Featuring
Claudio and Virginia
cont. from Dec. 2015 post
Virginia ́s artistic career
Virginia begins her artistic career as a dancer from an early age studying classical, jazz, tap, flamenco and folklore Argentino, and being part of the Argentinian Ballet Salta for 7 consecutive years. Enchanted by Tango, Virginia begins her studies with renowned tango masters, and in 1999 starts a tour to Japan, accompanying Beba Pugliese ́s Orchestrawith the acclaimed dancers Vanina Bilous and Roberto Herrera. In 2000, Virginia initiates a World Tour with several tango companies, such as Tango Seduction, and performing in prestigious venues such as the L ́Olympia Hall in Paris, the Moskow Kremlin, the Ronacher Concert Hall of Vienna, and many more. In Buenos Aires, she participated in numerous shows in “casas de tango” such as La Ventana Tango Show, Tango Porteño, El Querandí, Piazzola Tangoand the historic Café Tortoni. In 2006, Virginia is selected to be part of the memorable company Forever Tango, performing for 4 consecutive and successful years. In 2008, she performs exhibitions and workshops at the Montreal Tango Festival in Canada and in numerous cities in the USA such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Mónica, Washington D. C., Chicago, and so on. In 2013, becomes the partner of the dancer and “master of masters” Juan Carlos Copes, performing at Tango Porteño Show at the heart of Buenos Aires. Virginia has also worked as a choreographer at Esquina Carlos Gardeland studied as a Stage Manager. Currently, Virginia performs with her new Argentinian partner, musician and dancer Claudio Ceballos. Together, they provide tango lessons at La Nueva Escuela Argentina de Tango at Galerias Pacífico in Buenos Aires, and promote her true passion for tango and their Argentine culture touring with workshops and exhibitions.
Claudio ́s artistic career
Claudio grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and graduated from the prestigious Carlos Pellegrini High School located at the hearth of the city. He first discovered TANGO in 1986 through his godfather Osvaldo, who was a well-known director of several tango clubs of Buenos Aires, an authentic Milonguero, and friends with the prestigious tango singer Hugo del Carril that he later introduce at a private tango party, being only 9 years old, and giving him his first Classical Guitar as a gift. At the age of 16 began his musical studies in Buenos Aires that he later finished in the USA, graduating with a Music Performance Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas (UNT) in 2005 and working for several years at the Coppell Music Conservatory at Dallas, Texas. In addition, he achieved a teacher certifi- cate for public schools in which he worked for over 5 years in an elementary school in Dallas, Texas. In 2007, Claudio put his music performance skills aside and felt captivated by the beauty of the TANGO dance. Since then, he had been studying TANGO from the Argentinian masters such as Gustavo Naveira, Sebastian Arce, Chicho Frumboli, Demián Garcia, etc. and had been dancing and teaching in Argentina, North America and Europe, sharing his passion for TANGO and the Argentinian Culture. Currently, Claudio and Virginia live in Buenos Aires, teaching and performing in Argentina and touring abroad.
Claudio and Virginia are available for group or private lessons: claudioceballostango@gmail.com
Featuring The Nob Hill Sounds
(cont. from Oct. 2015 post)
They were a mainstay at the Strawberry Recreation Center in Marin; the Lake Merritt Dance Center in Oakland; Rossmoore in Walnut Creek; Dance Connection in Burlingame; and, of course, here at Santa Clara. Wherever they played was THE place to go. Each of the members was an accomplished musician. Friendly Sammy Farano who played heavenly music on his clarinet and also at times saxophone, had been playing ever since he was a child. He started his first band when he was in junior high school; and eventually owned a music store. He is known for his beautiful tone and mastery of his instruments. Dennis Norby, probably the best drummer in the Bay Area, keeps busy teaching drums at Bronstein Music Store in South San Francisco. Bobby Secor, an awesome pianist, sometimes played the keyboard with one hand and simultaneously played a trumpet with the other. He teaches music at the University of the Pacific. The group was founded about 20 years ago by a singer named Tom Francis who, along with Sammy initially got together a group of musicians meant to focus on the singer. Bobby Secor was the first to join; and soon after, when they lost their drummer, Dennis Norby was contacted to fill the vacancy. Eventually, Tom Francis dropped out and with the addition of an awesome guitarist named Jimmy Luttrell, the group of four drew crowds of not only dancers, but also others who came just to listen to their music. An illness forced Jimmy Luttrell to leave the group; and the economy dictated that it should remain a three member group instead of four as that was all many clubs could afford to pay.
Occasionally, a guest player would fill in and it always seemed like the guests were as talented as the other members. What always amazed people was that this band could have such a large repertoire when so many other bands were limited. The reason was, they were that good. They never rehearsed. At times Bobby Secor would prepare arrangements, but they mostly jammed. Dennis said, “That’s what made it fun”.
