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The Philadelphia Argentine Tango School

Teaching, promoting and providing opportunities to dance Argentine Tango

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The Típica Campaign: Orquesta Típica Messiez + Romantica Milonguera

Help us launch a new orchestra, the Típica Messiez in May at the Philly Tango Fest, and bring the newly-minted "Best Tango Orchestra 2019," La Romantica Milonguera, to Philadelphia in September!

 Philadelphia, PA, US
  • $5,323 raised of $7,000 goal
  • 33 donations
  • -2838920 minutes left
This is a Fiscally-Sponsored Project

Fiscally Sponsored by Fractured Atlas

The worldwide explosion of tango has reached a critical mass in the past 5 years.  Because there are so many more people dancing tango, and so many more tango communities on earth, we are seeing more and more wonderful musicians able to make a living through tango.  Whereas twenty years ago, there were essentially no "orquestas típica" (meaning tango orchestras with a minimum of 3 bandoneons) traveling the world, there are now a number of them.  On March 6, we presented Orquesta Típica La Juan D’Arienzo in Philadelphia, making history as no orquesta típica had ever performed in Philadelphia for dancers before.  Due to the success of that event, we have some wonderful opportunities available to us now.  We are hoping that we can count on your help to make them a reality. 

Sunday, May 26: Debut of the Orquesta Típica Messiez

Last year, Argentine pianist Emiliano Messiez traveled to Philadelphia from New York City eleven times to play in and direct various tango bands, teach tango piano lessons and tango music workshops for dancers, and debut a new show “Tango Dueling Pianos.”  He has charmed Philadelphia dancers with his unbelievably catchy arrangements, and his addictively danceable style of playing tango.

Now we have asked Emiliano to create – from scratch! – an orquesta típica to debut at the 9th Philly Tango Fest.  The orchestra will perform on Sunday, May 26.  With your support, we can increase the size of this group from eight musicians to ten musicians, adding a 4th bandoneon, and a 4th violin.  And we can also secure some of the orchestra musicians to stay to play an additional night of music on Monday, May 27 (the final night of the festival).

We believe that this orchestra is going to exist for a very long time, and Philadelphia tango is going to have a place in tango history for having launched it!

Saturday, September 21: Sundown to Sunup Equinox Milonga featuring La Romantica Milonguera

You’ve probably been watching La Romántica Milonguera’s videos on youtube, and dancing to their recordings in milongas, for a while now.  They are one of the most popular tango orchestras on earth, so it’s fitting that they just won “Best Tango Orchestra 2019” at the Premios Tango on Saturday, March 9.  

We have them reserving Saturday, September 21 to come play live for dancers in Philadelphia at an all-night milonga.  The date is so close to the Fall Equinox that we’ve decided to make it a sundown to sunup affair.  That’s 6:59 pm to 6:47 am, in case you’re wondering.  The orchestra will play during the normal milonga hours (live music sets between 10:30 pm and 1 am).  And we’ll have three DJs throughout the rest of this all-night milonga, which we believe will attract dancers from up and down the East Coast.

Where you come in

The Philadelphia Argentine Tango School has become one of the most prolific presenters of live tango music in the country.  We presented 12 live tango music events in 2018, featuring 18 professional musicians, many of whom came to Philadelphia multiple times.  In October 2018, we launched a sit-down concert series, the Fishtown Salon, which is presenting four concerts in four different genres during its first season (which extends through May 2019). Each concert has some kind of connection to tango.  For example, in the 3rd concert of the Fishtown Salon (Saturday, February 9), Classical Violinists Nastasja Vojnovic and Zhanara Makhmutova gave the world premiere of new music by Argentine Composer Bruno Giuntini.  His “Two Tangos for Two Violins” was the highlight of the night, and brought the house down!

In 2019, we have more ambitious plans.  The first concert of the Fishtown Salon for the 2019-2020 series will feature Argentine Composer Ariel Ramirez’s Missa Criolla, a folk mass featuring the rhythms of the Argentine countryside.  The program requires a 9-voice choir, vocal soloists, and musicians.  We will also present the Vera String Quartet, the string quartet in residence at the Curtis Institute of Music.  And a solo piano recital by the remarkable tango pianist, Pablo Estigarribia.  All told, at least 55 professional musicians will be included in a variety of programs presented by the Philadelphia Argentine Tango School in 2019!

What do all of these events have in common?  YOU!  You've been inspired by this music; you've been moved by these performances. Please consider making a donation to support this amazing live tango music vitality in Philadelphia.



Rewards

Típica Messiez Keychain

Donate $100.00 or more

Amount over $10.00 is tax-deductible.

Típica Messiez logo keychain. For pick-up at the Philadelphia Argentine Tango School.

2019 Festival Image Tote Bag

Donate $200.00 or more

Amount over $22.00 is tax-deductible.

Tote bag featuring the 2019 Philly Tango Fest postcard image.  For pick up at the Philadelphia Argentine Tango School.

Handmade Artisan Journal

Donate $250.00 or more

Amount over $70.00 is tax-deductible.

Handmade journal, created for you by artist Kristin Balmer.

Personalized guided tour of a local museum, led by an Art Historian

Donate $250.00 or more

Amount over $125.00 is tax-deductible.

Personalized guided tour of a local museum, led by Art Professor Jeff Bailey

Private Lesson with Meredith, Andres or Kristin

Donate $300.00 or more

Amount over $80.00 is tax-deductible.

Private Lesson with Meredith, Andres or Kristin

Tango Photo Shoot & Prints

Donate $400.00 or more

Amount over $200.00 is tax-deductible.

A tango photo shoot with Photographer Ilya Genin and up to six 8 x 10 in prints.

Column Banner from 2018 Festival

Donate $400.00 or more

Amount over $100.00 is tax-deductible.

Many of you commented on how much you liked the banners that adorned the columns at the 2018 Philly Tango Fest.  They are now available to donors.  First come, first served!

Free Admission to Milonga Qilombo for a year

Donate $500.00 or more

Amount over $200.00 is tax-deductible.

Free Admission to Milonga Qilombo from now through April 2020.

Free entrance to all Emiliano Messiez performances, presented by PATS

Donate $750.00 or more

Amount over $200.00 is tax-deductible.

Free entrance to all performances that Emiliano Messiez gives between now and April 2020 at events sponsored by the Philadelphia Argentine Tango School.

Piano performance at private party

Donate $1,000.00 or more

Amount over $500.00 is tax-deductible.

Pianist Emiliano Messiez will perform at your next party.  Mix of tango, jazz, and other genres, arranged for solo piano.

Portrait of your favorite person or pet

Donate $2,000.00 or more

Amount over $400.00 is tax-deductible.

Painter Kristin Balmer will paint a portrait of the person or pet of your choice.

View her work