By ALICIA SPATES - H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR - Tango was a no-go for a Guinness World Record attempt Saturday evening at the Decatur Indoor Sports Center, but the organizers' say they've met their goal of generating community interest. The attempt, a kickoff to "Tango Decatur," was to have the most couples dancing the tango for a minimum of five minutes, with an aim of 550 couples, but Saturday's attempt only brought out 81 couples to the dance floor.

Barry Pearson, director of the Kirkland Fine Arts Center, said all is not lost with the world record attempt. He said they will continue to submit their attempt to the Guinness World Records for the category of tango, and Guinness will decide if their submission qualifies for another world record or have its own category. "The number is less important to us than the effect it has had on the community," Pearson said. "We're really pleased with the level of community engagement with Tango Decatur. That was our goal."

Tango Decatur is a collaborative effort by Millikin University's Kirkland Fine Arts Center, the Decatur Park District, Decatur's 501 Club, Cromwell Radio Group and 9:01 Club. The event includes workshops and lectures on tango throughout the week, and a finale performance by Tiempo Tango Chicago and the Binelli-Ferman duo Feb. 28.

Tango Decatur has been revving up the community toward the world record attempt with tango lessons since fall. Brett Morris, who is one of the tango ambassadors for the event, as well as a Millikin student and ballroom competition dancer, was at the Decatur Indoor Sports Center leading the tango attempt in the main gym. "It's the same thing I tell everyone in my classes," he said. "If they had fun dancing, I've done my job."

Ray and Kelly Ramirez of Maroa were having a blast, which was apparent in Ray Ramirez's outfit Saturday evening. He was dressed in a Zorro-like cape and hat when the duo took home the prize for the most enthusiastic couple. The two helped serve as tango ambassadors. "The best thing about ballroom dancing is that it is something that reaches across generations," Kelly Ramirez said.

Kate Shields of Decatur glided across the floor with her husband, Zach, in a black and red floral dress, looking the part of a senorita. "Anything that gets Decatur excited, gets me excited," she said of the event. "Tango is a fun way to get people out of their comfort zones."

Pearson said he intends to present similar opportunities to the community in the future. "I'm not sure if it will be dance next time," he said, but "we will always look for ways to engage the community in the arts.

See photos from the Attempt at www.herald-review.com/gallery/

 Tango Decatur offers weeklong feast for the senses

By ALICIA SPATES H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR - Describing the tango as a mere dance or type of music doesn't explain the intense romantic mood of the style.

Pianist Polly Ferman summed it up in one word: sensual. "Tango is sensual to dance to and for listening," she said. Ferman and Daniel Binelli will appear with the instrumental group Tiempo Tango Chicago for a "sensual" tango performance at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 at Kirkland Fine Arts Center.

The performance will feature the premiere of a piece composed by bandoneon player Binelli. It also caps off a week of festivities of Tango Decatur, which begins Saturday with a world-record tango attempt and downtown restaurant walk.

Binelli, Ferman and Tiempo Tango Chicago will take part in workshops and lectures at Millikin University throughout the week. "We're basically combining forces," said flutist Julie Koidin of Tiempo Tango. Millikin students are getting in on the act, too. During Tiempo Tango's time in Decatur, the group will teach a quintet of Millikin musicians to play several tango tunes for the Feb. 28 performance. Also, two local couples will join the acts on stage to demonstrate the tango to the audience.

Koidin and Ferman both dabble in the art of the tango dance but will not be dancing in the show. "I'm not as good as I'd like to be," Ferman said with a laugh. "It's more difficult than it looks." Apparently, learning the music isn't any easier, with its dotted rhythms and tricky Argentinean instrument, the bandoneon. "There aren't many bandoneon players in the world," Koidin said of the instrument, a cousin to the concertina. "It's probably one of the most complicated instruments there is."

