New Zealand Tango Festival June 2012

Well the Kiwis sure know how to plan and organise an awesome event such as The Tango Festival.  It has been running annually in Wellington for 12 years, this was the first visit for both of us.  The Venue - The Te Whaea Dance and Drama Centre was huge, also known as New Zealand School of Dance, it's one of the southern hemisphere's leading dance conservatoires.  Shuttle buses ferried us all to and fro during the day from the Comfort Hotel in the city centre.   The cafe in the Atrium area of the Te Whaea  centre served  great lunches of hot meals and sandwiches, great coffee too so there was no need to leave the complex.   We did however find a lovely cafe down Wallace Street one day,  " The Mount Cook Cafe"  warmed by a fire, great coffee and food if the weather was kind enough for the 10 minute walk, we made the walk down during gale force winds, the Paninis were worth the effort.   

In the Atrium rows of Shoes and Tango Clothes were for sale..   Workshops were running  morning and afternoon and during the lunch break  a Milonga  was set up in the Atrium for those who still had energy.   With Classes ending at 6pm you then needed to find more energy for the Evening Milongas in the City Centre, which can only be described as exquisite and elegant Tango.

The Visiting Instructors we had for our workshops, Cecilia and Somer,  and Gisela and Gustavo were approachable,  informative and a lot of fun too.  Gustavo especially with his antics during the classes.    The private lessons  we had with Celicia and Somer  were a real challenge when suffering with sore feet and sleep deprivation.     

During one of the lunch time Milongas everybody celebrated Somer's Birthday with a Traditional  Birthday Dance with a twist...see our video clips. 

With the evening Milongas running until 2am, it left  very little time for sleep, a problem in how to function in the next  morning's workshops!   But Dancing at the Milongas till closing time was the only choice to be made.      
   
We met so many friendly folk from as far as Philadelphia Pennsylvania,  Los Angeles,  Denver Colorado,  Japan,  Melbourne,  Brisbane, Adelaide, not to mention Nelson  &  Marlborough  Sth Island, New Plymouth,  Wellington and Auckland  Nth Island.    Everybody coming together for Tango was just wonderful to see.  We were the only ones from Perth Western Australia.    If you love your Tango, this event is  A Must!!

With transport, we took a Taxi from the Airport which was  NZ$50 to the city centre,  but on return took the Airport Bus #91 from  Manners Street, a 10 min walk from  the hotel  for just $8.50 per person and plenty of room for luggage.       

The Comfort Hotel in Cuba Street was very conveniently located,  a 10 min walk to the evening Milongas,  and shopping Mall.     Small rooms but great hot showers. 

Our favourite cafe in Cuba Street was Espressoholic, for great coffee  in huge cups & breakfasts at reasonable prices to keep you going during the day.  

To all of you who gave us your email addresses we will be in touch and look forward to seeing you again next year and well done TangoFest for a Five Star Event!!!!