News Letter last version

SPECIAL EDITION
END OF YEAR 2009
In Loving Memory of our founder and beloved friend
Dr. Jerry neri
May the Long Time Sun
shine upon you,
all love surround you,
and the pure light
within you guide you
all the way home.
Sufi Chant
July 22, 1944 - May 22, 2009
In this issue
- Jerry Neri
- Mega Milonga
- Message from
our president
- Community
Outreach
- Highlights of 2009
-Profile of a Member
- Upcoming Events
- Thank you notes
- Workshop
-Our in-house
Maestros
Our dear friend and founder of Tango
under the Tent, Jerry Neri, passed away
bestowing on the people touched by his
presence many valuable gifts, too many to
mention.
He was by trade a medical doctor, by
inspiration he was a devoted father, an
entrepreneur, a musician, a photographer,
a bird watcher, a writer, a tango dancer…
He had a combination of intelligence,
charm and stubbornness that made him
powerful and seductive, imposing and
gentle all at the same time.
On the 27th of June 2009, Tango
under the Tent, under the leadership
of its co-chairs Pam Breeman and
Randi Perrelle, its President Sher
Singh and with the cooperation of
the rest of the officers and
members carried out one of the
cherished dreams of our founder
Jerry Neri - the First Mega Milonga.
Jerry Neri conceived this idea and
worked on it for many months. He
wanted to bring together the tango
aficionados from the Hudson Valley
and its surrounding communities
by honoring those who brought
Argentine Tango to this region.
We at TutT will always have him. He is
never far from us. He gave us the legacy of
this wonderful organization. His passion
for life was contagious, so was his passion
for tango and for the many friends whom
he brought together in this his last
community endeavor.
In TutT we continue among friends
dancing and growing as a not-for-profit
organization in the warm and loving
environment that he created for us.
FIRST MEGA MILONGA
Walter and Marilynne Kane - we
don’t need many words to describe
this beautiful couple. Their dance is
simply exquisite and elegant. They
have been dancing all their lives,
perfect complement to Carlos’ style.
She is an excellent teacher in her
own right. Carlos and Lynn have
been teaching and promoting
tango in the area of Westchester
since 1994, and you can spot their
students at any milonga by their
creative and dynamic style.
and since they encountered tango
in 1997, they have been completely
devoted to it. As they put it, “It was
love at first step,” and that is
precisely what they inspire when
you watch them dance or take
lessons with them - they make you
fall in love with tango.
There are five very special people
who mean so much to all of us
because in one way or another,
they have brought the gift of the
tango bug into our lives. As we all
know, Argentine Tango is more
than just a dance - it is a lifestyle.
It is a way of life that brings joy,
grace, elegance and warmth to all
those addicted to it.
The wonderful people who Tango
under the Tent honored were Walter
and Marilynne Kane, Carlos and
Lynn Sampelayo and Ilene Marder.
May he rest in peace.
Carlos and Lynn Sampelayo are
one-of-a-kind in the passionate and
dynamic way how they interpret
the music.
Carlos has tango
ingrained in his soul. Many of his
fondest memories from his
motherland, Venezuela, and his
youthful years are related to tango
music and lyrics. This energy is
what he expresses in his dance.
Lynn is a natural dancer and a
Ilene Marder has been promoting
tango in her home town of
Woodstock for about six years. She
is admired and loved by all the
tangueros who have the pleasure
of sharing her passion for this
beautiful art form.
She is an
accomplished dancer and
instructor, but what has made Ilene
a celebrity in the tango world, not
just in the United States but also in
Argentina, is her amazing talent as
a DJ. She has a most remarkable
feel for the music. Whenever she
plays the tandas at a milonga, one
knows from the outset that it will
be an unforgettable evening.
Continues on page 2
From page 1
The Mega Milonga was a magical night.
The venue was perfect, thanks to the
generosity of Mr. Murray in whose
beautiful barn-style 2500 sq. feet art
space, The Stone Bridge Station, the
event was held.
The proceeds of this event were donated
to Cell Phones for Soldiers, a not-for-profit
organization.
The First Mega Milonga was a resounding
success. It is the goal of Tango under the
Tent to make this a yearly event.