Koidin's specialty is Brazilian music, but she said she fell in love with tango after it was introduced to her by a friend. Koidin formed Tiempo Tango Chicago with musicians Irina Feoktistova (pianist), John Tuck (double bass), Joe Vito (accordion) and Julien Labro (bandoneon) in 2005. "We didn't have a live tango music group," she said of Chicago, "and I saw the opportunity to play the music I loved and dance this new interest of mine." She said it wasn't easy getting the group together. "For me, it has been a constant pursuit" to find tango music, she said. Koidin said that since the group was formed, interest in international dancing and music has been erupting all over the nation.

"World music now is becoming hotter," she said. "Music is crossing borders much more easily today." Ferman agrees. "I think its very exciting the interest that's been aroused all over the world, not just with the dancing, but playing the music as well," she said. "People are enjoying the tango in all parts of the world."

 Tango interest steps up in Decatur, as record try nears

DECATUR — Brett Morris addressed the men and women assembled in the Decatur Public Library’s Madden Auditorium: “The tango is not a Latin dance, although it originated in Argentina. It’s what I call a travel dance.” Morris, a Millikin University junior and a nationally ranked top 10 male ballroom dancer, was conducting an evening lesson in preparation for the Guinness world record attempt for dancing by couples.

The record try will take place at 4 p.m. Saturday in the Decatur Indoor Sports Center. Registration and the verification of pre-registered couples, begins at 1 p.m. Registration is free. Free tango lessons will be from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

A total of 550 couples are needed to tango for a minimum of five minutes. “We’re hopeful,” Morris said. The record attempt is sponsored by the Millikin College of Fine Arts and the Decatur Park District. Dancers can be as young as 14.

“Regardless of the outcome, we’ve succeeded in the goal of getting Decatur people interested in dancing,” said B.J. Warren, administrative/events coordinator for the fine arts college.

A series of learning sessions began in October. “On Saturday, dress comfortably, wear dress shoes, no sneakers. Women, no open back shoes,” he said during a recent session.

Dorothy McFadden-Parker, who moved here recently from Chicago, was happy about the lesson. “It was a chance to meet people.” she said. One she met was C.A. Bean. “I’ve always wanted to do the tango,” he said.

Morris was encouraged by the 17 couples who came for the lesson. “I was teaching American smooth tango, not Argentine tango,” he said. In the American version, there is close contact in the pelvis or upper thighs but not the upper body. Argentine tango is more passionate.

The world record attempt will be followed by a downtown Decatur restaurant walk at 5:30 p.m. Argentinian specialties will be available at Jimmy Ryan’s at One Main Place, Pastabilities Italian Grill, Doherty’s Pub & Pins, Porter’s on Merchant and Block’s Brewery.

 Decatur Gets Ready to Tango

http://www.sj-r.com/features/x1898860315/Decatur-gets-ready-to-tango

  It's Tango Time!

Decatur Indoor Sports Center offers lessons to aid world record attempt

By BOB FALLSTROM

Business Journal Writer

DECATUR - Move over, Buenos Aires. It's tango time in Decatur.

The Argentine city is the undisputed tango dance capital of the world. Decatur is heading toward recognition as the tango capital of the United States.

A Guinness World Record attempt will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21, in the Decatur Indoor Sports Center. The goal is to surpass the largest dance by couples, with more than 1,100 couples dancing for a minimum of five minutes. Registration begins at 1 p.m.

Interested in participating but don't know how to tango? Attend public lessons from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Feb. 6 and 13 at the Decatur Indoor Sports Center and Feb. 11 at the Decatur Public Library.

The world record attempt will be followed by a downtown Decatur Argentinian flavored restaurant walk. Free dance lessons will be Feb. 24 to 28, and a tango show from Chicago will be Feb. 28 in Kirkland Fine Arts Center.

"Tango Decatur will be a renewed focus to reignite this community's appetite for dance and, on a larger scale, for the performing arts," said Barry Pearson, director of the Kirkland Fine Arts Center.

The tango, a social, passionate dance, originated in the lower class areas of Buenos Aires, derived from a fusion of forms of music from Europe.

There are several styles of tango. In American ballroom tango, there is close contact in the pelvis or upper thighs, but not the upper body. Dancers are told to thrust their hips forward while pulling the body away. The dancers slip their feet.

