It gives me great pleasure to announce that "Ruben de Pompeya" will be making a limited first trip to the United States and the he will be at the 2008 Chicago Mini Tango Festival which will be held April 18-20, 2008.
Ruben Harymbat (Ruben de Pompeya) is a milonguero from the golden era of tango. Ruben was born, bred and still living with his wife Haydee in the Buenos Aires barrio of Pompeya. Ruben known as "Ruben de Pompeya" is 69 years old. He began dancing when he was 14 years old. In those days before professional teaching developed, he learned from his brothers and male cousins and friends. They would practice together every year to participate in the annual carnival. Although highly respected for his dancing, Ruben never wanted to take his dancing to a professional level. He describes himself as a humble man who has always kept a low profile. Ruben worked for 43 years in the Argentine Post Office; the first 10 years as a locksmith. He later became responsible for the Department of Locksmiths of the Argentine Post office. Ruben raised his family with his wife, Haydee, "a beautiful dancer" he says. But Haydee had problems with her knees which means she can no longer dance. Ruben's passion for the tango is evident as soon as you see him on the dance floor. His energy belies his age, or perhaps it is indicative of the many years he has expressed himself through the dance. Ruben is the "master of improvisation" and owner of enormous creativity. Ruben is a highly sought out dancer in Argentina for performances. His performance partners have included Anna Maria Schapira, Alicia Pons, Susana Miller, Maria Plazaola, Enriqueta Kleinman, and Marisa Galindo, among others. Ruben was invited to perform in November 2007 for the Congress of the Nation of Argentina in homage to the "Recognition to the Milongueros of the night in Buenos Aires." Ruben participated in the 2007 and 2008 Festival Tango Estilo Milonguero in Buenos Aires . He has given seminars with Susana Miller and Maria Plazaola at "La Academia" in Buenos Aires. Ruben has also made numerous trips to Brazil to teach and perform. Ruben will only be making a brief visit into the United States on this trip. We are excited that he will be attending the Chicago Mini Tango Festival. His first trip to the United States is sponsored by Chicago Milonguero, Ltd. To see more videos of "Ruben de Pompeya" go to the following playlist: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Y2WRsg5MWpY http://youtube.com/watch?v=JfjsLjob0bM http://youtube.com/watch?v=hFuTPjS38TY http://youtube.com/watch?v=xRqCsyhpVis http://youtube.com/watch?v=KjZaCaPg2qc http://youtube.com/watch?v=Xk5jdZLNM5g http://youtube.com/watch?v=odl9DBOQsYQ http://youtube.com/watch?v=mpZBcFWua0U http://youtube.com/watch?v=p2qtDrR7MvI The early bird special expires March 31, 2008. For more information concerning the Chicago Mini Tango Festival, please go to www.chicagotangofestival.com or contact Ray Barbosa at [email protected] Please forward this email to your friends. If they would like to subscribe to our mailing list, please have them send an email to [email protected] or have them subscribe to the Chicago Tango Festival yahoo website at [email protected] . Looking forward to your joining us in April. Thank you, Ray Barbosa Organizers and contributors: Chicago Milonguero, Ltd. and the Argentine Tango Club of the University of Chicago
