Portland TangoFest XIV .. the "Portland Embrace" TangoFest 2010Thu-Mon, Oct 7-11, 2010

Carpooling |DJ's & Orchestra | First-Timers | Flyer | Instructors | Lodging | Map of Venues | Map of Hotels | Prices & Registration | Private lessons | Schedule | Transportation from Airport | Vendors | Venue Addresses & Parking Info | Volunteering

Mission Statement--a New Concept!

Over the past fourteen years I have hired over 100 great Argentine tango instructors, dancers and DJ's for my festivals (Note: all text in red is a link to additional information.) Besides requiring that they be top dancers and teachers, I've also required that they not live in the community in which the festival is taking place. However, Portland has now developed into a major tango mecca, has produced many great tangueros, and has become noted for that elusive and yummy tango experience called the "Portland Embrace". Thus I have decided for the first time ever to completely reverse my policy and hire only Portland bred instructors and DJ's for TangoFest XIV!!! Take a look at the list of instructors, DJ's, practica guides (shown below), and the schedule & pricing structure and I think you will be find this a great opportunity to experience the mystique of the unique Portland Embrace.

Instructors--Incredibly, all the following teachers currently live or have lived in Portland! Besides regular classes, most are available for privates lessons at various rates, times and locations [Top]TangoFest 2008 Instructors

  • Alex Krebs (Video): Owner and creator of the infamous Portland "Tango Berretin", Alex has taught in dozens of cities worldwide and just completed his 4th tango CD, "Berretineando".
  • Carrie Whipple (Video): Partnering with well known instructors Alex, Homer, Robin, J and Jaimes, Carrie has taught in numerous cities throughout the U.S. and Europe. She teaches regularly at the Viscount.
  • Clay Nelson: Most known for creating/producing the Portland TangoFest, Portland ValenTango, Seattle TangoMagic, Ashland Tango GrapeEscape, Ashland TangoTurkey, and next Jan, TodosTango in Mexico.
  • Dominic & Jenna (Video): Creative young dancers, Dominic & Jenna divide their time teaching and performing in Portland, the East Coast, and at the Associazionepablo in Florence, Italy.
  • J Abling (Video): As a talented instructor, dancer, DJ and accomplished pianist, J has participated in many tango festivals on the west coast and is currently teaching in San Diego.
  • Jaimes Friedgen & Christa (Video): Tango dancer and teacher extraordinaire and creator of Seattle's 8th Style School of Tango, Jaimes is always in high demand everywhere in the world.
  • Jennifer Olson (Video): Currently living in Seattle, Jennifer's friendly and accessible style and personality has lead her to teach in many U.S. cities as well as in Argentina, Canada, Spain, Uruguay, Germany, Scotland, and England.
  • Joe Leonardo (Video): Intense, passionate, dark, mysterious, quiet, intriguing, handsome, musical, shy, confusing, winsome, wily, devastating, ridiculous--Joe's character has had an important influence on the Portland tango scene.
  • Luiza Paes (Video): Originally from Brazil, Luiza took her first tango class from Clay in Portland. Subsequently partnering with the unique style of El Pulpo, she traveled, taught and performed world wide. She currently lives and teaches in Buenos Aires.
  • Rebecca & Eric (Video): Offering a blend of modern and traditional tango ideas and technique, Rebecca & Eric have taught in many US cities and are becoming popular instructors at festivals around the country.
  • Robert Hauk (Video): A true milonguero at heart, Robert is an advocate and extremely popular teacher of close-embrace style. He has taught at many festivals and cities in the U.S. as well as in Tokyo.

Portland Tango Practica Guides (The following local Instructors will be available for general tango advice and instruction during the practicas and for private lessons at other times--rates and location varies.) [Top]

DJs and Orchestra (again, all Portland bred): [Top]

Festival Features: [Top]

  • A total Portland Embrace emersion experience with all Portland teachers, guides, and DJ's.
  • Classes ranging from Absolute Beginners to Couples Extreme Challenge.
  • Free Practicas with local instructors available for individual help.
  • Traditional evening milongas with great DJ's.
  • Mixer Milonga for dancers to meet.
  • Grande Milonga with live orchestra, great DJs, performances and a beginner lesson.
  • Afternoon Alternative milongas.
  • All night milongas.

