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

Tue Sep 4 07:28:27 EDT 2007

Hi Janis,

Since you were an organizer before many had a personal
computer in their home, I can see where you'd be concerned.

As it happens, I'm the one sponsoring Melina & Detlef on
their visa process for next year's visit (with help from
Ray Barbosa).  To get a visa, it's best to get actual work
commitments.  That's fine since organizers need to plan so
far in advance (we're already scheduled through May 2008
already).  

Melina & Detlef are wonderful teachers who I highly
recommend.  I love their level of detail and personal
attention they give to students.  They also care a lot
about how tango is taught.  If you checked their workshop
list on their webpage, you'll see how much they care about
the music and fundamentals.  Excellent work ethic and fun,
too.  Anyone else interested in working with them can
contact me.

If something falls through, organizers simply plan for
something else.  Organizers get used to those things.  Last
year someone cancelled on me with only 2 days notice before
a regional festival (with radio promos and everything). 
Fortunately, we were able to find a a great instructor
(Oliver Kolker) that same night with help from tango
friends.  Thank goodness for the internet, cell phones and
a close proximity to NYC!  This year's crisis was an
extended 3 week visit by Homer & Cristina for her
near-kidney failure.  I wonder what next year's crisis will
be.

Trini de Pittsburgh

--- Janis Kenyon <Jantango at feedback.net.ar> wrote:

> 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.
> 
> 
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> 

PATangoS - Pittsburgh Argentine Tango Society
  Our Mission: To make Argentine Tango Pittsburgh’s most popular social dance!
  http://patangos.home.comcast.net/

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