 Stepping up the Practice

By TONY REID - H&R Staff Writer

DECATUR - Preparations for a world record Decatur tango are dancing along nicely.

More than a dozen couples locked arms in tango's fierce embrace Sunday as they trod the boards at the Madden Arts Center in the city's downtown.

The Decatur Area Arts Council was providing a venue for tango lessons as the city gears up for an attempt to shatter the record for the largest tango in history on Feb. 21 at the Decatur Indoor Sports Center.

If all goes well, some 1,100 couples will dance for five minutes and make the Guinness Book of World Records.

Tango lessons have been going on since before Christmas at the sports center, and the world record attempt is being sponsored by Millikin University's Kirkland Fine Arts Center and the Decatur Park District. Millikin theater major Brett Morris is the "tango ambassador" for the event and was dong the teaching Sunday.

"I saw a lot of you doing the 'Steamboat Willy Tango' " he said with a smile, while making a bobbing motion. "We don't want any rise and fall." He explained head height remains constant as couples in close embrace rock and sway across the floor; in South America, the Catholic Church once considered forbidding the dance because of its naughty nature.

Passions stayed in check Sunday, but a flood of smiles made it clear dancers old and young were having a lot of fun. "That is why I love teaching these lessons," said Morris, 20, who plans to compete professionally as a ballroom dancer. "If they learn how to dance, great, and if they are having fun, then I've done my job."

Decatur retirees Charlotte and Robert Pickett were picking it up fast, which wasn't surprising: they've been dancing for more than 10 years and keep their bodies supple with downhill skiing and swimming. Their big regret is there aren't more venues to tango, rumba, cha-cha and fox trot.

"But it's nice up here," said Charlotte Pickett, watching the other twirling couples at the Arts Center. "And this wood floor is wonderful."

World record or not, it doesn't look like this will be the last tango in Decatur. Sue Powell, gallery director for the Decatur Area Arts Council, said several couples had asked about the prospect of regular dance lessons. Powell said she was going to look into what might be arranged.

"When you see interest and a bandwagon, it's time to jump on it," she said. "Or dance on it."

    Taste of Tango Previews Event

A Taste of Tango will be held Friday, Jan. 16, and Sunday, Jan. 25, in the Madden Arts Center. The Decatur Area Arts Council is offering the free one-hour tango session in preparation for the Tango Decatur attempt to break the Guinness Book of World Records mark for "Largest Dance by Couples."

The lessons include a sampling of Argentinean wine and a red rose for every female participant.

Times are 6:30 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Pre-registration is required as space is limited; call 423-3189.

Tango Decatur is sponsored by the Kirkland Fine Arts Center and the Decatur Park District. -Decatur Herald & Review

    BOB FALLSTROM

DECATUR - Move over, Buenos Aires. It’s tango time in Decatur. The Argentine city is the undisputed tango dance capital of the world. Decatur is heading toward recognition as the tango capital of the United States. Copyright, 2008, Herald & Review, Decatur, IL

A Guinness World Record attempt will be Feb. 21 in the Decatur Indoor Sports Center. The goal is to surpass the largest dance by couples, with more than 1,100 couples dancing for a minimum of five minutes.

The world record attempt will be followed by a downtown Decatur Argentinian flavored restaurant walk. Free dance lessons will be Feb. 24 to 28, and a tango show from Chicago will be Feb. 28 in Kirkland Fine Arts Center.

"Tango Decatur will be a renewed focus to reignite this community’s appetite for dance and, on a larger scale, for the performing arts," said Barry Pearson, director of the Kirkland Fine Arts Center.

The tango, a social, passionate dance, originated in the lower class areas of Buenos Aires, derived from a fusion of forms of music from Europe.

There are several styles of tango. In American ballroom tango, there is close contact in the pelvis or upper thighs, but not the upper body. Dancers are told to thrust their hips forward while pulling the body away. The dancers slip their feet.

