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A poem by Jakoc Houck

Under the half full dome
Under the gold and white painted ceiling
Under the shining fountains of glass and light

The ethereal “ping” musters
A swirling sea of colour, smiles, or raised eyebrows
Chaotic yet ordered
Calm yet vigorous
Pairs of souls engulf each other, but never fully consume each other
The snakes swish their tails around their mountains of rock, whether experienced or youthful
Miraculously, the snakes energise the mountains to move
Loving yet refraining
Admiring yet hiding

The lustful promise of the sweeping music enticed my father, nearly 18 years ago
The scent of adventure leading him
When a new, foreign mountain joined the melting pot, he snapped his gaze to a snake
She stood out
He stood out
Coincidental yet inevitable
“There she is.”
Then their souls mingled.
She took refuge under him
And swished round him.
Chaotic, ordered, calm, vigorous,
Loving. So loving
Unapologetic. Holding nothing back.
Where the others would stride and swish around each other, my parents were different. The mystique of the slowness, holding each other, as if listening to each others ears.
Falling though each other into the depths of love.

Now, a grown boy, I bring myself before the sea, resting my heavy mountain on the beach of where my parents met.
“It’s not difficult, but it’s hard”
“It’s not a dance for how it looks, but for how it feels to your partner”
I see this dance not through my eyes, but I can feel every step, every pivot and twitch.
“How many steps in tango? The next one.”
I don’t care how long it will take
I must learn Argentinian tango

Jakob’s story

The moment that I entered the Counting House and the atmosphere of the busy city outside was swapped for a suave but spicy one, it was like I had entered a parallel universe. One where all that mattered was mingling, intelligent and social conversation and of course, the main event, Argentinian tango. I had been there twice before, though my poem omitted this. Once as a mere baby and the other time around 8 years of age. Of course, back then, I was too young to understand the pure genius of the dance. I knew that my parents met dancing, but I was too busy playing to take notice of what was going on.

I happened to be in Edinburgh on the brunch’s 20th anniversary to pick up a book and, due to the special occasion, felt obliged to go along and see what tango was all about. I’d seen my parents dance tango in the house or garden but I’d never seen (or really paid attention to) a whole roomful of couples. To say I was entranced, even seduced by tango was an understatement. I couldn’t take my eyes off the couples. It was poetic. The amount of intimacy, sophistication and everything that the dancers tell each other though the language of tango involved just astounded me. It was then that I knew I had to write something to help me make that moment last. I’d written several poems previously, but never before in the heat of what they explore. They’d never been that good either. That day felt different to me; it not only inspired a poem but it made me want to write something good.

Written by Jacob Houck (and the spirit of tango) on sight at The Counting House. 14.1.23

Firbush holds a special place in the hearts of many Edinburgh dancers who once a year take a trip inland to the beautiful Loch Tay just three miles from the little village of Killin. There, in a large cabin by the lake, the weekend is spent studying tango, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, cycling, eating and drinking together.

This year was no different! Despite glorious sunshine, rain, ice and snow, a marvellous time was had by all.

Many thanks to our tango teachers, Jessie Kennedy and Sarah Morris, our DJs Federica Cologna and Sarah Morris and to Imogen Morris who organised the whole experience for us. Lastly, a great many thanks to our dear friend, fellow dancer and photographer, Dennis Rewt, for capturing our best moments.

See all the photos:

Firbush 2023 Photo Album

Saturday 14th January 2023 marked the ETS (Edinburgh Tango Society) Brunch 20 year anniversary! Here is a wonderful photo of everyone who came to dance that day.

There was cake and bubbles and plenty of tandas besides.

The brunch started way back in 2003! Held once a month on Saturday afternoon, at The Counting House in Edinburgh, brunch is served buffet style in the lounge bar while the milonga continues in the adjacent dancehall. Its always a very pleasant afternoon of good food, catching up with friends and dancing tango.

From the beginning and every month without fail the brunch, organised by Toby Morris, has been supported by The Counting House, many local community DJ’s, volunteers and dancers near and far.

Did you know that the ETS Brunch Milonga at The Counting House started way back in 2003? In fact, it has been running for some 20 years.

This humble image of the fruit bowl, taken at the very first brunch all those years ago, is our only known evidence.

