AOTANGO's sold out Concert & Milonga celebrating International Tango Day was presented in two parts. The evening started with a concert of tango and world music and concluded with a Milonga, open for dancers to dance a tanda (a set of tangos) or a waltz in the stunning setting of Auckland War Memorial Musuem's Te Ao Mārama South Atrium.
Guests were welcomed by the lively tunes of tango expertly curated by DJ Stephan Resch.
As patrons placed their orders for food and drinks at Tuitui Bistro & Café, the dancers from the Auckland Tango Community gracefully took to the floor, weaving their artistry into the ambiance.
AOTANGO members (left to right): Auckland Philharmonia Principal Bass Gordon Hill (bass), NZTrio pianist Somi Kim (piano), World Champion Grayson Masefield (accordion), Sam Swindells (guitar) & Auckland Philharmonia Concertmaster Andrew Beer (violin).
AOTANGO performing Piazzolla's Oblivion with guest dancers: Jorge Amparado (left) and John Flower & Natallia Ramanchuk from Dance Pasión (right).
For Eduardo Rovira's 'A Evaristo Carriego' AOTANGO was joined by guest dancers: Kelly Poon & Brett Calcott, Stephan & Era Resch, Cecilia Trini & Glenn Chadderton.
Kelly Poon opening the Milonga and presenting the first tanda in the style of Orquesta Típica Di Sarli:
1. Bahia Blanca - Carlos Di Sarli
2. Buscandote - Osvaldo Fresedo
3. Fueron Tres Años - Héctor Varela
Originating from Malaysia, Kelly started her tango journey in London in 2009 and has studied with some of the most well-known and respected teachers in Buenos Aires. She has been teaching tango since 2016 at the Auckland University of Technology and now at ¡Tango Otra Vez! in Auckland CBD, with a new weekly class starting in Waiheke Island in October 2023. Aside from teaching, Kelly organises milongas, DJs, and guest teachers in events such as the Latin Fiesta NZ.
DJ Stephan Resch presenting the second tanda in the style of Orquesta Osvaldo Pugliese:
4. Recuerdo - Osvaldo Pugliese
5. Gallo Ciego - Agustín Bardi
6. La Yumba - Osvaldo Pugliese
Lecturer at the University of Auckland, Stephan Resch discovered tango in 2006 and fell in love with the music on a trip to Argentina. As a Tango DJ, his musical selection is based on a preference for Golden Age music and the seamless creation of different moods tailored uniquely for each event. With a preference for flowing valses, recognisable milongas, the big four tango orchestras and the occasional surprise, his music is sure to fill the dance floor as Stephan has honed his DJing over the past decade at major milongas, marathons and festivals in Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
DJ Stu Johnstone presenting the third tanda in the style of Orquesta Típica Aníbal Troilo:
9. Quejas de Bandoneon - Juan de Dios Filiberto
10. Malena - Lucio Demare
11. El Choclo - Ángel Villoldo
Stu Johnstone, the administrator of www.aucklandtango.co.nz, has over five decades of experience as a musician within rock and jazz bands on keyboards, bass guitar, and double bass. In 2013, he ventured into tango dancing, later expanding his involvement to tango DJing in 2019. Since then, he has conducted workshops on tango musicality and the evolution of tango for dancers. During a visit to Buenos Aires in 2018, he acquired a bandoneon and has been undergoing lessons ever since.
AOTANGO would like to thank the Auckland War Memorial Museum and their Project Manager Aaron Tindell for hosting such a wonderful event celebrating International Tango Day.
We'd also like to thank Kelly Poon, Stephan Resch & Stu Johnstone for helping prepare the milonga evening, guest dancers Cecilia Trini, Era Resch, Glenn Chadderton, Brett Calcott, Jorge Amparado, Natallia Ramanchuk & John Flower for performing with us and the Auckland Tango Community.
Photos by Annupam
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