Humans of Tango

"I think the gravity and the power of tango ... to bridge a 50-year-old divide is kind of missed." Cypriot social dancer and creator of a.tango.for.every.body Savvas Kourtis on crossing borders, cultivating curiosity, and adapting tango to work better for every partnership. Producer/Host: Liz Sabatiuk | Music: "La Madrugada," written by Ángel Maffia with lyrics by Cátulo Castillo and performed and recorded by Juan Villarreal y Patricio Crom | Image Credit: Michaël Jacob Show Notes Follow Savvas’s tango activities in Cyprus via the Instagram profile of a.tango .for.every.body.  Learn more about tango at the University of Edinburgh, see a performance of Savvas’s teachers Emily-Rose Sarkova and Refik Unluer, then watch a demo to the song that accompanies this episode (!) featuring Carmen María Hergos, Savvas's teacher in Barcelona (who is now based in Mexico).  Hear more about the International Queer Tango Festival in Berlin in Humans of Tango episode 30, “Creating spaces to grow, with Astrid Weiske.”   Learn more about Cyprus’s 1974 coup and subsequent Turkish invasion. For another perspective on how dancing with beginners can inspire innovation, listen to Humans of Tango episode 15, “Instinct Tango, with Aníbal Dominguez.” Read the lyrics of "La Madrugada" in English, translated by Jake Spatz (who you can listen to in Humans of Tango episode 32). Read musings about the episode and check out our elevator selfies on Substack. Read a transcript of Savvas's episode here.

“..the dance has become, for me, a record, in a way that’s not just metaphorical. I realized it’s actually how we learn - it’s how we remember things.” Translator, writer, and wearer of many tango-related hats Jake Spatz on hype, havens, and appreciating our influences. Producer/Host: Liz Sabatiuk | Music: "Milonguero Viejo," written by Carlos Di Sarli and arranged and recorded by Pablo Estigarribia; excerpts of “Tinta Roja” - by Sebastián Piana with lyrics by Cátulo Castillo, arranged and recorded by La Chicana - and “Niebla del Riachuelo” by Juan Carlos Cobián with lyrics by Enrique Cadícamo, arranged and recorded by Orquesta Típica Misteriosa Buenos Aires | Image Credit: Yulia Kriskovets (Jake is pictured with his partner, Dasha) Show Notes Learn more about Jake on his website, listen to him nerd out about tango music in two interviews with Bienvenido al Tango, then watch him perform with Cecilia Gonzalez and Dasha Khripkova. Read Jake’s translations of the songs he discusses in this episode, “Tinta Roja” and “Niebla del Riachuelo,” then check out collections of his lyric translations, Librotango Volume 1 and Volume 2. Learn more about three of Jake’s biggest influences: Cecilia Gonzalez, Andres Amarilla, and Mariana Galassi. Read a transcript of Jake's episode here.

“Somos nada y somos todo. Somos personas.” / We’re nothing and we’re everything. We’re people." ~Pepa Palazón Pepa Palazón describe su forma de vivir la vida y el tango - con errores, éxitos y mucho aprendizaje. / Pepa Palazón describes her approach to life and tango - with mistakes, successes, and much learning. Creadora/Producer: Liz Sabatiuk | Música/Music: "Sinfonía de Arrabal" grabado por El Cachivache Quinteto Tango | Image(n): Eugen Schröder (Eugen TANGO) Notas / Show Notes Visita el sitio web de Viva la Pepa, el festival que Pepa organiza en Madrid, España. Luego fíjate en su canal de YouTube donde publica sus entrevistas, ejercicios musicales y más. / Visit the website of Viva la Pepa, the festival Pepa organizes in Madrid, Spain. Then check out her YouTube channel, where she publishes her interviews, musical exercises, and more.  Mira las entrevistas de "Tengo una Pregunta para Vos" con Alberto Podestá, Osvaldo y Coca Cartery y Jonathan Saavedra y Clarisa Aragón. / Watch "Tengo una Pregunta para Vos" interviews with Alberto Podestá, Osvaldo and Coca Cartery, and Jonathan Saavedra and Clarisa Aragón. Conoce la obra de Pablo Neruda. / Learn (more) about Pablo Neruda. Ve las presentaciones de Pancho Martinez Pey y Flavio Catuara, los que se vestían de árbitros de fútbol para la noche de chicos del Mundialito. (Bonus: aquí Pepa entrevista a Pancho!) / Watch performances by Pancho Martinez Pey and Flavio Catuara, who dressed as soccer referees for the guys' night during the Mundialito festival. (Bonus: here's Pepa interviewing Pancho!) Observa a Pepa demostrando el Marcato 2 con síncopa a tierra en diferentes orquestas o la Base Rítmica de un Pugliese de 1944. / Watch Pepa demonstrate the Marcato 2 with syncopation into the ground with different orchestras or the rhythmic base of a 1944 Pugliese. Read an English translation of Pepa's episode here. Ve una transcripción del episodio de Pepa aquí.

