Supporters of Casa Argentina put on their best dancing shoes on October 13 and ventured to the International School of Louisiana to warm up for the Tango Celebration the following weekend at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts. Guests at the Tango Argentina Patron Party enjoyed fine Argentine wines, Latin tastes from well-known restaurants in the area including Baru, along with a silent auction featuring items such as Saints paraphernalia, hotel and dinner certificates, art, music by Fredy Omar and his band and, of course, plenty of dancing.
The Tango Celebration, which took place on October 15, is Casa Argentina’s biggest fundraiser of the year and proceeds earned in past years have been distributed to local, national and even international causes. This year, the celebration featured three couples that performed under the instruction of world-renowned choreographers Carolina Zokalski and Diego Di Falco. The talented choreographers were both part of the original cast in the Broadway production, Forever Tango, and were nominated for a Tony Award. Organizations that have reaped the benefits of the Tango Celebration include Make it Right Foundation, the Fishermen’s Fund, Second Harvest Food Bank and the American Red Cross.
Founded in 1982 to preserve Argentinean culture, Casa Argentina is a nonprofit organization that also focuses on the development of educational and philanthropic programs in the community and was recently the recipient of the Good citizen Award from Jefferson Parish Public Schools for it’s contributions to the education system.