About one hundred fifty people came
from near and far in the spirit of
honoring their respective instructors and
to experience together as an extended
community our love for tango.
The music was inspiring, played by no
other than Ilene Marder.
Carolina
Jaurena and Anton Gazenbeek delighted
us with a beautiful performance.
message from our president
Dear Members and Friends of TutT,
We are approaching the second year of our organization
and the focus will be on where we take TutT from here.
The idea and the outcome from Jerry Neri’s dream of
dancing outdoors—under a tent, with nature
surrounding us—has influenced our energy.
Even
though we take it indoors in the winter, the friendly,
welcoming liveliness remains.
Our vision is to promote our organization beyond what
we do now. Your volunteer service and any creative
contributions are welcomed.
In order for us to
accomplish growth, we will need hands-on help. Please
send me an email if you are interested in being on a
committee or wish to help in other ways.
The last time I saw Jerry, we spent some time together
and I promised him to do my best for the vision of the
organization. His answer was a slow, gentle touch
grasping my hand in his, like a dancer preparing to
tango. I knew then, as I do now, that his trust in me
lights a fire to do good work for Tango under the Tent –
please join me!
Sher
To see more photographs from this event
go to: http://gallery.me.com/
tangounderthetent#100166
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Part of the mission of TutT is our
commitment to educational, cultural
and charitable activities.
We have
great plans for 2010 working in the
community.
In May, 2009 Ferd Ritz accompanied
me to the Orange County Infirmary in
Goshen. We danced four dances for
the ladies who looked forward to this
presentation. It was very rewarding
and the ladies loved Ferd! We went by
invitation of the Middletown Business
& Professional Women’s Club. Every
year they serve breakfast, take gifts
and hire a piano player for the
enjoyment of those forgotten mothers.
In June, 2009 Sharon Adler and Steve
Smith did a demonstration and brief
talk about tango for the Creative &
Performing Arts in Peekskill. This was
enjoyed by parents, students and other
community members. In September,
2009 Jerry & Adele Kline and other
members went to Sugar Loaf’s Street
Festival. We all danced under a tent for
the public. We talked to many people
and invited them to join us on this
wonderful journey.
In December,
2009 Luz, Sigfredo and Rudy joined
me at Crystal Run Village’s Staff Holiday
Party and we danced two tangos –
everyone commented to me about it
later – there were 305 people present.
I am excited about the line up for 2010
and all the community sharing we will
do. Please let me know who will be
interested in participating in the
community outreach.
Sher
Tango Under the Tent Highlights of 2009
2009 was a bittersweet year for Tango under the
Tent – January came full of positive energy. The
formal creation of TutT was a historic moment.
January 11, 2009 TutT held its first meeting under
the leadership of Jerry Neri. 15 of us became the
founding members of the now not-for-profit
organization to promote Argentine Tango.
Almost every Saturday TutT members gathered to
do what we are passionate about, dancing tango
and enjoying the company of old and new friends.
In February we had a fabulous Valentine’s milonga
with guest performers Sara Grdan and Ivan Terrazas.
In March we celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with a
milonga with tangueros dressed in all shades of
green.
In the first week in April Bandonionist Tito Castro
serenaded Jerry Neri bringing some comfort to his
ailing body and joy to his soul.
It was an
unforgettable experience for everyone.
Spring came warming our hearts with the beautiful
ambience of our outdoor milongas.
The opening night was memorable. Guest dancers
Carolina Jaurena and Anton Gazenbeek did a special
performance in which they danced to one of Jerry
Neri’s favorites “Tango Tis Nefelis”
May was a heart-wrenching month for all of us. May
2nd TutT had guest instructors Carolina Zokalski and
Diego DiFalco, the workshop was wonderful and the
performance outstanding.
Jerry Neri brought
Carolina and Diego to his tent and took beautiful
photographs of them. He also attended the milonga
and danced for the last time. On the 16th of May we
had the Mask Milonga. It was bittersweet. Jerry
who had been looking forward to this event was not
able to attend but he wore his mask and took
pictures in his home. Jerry passed away in his home
on May 22.
