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PAST EVENTS

Tango Al Fresco 2007

After a year's absence, Tango Al Fresco returned to Regent's Park, much to the delight of the UK's tangueros and tangueras who like to enjoy their dancing while picnic-ing. Through sunshine, clouds and rain, Al Frescans danced with their usual enthusiasm. £5,000, our largest donation to date, was given to the Royal Parks Foundation for tree planting in Regent's Park.

Tango Al Fresco 2005

Flavia & Vincent
(Photo by Ray Knight)
Ricardo & Jill
(Photo by Ray Knight)
A very successful summer, full of smiles, varied weather, and new additions to this annual event. The rain fell and the sun shone. For the first time we had live music: Oscar Moret sang, and both Los Mareados and Tango Volcano played. There was a wide array of demonstrations: newcomers to performance tango Flavia & Vincent (left), London teachers Kicca & Cesar, and Argentine veteran milongero Ricardo Vidort partnered by London's Jill Barrett (right). And then there was the floor, a new and welcome addition to this outdoor milonga. Guest DJs Nikki Preddy and Tony Walker inspired us with their music. Tango Al Fresco, as well as The Broadwalk Ballroom, was well covered by the media: Kele was interviewed on LBC 97.3FM, BBC Southern Counties and Passion For The Planet. Featured items appeared in Time Out, Evening Standard's MetroLife and What's On in London. Another successful and joyous summer of outdoor tango!

Tango Al Fresco 2004

After a year's absence, Tango Al Fresco returned to Regent's Park, much to the delight of the UK's tangueros and tangueras who like to enjoy their dancing while picnic-ing. Although the weather was mixed, the attendees were their usual enthusiastic selves. And £3,000, our largest donation to date, was given to the Royal Parks Foundation for tree planting in Regent's Park. The events received excellent media attention, including special coverage on BBC London (BBC1), London Tonight (ITV), Riverside FM, Heart FM, The Guardian, The Times 'Knowledge' section, Time Out 'Around Town' section, and What's On In London.

Tango Al Fresco 2002

Tango-ing in a summer deluge is an experience not to be missed, and many hardy tangueros danced right through the cloudbursts during this summer's three events. Demonstrations were given by Leonardo & Briget of London's Tango Fandango, and UK teachers Jill Barrett & LeRoy. The third event was enhanced by the expert accordion accompaniment of Karl Sandeman. Even with the damp weather, this summer's donation to The Prince of Wales' Royal Parks Tree Appeal totalled £2,400, up 20% from last year. Many thanks to all who attended.

Tango Al Fresco 2001

Dancing in the rain Tango between the raindrops and under umbrellas was proven not only possible but perfectly enjoyable at Tango Al Fresco 2001. The first and third events were punctuated by showers, but that didn't dampen enthusiasm for the outdoor milonga, or for the lovely demonstration by Mina & Giraldo of London's Corrientes at the third event. A stunning demonstration under glorious sunshine at the second event was given by Sebastian & Mariana. The three events raised £2,000 for The Prince of Wales' Royal Parks Tree Appeal, and in November 2001, Kele officially planted the first of Tango Al Fresco's 10 trees for 2001 (see Tree Planting 2001).

Tango Al Fresco 1999

BBC Travels with my Tutu Building on the success of 1998, Tango Al Fresco grew in popularity and attendance. On July 18th and August 15th 1999 a total of over 600 dancers participated in classes and dancing throughout two sunny and warm afternoons. Royal Ballet principal dancer Deborah Bull was there having her first tango lesson. She was being filmed by Paladin Pictures for the series "Travels With My Tutu", which aired on BBC2 on Boxing Day 2000. BBC and LWT aired coverage of Tango Al Fresco on the August 15th evening news, and German News Television covered the event for their programme on events in London. The print press also covered the event. DJs were London tango teachers Kele Baker and Jill Barrett. The events raised over £1,700, forThe Prince of Wales' Royal Parks Tree Appeal.

TAF Malta

Tango Al Fresco went off-shore for the first time in September 1999, arranging a tango dinner dance at the palatial five star Le Meridien Phoenicia Hotel on the beautiful Mediterranean island of Malta. The evening benefited The Gaia Foundation, a local environmental organisation with the specific aim of managing sensitive areas that make up an important part of Malta's natural heritage. This evening's event focused particular attention on The Gaia Foundation's ongoing work along the beautiful cliffs and beaches of Ghajn Tuffieha.

Eric Jorrisen of Tango El Corte joined us for the evening. He was in Malta giving a week of tango workshops for Isla Del Tango, Malta's local tango society.

Tango Al Fresco 1998

Over 80 dancers took to the great outdoors for the first Tango Al Fresco, London's own outdoor Argentine Tango dance party. The four hour milonga thrilled passers-by, who applauded after each dance, and asked where they could go to learn tango. The afternoon's DJ was tango teacher David Lurie. The £600 raised through ticket sales and donations went to The Prince of Wales' Royal Parks Tree Appeal to support the planting of the 'tree trail' in Regent's Park.
© Tango Al Fresco 1998-2008