After 13 years organizing the renowned and beloved International Queer Tango Festival in Berlin, Astrid Weiske reflects on why she started the festival, how queer tango has evolved since she started dancing, and what’s next on her tango path. Producer/Host: Liz Sabatiuk | Music: "Gipsy Vals" by El Cachivache Quinteto Tango | Image Credit: Ksusha Ivanova, © QTFestival Berlin Show Notes Visit Astrid’s website, check out her YouTube channel, then read about the 13th and final International Queer Tango Festival Berlin, held in July of 2025. Read a brief summary of Berlin’s queer history. Listen to “Roles and evolution - body and mind, with Brigitta Winkler.” Watch archival footage from the original TangoMujer tour, then check out a video Astrid filmed of Brigitta Winkler and Rebecca Shulman performing in 2006. Read an article from 2007 about Marga Nagel y Ute Walter. Learn more about Augusto Balizano (a.k.a. La Marshall, a.k.a. Godfather of Queer Tango) in the first episode of Humans of Tango. Browse posts by The Queer Tango Project about Mariana Docampo, another trailblazer of queer tango in Buenos Aires and order her book on queer tango in Buenos Aires! From bullying to online censorship, learn more about the biggest challenges to LGBTQ+ progress today. Watch a brief clip from Astrid's Humans of Tango interview. Read a transcript of Astrid's episode here.

Argentino y lector (así se auto-describe) Emmanuel Trifilio habla de su experiencia tocando bandoneón, componiendo música y viviendo como inmigrante y artista en Washington, DC. --- Argentine and reader (as he describes himself) Emmanuel Trifilio talks about his experience playing bandoneon, composing music, and living as an immigrant and artist in Washington, DC. [In Spanish with an English translation here.] Creadora/Producer: Liz Sabatiuk | Música/Music: "De Cayetano" grabado por Trifilio Tango Trio y "El Eco de tu Amor" grabado por QuinTango | Image(n): Eric Booth Notas / Show Notes Lee más sobre Emmanuel en su sitio web. Luego escucha sus composiciones para Trifilio Tango Trío y QuinTango y ve el vídeo donde bailamos yo y Rubén. / Read more about Emmanuel on his website. Then listen to his compositions for Trifilio Tango Trío and QuinTango and watch the video where I dance with Rubén. Conoce el cuento de Julio Cortazar que menciona Emmanuel, "La noche boca arriba." / Read an English translation of the story Emmanuel mentions by Julio Cortazar, "The Night Face Up." La Casa del Tango en La Plata todavía existe / still exists. Para descubrir el Rock Argentino de la niñez de Emmanuel, ¡revisa esta enciclopedia! / To discover the Argentine Rock of Emmanuel's childhood, check out this encyclopedia! Lee la historia de los bandoneones “AA” y mira a Astor Piazzolla tocar su homenaje “Tristezas de un doble A.” / Read a history of "AA" bandoneons y watch Astor Piazzolla play his homage “Tristezas de un doble A.” Lee más sobre Carlos di Sarli, el compositor y pianista que inspiró el tema “De Cayetano.” / Read more about Carlos di Sarli, the composer and pianist who inspired the song "De Cayetano." Emmanuel “cita” a un amigo en el episodio; se refiere a Miguel Di Genova de Otros Aires. / Emmanuel "cites" a friend in the episode; he's referring to Miguel Di Genova de Otros Aires. Read an English translation of Emmanuel's episode here. Ve una transcripción del episodio de Emmanuel aquí.