Continues on page 5
Workshop with Carolina Jaurena
and Diego Blanco
A Heartfelt thank you
They get an A+
Tango under the Tent and all its members would
like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Jerry
Neri’s family - Sean and Eric Neri for their
immense generosity in carrying out their father’s
wishes to continue TutT’s 2009 outdoor milonga
under the tent.
We want to express our deepest appreciation to
Randi for her unwavering support in hosting us
over the summer months at her home.
Carolina Jaurena and Diego
Blanco are top notch Instructors!
It was a wonderful class.
Their performance at Jubilee
Dance Studio was exciting and
inspiring!
They are young, loving
and warm individuals They both stayed after the
performance and danced
with everybody.
We enjoyed that!
Profile of a Member
something to work towards improving”
Sarah so confidently voices, “I feel that as a
Beginning of spring under the tent – a young
couple walked in and awkwardly started
couple tango has been fantastic - having
moving in the line of dance – stiff and unsure
something we both enjoy that is challenging
– but intensely looking into each other’s eyes.
Our constant advocate of tango – Jerry Kline
and romantic is wonderful. As far as creating a
meaningful bond in your relationship,
comes over to them and interjects some
learning to dance beats the hell out of having
proper posture and they move on with the
a mutual favorite TV show!”
When it comes to encouraging other young
music.
This is what we all saw as Sarah
Roberts and Michael Barnett challenged the
art of tango in Orange County. They became
interested and started taking lessons with
Jerry and Adele at Jubilee after they saw Judy
lesson and so off they went that first Saturday
even though all they could do really was the 8
count.
Everyone was so supportive and encouraging
people to dance Sarah is feverishly working on
that! She has tried to convince her brother,
her sister, her cousin and his girlfriend, and
some of her friends back home in Chicago to
Batistta in town at some event and asked if
that they didn’t feel particularly self-conscious.
The curious thing was that being the minority
her studio offered tango.
Sarah wanted to
in the room – age wise, really never bothered
the bait is her sister. What Sarah said to her
learn tango because she thought it was an
them either. They were just so excited to find
something local to do for a night out other
sister was that learning to dance tango would
than going to a bar or a movie. Sarah had
city across the world where she could have
Jerry and Adele, of course in
always been involved in sports so this dancing
thing felt comfortable to her. She said, “I miss
fun, meet people, and wear great shoes. Her
full fashion tango enthusiasts, told Sarah and
working to get better at something the way
Mike about Tango under the Tent at their first
one does with sports, and tango has given me
intriguing and beautiful dance. She was so
excited to actually find a place to learn so
close to home.
learn the Tango. So far the one who has taken
give her something to do in almost any major
sister was sold on the shoes bit!
Continues on page 5
our in-house maestros
adele & Jerry kline
Jerry and Adele are the "heart
and soul" of Tango under the Tent. They
are our resident instructors as well as our
dance role models.
They embody the generosity
and welcoming nature of the
organization. They are our most
experienced dancers as well as a
veritable encyclopedia of steps and
technique. Adele stands ready to offer
wise counsel and encouragement to
struggling new dancers or veterans
seeking to learn a new step or having a
bad night.
J e r r y s e r ve s a s t h e v i ce
president and is in charge of organizing
seminars and events. Adele is a founding
member of the board of directors.
Both can be counted on to
assist where ever needed to get things
accomplished or take the lead on a
project.
We are grateful for all they do
for TutT and look forward to dancing in
their company in many wonderful
milongas to come. Jerry is always ready to give
advanced pointers to our regulars or
introductory instruction to get a new
dancer or visitors moving on the dance
floor. Additionally, they both pitch in to
set up, break down, replenish or repair as
required by any situation.
This is what we call team work!
From page 4
when I say we really appreciate how
Sarah declares enthusiastically, “As for my
welcoming and supportive everyone at Tango
vision for tango in my future - as long as I can
under the Tent has been”.
walk , I can dance. I watch the women at TutT
Now if this is not a gem of a story that makes
and in videos and hope I can someday look as
our young organization a keeper and in line
graceful as they do. And since I have a huge
with the romantic notion of Argentine Tango –
passion for traveling, I plan to dance in Buenos
then nothing else is!
