It is a challenge to write about the teachers as I do not know many of them, so I will comment on the ones I know (if I forget someone, please email me). Alex Krebbs needs no introduction, he is simply great. Jay Abling is one of my favorite teachers, he can teach technique like no other, a true master in my opinion. Carrie Whipple gave lessons in San Diego once upon a time and I remember we all enjoyed them a lot, also she emphasizes technique. Rabert Hauk gives great classes, actually if you have not taken classes with him, you really need to do it. Will also mention that even though I never took classes with Rebecca, she is an incredible dancer and I would definitely attend one of her classes if I were going.

The DJ lineup has some individuals that I know and some I do not know well enough. Let me start with America, queen of San Diego, am so happy she carries our banner up there and her milongas are always a ton of fun - highly recommended. Subashini is my good friend, I remember dancing to her music in Tucson. At the time I said I wanted to hug her after every tanda and I still do. Robert Hauk is a seasoned DJ and I recall a most memorable milonga he did at Cheeseman Park a few years ago, how can you not love this guy. Joe Leonardo, Jerry Wallach and James Friedgen all DJ’d in Seattle and all were great. Alex, Jennifer and Rebecca will DJ alternative music, and if they DJ like they dance then you are in for a great time.

Portland offers generous snacks at every milonga worthy of the standard set by Tucson (Rusty and Joanne) and Seattle (Arturo). Furthermore, you will always find chocolate at the Portland Festival milongas which of course is essential to sustain life. Alaska Airlines flies non stop and if you plan ahead you can get good rates. Check the web site for accommodations. Happy fest to all,

Yakster

The teachers are most wonderful starting with her majesty Marika Landry with Avik the cool Basu, senor cadencia Ney Melo with adorno master Jennifer Bratt, then last but not least the great Alex Krebbs de Portland.

The DJ team includes “Avik le Symapthique”, “Traspie Paul”, “Mile High Martin (and Tom)” and definitely worth the wait is “Lampis mi amor” with the little ol’ Yak (Saturday alternative and all nighter Sunday).  Kudos to Tom for being patient until Lampis was ready to DJ again. Avik recently DJ’d a magnificent milonga outdoors in Seattle and will DJ Friday afternoon. Paul is a steady favorite, but he will be Mercurial Friday night. Martin redefined the Friday afternoon milonga in Denver and many of us booked our flights with that one in mind because of him, this time he gets Cheeseman. Lampis, welcome back to the ranks, we all miss your music soooo much, the Saturday night elegant milonga awaits you.

Most importantly, the dancers that go to Denver are to die for. They are hard core tango nomads driven by a desire to go into a dreamy state that moves in a counterclockwise direction. Airline fares are a bargain and the hotel is quite reasonable with a free airport shuttle and many cool restaurants within range. Am getting so excited as this fine weekend approaches. Link: DENVER FESTIVAL LABOR DAY 2010

This one takes place in beautiful San Francisco, city of the magnificent bridges and one of my favorite spots, Union Square. The schedule is jam packed with cool classes, practicas and milongas including live music as well. The teachers are a fine group

The DJ group includes hurricane Shorey, Avik le cool, Mitra la guapa, Lung-Kuei from NY and Mr. Ney Melo with yours truly tagging along. The organizers obviously have made a commitment to have a superior event full of talent as well as variety. The San Francisco dance community has many excellent dancers and am sure this event will draw skilled participants from all over. Great city, great event, soooo excited.

Web Site: ANTIPANICO

Salt Lake dancers are beautiful and well seasoned in the art of festival dancing. Their community has grown so nicely and now they have a most excellent festival coming up in a few days. I went there two years ago and had a blast. The city has all the amenities like cool restaurants, shops etc and at the same time, breathtaking sunsets and mountains. Those who like to ski know how close by these heavenly elevations are.

The teachers include excellent teams like:

Tomas Howlin (Buenos Aires) and Shorey Myers (San Francisco): Tomas and Shorey

Robin Thomas and Kat Gorsuch from the east coast: Robin and Kat

Last but not least are California’s pride, Mitra Martin and Stefan Fabry (LA): Mitra and Stefan

DJs include mighty Robin Thomas, hurricane Shorey Myers, cool Korey Ireland and little ole’ me. The Venues are most excellent especially Sunday night at Rose Sachs Canyon which has to be one of the most beautiful ever as you see in the picture.

You can still get good fares especially if you fly from LA (fees and tax included = $221 round trip on Expedia with either Delta or United). San Diego flights are a little more with Frontier (one stop in Denver) and around $287 with Delta non-stop. The festival hotel is quite reasonable and the locals help with transportation to dance venues. A fine weekend it shall be. Here is the festival web site: Utango Festival

• Eric Jorrisen
• Homer & Cristina Ladas
• Liz Haight & Masami Hirokawa

Love to dance with and learn from either Cristina or Liz (if am very lucky). For those who have not had lessons with Eric, he is quite a treat, to take nothing away from Homer and Masami who need no introduction from me.

The “very cool” DJ team is headed by the veteran Ramu and are listed on the web site. Love the hotel and the dance floor and the sound. Totally love Cheeseman Park even when it rains. This year many of my favorite dancers and friends are going and am literally counting the days.

Web Site

The teachers are a very interesting group. They range from Nito and Elba with their beloved traditional style to the very creative and exciting style of the well traveled and widely popular rest of the team. Details of course are on the main web site which includes some great local teachers as well.

Vijay the cool heads the group of DJs and am so proud to be one of them. In addition to the well known and respected locals, am so anticipating listening to the out of town DJs like Mila Vigrodova and Lung-Kuei Lin. Live music to boot as well - YAY. Young Momo from Ashland is always a treat.

Here is the web site: SMITH Festival

Drive down for the weekend or fly if you need to, it is close to the airport where the hotels are grand but very affordable.

The Smithonyak.

The teachers are from Argentina, Greece, Finland, Sweden, France, Morocco and Lebanon. Classes will take place at the great campus of the American University of Beirut where I went to school, how very cool. They are all just great and you can see details about them at:

Beirut Tango Festival Web Site

DJs are from Sweden (George and Daniel) and Finland (Pasi and Maria). Am so happy to be amongst them. Three of them were there last year and they all rocked the house.There is also a glorious live orchestra called Silencio.

As you can see in the picture, the city itself is a jewel by the sea. Fantastic restaurants, shopping ad infinitum and incredible beaches. Those who are inclined to see the beauty of the countryside can sign up to the touring part of the festival and travel around to some breath taking and charming areas of Lebanon. Basically this will be a non stop party from the minute you land till you become a mere shadow of your former self then you fly away exhausted yet totally blissful, overcome by happy chaos and scattered yet lovely memories. Am going Yak to Beirut baby.