Tripping the Light Fan-tango
18th April, 2007 It takes two to tango, and it was never more evident than at the Australian Tango Championships held at Sydney Opera House over Easter. Randwick resident Federico Mattiuzzi and his dance partner Hosanna Heinrich were crowned 2007 stage winners for the championships, and Mr Mattiuzzi said that to perform in front of a sold-out crowd at the Opera House was incredible. "I suffer from a little bit of stage fright," Mr Mattiuzzi said, "and would rather be swimming with hungry sharks than be up on stage. But when the people in the audience clapped, the Opera House just exploded and it was just amazing." As national champions, Mr Mattiuzzi and Ms Heinrich won return airfares to Argentina, where they will be competing in the International Tango Championships later this year. "The finals are in Buenos Aires in August and although there are probably going to be over 500 competitors, we would love to make the finals," Mr Mattiuzzi said. Ms Heinrich, who said that "time on stage disappears in a blur when you're dancing", is keeping a more calm approach. "The level of dancing over there is just amazing," she said. "But we have a great partnership, so our goal is to make the top 15." Before that, though, the pair will start on a national tour, performing and teaching tango across Australia. "With tango in Australia," Mr Mattiuzzi said, "there's still the misconception of the rose in the mouth and the whole Valentino thing. It really is becoming a more social activity though." Mr Mattiuzzi teaches beginner and intermediate tango classes from 7 pm on Wednesday nights at the Randwick Literary Institute on Clovelly Road and then holds "tango practica" from 8 pm onwards, where people can practise their tango moves. Source: Village Voice Copyright © 2007 The Federal Publishing Company |
