African Night: “The African Root of Tango, The Untold Story” w/ Free Snacks (SF)

Explore the hidden connection between African culture and the origin of tango at this night of storytelling, music, food, fashion & culture.

Join KALW Public Media for the next edition of African Night —an evening dedicated to celebrating culture, community, and the power of connection.

Friday, February 21, 5-9p
220 Montgomery St., San Francisco, 2 blocks from BART/MUNI
Free snacks
Refreshments for donation (and KALW members get their first one on the house)
The event is free with an RSVP — and you are welcome to donate what you want.

Please note:

• The event space is just to the left of the main entrance to the Mills Building at 220 Montgomery Street
• We recommend taking BART/MUNI, exiting at Montgomery, and walking two blocks north
• Ride-shares can drop off and pick up directly in front of the venue
• If you drive, there are several garages within two blocks of the event location

An elegant evening of:

• Conversation: Delve into the cultural and historical ties between Africa and Tango.
• Culture: Celebrate African influences through storytelling and music
• Connection: Engage with a vibrant community.
• Food: Enjoy a delightful culinary experience.
• Music & Live Demonstrations: Witness Tango’s elegance brought to life.

Show off your most elegant Tango attire for a chance to win exciting prizes!

Best Dressed Awards:

The top 3 most stylish guests will receive exclusive prizes, including Tango classes, and be entered into a special drawing for additional surprises.

Complimentary Tango Introduction:

Join us for a free Tango lesson and let the rhythm guide your evening.

Don’t miss this night of elegance, culture, and celebration!

Featuring Participants:

Jean-Pierre Sighé of West Central Africa’s Cameroon nation grew up in a cultural environment where dancing was part of normal living. Equipped with his African dancing background, he later discovered the Latin dances and immediately felt their appeal. Living in Europe, he delighted in Salsa. In the U.S. he pursued his passion for Salsa dancing and decided to further explore Latin dances, such as Rumba and Cha-Cha in the Ballroom context. In 1998, he was invited to discover the Argentine Tango. He intensely and exclusively studied with his first teacher s Alberto Paz and his partner Valorie Hart for several months.

Solidly grounded by Alberto and Valorie’s instructions, he later intensified his learning with other Tango Masters, such as Carlos Gavito (and Marcela), Fabian Salas, Chicho (Frumboli), Julio (and Corina); and occasional classes with Eduardo and Gloria, Fernanda and Guillermo, El Indio. Jean-Pierre has been dancing Tango since 1998 and believes e veryone of these Tango Masters opened an enriching window in his mind.

His motivation for teaching Tango derives from his desire to share with others the beauty of this wonderful gift to the world from the Argentinean people. He does not want to simply teach a set of steps following some futile pattern. Jean-Pierre desires to faithfully transmit to others what he has had the privilege to receive directly from the Tango Masters – the spirit of Tango.

Emmanuel Nado is at the forefront of promoting African music and culture in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is from Cote d’Ivoire in West Africa, a country which for many years has been the crossroad of African popular music. As a journalist, promoter and radio producer, Nado is an active force in the African music scene in the U.S. Nado produces and hosts Africa Mix.

Serge Ndjemba is a seasoned educator and multimedia producer with 15 years’ experience. He creates and collaborates to show and tell stories that empower people.