The Snowy Mountain Tango Festival took place, for the third consecutive year, on the weekend in Corryong. Steadily growing, it attracted more than 100 participants with dancers and performers coming from Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, as well as from Gippsland and the local region, including Albury/Wodonga, Batlow, Corryong.

You may have noticed some of the dancers around town. Many came for their third year in a row, obviously for the tango, but also for the friendly welcome they receive from everyone in Corryong.

Rain and thunder-storms did not deter the locals from trying the introduction class on Friday night, continuing to learn at the boot camp sessions on Saturday and Sunday or attending the concert on Sunday.

And as a blessing, the sun was out for the planned outdoor milonga (social dance) and barbecue on Saturday afternoon at the top of Playles Hill (pictured). Visitors were thrilled with the views, the beautiful setup and the relaxing atmosphere of the venue, while the DJ played a variety of enticing music – tango and alternative sounds. If only the clouds had stayed away it might have been possible to catch a glimpse of those Snowy Mountains for which the festival is named. As it was, some dancers swore they saw the Man From Snowy River riding off in the distance.

On Sunday, the famous Melbourne Tango Orchestra performed in front of an audience of dancers, local music connoisseurs and residents from the Corryong Health Residential Aged Care. An appreciation for good instrumental music is all that is needed to enjoy such a talented group of musicians. You don’t need to be a tango dancer.

This event was organised by Upper Murray Performing Arts Inc. (UMPA) and supported by BankWAW, Towong Shire Council, Oakwood Leathercare, and the ‘Sowing Seeds’ (mental health support) program from Ommhada. IGA, the Top of Town Takeaway and Acres and Acres were also very generous in their support acknowledging the potential for the festival to bring tourists to town at a typically quiet time.

If you missed the Snowy Mountain Tango Festival this year, make sure to save the dates in your calendars for next year: 29-31 August 2025. The festival is structured so that, between Friday evening and Sunday afternoon, you can learn enough tango basics to enjoy yourself on the dance floor.

Tango may look complicated and dramatic from the outside but at its core it is about communication between two dancers. If it works, the movements can be simple yet the overall experience is a lot of fun.  

This article appeared in the  Corryong Courier, 29 August 2024.