What do sailors, Argentine tango dancers and musicians have in common? Passion for using their skills as a lifestyle, not just as an interest. With experience in a skill, comes poise. The poise of the sailor steering the boat close to the wind so the airflow is evenly balanced on each side of the sail. The poise of the tango follower on one stiletto heel, while her other leg wraps momentarily around the leg of her leader, without either of them losing balance. The poise of the Argentine bandoneon player, who handles the bellows of his instrument in a dance of poise over his lap, while his fingers perform intricate rhythmic passages.

On November 5th, 2106, Trifilio Trio performed for a private Milonga in the Starting Line Room at an amazing evening at the St. Francis Yacht Club.  Several sailing  yachts cruised into the St. Francis Yacht Club for the weekend from Berkeley Yacht Club, Los Angeles Yacht Club, and the International Yachting Fellowship of Rotarians-San Francisco Fleet.   This event was one of a series of events hosted that weekend by Karen Lile.  Emmanuel Trifilio Trio flew in from Washington DC to perform and 75 Argentine Tango Dancers from the San Francisco Bay Area danced to an evening of live music with DJ Michael Arntz playing during the band’s breaks.  Ben Unger was sound engineer and Mike Kofford, lighting designer.  Dancers, Diego Lanau and Lisette Perelle, gave a performance, including the Milonga featured in this short film by Blue Frog Productions.

Emmanuel Trifilio composed “La Holy Milonga” in honor of the Argentinian Pope’s visit to Washington DC, where Trifilio (from Argentina) now lives.