Ricardo Vidort

Ricardo Vidort was a tango dancer whose birth date is recorded as 30 August 1929 ^[2]. A memorial post published after his death gives his life span as 1929 to 2006 ^[1].

By his own account, reprinted from El Once Tango News, he was dancing in the salons by his mid-teens. He said he first felt what he called the 'milonguero feeling' around 1944 or 1945 ^[3]. In December 2003 he marked 60 years of tango at Lo de Celia, and in the same period he was filmed at the Confitería Ideal ^[3].

From 2003 his writings appeared in the London publication El Once Tango News, in its winter 2003/04 issue and in 2004 ^[4]. He taught in London, hosted by Jill Barrett, and later taught with Liz Haight in Santa Fe and at the Denver tango festival ^[5]. A partner listing names several dancers with whom he danced ^[6]. He died of cancer in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on 21 May 2006 ^[1].

Early years in the salons

Vidort was born on 30 August 1929 ^[2]. In his own account he described dancing in the salons by his mid-teens, and he dated his first experience of the 'milonguero feeling' to around 1944–45 ^[3].

Anniversary and filming in Buenos Aires

In December 2003 Vidort celebrated 60 years of tango at Lo de Celia ^[3]. Around the same time he was filmed at the Confitería Ideal ^[3]. The account of this anniversary comes from a text of his reprinted from the December 2003 issue of El Once Tango News ^[3].

Writings

Vidort's writings began to appear in El Once Tango News in London, in its winter 2003/04 issue and during 2004 ^[4]. One of these texts was later republished under the title "What does it mean to be a milonguero?" ^[4]. Another, reprinted as "Ricardo Vidort — in his own words", gives his own description of his early years in the salons ^[3].

Teaching

Vidort taught tango in London, where Jill Barrett hosted him. He was filmed dancing with her in August 2004 ^[5].

He later taught with Liz Haight, both in Santa Fe and at the Denver tango festival ^[5]. A source about the women with whom he taught gives the date of this work as 2005 ^[5].

Dance partners

A partner listing names the following dancers in connection with Vidort ^[6]:

- Myriam Pincen ^[6] - Vilma Martinez ^[6] - Jessica Grumberg ^[6] - Anna Maria Ferrara ^[6] - Liz Haight ^[6] - Muma Valino ^[6] - Alejandra Todaro ^[6] - Jill Barrett ^[6] - a dancer listed as "Olivia perform" ^[6] - Osvaldo Cartery ^[6]

The listing gives no dates or context for these partnerships ^[6]. Other sources state that Vidort taught with two of these dancers, Jill Barrett and Liz Haight ^[5].

Death

Vidort died of cancer in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on 21 May 2006 ^[1]. A memorial post titled "Ricardo Vidort RIP - 1929-2006" recorded his death ^[1].