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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 a"cionados from the Hudson
Valley and its surrounding communities by honoring those who
brought Argentine Tango to this region.
There are "ve 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.
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,
and since they encountered tango in 1997, they have been
completely devoted to it. As they put it, “It was love at "rst
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.
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 fo n d e s t m e m o r i e s f
ro m h i s 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
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 2000, and you can spot their
students at any milonga by their creative and dynamic style.
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 a c c o m p l i s h e d d a n c e r a
n d 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.
May the Long Time Sun shine upon you,
all love surround you,and the pure lightwithin you guide youall
the way home. Sufi Chant
In Loving Memory of our founder and beloved friend Dr. Jerry
neri
July 22, 1944 - May 22, 2009
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.
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-pro"t organization in the warm and loving environment that
he created for us. May he rest in peace.
FIRST MEGA MILONGA
SPECIAL EDITION
Continues on page 2
- 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
In this issue
END OF YEAR 2009
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message from our president COMMUNITY OUTREACH
From page 1The 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.
About one hundred "fty 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.
The proceeds of this event were donated to Cell Phones for
Soldiers, a not-for-pro"t organization.
The First Mega Milonga was a resounding success. It is the goal
of Tango under the Tent to make this a yearly event.
To see more photographs from this eventgo to:
http://gallery.me.com/tangounderthetent#100166
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 in#uenced 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 "re to do good work for Tango under the Tent –
please join me! Sher
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 In"rmary 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
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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 "rst meeting under
the leadership of Jerry Neri. 15 of us became the founding members
of the now not-for-pro"t 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 "rst 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
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Beginning of spring under the tent – a young
couple walked in and awkwardly started
moving in the line of dance – stiff and unsure
– but intensely looking into each other’s eyes.
Our constant advocate of tango – Jerry Kline
comes over to them and interjects some
proper posture and they move on with the
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
Batistta in town at some event and asked if
her studio offered tango. Sarah wanted to
learn tango because she thought it was an
intriguing and beautiful dance. She was so
excited to actually "nd a place to learn so
close to home. Jerry and Adele, of course in
full fashion tango enthusiasts, told Sarah and
Mike about Tango under the Tent at their "rst
lesson and so off they went that "rst Saturday even though all
they could do really was the 8 count. Everyone was so supportive
and encouraging that they didn’t feel particularly self-conscious.
The curious thing was that being the minority in the room – age
wise, really never bothered them either. They were just so excited
to "nd something local to do for a night out other than going to a
bar or a movie. Sarah had always been involved in sports so this
dancing thing felt comfortable to her. She said, “I miss working to
get better at something the way one does with sports, and tango has
given me
something to work towards improving” Sarah so con"dently voices,
“I feel that as a couple tango has been fantastic - having
something we both enjoy that is challenging and romantic is
wonderful. As far as creating a meaningful bond in your
relationship, learning to dance beats the hell out of having a
mutual favorite TV show!” When it comes to encouraging other
young
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
learn the Tango. So far the one who has taken
the bait is her sister. What Sarah said to her
sister was that learning to dance tango would
give her something to do in almost any major
city across the world where she could have
fun, meet people, and wear great shoes. Her
sister was sold on the shoes bit!
Continues on page 5
Profile of a Member
A Heartfelt thank you
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.
Workshop with Carolina Jaurenaand Diego Blanco
Their performance at Jubilee Dance Studio was exciting and
inspiring!
Carolina Jaurena and Diego Blanco are top notch Instructors! It
was a wonderful class.
They are young, loving and warm individuals - They both stayed
after the performance and danced with everybody. We enjoyed
that!
They get an A+
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From page 4
Sarah declares enthusiastically, “As for my
vision for tango in my future - as long as I can
walk , I can dance. I watch the women at TutT
and in videos and hope I can someday look as
graceful as they do. And since I have a huge
passion for traveling, I plan to dance in Buenos
Aires, Paris, Istanbul, Seoul and anywhere else
where I can "nd 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
when I say we really appreciate how
welcoming and supportive everyone at Tango
under the Tent has been”.
Now if this is not a gem of a story that makes
our young organization a keeper and in line
with the romantic notion of Argentine Tango –
then nothing else is!
Sher Singh
In June Tango Under the Tent celebrated the "rst 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 "lled with all sorts of
characters: The infamous Victoria’s Secret model, Al Capone, sexy
#appers, 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 "rst 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
our in-house maestrosadele & Jerry kline
This is what we call team work!
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 a n d w e l c o m i n g n a t u r e o
f t h e 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. 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 #oor. Additionally, they both pitch in
to set up, break down, replenish or repair as required by any
situation.
Jer r y ser ve s as t h e v ice 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.
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upcoming events
BOARD OF DIRECTORSSherry HerlihyVince HerlihyIngrid JacobKarl
JacobDorothy KellettAdele KlineLuz Piedad LopezFerdinand Ritz
OFFICERSChairRandi E. PerrellePresidentSher SinghVice
PresidentJerry Kline, DDSTreasurerRudy DominguezSecretaryYolanda
GormanMedia OfficerSam Fernandez
Newsletter ChairLuz Piedad Lopez
TANGO UNDER THE TENTOur Founder
Jerry Neri, MD
VISIT OUR WEBSITE @WWW.TANGOUNDERTHETENT.COM
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.
Ingrid Jacob was treasurer from the organization’s inception.
Ingrid placed all importance in her role and held a strong set of
principals holding her "duciary responsibility to the not-for-pro"t
organization.A standing ovation to these two beautiful
ladies!!!
Muchas gracias!
A Note of Sincere Appreciation
Seligmann’s Homestead - Orange County Citizens FoundationIndoor
Season Home of Tango under the Tent
January 23 First Tango under the Tent Anniversary
Milonga.January 30 Workshop and performance by guest Instructor
Carlos Duarte de Chey and partner.
February 13 Valentine’s MilongaFebruary 27 Workshop and
performance by guest instructorHernan Brizuela and partner.March 13
Saint Patrick’s Day Milonga
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
NeriJune 26 Mega MilongaJuly 3 Independence Day MilongaJuly 22
Founder’s 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!
http://WWW.TANTOhttp://WWW.TANTO
