Big Island Tango http://bigislandtango.com Hawaii Island's Resource for Argentine Tango Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:04:42 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.9 http://bigislandtango.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/cropped-HIT-logo-512px-32x32.jpg Big Island Tango http://bigislandtango.com 32 32 Josefina Stellato April 11 – 14 http://bigislandtango.com/josefina-stellato-april-11-14 Fri, 03 Apr 2026 21:26:31 +0000 http://bigislandtango.com/?p=892 Josefina Stellato is an Argentine Tango teacher/performer/Mindful movement Instructor. She has been dancing Argentine tango at the highest level for more than two decades. Currently she is an Artist in Residence a the Still & Moving Center on Oahu. She will be here on the Big Island April 11 -14 in both Waimea and Hilo. 

Details:
Saturday, April 11 – Waimea, 65-1171 Spencer Road, Kamuela
7-8pm Lesson, 8-10pm Milonga $25

Sunday, April 12 – Waimea, 65-1171 Spencer Road, Kamuela
1-3pm Workshop $30

Monday, April 13 – Waimea, 65-1171 Spencer Road, Kamuela
7-8:30pm Lesson $20

Tuesday, April 14 Hilo Elks Lodge, 150 Kinoole Street, Hilo (parking lot on Ululani Street)
7-8:30pm Lesson, 8:30 – 10pm Practilonga with DJ Rosamund $25

]]>
Vania Rey Big Island Tour http://bigislandtango.com/vania-rey-big-island-tour Sat, 31 Jan 2026 23:18:48 +0000 http://bigislandtango.com/?p=878 Vania is an internationally recognized teacher, performer, and DJ, with work spanning three continents (North America, South America, Europe), including Buenos Aires. Vania has repeatedly taught and DJ-ed at some of the biggest and most popular tango festivals, marathons, and encuentros in the US. Students describe her teaching style as analytical, with a strong emphasis on technique. A versatile instructor who is well-versed in both lead and follow roles, Vania makes sure that both leaders and followers get their fair share of instruction in class, and that people of all levels get something valuable out of every lesson. Vania sees class topics as a general direction in which to develop the lesson, with the specific exercises and steps tailored to the needs of the students. Although Vania is predominantly a solo-instructor, she has performed with over 60 male and female partners. Some of the dancers Vania has worked with include Jorge Torres, Oscar Casas, Murat Erdemsel, Oliver Kolker, Ney Melo, Jay Abling, Jennifer Olson, Catherine Gorsuch, and Junior Cervila.

Learn more here: https://www.vaniatango.com

Vania’s Hawaii Island Schedule

Waimea

Saturday, Feb 21 – M&B Studio
12:00-1:30p | Delicious Pivots
1:45-3:15p | Walking and Body Mechanics

Sunday, Feb 22 – M&B Studio
12:00-1:30p | Dancing the Quicks
1:45-3:15p | Vania’s Favorite Milonga Step

Monday, Feb 23 – M&B Studio
7:00-8:30p | Vals me to the Moon

Saturday, Feb 28 – M&B Studio
7:00-8:00p | Dancing to the Melody
​8:00-10:00p | Farewell Milonga – DJ Vania Rey

Hilo

Tuesday, Feb 24 – Hilo Elks Lodge – 150 Kinoole Street, 2nd Floor.
7:00-8:30p | Dancing to Fresedo

Wednesday, Feb 25 – Paradise Warehouse – 34 Wiwoole Street
7:00-8:30p | Fun with Volcadas
8:30-9:30p | Practica (included) – DJ Vania Rey
​
Kona

Thursday, Feb 26 – BISDC
7-8:30p | Fun Combos w/ Rock-Step-Turns

Available for Private Lessons
Contact Vania: VaniaRey.Tango@gmail.com
For questions: tango@mimiandbrian.com
Pricing
1.5 Hour workshops: $30
​Milonga: $25
]]>
Analía Centurión Big Island Tour http://bigislandtango.com/analia-centurion-big-island-tour Wed, 05 Nov 2025 02:25:09 +0000 http://bigislandtango.com/?p=745 Continue Reading…]]>

It’s an honor to have Tango maestra, Analía Centurión, direct from Buenos Aires, to share her Tango knowledge with us all. She will be in Hilo, November 18-21 and in Waimea on Saturday, November 22 and Sunday, Nov 23. Each Workshop/Lesson will be practical and functional to help you dance with confidence and elegance on the dance floor.

