Hello all,
Like I have mentioned in my first blog, I have been to the 1st Istanbul Tango Marathon, which took place on 6-8 June 2014.
I was only able to participate on Friday and Saturday night because I had some work to do about the dancing shoes of our students and had friends & family to visit.
Anyway, I have enough impression to write a few lines :)
The dates of the event: It was a both warm and a little bit rainy weekend in Istanbul. Not so hot to make it impossible to dance, not so cold that we couldn't enjoy the terrace and the beautiful Bosphorus view. Good season.
The location of the event: The location of the venue was a good choice. It was at Taksim- which I call the heart of Istanbul. It lives 7/24. Public transport lasts till dawn, you can find food and beverage untill morning. Accomodation preferences differ from hostels to 5 star hotels within the area. You can chose whichever suits you. Good location.
The venue of the event:The event took place at the Taşkışla Campus -the Faculty of Architecture, University of Mimar Sinan. The building is a historical one and under protection.
Organisation would take place in the inner garden of the faculty, right under the lovely scents of lime trees; but due to the probability of rain it has been moved to the terrace floor of the building.
The terrace: good view of bosphorus, good to have some fresh air, good to have some rest / chit chat, good for smokers (blah!), good to watch the sun rise,
The pist: They have placed parquet on the original floor.It didn't split up during the whole marathon.Good work. On the other side, everone was grumbling about the slippery of the floor. Needs to be improved next time.
The room itself:Like I said, the terrace had to be rearranged on the last day. It was the study room of the architecture students and as to be assumed, there were dozens of big big studying tables. All of that stuff was stacked at the entrance of the place. The scene was really unpleasant. It is common that the marathons take place in casual places I needn't to see that regularly stacked tables all the time. At least they should place some paravanes. I didn't like that. Exept from that, it was ok.
The rest rooms: Rest rooms was ok.Even kinda clean :) Good restrooms.
The placement of the tables / chairs: Hmm,, they were placed around the long narrow pist. I am thinking wheather it could be better to place all the chairs at one side, making it more convenient to do the cabaceo ( for those who can do the cabaceo, of course :) ) It was ok, though.
The placement of the DJ table: The DJ table was placed on the mezzanine. It was really good use of the place I think. They were able to see the whole dancers and they had the chance to arrange their list.
Even some DJ's danced there ! ( dont't want to reveal their names here :p)
Seing the DJ at the mezzanine was also good for dancer. It increased the interaction . Really good idea !
The treats: The organisation never left the treat tables empty ( baked products, fruits, cookies etc.) There was unlimited coffee and tea ( also water off course).
The soup was delicioussss !!! but the way we served it was a little bit, mmm, not so appetizing ( with one mug to be dunked in the pot and served to the cups. beah :s)
When you get to the beverage table, you were turning back to your table mumbling that : whtthfck!!
The people there should be more polite and "in to the organisation". The frawnin attitudes was just killing the mood right away. Needs to be improved.
The dancers: I think the dance quality was pretty satisfactory, for both men and women. Good dancers in Turkey and good dancer friends from abroad :)
The DJ's: Dancers and DJ's are the biggest parts of a tango organisation, of course. DJ's set the mood, arrange the playlist according to the needs of the dancers. Both the ones I listened and the ones I get the comments from the friends I trust, all of them was really good at this work. Great DJ's !
The Organisation Team: Organisation team is really friendly. ( to make a personnal comment: I stay away from the arrogance and snubness, under any circumstance. There was no sign of that. I was pleased :) Their organisations should be followed. Good one.
The City: Istanbul !! the center of tourism, culture, trade and entertainment. For those who haven't been there: You shoul come and see. Veeeeerryy crowded that you are unable to breathe sometimes. But the Bosphorus itself woths to visit once.( Bevare of your belongings, though. There are 14 million residences, already. If you consider the tourists, it is way much higher. You should be awake all the time )
The price list: Marathon fee was at the usual level: full pass € 55,-.
The beverages was at the usual prices. However, you should book in to the appropriate hotel / daily rentals / hostels / pensions at an earlier date, to have the better price.
( I prefer Taksim because I like to be close to the venue to go get some rest and take a shower. In Istanbul, it is always better to stay close to the area where you will spend your day. Transportation always takes hours !)
These are my impressions from the 1st Istanbul Tango Marathon.
If there is anything I missed, I will include it to this blog by the time it appears to my mind :p
Take care, until next time !!
Saludos..
