire obsession. In fact, it's fitting that the Viscontis have a passion for tango, because tango is all about passion. The performances are as much emotional as they are physical, with facial expression and sensuality essential as the movement. It is a dance of intricate footwork and flexibility, where both partners strain toward each other as if they long to be part of the same person.
Constant eye contact between partners is crucial, as the audience is to believe that the dance is an intimate love story told through movement. The Viscontis both agree that without inner passion, succeeding as a tango dancer is difficult.
"A good tango dancer is involved within himself, and puts a bit of themselves in the dance," said Jorge. "You need to dance with feeling.
"You have to have passion inside, because then you won't be able to project it outside, which is the thing that goes first." Monica said.
Expressing such deep feelings provides a beneficial psychological effect as well. Both Viscontis state that it's a cleansing, healing experience to perform a dance, which is so emotionally charged. Plus, people who learn the dance tend to become more social and less reserved. And it's not like the duo doesn't have plenty of romantic ammunition. The two learned the tango separately, Jorge in clubs in Argentina and Monica while appearing in a movie.
The pair met in high school while dancing with different partners. Eventually, Monica Orozco became Monica Visconti, and from then on they were together on and off the dance floor. But as in any partnership, living and working together can put a strain on things.
"We can get tired of each other every once in a while," said Monica with a rueful smile. "But we're professionals, this is what we do."
The Viscontis will never tire of Tango, however, because for them, it's a way of life. Every day, they take a larger step toward spreading that way of life to others.
Our Times Newspaper
Los Angeles
March, 23rd 2000
Los Angeles
March, 23rd 2000
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