He uses the following exchange from the first presidential debate between Al Gore and George Bush in 2000 to illustrate the perils of trying to explain to voters what will make them better off:

Gore: “Under the governor’s plan, if you kept the same fee for service that you have now under Medicare, your premiums would go up by between 18% and 47%, and that is the study of the Congressional plan that he’s modelled his proposal on by the Medicare actuaries.”

Bush: “Look, this is a man who has great numbers. He talks about numbers. I’m beginning to think not only did he invent the internet, but he invented the calculator. It’s fuzzy math. It’s trying to scare people in the voting booth.”

Mr Gore was talking sense and Mr Bush nonsense – but Mr Bush won the debate. With statistics, the voters just hear a patronising policy wonk, and switch off. For Mr Westen, stories always trump statistics, which means the politician with the best stories is going to win.

While in Singapore he will mainly be doing private lessons, but there will also be 5 intensive group seminars spread over two weekends.  Each 2-hr session is $40, or take all 5 for $175.  To find out more, contact Philo at 96303613 or email wphilo@yahoo.com.  p.s. If you miss his gig in Singapore you can still catch him in Jakarta the following week.

To Friends of TangoSingapore :

Here’s wishing you a wonderful year ahead full of joy and happiness, with lots of fantastic dancing and great times with old and new friends.

Don’t forget 2009 is the 10th anniversary of TangoSingapore.   With your support we have made it this far — you can look forward to even more ambitious Tango programs as we enter the second decade.

See you on the dance floor soon!

                                abrazos "hugs" and besos "kisses"
                                Kace and May
                                31.dec.2008

Xenbar will start weekly milonga on Tuesdays from January

Thu 15/Jan is the next mid-week Milonga at Bobby’s.

Alejandra Martinen & Gregorio Garrido, Roberto Castillo & Julieta Biscione are all going to be featured in Bangkok next month.   Alejandra and Gregorio are visiting Thailand to perform for Tangoxposed, an annual art-and-music party event that moves between cities.  7-9/nov.  http://tangoxposed.com/  Roberto and Julieta have been in the country for past 2 months as the featured visiting teachers with Tango Bangkok.  They teach classes every Thu and Sat. http://tangobangkok.com/

• Thu 9 Oct – Latin Fever
• Sat 10 Oct – Bollywood Boogie
• Sun 11 Oct – Arabian Nights
• Mon 12 Oct – Swing Along
• Sat 17 Oct – Hip Hop Jam
• Sun 18 Oct – Get in Line
• Mon 19 Oct – Strictly Ballroom

Need a getaway from Singapore?  Places you can tango in the next few weeks:

• Kuala Lumpur – oct 8-12 – Nazareno and Mariana (Uruguay)http://tangomalaysia.com
• Beijing – oct 9-19 – Pablo and Noelia (Argentina)http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TangoRen/message/723  
• Bangkok – nov 7-9 – Alejandra Martinen and Gregorio Garrido (Argentina)http://tangoxposed.com

Not strictly tango-related (although Argentina sends a delegation every year, it’s their main business link with Singapore) — Wine For Asia exhibition 16-18/oct at Suntec Singapore.  Not just an event for people who trade in wine, it also tries to draw F&B directors, importers, collectors, sommeliers, hospitality organisers, even health and wellness practitioners.

Interestingly this game will also include folk dances and Tango.  The tango events are sponsored by Argentina, and the winners are guaranteed wildcard entry to next year’s World Championship in BsAs.  If you are in Busan you can buy tickets to the events on 27-29/Sep at the Busan Cultural Center, and watch 104 dancers  from 27 countries.  http://english.trex2008.co.kr/bbs/view.php?board_id=jongmok&no=67

Uruguay’s pfficial entry are the couple Nazareno and Mariana, and after the games they will fly to Kuala Lumpur to conduct workshops and perform at the gala milonga on Sat 11/Oct, at the Royal Selangor Golf Club.  http://tangomalaysia.com

• Sat 16/aug.  German pianist Georgi Mundrov @ Esplanade recital studio. Program includes tangos by Albeniz and Salgan. concert info
• Wed 20/aug. Esplanade free concert in the concourse 7.15pm and 8.15pm -"Tango2Night" – Lester Kong on violin, Seno Aji on guitar, plus guest dancers.  concert info
• Mon 25/aug. Andra Lunde Padricelli, SSO’s guest cellist, presents "Virtuosi Magnifici" concert at Jubilee Hall. Program includes Piazzolla’s "Le Grand Tango" concert info
• Sun 31/aug. The Fritz Quartet(http://www.fritzquartet.com) on stage at Nike+ Human Race 10K free concert on Sun 31/aug, Padang: race info
  Video of their tango: youtube

SINGAPORE:  Aug 29-31 Visiting Instructor Margarita Klurfan & Walter Cardozo from Argentina @ Xenbar.  See http://www.singaporetangofiesta.com

Since the old proverb says "if we cannot get the mountain to come to Mohammad then Mohammad must go to the mountain", we have decided to create a new social night that will be easy for dancers of diverse background, but still provide a window to expose them to good tango.  Hence, Latin Puente — Puente in Spanish means a ‘bridge’ to join two sides of a river. 

This new social dancing night is organised specially for people who prefer to spend an evening doing more of the familiar rhythms they already knew, and just enough Argentine Tangos for balance and relaxation. This is also perfect if you want to spend a dance night together with friends who are not yet into tango.

Abrazos has spacious and informal seating for 70 people, and – unlike the formal dance clubs in Chijmes — we do not have dress codes and welcome both young and old.  The play mix will be around 1/4 tangos, 1/4 latin/salsa, 1/4 ballroom, and 1/4 social and rock’n'roll (let the DJ know what you like).   Abrazos is mostly self-service, and you can pack along your own dinner if you intend to dance till late. (Attached: Map of the public parking available around Abrazos). Buses: 51, 64, 186 along Ganges Avenue. Nearest MRT: Tiong Bahru or Orchard (free shuttle to Great World City).

Latin Puente Parties (featuring ballroom, latin, Argentine Tango) Flyer and Map: http://abrazosclub.com/puente

Fortnightly on Mondays:   (launch) 11/aug, 25/aug, 8/sep, 22/sep

Official time: 8.45pm-1.15am
$20 entry includes soft drink+snacks
$15 corkage BYO alcohol (waived for Abrazos students).

Launch special on 11/aug

• start dancing early from 7.45pm
• professional ballroom DJ (sponsored by tangueros Irene and James)
• complimentary glass of Argentine wine