[Tango-L] Germans teaching Argentine tango in the USA

[Janis Kenyon]

Date: Mon, 3 Sep 2007 11:08:57 +0200
From: Melina Sedo & Detlef Engel <tango at tangodesalon.de>
Subject: [Tango-A] Dtelef & Melina: US-Tour February/March 08
<>We would like to inform you about our upcoming tour to the USA <>
14 - 17 February: Valentango Festival Portland
23/24 February:  Workshops in Pittsburgh (PATangoS )
29 February - 2 March: Milonguero Festival in Champain Urbana
3 - 14 March: Classes in New York (Empire Dance Studio)
15/16 March: Workshops in Philadelphia (Tango Hug)
There are still some free slots in our schedule, especially during
the weeks and after our stay in Philadelphia. <>


Am I the only person who thinks this is crazy?
There are dozens of Argentines teaching in the USA in addition to hundreds
of Americans who teach.
Why are they organizing classes for Germans?
Is it because these Germans travel at their own expense on tourist visas?
Or because there is so much money to be made from weekend workshop and
festivals?
What can you get from a German couple in two days that you haven't already
learned from Argentines or Americans?

Most Argentine professionals who teach regularly in the US are smart enough
to know they need a work permit and P-3 visa to be working legally.  There
are some there now, however, who are working on tourist visas.  But then,
the organizers never ask to see their passports.  Instead, they look the
other way and laugh all the way to the bank.

I know that Ray Barbosa, a lawyer, went through the visa process this year
when he invited Tete and Sylvia and others to teach at his festival in
Chicago.  They wouldn't have been able to enter the country without the
proper work visa after a nine-year absence.  Lydia Henson applies annually
for visas for all those teaching at her Miami festival, otherwise El Flaco
Dany would never have entered the USA.  The visa process takes about six
months.  Any citizen in the US can petition for the work permit after
gathering all the required documentation.

Twelve years ago I learned that any foreigner working in the US is required
to have the appropriate visa in their passport before entering the country.
I had to obtain visas for those teaching at my festival in a short time
frame.
All visas were issued and everyone worked legally for one week.

Tours have been cancelled because organizers thought that teachers would be
able to obtain a tourist visa.  Then the US Consulate denied the request.
Once a tourist visa is denied, it is in the records and never can be
obtained.