Visit her website: https://tangocenturion.com/en/analia-centurion/

Private Lessons also available any day. Please contact Maika (Hilo) and Mimi (Waimea) to schedule one on one lessons. Learn more about Analia here.

Her new book will be available for purchase! “Your Tango is Born: Learn to dance from the beginning with Patience, Technique & Emotion”.

Schedule – November 18-24

HILO
Tuesday, November 18
Hilo Elks Lodge – 150 Kinoole Street, Hilo
7-8:30pm Workshop, Practice until 9:00pm, $25
Topic: Walks with circular directions and bounces

Wednesday, November 19
Open for PRIVATE LESSONS

Thursday, November 20
Hilo Elks Lodge
7-8:00pm Lesson – Boleos for both roles
8:00-10pm Milonga w/ DJ Analia
Lesson & Milonga $30, $20 Lesson Only, $15 Milonga Only

Friday, November 21
Paradise Warehouse – 34 Wiwoole Street, Hilo
7-8:30pm Workshop $25 (includes practice time following workshop)
Workshop topic: Calesita options

WAIMEA
Saturday, Nov 22
Mimi and Brian’s Home Studio Directions Here
7:00-8:00pm Lesson: Milonga Rhythm- sequences and musicality
8-10:00pm Milonga with DJ Analia $30

Sunday, November 23
Mimi and Brian’s Home Studio
3-5pm Workshop $30
Topic: Combinations of sweeps and sacadas, turns and planeos

]]>
Carolina del Rivero & Ricardo Biggeri http://bigislandtango.com/carolina-del-rivero-ricardo-biggeri Fri, 22 Aug 2025 01:25:19 +0000 http://bigislandtango.com/?p=834 Continue Reading…]]>

Big Island Schedule September 23 – 30, 2025

HILO

Tuesday, Sept 23
Hilo Elks Lodge – 150 Kinoole Street, Hilo
7-8:30pm Workshop, Practice until 9:00pm
Topic: ELEVATE YOUR WALK, DANCING WITH EFFORTLESS STYLE AND ELEGANCE. EMPHASIZING CONNECTION AND FLOW
Cost: $30

Wednesday, Sept 24
Paradise Warehouse – 34 Wiwoole Street, Hilo
7-8:30pm Workshop, Practice until 9:00pm
Topic: MASTERING THE PIVOTS, MECHANICS AND DYNAMICS. HOW TO BUILD THE SPIRAL IN YOUR BODY
Cost: $30 or $50 for both days

Thursday, Sept 25 
Open for PRIVATE LESSONS

Friday, Sept 26 
Paradise Warehouse – 34 Wiwoole Street, Hilo
7-8:30pm SWING DANCE workshop (includes dancing until 10pm)
Topic: LINDY HOP – IMPROVISATION. GREAT IDEAS TO CREATE USEFUL SEQUENCES FOR SOCIAL DANCING
Cost: $35 (Includes Workshop and Social)
8:30 – 10pm Open Dancing with DJ Ricardo, $10 Social Only

Tuesday, Sept 30
Hilo Elks Lodge – 150 Kinoole Street, Hilo
7-8:30pm Workshop, Practice until 9pm
Topic: BOLEOS! HOW TO CREATE DYNAMIC WITH QUALITY OF MOVEMENT.
Cost: $30

Waimea

All Waimea events held at Mimi & Brian’s home studio.  Directions Here

Saturday, Sept 27 
4-5:30pm Workshop   $30
Topic: GIROS VIRTUOSO! MERGING INTO THE ART OF CIRCULAR MOVEMENTS. CONTROL AND SMOOTHNESS.

