Homer & Cristina Visit your Tango Community...
As far as planning a tango visit with us is concerned, here is a laundry list of things to consider...
Getting Started and Quick Links:
1. Communications: Email is the best way to communicate with us. Please use the Contact Us link to do so. If need be you can call (510.847.3474)
2. Class Ideas + Tango Student Blog: Have a look at our continually updated class list. We, of course, can edit/change the class material to best fit your needs. You may also get a few ideas from this great student blog which contains detailed class notes from many of our local classes.
3. Bio + Promo Pics & Videos: If you need Bio material it’s here. We also have several promo photos and a couple of favorite demo vids (at bottom of page) via the Downloadable Extras page. Use/Edit as need be.
More Details:
1. Travel - We prefer if our host gets the airfare upfront (but sometimes purchase it ourselves. Other travel expenses may include to/from airport transportation, parking, extra luggage, and rental car fees. Departing late morning/early afternoon always works best for us! Where possible, we prefer non-stop direct flights. Thanks!
Our general passenger info is as follows:
First name: Homer
Middle name: Gerasimos (if needed)
Last name: Ladas
Birthdate: April 4th, 1969
First name: Maria Cristina
Middle name: Navarro (if needed)
Last name: Ladas
Birthdate: January 4th, 1973
2. Housing - Cristina is very allergic to cats (so we need a cat free home to stay in - dogs are great). Also, we prefer to have our own room with private bath or nominally shared with our housing host(s), etc.
3. Food - Upon arrival we like to go grocery shopping so we can stock up on a few food/dietary supplies to help our weekend move more smoothly. We cover our own food expenses but ask that our hosts either allow some time for us to go out and get food (during workshop breaks) or provide a delivery service.
3.5 Food List - In some cases our hosts like to get food in advance for us. Here's a special list for those of you who are interested and willing to do so. Again this is not a mandatory request only an option if you so desire or if time is really limited for eating out.
For our dietary needs here's a list of things that we really like to eat or have around the house while we visit for the workshop weekend...
1. Oatmeal or Cereal with lots of fiber (organic raisin bran is great or otherwise)
2. Bananas and Apples (and maybe a few other fruits)
3. Yogurt (prefer low fat, organic kinds)
4. Bottled water (Cristina loves Figi water or Smart Water)
5. Salad Material (mixed greens, tomatoes, olive oil, balsamic, etc)
6. Eggs & Bacon (for Cristina)
7. A few energy bars (without chocolate - Homer recently quit eating chocolate and drinking caffeine but Cristina still loves to do both)
Again, we don't mind purchasing these things ourselves if you can bring us to the market (we like to shop at Whole Foods or similar organic store).
4. Sleep & Transition Time - We require 8 hours of sleep each night + 1 hour on either end for transition time. So factor in a 10 hour break (at a minimum) between drop-off and pick-up each workshop day for planning purposes.
5. Workshop Income - We normally work with a flat rate payment structure of between $200 to $300 per each hour of instruction. Sometimes we set up a minimum flat rate ($200/hr) + percentage bonus (50/50). This payment structure reduces an organizer's risk but ensures that we will make our minimum income. More rarely, we work from percentage only (80/20, etc).
The exact method of income will be determined based on event (we are willing to negotiate with organizers based on their requirements and limitations as well as ours).
6. Privates - As a result of extended travels we have reduced our private lesson work to conserve energy. To this end we usually set-up a waiting list and decide later if we can entertain any private students. In which case, our fee is $100/hr for either Cristina or me to work with one student or a couple.
7. Logistics - For weekend workshops, we prefer to arrive on Thursday and depart on the following Monday. A typical weekend workshop will consist of 1 class on Friday, 3 on Saturday, and 2 on Sunday.
8. Music Jam - Lately we've been offering a free music jam and would like to host this perhaps on Sunday afternoon (following the workshop classes) for 2 hours (getting other musicians and singers involved as well). Another option is to have extra 'jam rehearsals' (2 or 3) and have the jam band play a set of live music during one of the evening events.
9. DJ'ing - Homer enjoys dj'ing, as long as the work load is not too intense, and always adds at least 20% alternative to the mix. The dj rate is negotiable (but usually around $50/hr)
10. Improvised Milonga Demo's - Cristina and I prefer to demo on only one night. We can demo 1 to 3 songs and the base compensation is $100.
