Queer Tango Festival Returns

Nearly a century ago, Rudolf Valentino became one of the era's biggest stars when he danced a Tango with actress Alice Terry in the 1921 film "The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse." The onscreen couple's sensual and provocative steps titillated moviegoers, and drew the ire of conservative religious groups. Both Valentino and the film were sensations, with men and women alike swooning over Latin Lover Valentino's sexy moves.

The tango is still considered a dance of seduction.

"It's a beautiful dance," Karen Lubisch, one of the organizers of Queer Tango, tells Bay Area Reporter. "It always allows people to express everything that's joyful and heartbreaking about being alive."

Lubisch, who met her wife on the dance floor, is one of the organizers of Abrazo Queer Tango, an LGBTQ centric celebration of Tango which takes place in the East Bay from March 16-19.

"It's an intimate embrace," Lubisch said of Tango. "You're standing directly in front of someone with no space between you. The intimate embrace of it invokes those kinds of feelings."

Lubisch was referring to Tango's "naughty" reputation.

Lubisch feels that queer tango spaces are needed, even in the present-day Bay Area.

"Homophobia is alive and well," she said. "Everything that exists in society exists in dance. We wanted a safe space for our community. In Queer Tango, you can choose your role and dance with whom you want."

The four-day party will include performances, classes and a community dance each night.

"Newcomers can take a beginners class or just watch," Lubisch said. "We're a pretty friendly crowd."

Performers at Queer Tango will include Soledad Nani, who hails from Buenos Aires, "the heart of Tango" as Lubisch calls it. "Nani is one of the most respected queer tango dancers in the world," Lubisch said. "She has performed throughout the USA and has taught extensively in Europe. I saw her dance in 2009 and was stunned. I decided to start this festival. I wanted to have a venue where I could invite her. She's known for her creativity and musicality on the dance floor."

Lubisch said that an average of 50 to 75 people attend Queer Tango workshops, with around 75 percent of the dancers being women. There is also a small representation from the transgender community. "One of our teachers is a trans man," she noted.

Lubisch feels that Tango might be a way to heal from the turmoils in our current federal government. She referred to a quote by the poet June Jordan. "In times of trouble, you need art and poetry and your deepest friendships to see you through."

"Come dance into happy with us," Lubisch said.

Classes, dances and performances will take place at the Finnish Hall, 1970 Chestnut Street in Berkeley, and at the Lake Merritt Dance Center, 200 Grand Avenue, in Oakland. Cash or checks will be accepted at the door.

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