Tango Decatur is part of the International Month celebration at Millikin University. An Argentine dinner and a tango performance will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Decatur Club ballroom as a presentation of Millikin’s Center for International Education, directed by Steve Fiol. Tickets are $35. Call 424-3758 or e-mail CIE@millikin.edu.

Entertainment is a five-person group led by Eduardo Tami, including a dancing couple and the Tami Tango Trio, piano, flute and guitar.

Here’s more about the Guinness record attempt:

"We’re recruiting ambassadors, people who will teach ballroom tango, for lesson sessions every other Friday from October through February at 7 p.m. in the Decatur Indoor Sports Center," said B.J. Warren, a 2007 Millikin graduate from Madison, Wis., who is administrative/events coordinator for the Millikin College of Fine Arts.

"So far, we have 50 signed up. There’s a meeting of those who would like to teach at 7 p.m. Friday and at the same time Sept. 26 in the Decatur Indoor Sports Center. Yes, we need many more. It’s all free. The record attempt dancers can be age 14 and up." Warren can be reached at 362-6499.

bfallstrom@herald-review.com 421-7981

 Millikin Leads Community Effort to Break World Record.

by Celeste Huttes

If Barry Pearson has his way, the city of Tel Aviv, Israel, must soon relinquish its world record for the largest dance by couples. Decatur will attempt to dance its way into the Guinness Book of World Records next February, as part of “Tango Decatur,” one of the colorful ways Millikin’s new Kirk-Out program is bringing the arts and the community together. Breaking the current world record will require five minutes of continuous dancing by more than 1,100 couples.

Pearson, director of Kirkland Fine Arts Center and Dean of the College of Fine Arts, was less than serious when he first suggested the idea of a world record attempt to his staff. But as the concept took hold, Pearson began to believe that the community would rally around the Guinness challenge and perhaps even spark a grassroots interest in dance. “All of a sudden, it was not such a wild idea,” says Pearson. “It’s a way to engage the community – to get people on their feet.”

A number of local sponsors are getting in step with Tango Decatur, including the Decatur Park District; Decatur 501 Club; Cromwell Radio Group and 9:01 Club.

In choosing a dance for the challenge, Pearson looked to Argentina. “I like the tango,” he says. “It can go from the simple to the sublime.” The simple side of tango inspired a basic five-minute routine choreographed by Millikin adjunct instructor Gary Shull, who relied on an Americanized version of the dance. Millikin students and experienced dancers in the community volunteer as “Tango Ambassadors” to learn the routine and teach it during on-site sessions at local businesses and organizations. The routine will also be taught at the Decatur Indoor Sports Center (DISC) at Millikin.

If you are tempted to tango, but timid about your two left feet – relax. “The dance is extremely simple to learn,” says William “B.J.” Warren, administrative assistant and events coordinator for the university’s College of Fine Arts. “If you can walk, you can do this dance.”

A week of Argentinean-inspired activities coincides with the world record attempt, culminating in a Feb. 28 concert at Kirkland, featuring guest performers Tiempo Tango Chicago and some of the Decatur-area community’s best dancers.

Partnering – between dancers, sponsors and communities – is at the heart of Tango Decatur. “The tango is a social dance,” Warren says. “It’s about people coming together to dance, and that’s what we’re trying to do – bring together the Millikin and Decatur communities.”

To learn more about becoming a Tango Decatur, call B.J. Warren at 217-362-6499 or send him an e-mail at wwarren@millikin.edu. 

 THUMBS UP! To Tango Decatur, which is attempting to set a Guinness World Record for the most couples dancing the tango at one time. The objective is to get more than 1,100 couples dancing for at least five minutes on Feb. 21 at the Decatur Indoor Sports Center. The group already has planned appearances by tango dance groups and is arranging for dance professionals to give lessons beginning in a few weeks. If successful, Decatur could edge out Buenos Aires, where the dance originated, as the tango capital of the world. At any rate, it should be fun. -Decatur Herald & Review   

For more information on Daniel and Ramona, visit http://tangoche.com/default.aspx