7:30-10:00pm Milonga
Milonga with Performance, DJ Ricardo  $25
Workshop & Milonga $50

Sunday, Sept 28
3-4:30pm Workshop 1  Topic: INDIVIDUAL TRAINING FOR LEADERS AND FOLLOWERS. TECHNIQUE AND BODY MOVEMENT, ELEGANCE AND GRACE IN MOVEMENT.

4:45-6:15pm Workshop 2 Topic: MUSICALITY! CREATIVITY, EXPLORING BOUNDLESS POSSIBILITIES.
$30 each or $50 for both

Monday, Sept 29
7-8:30 pm Workshop
Topic: SACADAS FEST! TIMING, ACTION AND REACTION.
Cost: $30, includes practice until 9pm 

Prices: 1.5 hour workshop $30, two workshops $50, three $75

They are also available for private lessons as well. Please contact Maika in Hilo or Mimi in Waimea to schedule your private lesson.


About Carolina & Ricardo

Carolina del Rivero started dancing at the age of 6;  and throughout her career has mastered many different dances. She studied ballet at the most renowned opera house in Latin America, the world-famous Teatro Colon. She later studied modern dance at the famous “Taller de Danza Contemporánea del Teatro San Martin.”

Carolina discovered tango in 1995, and since the year 2000 Carolina has traveled around the world giving workshops and exhibitions, including in the USA, Europe, South America, Central America, and Asia. From 2000 until the present day, Carolina has been consistently sought after to be a teacher and performer in many renowned Tango Festivals throughout the USA, Europe and Canada.

She participated as a master teacher and dancer in the “Congreso Internacional de Tango Argentino” (C.I.T.A) -the world’s largest annual tango event that takes place in Buenos Aires,  from 2001 until 2014. Carolina and Ricardo have performed and taught together at C.I.T.A. since 2024.

Applying all her artistic knowledge from other dances, Carolina brings to tango style and elegance. She has a profound understanding of the technique and dynamics of the dance, and also of the woman’s role in it, which she powerfully transmits to her students.

Most recently, Carolina has practiced and studied the Feldenkrais Method, a technique of Awareness through Movement. Feldenkrais allows us to understand how to use our bodies’ movements without effort. She graduated as a Feldenkrais Practitioner in 2020. she currently gives classes and workshops on the Method, as well as integrates Feldenkrais with Tango in different seminars in Argentina and around the world; to great effect and feedback on her students.

Ricardo Biggeri is an Argentine tango dancer, teacher, choreographer and DJ. He has studied with well-known teachers of different styles of tango to further his own vision of the dance.

Ricardo began his professional career in 2000, and for the next 8 years, taught 10 classes a week and held many exhibitions at La Viruta Tango, the most famous and popular place for tango at that time.  He worked with highly experienced colleagues to continue to hone his teaching methods.

In 2006, he began working in different festivals nationally and in 2007, started touring internationally, teaching and performing shows at workshops and festivals in Canada, the United States, and throughout Europe.  At the same time, Ricardo remained active in the Buenos Aires tango scene teaching regular classes.

Ricardo combines the traditional and contemporary concepts creating a style recognized for its connection, musicality, elegance and dynamics. As a teacher, Ricardo has an uncanny ability to break down movements and their techniques, finding a simple and fun way to get to the most complex sequences.

He had DJ’d in many Milonga and Festivals in Buenos Aires, Europe and the United States. 

Ricardo is also a Swing dancer, teacher, choreographer and DJ. He was a pioneer of swing dance in Argentina, laying the foundation for what is now a vibrant scene organizing and participating in countless events and winning many international awards.

]]>
Gaby Mataloni in Hilo http://bigislandtango.com/gaby-mataloni-in-hilo Tue, 26 Nov 2024 06:01:35 +0000 http://bigislandtango.com/?p=785 Join us December 1 and 3rd for special tango classes with Gaby Mataloni of Buenos Aires!

