[Tango-A] NA-E: Extraordinary Opportunity to Purchase Tango School and Building in Providence, Rhode Island

[Meredith Klein]

Founded by Ellen Mayer in 2000, Providence Tango has become a
nationally and internationally known tango destination through events
like the 30-hour New Year's Milonga, the Alternative Festival and the
monthly All-Night Milonga.  These events regularly draw dancers from
throughout the United States, Canada and even Europe.  In addition to
offering these popular events, Providence Tango (PT) has been working
steadily over the past 8 years to build the tango community in
Providence, Rhode Island (which is 1 hour from Boston and 3.5 hours
from NYC).  PT offers 6 weekly classes for beginning through advanced
students, as well as a weekly practica and milonga.  Current tango
teachers at Providence Tango include Ellen Mayer and Robin Pfahning.
Ben Bogart and Thuy Lam were resident teachers at PT before relocating
to Buenos Aires.  Guest teachers have included:  Homer and Christina
Ladas, Eric Jorissen (coming in May 2008), Luciana Valle, Javier
Rochwarger, Mariana Galassi, Andres Amarilla and Meredith Klein, Evan
Griffiths, Alex Krebs, Jaimes Friedgen, Filipe Martinez and Rosa
Corsico, Korey Ireland and Mila Vigdorova, Somer Surgit and Agape
Pappas, Robin Thomas, Marika Landry, Carlos and Tova Moreno and Sharna
Fabiano.

In 2003, Ellen Mayer bought a converted factory building and
transformed a 2,800 sq. ft. space on the first floor into one of the
most beautiful places to dance tango in the United States.  Upstairs,
she renovated a 2,600 sq. ft. space into an absolutely exquisite,
award-winning (Rhode Island Monthly Annual Design Awards 2005) loft
apartment, designed by architect and tango dancer, Nick DePace.
(Please see http://www.providencetango.com/building.html for photos.)
The building also includes:  a second dance studio (1,700 sq. ft.), an
in-law apartment and three commercial rental units.  Two of the three
commercial units currently have tenants (the other is used as storage
space for Providence Tango), and the studios are rented on an hourly
basis by local yoga and dance teachers, as well as on an occasional
basis for events like wedding receptions.  Total monthly revenue from
rental of the studio (excluding tango activities) and commercial units
totals at least $4,000.

Due to its outreach activities to the Providence community over the
past 8 years and to the many newspaper articles written about the
studio, Providence Tango enjoys excellent brand recognition and a
wonderful reputation throughout the city, even among folks who've
never set foot in a tango class or milonga.  The PT community
(students, milonga-goers and teachers) is known for being friendly and
welcoming, and PT benefits from a large pool of enthusiastic
volunteers who assist with the day-to-day running of the studio and
with events.  PT is repeatedly asked to teach classes by institutions
such as Brown University, the Rhode Island School of Design, Rhode
Island College, Providence College and local community centers and
dance schools.  There are currently more requests for such classes
than the PT staff has time to teach.

After 8 years of devotion to the studio, Ellen Mayer is ready to move
on to other pursuits and is searching for the right person or people
to take up where she leaves off in maintaining and growing Providence
Tango.  The cost for the building and Providence Tango is $700,000.

More information about the sale of PT and the building is available at
http://www.providencetango.com/building.html.  Please do not hesitate
to contact Ellen Mayer at 401-728-9393 or ellen at providencetango.com
with any questions.

I am only one of many, many dancers around the country and globe who
would be heart-broken if Providence Tango were to cease to exist.
Please help us get the word out about this extraordinary opportunity.
Thank you very much!!!!

Sincerely,
Meredith Klein
617-291-3798
meredithklein at gmail.com