TDJs of Locura Tanguera 2025
Beata Darkiwicz – Sopot (PL)
Beata Darkowicz, known to many as Beba, pours her passion into DJing—an art that grew out of her love for music and dance. Her sets blend flowing, lyrical melodies with bursts of energy that can light up the entire dancefloor. For her, music and movement are tools for telling stories without words, where rhythm and sound speak through emotion. She loves watching people on the dancefloor and draws inspiration from their movements to her music. What brings her the most joy is seeing dancers smile and feeling the shared vibe of a great night out.
Vlado Stolár – Bratislava (SK)
I am a DJ and instructor for whom music is the heart of every milonga and every class. My passion for music was born in my teenage years, when I played as a DJ at high-school parties. Since then, I’ve been fascinated by how the right selection of songs can create a unique atmosphere and bring people together on the dance floor.
As a DJ, I make sure that the songs harmonize not only within a single tanda but also with the overall flow of the evening. My goal is to create a natural and seamless musical arc that guides dancers through energy, softness, and emotion. I am especially drawn to the music of the Golden Age, which carries elegance, passion, and a timeless character.
I teach tango and DJ at milongas with great joy. I believe that tango is a dialogue—between partners and between the music and the dance—and I am grateful to be a part of it.
Marcin Darkowicz – Sopot (PL)
Marcin suggests a musical repertoire that reflects his personal preferences. He believes that each tanda should be consistent in mood and fit seamlessly into the overall flow. In his view, just as emotions rise and fall, tandas should gradually build the atmosphere, as these changes create a cohesive narrative for each event; he therefore offers a kaleidoscope of diverse musical experiences, including slow, fast, joyful, nostalgic, rhythmic, and lyrical tangos.
Additionally, he values the pleasure of engaging with high-quality music and seeks out new musical inspirations.
La Estrella – Pszów (PL)
A life without music is like a sky without stars. La Estrella can’t imagine a milonga without at least one tanda by Pugliese or his contemporary worthy successors, such as Fabio Hager Sexteto. In doing so, she does not limit herself to traditional tango, eagerly reaching for nuevo or alternative. When choosing tandas, she tries to make sure everyone finds the sounds that are most beautiful to them, and she creates the mood on the dance floor in real time. The ideal dance is when the body becomes the instrument through which the music expresses itself in a multi-dimensional space, often to the point of fainting from ecstasy
Andrzej Mantaj – Bydgoszcz (PL)
I don’t like scratchy music. I attach great importance to good quality music. I prefer tango played live, so that’s the atmosphere I try to create at the milonga. The music at the 1930s milongas didn’t crackle, the orchestras and their instruments sounded so good that it’s hard for me to convey their sound. It’s not the age or style of the music that inspires us to dance, but the energy it contains. I like the changing rhythm, the multi-layered nature of the pieces, the contrasting interpretations, the tension, the pauses and the dynamic highlights.
Oktawian Grochowski – Bydgoszcz (PL)
Everything is tango, as long as we have the courage—I believe that tango is a universal dance and can be danced to (almost) any kind of music. When creating my playlists, I try to strike a balance between offering dancers new musical experiences and respecting tango tradition. At my milongas, you can hear the entire musical spectrum—from classic tango through contemporary tango orchestras, film music, rock, and electronic music, all the way to video game soundtracks.
El Buzo – Malmö (SE)
My love for tango radiates through in the music I select. This passion likely drives me to keep exploring new and old tracks, always finding the perfect tanda to keep dancers inspired. My knowledge of tango music is expanding, from classic to contemporary, which enables me to craft sets that resonate with the crowd. I am said to have a knack for reading the room and sensing the emotional pulse of the dancers. It helps to pick tracks that can elevate the energy when it dips or calm things down when it’s too high. I always try to maintain the perfect balance. Top-notch sound quality is not to be compromised. I’m always well-prepared, punctual, and ready to create a fantastic atmosphere.
Photgrapher of Locura Tanguera 2025
Silvia Mantaj – Bydgoszcz (PL)
I love capturing the beauty of the emotions playing across people’s faces when they are happy, content, delighted, and completely immersed in their tango. I love smiles frozen in time. I want my photographs capture the beauty of the moment as I saw it. If, when looking at a photo, you think, “That was a beautiful tanda”, then my mission has been accomplished.
