Onlookers gathered around as the Tango Championship Semi-Finals began in earnest. Here are the participants and finalists going through.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP

THE RULES OF ENGAGEMENT

Learn more about how the competition works and what the judges are looking for in each dance discipline. – HIGHLIGHTS – DAY 1

STAGE SEMI FINAL

02. Louise Gauna and Mariano Gauna – Chateaulin
04. Shaun Mcenery and Anastasia Cioclea – London
05. Stan Lucian and Aldea Oana-Raluca – Bucarest
06. Lorena de Miranda Serra and Jory Raimo – Rotterdam
07. Fernando Zalazar and Sara Ferreira – Portugal
08. Despina Violari and Ozan Can Toker – London

GOING THROUGH TO THE STAGE FINAL

02. Louise Gauna and Mariano Gauna – Chateaulin
05. Stan Lucian and Aldea Oana-Raluca – Bucarest
06. Lorena de Miranda Serra and Jory Raimo – Rotterdam
07. Fernando Zalazar and Sara Ferreira – Portugal

PISTA SEMI FINAL – HEAT 1

02. Mirella Santos David and Joao Carlos Santos David – El Haya
03. Mira van de Griendt and Santiago Onel – Amsterdam
04. Andrea Jolly and Jeremie Chevillotte – Aixenprovence
07. Marta Kubicz and Jon Marsh – London
16. Daniel Gini and Clara Essman – London
18. Louise Gauna and Mariano Gauna – Chateaulin
22. Stan Lucian and Aldea Oana-Raluca – Bucarest
23. Lorena de Miranda Serra and Jory Raimo – Rotterdam

Danced to:
Buscándote – Frezado, Ruiz
Confesion – Anibal Troilo
La Bruja – Juan D’Arienzo, Echague

PISTA SEMI FINAL – HEAT 2

05. Irem Ozturk and Goran Eliassen – Bergen
06. Maite Delafin and Andy Ong – London
08. Nozomi Akanuma and Mark Phoenix – London
09. Mezzasoma Silvia and Federico Suarez – Leiden
10. Stephan Schellin and Jessica Abele – Berlin
15. Maria Martinez Sporrong and Gustavo Salcedo – Estocolmo
21. Gabriela Buccarello and David Frohlich – Berlin
24. Fernando Zalazar and Sara Ferreira – Portugal

Danced to:
Porque Regresas Tu – Carlos Di Sarli, Florio
Rodriguez Pena – Hector Varela
Bailaron Compadrito – Juan D’Arienzo, Laborde

GOING THROUGH TO THE PISTA FINAL

02. Mirella Santos David and Joao Carlos Santos David – El Haya
03. Mira van de Griendt and Santiago Onel – Amsterdam
04. Andrea Jolly and Jeremie Chevillotte – Aixenprovence
05. Irem Ozturk and Goran Eliassen – Bergen
18. Louise Gauna and Mariano Gauna – Chateaulin
21. Gabriela Buccarello and David Frohlich – Berlin
22. Stan Lucian and Aldea Oana-Raluca – Bucarest
23. Lorena de Miranda Serra and Jory Raimo – Rotterdam

The Festival made welcome special guests, the Ambassadors of Uruguay and Argentina. Argentinian Ambassador, Carlos Sersale di Cerisano addressed the festival and participating couples with a short message (in kind) ‘All participants were excellent. Thank you Luciano for organising.’

There were 6 ‘local to London’ competing couples this year and although none have gone through to the final I am compelled to mention how proud the local community is of their ‘own homegrown’ who trained hard and gave it their all on the day. Equally, it was brilliant to see the visibly warm welcome to everyone from abroad who came to compete, join in the festivities and ‘do some dancing together!’. In my mind this is what its really all about.

THE FESTIVAL

Following the competition, everyone was delighted to cheer on the student performances by two of London Community tango schools, Tango Movement and Raquel Greenberg Tango Academy. I love this element of the festival showcasing yet another way to express tango and yes, to appreciate again the joy of learning and dancing. Congratulations to both teams and thank you for all the hard work and practise put in.

Swiftly, the milonga began with DJ Marcelo Rojas on the decks leading the dancers in ‘style renowned’ as social dancing continued into the early hours of morn.

There was just one further pause at around midnight for a beautiful performance by competition judges and festival maestros, John Erban and Clarissa Sanchez.

Well now… Lets see what happens at tomorrow’s ‘finale grande’!

THE FOLLY CREW
Commentary: Rita Horne
Imagery: Magdalena Smolarska – magdalenasmolarska.com

More News from the Festival

Highlights from Day 1 – THE HEATS

Highlights from Day 3 – THE FINALS

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