Hugs, Homer & Cristina ;)
As far as planning a tango visit with us is concerned, here is a laundry list of things to consider...
Getting Started and Quick Links:
1. Communications: Email is the best way to communicate with us. Please use the Contact Us link to do so. If need be you can call (510.847.3474)
2. Class Ideas + Tango Student Blog: Have a look at our continually updated class list. We, of course, can edit/change the class material to best fit your needs. You may also get a few ideas from this great student blog which contains detailed class notes from many of our local classes.
3. Bio + Promo Pics & Videos: If you need Bio material it’s here. We also have several promo photos and a couple of favorite demo vids (at bottom of page) via the Downloadable Extras page. Use/Edit as need be.
More Details:
1. Travel - We prefer if our host gets the airfare upfront (but sometimes purchase it ourselves. Other travel expenses may include to/from airport transportation, parking, extra luggage, and rental car fees. Departing late morning/early afternoon always works best for us! Where possible, we prefer non-stop direct flights. Thanks!
Our general passenger info is as follows:
First name: Homer
Middle name: Gerasimos (if needed)
Last name: Ladas
Birthdate: April 4th, 1969
First name: Maria Cristina
Middle name: Navarro (if needed)
Last name: Ladas
Birthdate: January 4th, 1973
2. Housing - Cristina is very allergic to cats (so we need a cat free home to stay in - dogs are great). Also, we prefer to have our own room with private bath or nominally shared with our housing host(s), etc.
3. Food - Upon arrival we like to go grocery shopping so we can stock up on a few food/dietary supplies to help our weekend move more smoothly. We cover our own food expenses but ask that our hosts either allow some time for us to go out and get food (during workshop breaks) or provide a delivery service.
3.5 Food List - In some cases our hosts like to get food in advance for us. Here's a special list for those of you who are interested and willing to do so. Again this is not a mandatory request only an option if you so desire or if time is really limited for eating out.
For our dietary needs here's a list of things that we really like to eat or have around the house while we visit for the workshop weekend...
1. Oatmeal or Cereal with lots of fiber (organic raisin bran is great or otherwise)
2. Bananas and Apples (and maybe a few other fruits)
3. Yogurt (prefer low fat, organic kinds)
4. Bottled water (Cristina loves Figi water or Smart Water)
5. Salad Material (mixed greens, tomatoes, olive oil, balsamic, etc)
6. Eggs & Bacon (for Cristina)
7. A few energy bars (without chocolate - Homer recently quit eating chocolate and drinking caffeine but Cristina still loves to do both)
Again, we don't mind purchasing these things ourselves if you can bring us to the market (we like to shop at Whole Foods or similar organic store).
4. Sleep & Transition Time - We require 8 hours of sleep each night + 1 hour on either end for transition time. So factor in a 10 hour break (at a minimum) between drop-off and pick-up each workshop day for planning purposes.
5. Workshop Income - We normally work with a flat rate payment structure of between $200 to $300 per each hour of instruction. Sometimes we set up a minimum flat rate ($200/hr) + percentage bonus (50/50). This payment structure reduces an organizer's risk but ensures that we will make our minimum income. More rarely, we work from percentage only (80/20, etc).
The exact method of income will be determined based on event (we are willing to negotiate with organizers based on their requirements and limitations as well as ours).
6. Privates - As a result of extended travels we have reduced our private lesson work to conserve energy. To this end we usually set-up a waiting list and decide later if we can entertain any private students. In which case, our fee is $100/hr for either Cristina or me to work with one student or a couple.
7. Logistics - For weekend workshops, we prefer to arrive on Thursday and depart on the following Monday. A typical weekend workshop will consist of 1 class on Friday, 3 on Saturday, and 2 on Sunday.
8. Music Jam - Lately we've been offering a free music jam and would like to host this perhaps on Sunday afternoon (following the workshop classes) for 2 hours (getting other musicians and singers involved as well). Another option is to have extra 'jam rehearsals' (2 or 3) and have the jam band play a set of live music during one of the evening events.
9. DJ'ing - Homer enjoys dj'ing, as long as the work load is not too intense, and always adds at least 20% alternative to the mix. The dj rate is negotiable (but usually around $50/hr)
10. Improvised Milonga Demo's - Cristina and I prefer to demo on only one night. We can demo 1 to 3 songs and the base compensation is $100.
Hugs, Homer & Cristina ;)