Traveling tango dancers slated

to give lessons throughout August

at the Indianola Clubhouse.

Earlier this year, Debra Gartin and her husband were vacationing in Buenos Aires, when they happened upon a couple dancing tango in the town plaza.

And it brought tears to Gartin’s eyes.

“Because that’s exactly what I wanted to see,” she said.

She and her husband indulged as a part of the small audience in the Plaza. They wound up talking with the couple after their performance, eventually becoming good friends with Julio Marino and Mirabai Derango, the Argentine tango dancers. They learned the duo were tango teachers by trade, Gartin said, and she and her husband took lessons from them almost every day remaining of their vacation.

The Gartins ended up going out to dinner with the couple while also getting a tour of the local tango hot spots and even being invited into the their homes. And now they are returning the favor.

Following a trip from Sweden to South Africa, Julio and Mirabai came to the American West Coast for the first time this summer, giving shows and lessons in San Francisco and Portland, Ore., during July.

“Since they’re only three hours away, they decided they’d come spend a month with us,” said Gartin, an Indianola resident.

During the couple’s month-long stay in North Kitsap, they’ll give authentic Argentine tango lessons and demonstrations, starting tonight, at the Indianola Clubhouse. Sessions Aug. 6, 10, 17, 20 and 24 at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. Cost is $25 per person, per session or $15 per person/per session for all five sessions.

For more information or to make a reservation, e-mail dsgartin@centurytel.net. Info: www.julioymirabai.com.