Clay's Dance Studio

Ashland TurkeyTango Thu-Sun, Nov 24-27, 2011 facebook event

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Mission: Tweet

After stuffing yourself with turkey and cranberry sauce, and before the hectic holiday season drives you crazy, come to Ashland for a soothing three day weekend of tango in a romantic, picturesque tranquil setting.

Ashland Features:

Located in the Rogue River valley at the foot of the Siskiyou and Cascade mountain range, Ashland (population: 22,000) is a beautiful little village containing quaint shops, fabulous restaurants, superb hotels, and romantic B&Bs. Home of the acclaimed Oregon Shakespeare Festival and located within easy driving distance of numerous wineries, this city is a popular destination spot. On the Friday just after Thanksgiving the Festival of Light celebration starts along with an Artisans Christmas Market. Because this is a popular weekend, I recommend booking your room early (see suggestions below). For additional information on local activities, go to Callahan's Area Attractions.

Instructors (top to bottom): [Top]

Felipe Martinez (Bay Area/Madrid) [video] Felipe has been dancing tango for over 14 years and is in high demand throughout the U.S. and Europe. Able to dance and teach across a complete range of tango styles, social skills, navigation and etiquette are always at the core of his inspirational instruction.
Gustavo Benzecry Sabá & María Olivera (Buenos Aires) [video] Gustavo & Maria have been teaching regular classes at Salón Canning (Buenos Aires) for four years and tour the world participating in Festivals and International Tango events. In their classes, good spirit, kindness and warmth are the highlights.
Homer & Cristina (San Francisco) [video] Homer and Cristina each have over 14 years of social dance experience emphasizing a fusion of tango ideologies, via the 'organic tango' philosophy. As teachers they are committed to creating a positive class environment and try to reduce barriers that may inhibit students from really finding their own dance!
Korey Ireland (Kansas City) & Adeline Schieferstein (Berlin) [video]. Creator of Stone Soup Tangotopia--a collaborative gathering of amazing talent to share, create, and inspire tango dancing, cooking, performances, music, and community building.
Oliver Kolker (Buenos Aires) & Kat Gorsuch (New York). [video] Quote from Oliver, "With Tango I have found my expression, my way of being able to communicate with another dancer in a beautiful dialogue." Meanwhile, Kat brings a youthful energy and sweet madness to her dancing and teaching throughout Europe and the U.S.

DJs:[Top]

Derrick Del Pilar (Eugene, OR)
Dr Mark Dy-Liacco (St Louis)
Kenny Bell (Sacramento)
Mike McCarrel (Portland)
Momo Smitt (Portland)

Festival Features: [Top]

Great instructors
Beginners through advanced level classes
Outstanding DJs
Thanksgiving Dinner/Milonga (Dinner part limited to first 40 people to sign up.)
Musician's Tango Jam Session
Free Practicas
Instructor performances with musical treats by Korey & Momo
Afternoon alternative milongas
All-night milonga
Special mixer milongas

Information for First-Time Attendees: [Top]

Opening Milonga: If you arrive in Ashland by Thursday Nov 24, come to the Thanksgiving Day Dinner/Milonga 6:00-10:00p at the Community Center, 59 Winburn Way. Admission of $20 includes turkey dinner, but is limited first 40 attendees to pre=register. Without dinner, admission to just the milonga is $5.
Registration: If you pre-register, you can pick up your class admission badge and milonga wrist band pass at the Thursday Turkey Dinner/Milonga. However, if you do not go to the dinner or have not pre-registered, first go to the registration desk in the New Place Rehearsal Space on South Pioneer St, first building north of the Oregon Shakespeare Box Office starting at 11:00am on Friday Nov 25 (approx address is 10 S Pioneer St. See map for location). Before taking any classes you must obtain and be wearing an admission name badge. Full pass to everything (except Thanksgiving Dinner) is $185 if paid by 11/16/10 ($205 afterwards). Full pass to just the classes is $135 if paid by 11/15/10 ($145 afterwards). Individual classes are $20 each.
Milongas: If you are not taking classes and do not wish to purchase a Full-Milonga Pass for $65 by 11/16/10 ($75 afterwards) then you do not need to register and you can pay at the door of each milonga.
Map: All classes and most milongas are within a few blocks walking distance. Additional maps will be available at the registration desk.

Driving and/or Getting a Ride to Ashland [Top]

A blog has been created to help drivers and riders connect with one another. Please check out this blog to see if there are offers or request that meet your need. If not, post your own blog by following the instructions given there.

Carpooling for Ashland Tango Festivals Blog

Also, Shaun Engleman has created a rideshare program from the Bay Area Cost is only $40/person one-way and $70/person round-trip. Click on link below for schedule.

