Dance me to the end of love — and laughter

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This article was published 13/02/2017 (3491 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

RED HOT VALENTINE’S IDEA: The big day is Tuesday! Still have no ideas? Present your love with a rose, the DVD Scent of a Woman (with the sizzling Al Pacino tango scene) and tickets to Saturday night’s Valentine Milonga tango show with award-winning dancers Roxana and Fabian Belmonte, live music and dancing for everyone at Sana, 387 Graham Ave. (The popular soup house will be transformed into a dance-party venue for the evening.)

“It’s primarily a tango milango but with salsa performers and Latin performances from other major groups in the local Latin community,” Sana owner Andre Dabrowski says.

The starring Belmontes are the real deal. They hail from Buenos Aires — the birthplace of the tango — and say they were “born with their hearts beating to the rhythm.”

The party runs from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tickets are $25. Call Sana at 204-942-2854 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. weekdays and between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday for information.

If you’re into tango, this public event is part of a big tango workshop held the same weekend. You can register for that by emailing Philbert at philbertfurere@yahoo.ca.

MICHAEL KOSTA: Some romances thrive on humour. The acerbic Michael Kosta — some have called him “too cocky onstage” (such as his mother, for instance) — plays Rumor’s Comedy Club during Valentine’s week, Feb. 14-18, with a special sweethearts’ menu. It’s a hot ticket, so don’t hesitate. For tickets ($15-$20) call 204-488-4520.

ATTIRE TO INSPIRE: The Society for Manitobans with Disabilities fundraising fashion show Passion for Fashion drew a fun-loving crowd Feb. 6.

The soirée at the Manitoba Hydro Building opened with a cocktail party and board chair Gail Smidt welcoming attendees. Tracey Adam paid tribute to her mom, Mea Adam of Daddy’s Girl boutique at Piazza De Nardi, who produced many dozens of fashion shows and did a lot of work for the society prior to her death in June.

Lawyer Maria Mitousis, the victim of a 2015 bombing in which she lost her hand, was one of the models; friends Raquel Godin and Carolyn Lindner — both of whom are double-leg amputees and who wore fashionable black walk-assist boots (Godin’s were trimmed in fur) — cheered from the sidelines.

Spotted among those strutting the raised ramp: CBC Radio’s Trevor Dineen, Shaw-TV’s Tracy Koga, CTV’s Terri Apostle, James Bond wannabe Drew Kozub from KISS 102.3, petite politico Judy Wasylycia-Leis and CJOB’s Shadoe Davis. KISS’s Nesta Matthews and Bachelorette contestant (and firefighter) Mike Ogilvie co-hosted the show.

O WHAT A NIGHT: The Alzheimer Society of Manitoba’s A Night To Remember in Hawaii Gala at the RBC Convention Centre Feb. 9 sizzled from the first moment. Island Breeze — an entertainment troupe including a four-man live band, dancers and singers in Hawaiian hula costumes — greeted attendees. The beat of the drums blasted everybody out of work mode. The cocktail area was transformed with tiki huts, and a photo booth with beach props.

Even host Ace Burpee was wiping away tears after listening to speaker Tannis Ehinger discuss her mother’s experience with early-onset dementia.

SPOTTED: Zachary and Chris Derksen of Derksen Plumbing and Heating; Brad Mason of DMS Industrial Construction; Terry Henry of Wescan Electrical Mechanical Services; Tur Faysal of South Beach Casino and Resort; Ken Giesbrecht of City Press; and Qualico’s Adele Kozyniak. Also making the scene: John Bockstael of Bockstael Construction; CBC’s Dave Geddes; Ray Bisson of the FWS Group of Companies; Paul Schiminowski of E.H. Price; Elden Wittmier from Lawton Partners; Neil Carlson of Carlson Commercial Industrial Services; Charles Henair of Great-West Life and Shannon Sampert, perspectives and politics editor for the Winnipeg Free Press.

SEMPLE RULES THE PARK: Stellar guitar player and singer-songwriter Jack Semple and his band rocked a full house Feb. 9 at the Park Theatre. The Regina-based recording artist, who plays Canadian and U.S. dates regularly, had people dancing in their seats with many of the favourite numbers from his CDs.

Bass player Dave Chabot and drummer Marty Blonski performed along with Semple and wowed a three-generation crowd.

Got tips? Cool events happening in your world? Rubbing shoulders with stars? Email Maureen’s tips mscurf@shaw.ca.