We SMITH!
SMITH stands for Santa Monica International Tango Holiday!
The SMITH seed was planted in July of 2009 in Buenos Aires. While dining on some Argentine asado and Malbec wine, this idea popped into the head of Emily & Naomi, to create a fun tango festival with quality tango experience in the popular sunny Santa Monica, one of the most attractive and exciting areas of Los Angeles.
In August of 2009, the ideas started to form into shape back in Los Angeles, bringing in the other team members, Schwee, Vladimir, and Varo whom are also some of the active members of the Los Angeles tango community. We met weekly, if not daily, to make our dream of our festival happen. With a lot of support from our local dancers, organizers, the city, and dancers from around the world, we were able to realize the 1st SMITH festival 9 months later in May of 2010.
The SMITHers want to thank you all who took part in making this festival come true. It's still our dream to keep creating a festival annually where the Los Angeles tango community and dancers from around the world all come together in Santa Monica to enjoy the beautiful Argentine Tango. We are now excited about our 2nd Annual 2011 SMITH Tango Festival to continously spread the Tango fever phenomenon. Please join us to celebrate a "tango holiday" filled with lots of fun under the Los Angeles skies this year!
We SMITH!
Mission Statement
- To create a quality international tango festival in Los Angeles which will grow the local tango community, and which will bring recognition to the existing tango community.
- To attract aficionado tango dancers worldwide, as well as introducing Argentine tango to new dancers, and general audience.
- To promote the essence of Southern California by hosting the festival on the Westside beach area of Los Angeles.
- To engage dancers of all levels and all styles by inviting teachers who represent many styles of Argentine Tango.
- To introduce tango musicians and dj’s of all styles of tango music.
- To create an annual event that will be held in LA for years to come!
Donate to the SMITH
Support the arts! Tango Smith provides free tango classes and events to foster and grow the tango dance community. A percentage of your donations will also go to The Dance Resource Center of Greater Los Angeles; a non-profit service organization for dance whose mission is to support community-based professional dance activity by providing access to information, resources, and services; and to promote the visibility of Greater Los Angeles dance on local, state, and national levels. Donors will be listed as Sponsors on the website and festival program.