“I change because I can.” German tango pioneer Brigitta Winkler shares what she's most passionate about 40 years into her tango journey and why she believes in tango's ability to unite. Producer/Host: Liz Sabatiuk | Music: “Margo,” by Armando Pontier with lyrics by Homero Expósito | Image Credit: Unknown SHOW NOTES Visit Brigitta's website or watch her dance with Rebecca Shulman, Tomás Howlin, and Astrid Weiske. Two tango humans previously featured on this podcast consider Brigitta a mentor: Aja Fenn and Mitra Martin. Read an interview with Brigitta that includes the iconic black and white photo described in the episode. Watch a video of Brigitta's and Angelika's teachers, Gloria and Eduardo Arquimbau. Learn more about Eric Jorissen via interviews for Joe's Tango Podcast and DonAgucho. Watch clips from Tango Mujer performances featuring Brigitta. Learn more about movement systems Brigitta has studied: Body-Mind Centering; Release, Alexander, Feldenkrais, and Klein techniques; contact improvisation; Authentic Movement; Axis Syllabus; the Franklin Method; and Fighting Monkey. Read the lyrics of "Margo" in English thanks to the Tango Poetry Project. Visit the Queer Tango Project website and read Birthe Havmoeller's  "10 Dogme Rules For The Dance Style of 'Queer Tango.'" Follow Manu Sanz on Facebook or through her collaboration, "Poetry, Tango y Otras Hierbas." (Bonus points if you nerd out in Spanish about her inspiration for the term "emirecs"!)  Listen to Brigitta's interview for Joe's Tango Podcast. Read a transcript of Brigitta's episode here.

Almost 4 years after making the case for why we should all be dancing tango, Simona Ciampi is back to share her experiences with healing through art and how she's using skills learned through tango to improve her daily life. Producer/Host: Liz Sabatiuk | Music: "El Carillon de la Merced" by Enrique S. Discepolo, performed by Carlos Molina y Su Orquesta | Image Credit: Alejandra Rúa Álvarez Show Notes Listen to the original episode, "Why we should all be dancing tango, with Simona Ciampi," and follow Simona on Instagram. Learn more about Simona’s somatic coach, Chen Lizra. View the painting Simona created inspired by her family history. Watch examples of the Italian folk dances Simona mentions: Tarantella, Tammurriata, and Pizzica. Watch a clip from Simona's Humans of Tango interview.  Read a transcript of Simona's episode here.

"...through, just, love and committing to your own journey within a culture and within a craft and within a practice, you can embody whatever you want to." Co-founder of Oxygen Tango School and Awaken Tango Mitra Martin talks about her Persian heritage and the value of research, innovation, acceptance, and attention in tango. Producer/Host: Liz Sabatiuk | Music: “Zorzal”, arranged and recorded by Orquesta Típica Misteriosa Buenos Aires with music and lyrics by Dorita Zárate | Image Credit: Glenn Campbell Show Notes Learn more about Mitra's perspectives and work on her website. (Bonus points if you learn more about “The Romance of the Rose” and gardens in Persian poetry or even read Mitra's thesis!) Read some background about Iran’s history and government, then read Mitra’s reflections on Iran's 2022 protests. TriANGulO changed locations but is still going strong as a studio and community under the leadership of its founder, Carina Moeller. Listen to “Instinct Tango, with Aníbal Dominguez” for another perspective on how contact improv relates to tango. Read why Mitra recommends learning tango one-on-one rather than in conventional group classes. Listen to different versions of the same song, “El Choclo,” to get a sense of the different styles of Carlos Di Sarli and Juan D’Arienzo. Learn more about Marshall Rosenberg’s framework of nonviolent communication and read a post by the student Mitra mentioned, Andrei Andreev, applying Rosenberg's framework to tango. Listen to “Flowing together, with Avik Basu” and visit Awaken Tango to read the Inner Experience of Tango report. Mitra shouted out the following folks as key sources of inspiration and support in her tango journey: Avik Basu, Stefan Fabry, Jaimes Friedgen, Korey Ireland, Dave Lampson, Carina Moeller, Rebecca Shulman, Daniel Trenner, and Brigitta Winkler. Watch Mitra talk about the meaning of "milonguear" and why tango is like a garden. Read a transcript of Mitra's episode here.

