Monday, December 16, 2013

Tango for the Philippines 2! Fundraiser Milonga Sat. Dec 21, 2013 at Cafe Mediterraneum, Berkeley

Dear Tango friends,

We are so happy to report that our first benefit Milonga “Tango for the Philippines” last Saturday December 7 was a great success! We raised $627 and are now at 87% of our $1,000 goal. Thank you to all those who contributed to our fundraiser!

We are now doubling our efforts with a second benefit Milonga with more great performers to be able to reach our goal.

If you didn’t get a chance yet to contribute to this worthy cause, please join us for:

Tango for the Philippines 2!

A special Benefit Milonga to help the relief efforts for the survivors of Typhoon Hayian with an all level (Beginner friendly)Tango dance class by Jonas Aquino & Sonja Riket, Tango songs by Roberto Traina and a dance performance by Yumiko & Ramada (2012 USA Tango champions)!

Saturday December 21, 2013 from 7:30-11:30pm

Tax deductible Donations accepted during the event.

At Cafe Mediterraneum:

2475 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94794

Typhoon Haiyan, also known as Yolanda, is the strongest storm in the world this year and quite possibly the most powerful to ever hit land. In the Philippines, 5000+ people are dead and 4 million displaced.

During the last weeks Oxfam aid teams are on the ground in the Philippines and distributing vital supplies like soap, blankets, and disinfectant for drinking water. They are reporting urgent needs for food, clean water, sanitation, and shelter. They are building emergency latrines, setting up mobile water treatment units, and installing tanks and taps to deliver clean water to hard-hit communities - while helping ensure that families have access to food and other essentials, as well.

Local fishers and farmers have lost their livelihoods, and one third of the country's rice-growing areas have been wiped out.

If new rice seeds are not planted in this month of December, new crops won’t grow and millions will go hungry in the coming months.

My co-host of the Tango Revolution Telegraph Milonga, Jonas Aquino, is from the Philippines. Somehow this strikes a more personal note. Luckily his extended family in the Philippines is safe! Looking at the pictures of the devastation, I felt moved to organize a fundraiser in collaboration with Oxfam America, a reputable charity organization.

I would be very happy if you can join me at our second international collaborative benefit Milonga “Tango for the Philippines 2!”

Organizers, Musicians, Teachers and Dancers are from the Philippines, Europe, North & South America!
Simultaneously our gathering this Saturday is an opportunity to celebrate the winter solstice and the upcoming holiday season.

More info on the evening program is below.
If you cannot be there to listen, watch or dance, but still like to contribute to the fundraiser, please go to our Oxfam page here: http://my.oxfamamerica.org/fundraise?fcid=289778

With gratitude,
Sonja Riket

Evening program:
Saturday December 21, 2013 from 7:30-11:30pm
Donation accepted during the event (or donate on our secure Oxfam page if you can't be there).

Location: Cafe Mediterraneum: 2475 Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94794

Schedule:
7:30-8:30 pm: All level Tango class (beginner friendly) with Jonas Aquino & Sonja Riket
9 pm: Tango songs by Roberto Traina (with Kate Bernier on piano)
10 pm: Tango dance performance by Ramada & Yumiko (2012 Tango champions!)In between performances and till 11:30pm: Dancing to recorded Tango music from the Golden Era with DJ Jonas.

More info on the artists:
Sonja Riket: www.IntimateEmbraceTango.com – www.tangorevolution.blogspot.com 415.661.1852
Jonas Aquino: www.jtangolife.com 510.698.2640
Yumiko & Ramada: www.yumikoandramada.com