Back in 2010, a small group of tango friends and I joined forces to launch a tango festival in Los Angeles called SMITH. They wanted to give LA its own mark on the tango map, and as a dedicated dancer, tango instructor and tango community member, I poured my heart into it—volunteering for three years to support this vision. This volunteering experience taught me so much about what it takes as well as what work and what doesn’t when creating a large tango event and I am so grateful for this experience. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, the festival only lasted a short time, and when it faded, it left a noticeable gap in the local tango scene. 

    Around that time, I discovered a great dance space that inspired me to start my own milonga. It quickly became one of the favorite tango events in the community—but still, LA was missing a large-scale event like a marathon or festival. People would often suggest I start one, but having seen what it takes to create and sustain one, I kept saying “no way.”

    That gradually changed when I all of a sudden I stumbled on an idea sparked by the iconic surf film The Endless Summer. My husband—who just happened to be the attorney for Bruce Brown Films at that time —helped us get a licensing deal to use the concept. The metaphor was too perfect to ignore: just like surfers chasing the perfect wave, tango dancers are always searching for the perfect tanda, a quest that takes them all over the globe. That’s how The Endless Summer Tango Marathon was born. 

    We had fun recreating the famous poster, but with a tango twist—posing in our bathing suits on the sand, in tango embrace in place of surfer figures —and the brand took shape. 

    We had a great venue with a solid floor and (a true LA perk!) free parking. But the real secret sauce was my TEAM: an incredible group of passionate dedicated volunteers, comprised of brilliant engineers, HR managers, professional riggers and special effects pros by day and dancers by night, who believed in me and my vision. 

    From the start, we knew we didn’t just want people to dance—we wanted them to experience LA and enjoy SoCal culture. So we came up with some super-fun unique touches: a bonfire mixers, and pop-up tango flash mobs around the city and a closing beach milonga. These all-inclusive add ons became part of our signature, giving LASTM its unique, unforgettable vibe. 

    It took vision, courage, and a whole lot of hard work to bring this event to life—and even more to keep it going strong for over a decade. We are so proud to have celebrated a 10-year Anniversary of LA Summer Tango Marathon in 2024, making this the longest of its kind on the West Coast. 

    As life progressed, I decided to make a shift in my professional path, letting go of constantly putting on dance events and focusing on teaching and educating general public.  I knew I couldn’t let just LASTM fade away. It became one of the most beloved and cherished tango events in the US, and it deserved to continue growing.

    That’s when I thought of two longtime volunteers and dear friends—Charles Carrol and Irina Poliakova, organizers of Monterey Bay Tango. These two wonderful friends and colleagues were just perfect for the job. They shared the same passion, dedication, and love for tango. When they agreed to take the reins, I knew LASTM was in the best hands possible. 

    Now, as LASTM heads into its next chapter, I look back with gratitude and forward with hope and excitement. The heart of tango is connection, and this marathon was built with love, community, and a little bit of California sunshine. I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.