Information for First-Time Attendees (what to do first!): [Top]

  • Registration: Starting Friday Oct 8, 2010 the registration desk in the basement of Norse Hall (please enter through the South Side door), 111 NE 11th Ave will be open daily from 10:00a-4:00p. Before taking any classes you must obtain an admission badge. If you pre-registered, your admission badge may be picked up at the desk or at the Wed or Thu evening milongas. If you are not pre-registered, fill out a special registration form and present it at the desk along with payment by cash, check, VISA, MasterCard or Diner's.
  • Classes: You do not need to name the specific class you are registering for--only the time slot that it occurs at. Once you have paid for a specific time slot, you can go to any of the four concurrent classes that are taking place at that time. You do not need a partner for any of the classes except for the Adv Couples classes which take place in the Ankeny St Studio.
  • Opening Milonga: If you arrive in Portland by Thursday Oct 7, come to the "Mixer Milonga" in the beautiful Paradise Ballroom, 826 SE Belmont from 4:00-7:00pm or the "Thursday Traditional Milonga" at Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th from 10:00p-2:00a. If you pre-registered, your badge Milonga wrist band pass will be available at the door. If you wish to purchase a Full-Milonga Pass, it will also be on sale at the door.
  • Maps: Most classes and milongas are within a few blocks walking distance. Maps will be available at the registration deck in the Norse Hall basement. (Also, click here for Portland City map)

Lodging Options: [Top]

Venues--address and parking information: [Top]

  • PDF map of local venues.
  • Imago Theatre, 17 SE 8th. Map. Free street parking.
  • Lenora's Room, 615 SE Alder. Map. Free street parking..
  • Norse Hall, 111 NE 11th. Map. Free street parking and free lot west of building available evenings and weekends.
  • Paradise Ballroom, 826 SE Belmont. Map. Free street parking.
  • PPAA, 618 SE Alder. Map. Free street parking and free US Bank lot at 6th & Alder available on weekends.
  • Scottish Rite Temple, 1510 SW Morrison St. Map. Location is only one block from Tiffany Center, so you can use the same parking location as for Tiffany Center.
  • Tiffany Center, 1410 SW Morrison St. Map. The "U-Park" lot at SW corner of 14th and Alder (1 block N of Tiffany Center) has been reserved exclusively for attendees of the Sat Grande Tango Ball up until 6:00am--after that cars will be towed. However, do not leave your care there overnight. Metered street parking (Mon-Sat 8:00 AM-6:00 PM) and various paid lots nearby (weekend rates are flat $5).

Transportation from Airport to City Center: [Top]

  • Tri-Met "Red Line" light rail. $2.30 takes you to any stop. (Suggestion: call taxi en route and have them meet you at Convention Center or Rose Garden stop to take you to your hotel.)
  • Cabs @ $45 from airport to center. (503) 227-1234 or (503) 227-1212
  • Shuttles @ $15.
  • Suggestion: check out Portland Oregon Visitor Center (POVA) and call their contact phone number to get answers about visiting Portland.

Private lessons and practice space: [Top]

Please coordinate and negotiate times, locations, and prices directly with the TangoFest instructors and practica guides that you would like a lesson with. The following locations will be available for privates and/or for practicing

  • Ankeny Street Private Studio 9th & Ankeny (this is a different space but the same building as the classroom).  $25/hour.  Available at various times.  Contact Jane (503) 233-4601 to schedule.
  • Norse Hall Main Ballroom, 111 NE 11th Ave.  No charge. Available only Fri-Sat 12:15pm-1:15pm.
  • Norse Hall Lodge Room (upstairs), 111 NE 11th Ave.  No charge.  Available only on Fri 12:15pm-1:15pm and Sun 5-6pm. 
  • Paradise Ballroom, 826 E Belmont. $15/hour. Pay at the door. Available lunch times and before and after classes (check schedule). Call Greg Krolicki at 360-907-8476 to schedule a time.

Vendors: [Top]

Various vendors selling tango shoes, clothing, pictures, jeweler, music, etc will be available in the basement of Norse Hall. If you are interested in being a vendor, email or call our vendor coordinator, Jay Rabe at 503-752-3664.

Biking in Portland [Top]

Portland is especially great when seen by bike. Many people who dance in Portland ride a bike to milongas, practicas, workshops, etc. We welcome you to join in the great experience of riding bikes to and from dancing!
More information can on be found on Jeff Mandel's web site and at:

  • Jupiter Hotel - fleet of 7 bikes for rental to guests; $20 per 8 hours or inquire about full day rentals
  • Ace Hotel - 2 loaner bikes for guests, first come first serve
  • Hotel Monaco - 4 loaner bikes for guests, no extra charge, first come first serve
  • Hotel Aloft - 9 loaner bicycles for guests, no extra charge, first come first serve

Volunteers [Top]

If you are interested in being a volunteer at this year's TangoFest, please contact Megan or Polly. However, keep in mind that first priority is always given to tangueros who live in the Portland Area. Thus you must state in your email what city you live in.