XoXo
Nilüfer Taşkan
Ankara- Turkey
Like I have mentioned in my first blog, I have been to the 1st Istanbul Tango Marathon, which took place on 6-8 June 2014.
I was only able to participate on Friday and Saturday night because I had some work to do about the dancing shoes of our students and had friends & family to visit.
Anyway, I have enough impression to write a few lines :)
The dates of the event: It was a both warm and a little bit rainy weekend in Istanbul. Not so hot to make it impossible to dance, not so cold that we couldn't enjoy the terrace and the beautiful Bosphorus view. Good season.
The location of the event: The location of the venue was a good choice. It was at Taksim- which I call the heart of Istanbul. It lives 7/24. Public transport lasts till dawn, you can find food and beverage untill morning. Accomodation preferences differ from hostels to 5 star hotels within the area. You can chose whichever suits you. Good location.
The venue of the event:The event took place at the Taşkışla Campus -the Faculty of Architecture, University of Mimar Sinan. The building is a historical one and under protection.
Organisation would take place in the inner garden of the faculty, right under the lovely scents of lime trees; but due to the probability of rain it has been moved to the terrace floor of the building.
The terrace: good view of bosphorus, good to have some fresh air, good to have some rest / chit chat, good for smokers (blah!), good to watch the sun rise,
The pist: They have placed parquet on the original floor.It didn't split up during the whole marathon.Good work. On the other side, everone was grumbling about the slippery of the floor. Needs to be improved next time.
The room itself:Like I said, the terrace had to be rearranged on the last day. It was the study room of the architecture students and as to be assumed, there were dozens of big big studying tables. All of that stuff was stacked at the entrance of the place. The scene was really unpleasant. It is common that the marathons take place in casual places I needn't to see that regularly stacked tables all the time. At least they should place some paravanes. I didn't like that. Exept from that, it was ok.
The rest rooms: Rest rooms was ok.Even kinda clean :) Good restrooms.
The placement of the tables / chairs: Hmm,, they were placed around the long narrow pist. I am thinking wheather it could be better to place all the chairs at one side, making it more convenient to do the cabaceo ( for those who can do the cabaceo, of course :) ) It was ok, though.
The placement of the DJ table: The DJ table was placed on the mezzanine. It was really good use of the place I think. They were able to see the whole dancers and they had the chance to arrange their list.
Even some DJ's danced there ! ( dont't want to reveal their names here :p)
Seing the DJ at the mezzanine was also good for dancer. It increased the interaction . Really good idea !
The treats: The organisation never left the treat tables empty ( baked products, fruits, cookies etc.) There was unlimited coffee and tea ( also water off course).
The soup was delicioussss !!! but the way we served it was a little bit, mmm, not so appetizing ( with one mug to be dunked in the pot and served to the cups. beah :s)
When you get to the beverage table, you were turning back to your table mumbling that : whtthfck!!
The people there should be more polite and "in to the organisation". The frawnin attitudes was just killing the mood right away. Needs to be improved.
The dancers: I think the dance quality was pretty satisfactory, for both men and women. Good dancers in Turkey and good dancer friends from abroad :)
The DJ's: Dancers and DJ's are the biggest parts of a tango organisation, of course. DJ's set the mood, arrange the playlist according to the needs of the dancers. Both the ones I listened and the ones I get the comments from the friends I trust, all of them was really good at this work. Great DJ's !
The Organisation Team: Organisation team is really friendly. ( to make a personnal comment: I stay away from the arrogance and snubness, under any circumstance. There was no sign of that. I was pleased :) Their organisations should be followed. Good one.
The City: Istanbul !! the center of tourism, culture, trade and entertainment. For those who haven't been there: You shoul come and see. Veeeeerryy crowded that you are unable to breathe sometimes. But the Bosphorus itself woths to visit once.( Bevare of your belongings, though. There are 14 million residences, already. If you consider the tourists, it is way much higher. You should be awake all the time )
The price list: Marathon fee was at the usual level: full pass € 55,-.
The beverages was at the usual prices. However, you should book in to the appropriate hotel / daily rentals / hostels / pensions at an earlier date, to have the better price.
( I prefer Taksim because I like to be close to the venue to go get some rest and take a shower. In Istanbul, it is always better to stay close to the area where you will spend your day. Transportation always takes hours !)
These are my impressions from the 1st Istanbul Tango Marathon.
If there is anything I missed, I will include it to this blog by the time it appears to my mind :p
Take care, until next time !!
Saludos..
XoXo
Nilüfer Taşkan
Ankara- Turkey
