The Ornella Tango Weekend, held from October 11-13, 2024, exceeded all expectations, marking a monumental moment for the South African Tango community. Hosted by Milonga Milonguita and partially sponsored by the Argentine Embassy, the event brought together dancers from Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban, and Cape Town to celebrate Argentine Tango in a way the city has not seen in years.
The workshops led by renowned Tango artist Ornella Simonetto from Buenos Aires were filled to capacity, with 45 participants in the group lessons. The evening Milongas attracted 50-60 attendees each night, filling the dance floor with rhythmic movement and joy. In total, attendees danced for an incredible 15 hours over the weekend, non-stop from one session to the next, truly living the spirit of Tango.
The venue for this spectacular weekend was the Jabula Recreation Centre in Sandringham, Johannesburg, where the impeccable service ensured the event ran smoothly. Milonga Milonguita would like to extend a special thanks to the Jabula team for making the booking process effortless and for ensuring everything was in place, creating the perfect environment for our weekend of dance.
On behalf of Milonga Milonguita, organizer Monja Boonzaier expressed deep gratitude to those who contributed to the event’s success:
- Marinda Le Roux from Edits with Credits for the stunning graphics that elevated the marketing campaign.
- The Argentine Embassy for their partial sponsorship of the venue, ensuring a memorable setting for the weekend’s events.
- The Argentine Association for assisting with catering and curating a beautiful art exhibition, enriching the cultural experience.
- AguaeVida Water for sponsoring filtered water for the workshops, helping participants stay refreshed throughout the intense sessions.
- Juzt.Dance for their seamless assistance with the event organization.
- Most importantly, the Tango community from across South Africa for their enthusiastic support.
We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Charles Edelstein, a valued member of the Tango community, for capturing the magic of the weekend through his beautiful photography, preserving the memories of this unforgettable event.
Ornella Simonetto captivated everyone with her vibrant energy, exceptional teaching, and music selections that kept the crowd dancing all night long. Her workshops were not only engaging but inspiring, drawing both experienced dancers and curious newcomers. The weekend left participants with throbbing feet, tired bodies, and hearts full of joy.
Monja Boonzaier remarked, “We haven’t had such a big Tango event in years, and to see so many people come together for the love of Tango was truly heartwarming. Ornella’s presence was electric, and she brought out the best in all of us.”
The event closed with a sense of community and accomplishment, leaving everyone excited for the future. Milonga Milonguita looks forward to welcoming Ornella back to Johannesburg in 2025 for another unforgettable weekend of Tango.