18 North Shore Towers Courier n June 2013 Nelson Avila & Madalyn Klein: “It Takes Two to Tango” These lyrics were made popular when recorded by Pearl Bailey in 1952 and went on to become worldfamous. For Madalyn Klein and Nelson Avila it truly took the tango to fire their feelings of romance. Their love story is one that traverses four continents. Growing up in totally different cultures and countries, they fell in love in New York. Avila was born and raised on the pampas of Argentina among gauchos, including his father. Klein grew up in Queens. She was a teacher in the Herricks School District and after teaching for 34 years, loves her life with her husband. Avila began dancing and performing Argentine Folklore at the age of nine. By the time he was 18, this tall, broad shouldered young man began his professional career in Buenos Aires dazzling audiences in theater, television and cinema. Avila and his partner Nelida Rodriguez became the famous world class couple Nelida and Nelson. Avila produced, choreographed and starred in his own World Class Tango Shows. He was a star in the Broadway hit “Tango Argentino,” the show that changed Tango forever. From its smash success in Paris in 1983, and for almost two decades “Tango Argentino” received rave reviews in Europe, Japan, Latin America as well as in 59 U.S. cities. In 2004, Nelson completed an international tour with the hit show “Forever Tango”. He has danced for the British Royal family, and not only taught Robert Duval, but was best man at his wedding. Other famous students include: Rita Moreno, Sharon Stone, and Anthony Quinn. He also taught the tango to Al Pacino’s choreographer in the movie, “Scent of a Woman,” and had a cameo performance in the film “Tango Bar” with Raul Julia in 1988. Klein met Avila in New York City in 1988 while he was performing in local clubs and teaching classes. “Nelson was one of my first Tango teachers. I was already dancing and performing Ballroom and Tango, and was a devoted student of Argentine Tango. I followed his career as a student and friend for many years. In 1991, I went to see the show “Tango Argentino” in London. I was mesmerized by the beauty and sensuality of the Argentine Tango and Nelson’s incredible charm and powerful dancing. I saw the show 11 times! Nelson is a true showman!” In 2004, Klein and Avila met again in New York at a Milonga, a place to dance Tango. “It was fate, because we had not been in touch for many years. And we were each coaxed by a friend to come out dancing that night in April, nine years ago.” They were we were married in 2006 and enjoy the wonderful lifestyle and friends at NST. Klein continues her study of Ballet and Jazz in Manhattan and continually works on Tango. Recently she was hired as a dance teacher in Residence at the Philosophy Day School in Manhattan and the Westbury Friends School teaching children American and English Country Dancing. She loves teaching couples to dance for their weddings and her very own dance movement exercise: “JazzTango.” Avila and Klein teach and perform Avila’s Classic Argentine Tango. They have a wonderful following of both amateur and professional students. Nelson continues to create wonderful shows and choreographies. They perform at many community events, fundraisers, museums, colleges and for Tango communities and festivals. Last October, Avila was honored for his great contribution to Argentine Tango at the “Red Carpet Tango Festival” in Las Vegas. Avila will again be the honorary judge this summer at the New York Tango Festival Competition in Manhattan and they will again host a most glorious night of Tango and Ballroom at the Vanderbilt Museum on Saturday evening July 20 from 6:30 to10:30 p.m. In addition to Avila’s great talent as a Tango star and folkloric dancer, he found a new, compelling passion playing pool. It all began with Klein’s brother Arthur, an avid pool player who has his own pool table in his apartment. Every time they visited, her brother would give Avila tips and advice about the game and they began to play a few rounds. Avila then began to play in the Towers’ Billiards Room. Avila’s determination has led to many fine improvements: the pool table has a new felt top, new cue sticks, balls were ordered and the room has been cleaned and is well maintained. Due to Avila’s perseverance, a very necessary cold water dispenser has been installed so the players do not have to walk all the way to the locker rooms for water. The players who get together regularly enjoy this game immensely. Everyone is happy with the continued improvements and care which makes playing a more enjoyable experience for all. While Klein and Avila have had the honor to perform at the NST in the past, you can see this talented couple dancing most Sundays from noon to 3:00 p.m. at the wonderful Argentine Restaurant, “Cafe Buenos Aires” at 23 Wall Street, in Huntington. Enjoy a reasonably priced brunch and watch these two share their love of Tango....the dance of love. Takes two to tango, two to tango Two to really get the feeling of romance. By FRED CHERNOW
NST062013
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