Humans of Tango

Image, authenticity, and building bridges, with Phi Lee Lam

Like so many tango stories, it all started in Argentina. But our heroine, Phi Lee Lam, was there to learn about farming and had no interest in donning heels to dance with men in fedoras.
Still, one thing led to another and Phi Lee found herself captivated by the Argentine dance of passion. Back home in New York City, she signed up for a tango class and embarked on an epic journey of exploration, inquiry, and connection.
Producer/Host: Liz Sabatiuk | Music: "Chapado a la antigua" by Pablo Estigarribia  | Image Credit: Monica Ramirez
Show Notes
A little more about Queer Tango Collective.
And more about Mariana Docampo’s “Tango Queer” in Buenos Aires.
Here are two videos of Mariana Docampo and Soledad Nani, the dancers who first inspired Phi Lee to start studying tango.
And a couple of Carla Marano, Phi Lee’s mentor, leading and following.
And last but never least, Mariano “Chicho” Frúmboli! Behold, the absolute best tango video ever (IMHO), one of the first tango videos I fell in love with, and one more just for fun. (Remember, people, this is all IMPROVISED!)
Read a transcript of Phi Lee's episode here.

Reflections of a queer tango trailblazer, with Augusto LaMarshall

In 2019, Queer Tango pioneer Augusto La Marshall came to DC as a guest artist through Tango Mercurio's Queer Tango Program. In addition to teaching classes and workshops, Augusto graciously agreed to sit down at an informal brunch hosted by the DC Queer Tango Collective to answer all of the DC community’s burning questions. There was much coffee, OJ, and laughter, with the conversation meandering from the origins of tango to social codes to the future of queer tango. Here, Queer Tango Program Manager Liz Sabatiuk shares highlights and reflections from that candid, thought-provoking event.
This episode was produced in partnership with Tango Mercurio.
Producer/Host: Liz Sabatiuk | Music: “Alma de Bohemio” by Roberto Firpo, performed by Francisco Canaro y su Orquesta Típica, via the Internet Archive | Image Credit: Carlos Villamayor/Arte
Read a transcript of Augusto's episode here.