In summer of 2021, Scott Boddye said goodbye to all but two-suitcases worth of worldly possessions and became a digital nomad. Since then, he's traveled on 4 continents and counting, learned to dance in heels, and created a social media platform for tango dancers. Producer/Host: Liz Sabatiuk | Music: "Loca" composed by Manuel Jovés, arranged and recorded by Tango Bardo | Image Credit: Kappu Chino Show Notes UPDATE: Mundo Tango is up and running! Check it out and create a profile, then learn more about Scott on his website. Learn more about Daniela Borgialli, Scott's first tango teacher, then read an article about the Tango Club at Arizona State University - which is still going strong almost 20 years after Scott studied there! For a deeper dive on gender norms and tango, check out any or all of the following HoT episodes: Small movements toward tango for all, with Arno Plass; Embracing to change the world, with Alex Pacheco Castillo; Image, authenticity, and building bridges, with Phi Lee Lam; Reflections of a queer tango trailblazer, with Augusto LaMarshall. Read a transcript of Scott's episode here.

FIRST BILINGUAL EPISODE! / ¡PRIMER EPISODIO BILINGÜE!  After a youthful stint in a rock band, Matías Mauricio turned his artistic inclinations to tango. Today he teaches and writes essays, books, and lyrics, and generally lives and breathes tango in his hometown of Buenos Aires. --- Luego de un paso juvenil por una banda de rock, Matías Mauricio volcó sus inclinaciones artísticas al tango. Hoy enseña y escribe ensayos, libros y letras y, en general, vive y respira el tango en su ciudad natal de Buenos Aires. Producer/Host: Liz Sabatiuk | Music: "Capullo de Miel," composed by Javier Arias with lyrics by Matías Mauricio, performed by La Orquesta Típica Misteriosa Buenos Aires with Eliana Sosa | Image Credit: María Aimaretti (Matías is pictured holding a photograph of Enrique Santos Discépolo) Show Notes/Notas UPDATE: The album Matías referred to in his interview is now available! More about it on my Substack. / ACTUALIZACIÓN: ¡El álbum al que Matías se refirió en su entrevista ya está disponible! Más información en mi Substack. Learn more about Matías’s work on his website. / Aprende más sobre el trabajo de Matías en su sitio web o leyendo estos artículos. Read full translations of / lee traducciones completas de "Capullo de Miel" and / y "Mi Noche Triste" courtesy of / gracias al Tango Poetry Project. Listen to "Instinct Tango, with Aníbal Dominguez" to hear Daniel Melingo's musical interpretation of "En un Bondi Color Humo" / o puedes escuchar el tema directamente aquí y leer el poema aquí. In the episode Rubén reads this translation of "Tormenta" by Poesía de Gotán. I also recommend checking out Jake Spatz's translation with additional historical context. / En castellano, Tangos al bardo ofrece un buen resumen del contexto histórico de "Tormenta."  Read more about the compadrito. / Lee una definición de "compadrito." Meredith Klein leads many tango-related projects, among them / guia muchos proyectos relacionados con el tango, entre ellos Philadelphia Argentine Tango School and / y Bochinche Records. Read more about Meredith (in English) and watch her dance / o lee un artículo sobre ella en castellano. Here are the contemporary tango artists Matías mentioned in his interview (with links) / Aquí van les artistas del tango contemporáneo que mencionó Matías durante su entrevista (con enlaces): Luis Alposta; Roberto Selles; Orquesta Típica Pichuco; La Juan D’Arienzo; Los Reyes del Compas; Romantica Milonguera; Fernandez Fierro; Astillero; Rascasuelos; Cuarteto La Púa; Bombay BsAs; Marisa Vasquez; Cintia Trigo; Patricia Malanca; Alfredo Tape Rubín; Jorge "Alorsa" Pandelucos; Victoria Di Raimondo; Carlos Rossi; Cucuza Castiello; Walter "El Chino" Laborde; Sandra Luna; Lidia Borda; Black Rodríguez Méndez; Eliana Sosa. Read a transcript of Matías's episode here. / Lee la transcripción del episodio de Matías aquí.