Sunday Dec 1 – Paradise Warehouse, 34 Wiwoole Street, Hilo
2:00pm – 3:15pm – Finding freedom in every embrace. Let’s work on being 100% engaged in the embrace while 100% responsible and in charge of my body and movement; Keeping the connection through the motion, giving the “let’s go signal”, and switching smoothly from close to open and open to close: engage and disengage.
3:30 – 4:45pm – Use of the upper and lower body in Tango. Let’s study contortions, rotations, and pivots. How to use arms as a communication tool, translating messages/invitations into movements. Choosing where to express the dance in our bodies and moving the embrace through the space versus on the spot. Locking and unlocking spaces in the embrace for doing Ochos and hip Rebounds

$25/workshop and $40/both

Tuesday Dec 3 – Hilo Elks Lodge, 150 Kinoole St, Hilo

7-8:00pm – Sacadas for both roles
8-9:00pm – Practica

Class & Practica $15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
]]>
Hugo and Celina Hawaii Tour 2024 http://bigislandtango.com/hugo-and-celina-hawaii-tour-2024 Sat, 10 Aug 2024 20:16:05 +0000 http://bigislandtango.com/?p=735 Celina​ ​Rotundo​ ​and​ ​Hugo​ ​Patyn​ ​are​ ​master Argentine​ ​Tango​ ​dancers ​and​ ​choreographers who​ ​dazzle​ ​the​ ​world,​ ​both​ ​on​ ​stage​ ​and​ ​in​ ​every​ ​class​ ​or​ ​workshop​ ​they​ ​teach. They​ ​possess​ ​a special connection​ ​and​ ​style,​ ​making​ ​them​ ​first​ ​class​ ​dancers with​ ​an​ ​extensive​ ​dance​ ​background.​ ​They​ ​have​ ​danced​ ​in​ ​diverse​ ​places​ ​of​ ​the​ ​world, presenting​ ​challenging,​ ​intense​ ​performances. As​ ​instructors,​ ​they​ ​have​ ​initiated​ ​and​ ​inspired​ ​hundreds​ ​of​ ​students​ ​around​ ​the​ ​world.  We are honored to have them here to help inspire our Tango community.  https://hugoandcelina.com/

Big Island Schedule

HILO – Contact Sandy for scheduling privates – sandyleiwalker@gmail.com
9/17 (Tues) Argentine Tango Class at Elks (7-9PM)
9/18 (Wed) Followers’ Technique Workshop at Elks (7-9PM)
9/19 (Thurs) Open for Privates
9/20 (Fri) Open for Privates
9/21 (Sat) Ballroom Dance at UH Hilo (6-10PM)
9/24 (Tues) Argentine Tango Class at Elks (7-9PM)
9/25 (Wed) Leaders’ Technique Workshop at Elks (7-9PM)

WAIMEA
9/22 (Sun) Men’s Lead & Ladies’ Techniques at Mimi & Brian’s (3-5PM)
9/23 (Mon) Musicality & Embrace at Mimi & Brian’s (7-8:30PM)

KONA – Contact Denise for scheduling privates – dancingscreenwriter@yahoo.com
9/26 (Thurs) Lesson at Big Island Social Dance Club (7-8:30PM)
9/27 (Fri) Lesson at Big Island Social Dance Club (6:30-8:30PM)
9/28 (Sat) Open for Privates
9/29 (Sun) Teatime Magical Milonga at Big Island Social Dance Club (2-5PM)

 

]]>
Learn Argentine Tango from Lisette Perelle http://bigislandtango.com/learn-argentine-tango-from-lisette-perelle Sun, 09 Apr 2023 02:07:31 +0000 http://bigislandtango.com/?p=636 Continue Reading…]]> Lisette’s Big Island Tour, April 22-29, 2025

Tango with Lisette

Take advantage of this great opportunity to learn from one of the best female instructors and dancers in the San Francisco Bay Area. Lisette has trained hundreds of dancers in Argentine Tango over the years. Dancing since the age of 5, Lisette studied gymnastics, Hula, Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Ballroom, Argentine Tango and Theater. She was a member of the Argentine performance company Ballet Pampa Argentina under the direction of Pampa Cortes for two years.

She is an elegant dancer and patient teacher who concentrates on the techniques necessary for smooth, powerful and beautiful dancing. She works with the whole body, focusing on connection, alignment, lines and beautifying steps. Presently, she teaches and dances in the San Francisco Bay Area. Lisette is available for Private Lessons.


