Portland TangoFest XV, Wed-Mon, Oct 5-10, 2011 Follow TangoFestivals on Twitter facebook Event

Next year's TangoFest is schedulled Oct 3-8, 2012--
hope you can make it!!!

It's over, but you can still

. ..thanks..clay

Carpooling | Comments | DJ's & Orchestra | First-Timers | Flyer | Follower's Guide | Instructors | Lodging | Lost & Found | Map of Venues | Map PDX Ballrooms | MeetUp Input | MeetUp Results | Prices & Registration | Private lessons | Schedule | Staff Contact Info | Transportation from Airport | Vendors | Venue Addresses & Parking Info | Volunteering

Mission Statement

Spend an intense/passionate/romantic four days together in "tango friendly" Portland with friends and your favorite instructors, DJ's, musicians and tango partners learning, dancing, schmoozing, eating, and hanging out at the unique Portland ballrooms, coffee shops, cafes, and restaurants. Last year 600-700 tangueros attended TangoFest making it and the Portland February ValenTango two of the most popular and successful tango events in North America. (For more information about the city, visit City of Portland Web Site.).

Instructors:TangoFest 2008 Instructors

  • Christopher & Caroline (San Francisco) [video] Teaching veterans of many Portland festivals since October 2000, Christopher and Caroline return to share their passion and commitment to social tango.  A testament to their experienced instruction lies in the success of their students, who dance skillfully in crowds, not only in Portland and other festivals, but in ultra-crowded, traditional milongas in Buenos Aires as well.
  • Eduardo & Marisa (Buenos Aires) [video] Eduardo's clear communication, positive energy and joy of life motivates and inspires everyone; Marisa, a classical dancer with the prestigious Teatro Colon, expresses beauty in the art of dance--together they have performed in theatres, appeared on television and participated in international tango festivals.
  • Gustavo Benzecry Sabá & María Olivera (Buenos Aires) [video] Dancers of close embrace Tango Salón, Gustavo & Maria teach in the most prestigious milongas of Buenos Aires and have been touring the USA for the last 4 years. They have a great reputation as organized and methodic instructors as well as creative and playful performers.
  • 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!
  • Nick Jones & Diana Cruz (Denver) [video] Nick & Dinana immerse themselves in tango as social dancers, teachers, performers, musicians and dj's so that they can share the pure joy of dancing with you.  Between them they have danced for 40 years, and continue to study and grow to this day with their teachers Gustavo & Giselle.
  • Three to Tango--Jorge Nel, Milena & Andres (Colombia) [video1, video 2] Between them, Jorge Nel, Milena & Andres have numerous awards along with years of experience dancing, teaching and performing tango.  As a special bonus, they have teamed up to co-teach classes at this year’s festival giving students the opportunity to see different styles of tango all within one class setting.

Orchestra & DJs: [Top]

Festival Features: [Top]

  • 37 Different Classes
  • 12 Top Tango Teachers
  • 11 Great DJs
  • 6 Traditional Evening Milongas
  • 3 Afternoon Alternative Milongas
  • 3 Traditional Matinee Milongas
  • 2 All-Night Milongas.
  • 2 Split Milongas (Traditional & Alternative at the same place)
  • 1 Milonga Mixer
  • 1 Tango Underground Cafe (Open during classes and Sat Grande Ball)
  • 1 Argentine Food Cart (Near front entrance on Friday during Vampire Milonga)

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

  • Registration: You can either pre-register or register on-site. Click here for details on pre-registration, or go to the registration desk in Norse Hall 111 NE 11th Ave open during the Festival on Thu, Fri, Sat and Sun from 10:00a-4:00p (Cash, checks, VISA MasterCard, Discover or American Express accepted.) If you pre-register, your Tokens and Milonga Wrist Band Pass can be picked up at the Wed or Thu Evening Traditional Milongas, or at the registration desk.
  • Classes: Before attending any classes you must have a class token which will be collected by the instructor or their assistant--no other means of class admission will be accepted. Tokens are good for any class of your choice. Thus you do not need to specify ahead of time which class you plan to attend. Also, you do not need a partner for any of the classes except for the Adv Couples classes.
  • Milongas: Admission to all milongas is by cash, check or Milonga Wrist Band Pass--which you must wear. If you've pre-registered, your Milonga Wrist Band Pass will be available at the Wed or Thu Evening Traditional Milongas, or at the Registration Desk in Norse Hall. If you have not pre-registered, you can purchase a Milonga Pass Band Pass at the Wed or Thu Evening Traditional Milongas or at the Registration Desk.
  • Maps: All classes are in Norse Hall and all but one milonga is either in Norse Hall or within walking distance. See schedule and map for times and locations. The only milonga not within walking is the Fri afternoon milonga at Berretin Studio, 6305 SE Foster. (click here for Portland City map)

Lodging Options: [Top]

Venues--address and parking information: [Top]

Transportation from Airport to City Center: [Top]

  • Tri-Met "Red Line" light rail. $2.40 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.)
  • For taxi call (503) 227-1234 or (503) 227-1212
  • For shuttle call (503) 860-5398
  • 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 instructors that you want a lesson with. The following locations will be available:

  • All three dance floors in Norse Hall during the four days of the festival at any time classes or other events are not specifically scheduled.
  • Paradise Studio, 826 E Belmont at $15/hour. Call Astrid Perry at 503-730-8639 to schedule a time.

Vendors: [Top]

Shoe, art, clothing, jewelery, music, etc vendors will be available in the Norse Hall bar. Below is a partial list. .

If you are interested in being a vendor, email or call our vendor coordinator, Jay Rabe at 503-752-3664.

Lost & Found: [Top]

Please contact Rudolph McCaughan at rpmccaughan@yahoo.com or 503-740-7170.

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 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.

Comments: [Top]