Recently, Bobby Secor, who travelled all the way from Stockton to the Bay Area gigs, decided it was time to retire. He was replaced by Art Macaw, another talented musician who can also play the keyboard and horn simultaneously. Art taught music at Millbrae HS for 20 years. Gary Zimmerman, an excellent guitarist, rounds out the current group. Amazingly, the music still has the Nob Hill “sound”.
Dennis Norby, Gary Zimmerman, Art Macaw
Featuring Joe Brcich
(cont. from Sept, 2014 post)
“How did I get interested in dance? Well my cousin Joe and his wife Norma used to have a dance every New Years. I would sit around and be a wall flower so Norma suggested I take dance lessons. This was around 1976. I started at Arthur Murray’s but left there after a few months due to the high pressure sales tactics. After that I went to the Willow Glen dance studio, where my teacher was Mary Watson, a very accomplished dancer from Scotland. I was at the intermediate level at this time and Mary let me assist her with the beginning class. It was during this time that Ruth Web who was teaching at the community center on Keily Boulvard recruited me to assist with her class there. I was her assistant until she retired. Through these experiences I made many contacts in the dance community, and was substitute teaching at a number of different places when the regular instructor was sick or on vacation. My first regular teaching job was at the old Whats-it-Club at the dance being run by Joe Metz. Eventually the building was sold and Joe Metz started the Starlite Ballroom.
Around this time I met Phil Mast who was running a dance on Wednesdays called Tuxedo Junction at the Palo Alto YWCA on Alma. He was also teaching for TGA and asked me to do the class while he was on vacation. After that I started teaching at TGA every other month. I think this was around 1986. Rosemarie Duffy volunteered to be my assistant and stuck with it for 25 years. When TGA moved to Santa Clara, I became full time at TGA.”
Awesome, indeed, to think of the hundreds of people on the dance floor who are better dancers because of Joe. If you’re wondering what happened to Rosemarie Duffy, Joe tells me she no longer wants to make the long drive from her house as her eyesight isn’t as good as it used to be. As you probably know, Joe is now very ably assisted by Judith Bell. The dance goes on.
Dance lessons: 6:30pm – 7:30pm. Free with admission. A steal.
Featuring Jim Fox
Who is Jim Fox? (cont.)
Originally from Philadelphia, Jim spent four years in the air force where he worked as an aircraft mechanic. When he returned home, he worked on office machines, and then went on to night school to study electronics. After graduating he trained with Link, a maker of flight simulation devices. Link sent him first to Taiwan, and Japan, and eventually to California. That was 1964. He loved to dance and has danced from high school on. Having been introduced to TGA in February of 2012, he has attended the Tuesday and Thursday dances almost every week since. TGA’s board had an opening and he stepped up because, as he says, “It is fun to be with motivated people who make things happen.” He adds that “TGA is recognized as a very successful group and many other dance organizations would like to know what makes it work so well.” The answer, he says, is easy. “We care about people.”
Jim’s other major interest is hiking; He currently works as a videographer shooting outdoor scenes which fits with that interest. He is also president of a Sierra Club singles group of 300 members.
We at TGA feel privileged and lucky to have someone as accomplished and dedicated as Jim to steer us forward.
Joe Allen Resigns as President of the T.G.A. Dance Club, Santa Clara Senior Center
On April 1st, 2014, after 3-1/2 years as President of the T.G.A. Santa Clara Dance, Joseph Allen resigned. He was appointed to that position by Shirley Grosswird, and it also included the vacant position of VP, giving him the additional responsibility of hiring the weekly bands for the Tuesday night dances.
He began scheduling the bands based on the numbers of attendees, and placed them in the same time slot each month, i.e., Nob Hill Sounds, the first week; 10th Avenue, the second, etc. He also elected to schedule them months in advance. The bands have been very receptive to this plan. Some of the newer bands that he introduced to the club include the Ron Borelli Trio and the 10th Avenue Band.
As president, Joe has always handled the many problems that would arise in a very responsible and commendable manner. He has worked very closely with City management on different projects. Most recently he was influential in convincing them to install a video screen, which is forthcoming, for the bands to display the types of dances. Among his other accomplishments as president, Joe has: updated the old by-laws; invited exceptional dance couples on several occasions to perform during intermission; and he has also been responsible for setting up a board on the entrance table with photos and names of the Board of Directors.
One of Joe’s attributes was to always create a warm and friendly atmosphere by welcoming newcomers to the dance, and at times, dancing with them as well as many of the women who did not have a dance partner.
Many thanks to Joe Allen for helping to make the T.G.A., Santa Clara Dance the successful venue that it is for the 85 to 125 dancers who attend each week.
Santa Clara Tuesday Dance 