The Schedule

Tuesday, April 22, 7-9pm
Class & Practica $15
Hilo Elks Lodge
150 Kinoole St, Hilo, HI 96720
(Parking located at back, enter from Ululani Street).

Wednesday, April 23 – Open for Private Lessons in Hilo (contact Maika at: info @ bigislandtango.com)

Thursday, April 24, 7-8:30pm
Kona Technique Workshop $25
Big Island Social Dance Club
74-5583 Luhia St, Suite A1, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740

Friday, April 25

Open for private lessons in Kona

Saturday, April 26, 7-10:30pm
Hilo Milonga at Paradise Warehouse $20
7-8pm All Levels Class, 8-10:30pm Milonga
Paradise Warehouse
34 Wiwoole Street, Hilo, HI 96720

Sunday, April 27, 2-4pm
Technique Workshop $25
Mimi & Brian’s Studio
65-1171 Spencer Rd, Waimea, HI 96743

Monday, April 28, 7-8:30pm
Waimea Evening Class $20
65-1171 Spencer Rd, Waimea, HI 96743

Tuesday, April 29, 7-9pm
Hilo Elks Lodge
1 hour Class and 1 hour Practica $15
Farewell gathering to follow
150 Kinoole St, Hilo, HI 96720

]]>
Dan Boccia Returns to Big Island http://bigislandtango.com/dan-boccia-in-hawaii Sun, 20 Nov 2022 14:38:00 +0000 http://bigislandtango.com/?p=264 Continue Reading…]]> Join us December 2 to 6 for a long weekend with Dan Boccia from Alaska!

Friday December 2nd

Location: Paradise Warehouse, 34 Wiwoole Street, Hilo

All Level Class on Milonga: 7-8pm

Milonga: 8-10:30 pm with DJ Dan Boccia

Cost: $15 for Class and Milonga, $10 Milonga only

About Dan: the DJ: The music is what first drew Dan to tango in 2000, and today the music continues to inspire him. He has been dancing and DJing at festivals and marathons throughout North America since 2001 and through these experiences has a deep appreciation for what fuels the dancers. Dan enjoys interacting with the crowd to inform his selections, which are improvised in the moment, sometimes song by song. He creates an atmosphere in which the dancers can rely on the music and focus their energy on dancing.

]]>
Hilo Milonga with Moises Aguilar http://bigislandtango.com/hilo-milonga Thu, 10 Mar 2022 18:30:56 +0000 http://bigislandtango.com/?p=473 Continue Reading…]]> Join us Saturday, March 18 for Hilo Milonga at Paradise Warehouse!

Argentine Tango Class at 7pm with Moises Aguilar. For all of you with some Tango experience under your belt, Moises will help to elevate your dancing to the next level.

DJ Moises from 8pm until 10:30pm

Entrance: $15 for Class and Milonga, $10 Milonga Only

Dress your Tango best! Wine, Drinks and Snacks provided.

Location: 34 Wiwoole Street (Green building next to Paradise Plants), please park across street and enter at driveway.

Who is Moises Aguilar? Moises has been dancing and teaching tango for more than a decade. He studied under professional tango dancer Somer Surgit with whom he co-hosted milonga SoMo in Chicago where they entertained a hundred dancers every Tuesday night for three years. During his trips to Buenos Aires and festivals he has studied with recognized masters like Chicho Frumboli, Sebastian Arce and Maria Blanco.

]]>
Murat and Michelle http://bigislandtango.com/murat-and-michelle Sat, 27 Nov 2021 21:37:57 +0000 http://bigislandtango.com/?p=279 Continue Reading…]]> Murat and Michelle return to Hawaii January 8-16, 2022!

This is your chance to learn from the best! Murat and Michelle are teaching together again and whether you’re an experienced tango dancer or looking forward to taking your first tango class, they will give you everything you need to learn and excel, while having fun at the same time.

We are offering two “tracks” for learning: Malihini is Beginner Level Classes for total newbies and those wanting to re-learn foundational elements.
Kama’aina is Intermediate Level Classes,  those with some experience wanting to expand their knowledge and skills.