Aires, Paris, Istanbul, Seoul and anywhere else
Sher Singh
where I can find a milonga!”
So for this charming young couple who has
won the hearts of all of us at TutT, the skies are
the limit. We watch them at each milonga and
proudly comment on each deliberate new step
they execute.
Mike and Sarah recently moved and are
settling in a new home. Mike is loving tango,
Sarah warmly states, “I can speak for both of us
In June Tango Under the Tent celebrated the first Mega Milonga
bringing to completion a labor of love started by Jerry Neri. The rest of
the season we found solace in each other’s company and the company
of new tangueros.
July 4th was a colorful Independence Day celebration; Ingrid’s 4th of
July cake made history! The milonga on July 22 was a beautiful event.
TutT had an exhibition of Jerry Neri’s photography and a slide show to
commemorate his birthday.
In August we had a barbecue milonga and a special guest milonga with
Judy Battista. We had a great time learning to dance salsa.
The September 5th milonga was very elegant with members dressed in
black giving the tent a sophisticated ambiance.
The highlight of the fall was the Halloween milonga. We went all out in
our costumes. The tent was filled with all sorts of characters: The
infamous Victoria’s Secret model, Al Capone, sexy flappers, a Greek
philosopher and his muse, pirates, witches, a young hippie, a homeboy
and even Dorothy and Toto, in the fur, appeared - there was even a
mysterious phantom…. We were all under the spell of the music.
November 7th was the first indoor milonga at Seligmann’s Homestead in
Sugar Loaf. It was well attended. To reminisce, Luz Piedad Lopez
presented a slide show of TutT milongas from 2007 to the present.
December’s New Year’s Eve Gala is yet to come…
To see TutT Photo Gallery go to: http://gallery.me.com/
tangounderthetent#gallery
upcoming events
January 23
First Anniversary Milonga with workshop and
performance by guest intructors Carlos Duarte de Chey
and Partner. Alternative date Jan 30th.
February 13
Valentine’s Milonga
February 27
Workshop and performance by guest instructor
Hernan Brizuela and partner.
April 24
Wo r k s h o p a n d p e r f o r m a n c e b y g u e s t
instructors.
May 22
Mask Milonga - Words in honor of Jerry Neri
June 26 Mega Milonga
July 3
Independence Day Milonga
July 22 Founder’s Milonga
March 13
Saint Patrick’s Day Milonga
Tango under the Tent is offering the workshops to its members on a first come first serve basis in order
to have an efficient size class.
Dates for all events are subject to change. TutT will send emails in case of any cancellations or
changes. You may also check our website for updated information.
Tango under the Tent wishes all its members and all the tangueros around the world a very
happy and healthy New Year. Letʼs dance our way out of 2009 and keep dancing all through 2010!
TANGO UNDER THE TENT
Our Founder
Ingrid Jacob was treasurer from the organization’s
Jerry
Neri, MD
inception. Ingrid placed all importance in her role and
held a strong set of principals holding her fiduciary
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
responsibility to the not-for-profit organization.
A standing ovation to these two beautiful ladies!!!
Sherry Herlihy
A Note of Sincere Appreciation
Tango under the Tent would like to take this opportunity
to thank two gracious ladies who have given above and
beyond the line of volunteerism to our organization.
Pam Breeman was co-chair to our group who did
outstanding work and brought innovative ideas,
principals and generosity beyond the line of her role.
Muchas gracias!
Seligmann’s Homestead - Orange County Citizens Foundation
Indoor Season Home of Tango under the Tent
Vince Herlihy
Ingrid Jacob
Karl Jacob
Dorothy Kellett
Adele Kline
Luz Piedad Lopez
Ferdinand Ritz
OFFICERS
Chair
Randi E. Perrelle
President
Sher Singh
Vice President
Jerry Kline, DDS
Treasurer
Rudy Dominguez
Secretary
Yolanda Gorman
Media Officer
Sam Fernandez
VISIT OUR WEBSITE @
WWW.TANGOUNDERTHETENT.COM
Newsletter Chair
Luz Piedad Lopez