Flying to Ashland (Cheap Flights): [Top]

Nearest commercial airport (serviced by United, Horizon, Delta, and America West) is the Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport (MFR) in Medford, OR, 14 miles north of Ashland. Other nearby cities which you could fly to and then drive through beautiful scenic mountains are:
Klamath Fall, OR (70 miles west)
Redding, CA (136 miles south)
Eugene, OR (180 miles north)
Portland, OR (286 miles north)
Reno, NV (290 miles southeast)
Sacramento, CA (295 miles south)
San Francisco, CA (349 miles south)

For additional information about travel, transportation, weather, maps, restaurants, hotels, B&B, vacation homes, shops, and other attractions, visit the Oregon Shakespeare Festival web site.

Hotels and B&B's (City Map):[Top]

Four great resources for finding accommodations in Ashland are TravelAshland, Orbitz, Ashland's Bed & Breakfast Network and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Website. Below is a list of local places that have been brought to my attention.

As You Like It Guest-room. Spacious, clean, fresh baked biscotti, Dagoba chocolate, organic coffee and teas, and a warm comfortable bed with lovely sheets. In the heart of downtown with discounted rate of $75. (541) 488-0499 .
Ashland Commons. Patio with view, off-street parking, cable TV, laundry, wireless. $25/night per person-shared room. $35-$45/night per person private room. (541) 482-6753, cell: (541) 292-4484.
Ashland Hostel. 150 N Main. 5-minute walk to downtown. $28/night for dorm rooms and $40/night for private room. (541) 482-9217
Ashland Hotels Oregon Lithia Springs Resort Hotel and Inn - Relax. Soak. Dream. Ashland Oregon's only Luxury Hotel with in-room hot springs baths, HDTV, and WiFi. USA Today called it Oregon's best kept Romantic Secret. 3 miles from downtown.
Ashland Motel. Outdoor pool. Close to grocery store. 1145 Siskiyou Blvd. 1.5 miles (drive or walk) to downtown.
Ashland Springs Hotel. 212 E Main. Historic elegance in the heart of downtown Ashland and only a few blocks from festival classes. $99-$159/night. (541) 488-1700
Callahans, 7100 Old Highway 99 South. Luxurious mountain lodge located 10 minutes from downtown offers rooms with Jacuzzi tubs, wood-burning fireplace, and adjoining terraces. 800-286-0507 or 541-482-1299.
Cederwood Inn Motel. 1801 Siskiyou Blvd. 1.5 miles (drive or walk) to downtown. Ask for Tango Fest Rate. (541) 488-2000.
Columbia Hotel. 262 1/2 East Main St. Located in the heart of downtown Ashland, this is a small friendly hotel with traditional European style of inn keeping . (541) 482-3726.
De Launay House. 185 N Pioneer. Easy walk to everything. Enjoy this historic Craftsman home with character and charm. Fully equipped kitchenettes, private patios and laundry onsite. $135 to $250 Sleeps up to 16. (541) 621-5409
EconoLodge of Ashland, 50 Lowe Road. Just off I-5 and about 10-minute drive to downtown and/or wineries. Free WiFi and breakfast. $71/double. (541) 482-4700
La Quinta Inn & Suits, 434 S Valley View Road. Just off I-5 and about 10-minute drive to downtown and/or wineries. Free WiFi and breakfast. $132/Double. Ask for Tango Fest Rate. (541) 482-6932.
Lotus Springs Guest Loft. Newly renovated loft 15 minute walk from downtown with 2 bedrooms, full bath, living room, breakfast bar, dining area and a fully-equipped kitchen. Sleeps 6 people. Two day minimum. (541) 488-5253
The Palm. Attractive renovated 1940s motor-court with pool and award-winning gardens located across from the university. 1.4 miles to downtown. 541-482-2636
Peerless Hotel, 243 4th St. Luxurious guest rooms with antique furnishings and hand painted motifs in restored 1900's boarding house. Located a few blocks from festival headquarters. (541) 482-1082.
SchoolHouse Retreat and Cultural Center in Talent. 10 minute drive from Ashland. Five bedrooms and 600 sq ft dance floor for practicing. $110 single, $135 double includes continental breakfast. Two day minimum. email or phone (541) 535-1393.

Guest Housing:[Top]

Two blogs have been created to help Ashland guests and residences connect with one another (see links below). Please go to the appropriate blog to see if there are offers or requests that meet your need. If not, post your own request or offer by following the instructions given there.

Ashland Lodging Requests blog
Ashland Lodging Offers blog
Also, you might look into Couch Surfing.

Festival Venues (City Map): [Top]

Community Center, 59 Winburn Way
The Grove, 1195 E Main St
New Space Rehearsal Space, 10 S Pioneer St
Carpenter Hall, 14 S Pioneer St
the Playwright Piublic House, 259 A Street

Private lessons: [Top]

If you would like a private lesson with one of the instructors, you must first contact the instructor yourself (click on their name above to obtain contact information) and set up an agreeable price and time that does not conflict with the workshop classes. The Oregon Shakespeare Festival rehearsal Space and Carpenter Hall will be available one hour before and after classes and at lunch time at no charge.