Sunday, January 9th we will be dancing to live Tango music by Cambalache Tango Trio. Michelle and Murat will be offering fun Tango games for everyone from 5:30 to 6:30pm. Open dancing to follow. Masks required.

Saturday January 15th, we will have a Milonga at Paradise Warehouse in Hilo (right next to Paradise Plants). The warehouse is a great open air venue, with a fun and funky vibe, located in the industrial area of Hilo.  No partner necessary, but it helps to bring one. Snacks and drinks provided or brings some to share!

Covid Requirements: Please bring proof of recent Covid Test taken within 48 hours. (PCR or Antigen okay). Thanks to an anonymous donor, we have rapid tests available at the events in Hilo! On Saturday, come after 5:30pm to pick up your free home test. Wear your best mask.

*Note, due to current state of the pandemic, we had to adjust classes that are offered. Good news! Online classes will be available to anyone in Hawaii State. Classes held in Hilo will require a recent negative Covid test. (We will have Rapid Tests available).

For private lessons, please contact Michelle and Murat directly.  

Murat: muraterdemsel@gmail.com
Michelle: michelle.lamb@gmail.com


Event Locations and Dates

Zoom Classes

Saturday, January 8
6-7pm Malihini Class
7:15-8:15pm Kama’aina Class
8:30 – 9:30pm Tango Panel Discussion

Tuesday, January 11
6-7pm Malihini Class
7:15-8:15pm Kama’aina Class

Kona: Gertrude’s Jazz Bar

75-5699 Ali’i Drive, Kailua-Kona, HI 96740, Second Floor

Sunday, January 9

5:30 – 6:30 Tango Games with Michelle and Murat
6:30-9:30pm – Live music by Cambalache Trio and a homecoming performance by Murat & Michelle) Reserve your table  at: www.gertrudesjazzbar.com

Hilo: Open Air Venue

Paradise Warehouse
34 Wiwo‘ole Street, 
Hilo, HI

Saturday, January 15
7-8pm All Levels Class
8-11pm Milonga Nostalgia

Sunday, January 16
3-4pm Malihini Class
4-5pm Kama’aina Class
6pm Farewell Dinner

 

Schedule

Private Lessons or Small Group Classes:
Please arrange private lesson with Michelle or Murat directly.
Murat: muraterdemsel@gmail.com
Michelle: michelle.lamb@gmail.com.

​Payment Methods
Payment for online classes can be made to Michelle directly via this PayPal link. Please make sure to indicate the class or classes for which you are paying in the notes area during the payment process. If you don’t have a PayPal account, you will be prompted to create one. Once payment is received, as we get closer to class time, a zoom link will be sent for each class.

Payment for the Hilo events and at Gertrudes’s Jazz Bar, will be made in person.

Pricing
Online classes: $10  – Zoom link will be sent when payment is received
Classes In Person: $15
Class + Milonga: $30
Milonga only: $15


About Michelle and Murat

Michelle Lamb, who grew up in Hilo, took her first dance steps at the age of 6 at the world renowned San Francisco School of Ballet. Her dance experience has been broad and eclectic including touring and performing with famous musical artists like Liza Minelli and Aretha Franklin in prestigious venues such as The Royal Albert Hall in London and off-Broadway theaters in New York City as well as that of assistant to the choreographer of the Miss Universe Pageant live telecast. Michelle has toured the world extensively to teach and perform Argentine Tango and performed onstage with Orquesta Color Tango, the award winning Pedro Girardo Orquestras and choreographed for the classical composer and award winner Joseph Summer. She is currently living in NY, teaching tango and Gyrotonic Expansion System

Murat Erdemesel came from exactly the other side of the world from Michelle. They happily met in the middle, New York, NY – a city so nice they named it twice. He was working as a dance instructor for Dance Manhattan studios. Previously, he studied fine arts both in Istanbul and in Washington, DC. Murat and Michelle traveled most of the States, then Europe and Australia to teach and dance for more than 10 years. Now he lives in Switzerland with his wife and daughter while he continues to travel worldwide. He has been visiting Hawaii each year for the last 15 years. Learn more about Murat here: www.Murat.Dance
www.YouTube.com/TangoFilm

]]>