Julie Friedgen was born Julieta Marta Maria del Pilar Francesconi-Sanchez. After a long, successful career as a television & film writer, Julie scaled back her career to open and operate The Tango Room Dance Center in Sherman Oaks, the first studio in Southern California dedicated to the Argentine Tango.
Julie and her husband, Angel Echeverria, host the popular Saturday night milonga El Encuentro at The Tango Room, which in July of 2018 celebrated its 1,000th edition. Over the years El Encuentro, considered the granddaddy of milongas, has been honored to welcome legendary dancers to perform – Miguel Angel Zotto and Daiana Guspero, Osvaldo Zotto and Lorena Ermocida, Gavito, Chicho Frumboli, Graciela Gonzalez, Julio Balmaceda, Fernanda Ghi and Guillermo Merlo, Geraldine Rojas & Ezequiel Paludi , Laila Rezk & Leandro Oliver, Daniel Juarez & Alejandra Armenti, to name only a few of the many revered dancers to grace its floor.
Julie and Angel have also produced such landmark tango events as “Hollywood meets Tango” at the iconic Hollywood Athletic Club in 2000; “Hollywood Confessions” in the historic church built by Bing Crosby and Bob Hope; the “Great Bandoneon of Buenos Aires” gala honoring the centennial of Anibal Troilo at the classic nightclub Florentine Gardens. In 2003 Julie and Angel produced the first of many annual galas celebrating the International Day of Tango and inaugurated the Carlos Gardel awards given to outstanding members of the Los Angeles tango community. Julie and Angel have performed in many shows, on many stages, festivals, and countless events.
In addition to the day-to-day running of The Tango Room and organizing El Encuentro, Julie’s enthusiasm reaches its peak every Tuesday and Thursday when she and Angel greet their students for class. Julie’s favorite moment is when she sees a student’s eyes light up when they really feel tango for the first time. Her goal in her classes is to give students the tools to experience that same delicious feeling again and again.
Contact: 818-981-6500 / [email protected]