The ETS Brunch is held once a month on Saturday afternoon. Brunch is served buffet style in the bar lounge while the milonga continues in the adjacent dancehall. Dancers can eat, drink, chat and dance all afternoon.

From the beginning and every month without fail the brunch, organised by Toby Morris, has been supported by The Counting House, many local community DJ’s, volunteers and dancers near and far.

It is a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon in Edinburgh.

What a lovely evening it was at The Counting House on the 30th December this year.

Mike Quickfall played the music while newcomers, visiting dancers and old friends, students and local social dancers filled the dancefloor for every tanda.

Many thanks to Toby Morris our organiser for arranging the surprise bubbles and hot snacks for everyone!

Here are some fun ‘landscape’ photos by local dancer and friend Peter Linnett. Thanks for the memories!

Happy new year everyone!

Hello fellow tango lovers and the tango curious. I am delighted to announce that our new Saturday Beginners – Improver class at Dance Base with me Ani Tchakmakdjian, is confirmed for  2023. It’s been a terrific first term and there’s space to welcome more of you into the fold in January as we continue to explore all you need to get yourself social dancing with confidence and ease.

I have enjoyed every moment of watching this lovely enthusiastic, friendly, supportive new group transform into Tango dancers. From intrepid first steps to preparing to adventure unto the many wonderful nights of Tango that Edinburgh has to offer, it is a treat. We have had a lot of fun and it’s still just the beginning of life with Tango. A huge thank you to each and every one of them for their energy in class, desire to connect to practice and those post class drinks with which we’ve got to know a little more about each other. The social connecting spirit of Tango is truly with us and we are keen to share. So if you are thinking of giving Tango a try, do come along and meet us all.

Having said that, we all know, that it doesn’t matter how much Tango experience you’ve had, it is that basic foundational technique that will, at the end of the day, make you and your partners dance experience qualitative. It puts the magic into the monumentally poetic system that is Tango dance. So we also welcome anyone who is keen to revisit and replenish. You can approach those principles from a different perspective, pick up bits and bobs to absorb into your practice to enhance the dancing experience.

For me personally it is a privilege to teach in that wonderful purpose built dance building, that is our National Dance Centre. Over the years it has been instrumental in supporting my work as a dancer and director of Elbow Room Dance Company, so it is wonderful to give back. In fact our present class has been in the very studio in which I began my Tango journey whilst in residency back in 2008 with a Tango Fusion project. So it’s a poignant full circle for me. I have quite literally been there, taking my first tentative Tango steps wrapping my head around how this extraordinary dance works and beginning to embody it and feel comfortable in it.

It is a joyous journey and I am thankful that it is a never ending one. As with any journey, it starts with just that one first step. So know that when you take the plunge with some excitement and perhaps trepidation, begin to climb the steps to reception at Dance Base, beyond the incredibly helpful smiling ladies there will be a warm group of welcoming dancers, who like you have not long taken that first step. They will be more than happy to support your introduction to Tango and embrace you into our group experience. It is the Tango way!

We meet on Saturdays at 3.30pm. To attend this is a Drop In Class or book to get a Course discount, contact the team at Dance Base on 0131 225 5525 or click on https://www.dancebase.co.uk/classes/authentic-argentine-tango/

Recently at the Brass in Concert Championship 2022 in Sage, Gateshead, our very own, Jenny and Ricardo Oria performed with the brass band Brighouse & Rastrick who played “The Art of Seduction” by Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla and went on to claim victory as champions of the 45th Brass in Concert Championship.

Led by Russell Gray and inspired by the ‘neuvo tango’ of the acclaimed Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla, the West Riding band brought the sultry dance atmosphere of the barrios neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires to the stage of Sage Gateshead to stunning effect.

‘The Art of Seduction’ was further enhanced by professional tango dancers Jenny & Ricardo Oria, whose interpretive skills — passionate and mesmeric in its entwined sensual authenticity, brought both delight as well as a dangerous increase in heart rates to an engrossed audience.

Find out all about the competing bands and winning entries at Report & Result: 2022 Brass in Concert Championship

Pretty cool huh!

The Edinburgh Tango Society milonga at The Counting House with DJ Juan Asa.

Scene from The Fiddler’s Milonga in Edinburgh 24 October 2012.

During a visit from Homer and Cristina Ladas for some tango workshops, a break in the program for a little jam session with Sharon Jenkins and Roberto Rabinovich. 20 April 2010.