2008 Woodie Awards
SMCTango
Stefanie Ordoveza
Issue date: 9/18/07 Section: News
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SMCTango was founded last semester as a result of passion and inspiration.
After taking Homer Ladas' Jan Term course "Argentine Tango," students Elizabeth Ashman '09, Caitlin Spangler '10, Maggie Assad '10, and Kayla Parnagian '10, became so passionate about the art of Argentine tango that they were inspired to share it with the rest of the Saint Mary's community.
"At the end of the course, we had to do a project, and I decided to hold a benefit milanga [a social dance setting] for sustainable water in Argentina in Dryden Hall…People from all over the San Francisco tango community and Saint Mary's students came, and this is what started the club," said Ashman, who now serves as the club's president.
The club, which transformed into SMCTango, then had a membership of only about 16 to 20 students. When SMCTango hosted its first event last week, called "Tango Tuesday," in the Kyran Room (a fairly secluded space directly across from the Hearst Art Gallery), and over forty eager students showed up and crammed into the little classroom, the club officers were stunned.
"Seeing as we didn't have much time to advertise and that we're not really a well-established club yet, we were extremely excited to see the turnout…There was such a diverse selection of Saint Mary's students…There were even a number of guys that came out, and a lot of people that were not dance majors," said Ashman.
Despite the greater turnout, the club's purpose remains the same. SMCTango hopes to promote expression, creativity, and imagination in the Saint Mary's community through a medium students usually wouldn't be using. Ashman said, "We want to have them experience the culture by giving them the opportunity to learn about Argentina and the dance."
"Also, the Argentine tango is not the kind of tango you're used to," said Vice President Spangler. "It's better! In the other tango, you already have steps, so you know what you're doing-and that's not fun. In the Argentine tango, you follow relationships and the connection you have with your partner."
After taking Homer Ladas' Jan Term course "Argentine Tango," students Elizabeth Ashman '09, Caitlin Spangler '10, Maggie Assad '10, and Kayla Parnagian '10, became so passionate about the art of Argentine tango that they were inspired to share it with the rest of the Saint Mary's community.
"At the end of the course, we had to do a project, and I decided to hold a benefit milanga [a social dance setting] for sustainable water in Argentina in Dryden Hall…People from all over the San Francisco tango community and Saint Mary's students came, and this is what started the club," said Ashman, who now serves as the club's president.
The club, which transformed into SMCTango, then had a membership of only about 16 to 20 students. When SMCTango hosted its first event last week, called "Tango Tuesday," in the Kyran Room (a fairly secluded space directly across from the Hearst Art Gallery), and over forty eager students showed up and crammed into the little classroom, the club officers were stunned.
"Seeing as we didn't have much time to advertise and that we're not really a well-established club yet, we were extremely excited to see the turnout…There was such a diverse selection of Saint Mary's students…There were even a number of guys that came out, and a lot of people that were not dance majors," said Ashman.
Despite the greater turnout, the club's purpose remains the same. SMCTango hopes to promote expression, creativity, and imagination in the Saint Mary's community through a medium students usually wouldn't be using. Ashman said, "We want to have them experience the culture by giving them the opportunity to learn about Argentina and the dance."
"Also, the Argentine tango is not the kind of tango you're used to," said Vice President Spangler. "It's better! In the other tango, you already have steps, so you know what you're doing-and that's not fun. In the Argentine tango, you follow relationships and the connection you have with your partner."