Tango Fantástico

Dance Moves

Students learn to dance to the sounds of music in local classes

Written by Michele Tjin

Published September 12, 2007 in the Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Photograph by George Sakkestad
Students practice their moves during an Argentine tango class session in Los Gatos. Aparna Mahesh (left) dances with Albert Beltran Jr. as Ninva Bitmansour and Ray Dwyer practice in the background.

On a recent evening, men and women slowly strolled into a brightly lit room. They came from all walks of life--students, psychologists, stay-at-home moms--but they were transformed into dancers. Some took off their street shoes, tucked them in a corner of the room and put something more comfortable on their feet. Others loosened their limbs.

Someone turned up the music. As soon as the violins began playing, the men and women paired up and held out their arms to embrace. On cue, their hands and feet moved intricately in concert. They didn't need words, but they were communicating nonetheless.

They were speaking the language of dance.

For Barbara Valdez, there was no place she would have rather been. On this evening, she was taking a weekly Argentine tango class at the community room at Los Gatos High School.

"I just want to dance with someone who makes it feel magical," she said. 

 Tango in High Society

Sharing Meat and Veggies Family Style

By Mary Anne McCarthy

Published May, 10, 2007 - Morgan Hill Times and Gilroy Dispatch

Consuming everyone's attention at the birthday party of Morgan Hill resident Peggy Schnorr were the two Argentinean-style Tango dancers (Argentine being a BIG meat-eating country), Sue Flanagan (sometimes known as Eléna) and her dancing partner, Bernardo Lucero, left the guests of the party slack-jawed at the improvised, sultry movements on the floor of the Community Center party room. I could almost swear I saw Presbyterian Pastor Mark Inouye cross himself. The Schnorr's, both dance enthusiasts, made sure all of their guests had a chance to show off their moves with a swing dance lesson and I must say I was impressed with the nearly 100 percent participation of the male guests.

Tango dancing is a fun, sexy way to get and stay in shape

By Kelly Savio, Staff Writer, & Chris Riley, Chief Photographer - South Valley Newspapers

Published June 20, 2006 - Morgan Hill Times, Gilroy Dispatch and Hollister Free Lance

Juan Avendaño and Sue Lindenberg practice a dance move during a tango dancing class at Dance Unlimited in Morgan Hill.

The first rule of tango is, in my opinion, to think sexy. The second is to drink plenty of water, because, man, is it a workout.

I am far from the picture of grace, but I was willing to subject myself to potential humiliation in the name of the never-ending quest to find something active, healthy and, most importantly, fun.

So, I met with Sue Lindenberg, dance instructor and owner of Tango Fantástico based in Morgan Hill to learn some ins and outs of tango dancing. Despite a little apprehension, I was confident I could pull off the tango if it was anything like the cartoon image in my head: two people half marching, half swaggering in a straight line with their cheeks and bodies pressed close together, a rose clutched in the woman's teeth.

But tango is nothing like that.

Morgan Hill, CA

Tango Fantástico, a unique concept providing on location performances of authentic Argentine Tango, spreads the culture of Argentina with the passion of Tango to communities through corporate, private and fundraising activities.

Traditionally the performing arts have been limited to grand theatres with prestigious addresses in metropolitan cities. The expensive tickets and unspoken requirement for elegant attire have prohibited the vast majority from enjoying the unparalleled passion and expression of Argentine Tango. The objective of Tango Fantástico is to fill that void by offering short programs and promotional performances through parties and galas, fundraisers and cultural events as entertainment for private, corporate and public gatherings.

Tango Fantástico is a marketing and promotional company, focused on procuring extraordinary local talent and conducting collective performances, on location, tailored to each event. Engagements will range from festive to historical, encompassing the art of dance and the culture of Argentina. Occasionally, special engagements from visiting Maestros from Argentina may become available.

Whether for business promotion, charitable fundraiser, private festivity or holiday celebration,  Tango Fantástico promises to give outstanding crowd-pleasing performances. For more information please visit www.TangoFantastico.com or call (650) 766-4400.