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Tango Al Fresco 1998-9, 2001-2, 2004-5, 2007-10

In 1998, 80 dancers took part in London's first Tango Al Fresco. Regular park users found themselves mesmerized, applauding after each dance.

Since then, there have been 23 Tango Al Fresco events. Attendance has swelled to an average of 300 dancers for each event. The weather has been mixed, from bright sunshine and blazing heat (one couple was spotted eating ice cream cones while tango-ing), to grey skies, slow drizzle and even brief deluges, prompting tangueros to dance while wearing raincoats and holding umbrellas.

Tango Al Fresco has been graced with wonderful professional demonstrations over the years. London-based couples have included Jill Barrett & Leroy Tango Cat, Strictly Come Dancing's Vincent Simone & Flavia Cacace, Kicca & Cesar, Mina & Giraldo, Leonardo & Bridgit, David Benitez & Kim Schwartz, Rene & Hiba, and Bianca. Overseas dancers have included 2006 Tango Mundial Champions Carlos Paredes & Diana Giraldo, "Tanguera" star Junior Cervila & Natalia Royo, Bruno Tombari & Marie Angelis Caamano, Sebastian & Mariana, Lionel Wirz & Lia Jeker, and veteran milongero Ricardo Vidort (partnered by Jill Barrett).

DJs have included Jill Barrett, David Lurie and Kele Baker, but for the last few years the music has been played by Nikki Preddy and Tony Walker.

Occasionally there has been live music, including solo performances by Karl Sandeman (accordion) and singer Oscar Moret (2005), as well as performances by tango groups Los Mareados (2005) and Tango Volcano (2005).

In November 2001, Kele and Tango Al Fresco were honoured by having an official tree planting along the side of the London Zoo (see Tree Planting 2001). And in 2007 Kele was invited to a reception at 10 Downing Street, in honour of the anniversary of The Royal Parks Foundation (see 10 Downing Street Reception).

In 1999 Royal Ballet principal dancer Deborah Bull attended Tango Al Fresco. She participated in the beginner's lesson - she was having her first tango lesson as part of the BBC series Travels With My Tutu.

The Broadwalk Ballroom 2005, 2007-10

In 2005, the acquisition of a dance floor meant that ballroom dancing could be added to the Al Fresco calendar. Ballroom and Latin dancers from all over the south of England, as well as university dancers from Imperial College, Cambridge, Oxford, Bath, Bristol and even Leeds, now join London dancers on Saturday afternoons. Even occasional (or persistent) rain showers don't dampen the energy and enthusiasm for outdoor ballroom dancing.

The main DJ for The Broadwalk Ballroom Jacky Logan of Jacky's Jukebox. But when Jacky isn't available, we enjoy music by Wendy Glaze of Waltzing With Hilda and Toto's.

There have been performances by some of the nation's leading dance couples, including Lindy Hop specialists Paul & Natasha from Strictly Dance Fever, Strictly Come Dancing's Andrew Cuerden & Hanna Haarala, top UK amateur ten-dancers Danny Stowell & Kate Moore, and Portuguese champions Carlos Custodio & Elena Plescenco. The Broadwalk Ballroom was graced by an appearance from new dancer and Olympic Gold Medal heptathlete Denise Lewis, who spoke of her positive experience on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, and introduced the demonstration by "her partner" Ian Waite with his professional partner Camilla Dallerup.

Tango Al Fresco Malta 1999

Tango Al Fresco went off-shore for the first time in September 1999, arranging a tango dinner dance at the palatial five-star Le Meridien Phoenicia Hotel on the beautiful Mediterranean island of Malta. The evening benefited The Gaia Foundation, a local environmental organisation with the specific aim of managing sensitive areas that make up an important part of Malta's natural heritage.

Eric Jorrisen of Tango El Corte joined us for the evening. He was in Malta giving a week of tango workshops for Isla Del Tango, Malta's local tango society.