Tango marathon brings passion to Toronto dance floors.
The Toronto Tango Marathon took place on Friday and Saturday at Dovercourt House.
Staff photo/IAN KELSO
As many as 300 dancers glided their way across the dance floor as part of the inaugural Toronto Tango Marathon over the Jan. 13 weekend.
"It was very well received, despite it being Friday the 13th," said organizer Elizabeth Sadowska, owner of the Rhythm and Motion Dance Studio on Dundas Street West at Runnymede Road.
The concept of a marathon - an ongoing, three-day dance event, has been gaining in popularity, especially in the United States, said Sadowska.
The marathon attracted tango enthusiasts from across the city and beyond. One group from Montreal arrived to dance after driving eight hours, she said.
"The appeal of the tango is that it's very passionate, very different from ballroom tango. Argentine tango is an improvised dance," said Sadowska. "It's a communication between woman and man - it's from moment to moment."
Sadowska, who has been involved in the Toronto tango community since 1995, organized several different tango parties as part of the marathon. On Friday night, the marathon kicked off at the Lithuanian Hall and carried on until 3 a.m. A Matinee Milonga with brunch took place on Saturday at Dovercourt House which was followed by an evening marathon that stretched into the early morning.
Sunday's portion of the tango marathon began with a yoga and stretch class, followed by brunch and dancing in the evening.
"I really do think tango is growing in popularity. I think tango is going to be the next big dance. That's my feeling and my hope," said Sadowska, who has had formal dance training in both Europe and Canada.
While Sadowska is trained in ballet, modern and jazz, tango, she said, is her passion.
"It's my specialty," she said.