Xmas Tango DJ's
Bärbel Rücker (Germany/United Kingdom)
Bärbel has been part of the tango scene since 1997 – first as a dancer, then a teacher, and since 2008 as a DJ. Over the years, she has played more than 600 sets in 110 cities across 23 countries.
She crafts her sets live, responding to the energy in the room. She often assembles tandas on the spot, allowing her to stay fully connected with the dancers and the flow of the evening.
Her deep connection to traditional tango music from the 1920s to 1950s, combined with a strong intuitive sense for the right moment, results in musical choices that truly resonate on the dance floor.
Bärbel’s joy in DJing is infectious. It uplifts the mood of the event and creates a unique, memorable atmosphere.
Olga Sannikova (Latvia/Ireland)Olga brings a rich background in classical music to the tango world. A professional musician by training, her journey into tango began in 1991 when she was captivated by the music of Astor Piazzolla. What started as a musical fascination gradually led her to the dance floor – and eventually to the DJ booth.
Over the years, Olga has played at tango events across Europe, earning appreciation for her musicality and sensitivity. Her deep knowledge of music and its history shines through in the tandas she crafts: grounded in tradition, rich in flow, and full of energy. She takes great pleasure in creating an inviting atmosphere where dancers feel both inspired and connected.
Wim Mestdagh (Belgium)Wim is a tango DJ active in Belgium, France, and Germany. With 28 years of experience as a tanguero and 21 years behind the DJ booth, he brings deep musical insight to the dance floor.
“My goal is to inspire dancers to start dancing – and to keep them dancing. Through the tandas I play, I aim to create a warm and dynamic atmosphere that keeps the energy flowing throughout the night.”
“My goal is to inspire dancers to start dancing – and to keep them dancing. Through the tandas I play, I aim to create a warm and dynamic atmosphere that keeps the energy flowing throughout the night.”
Anthony Cronin (Ireland)Anthony has been a tango DJ since 2007. His journey into music began long before he discovered tango — playing records in nightclubs and on radio during his student days in his hometown of Cork, Ireland. Since then, he has gone on to DJ at Marathons, Encuentros, and Tango Festivals both in Ireland and internationally, with an ever-growing list of countries to his name.
Well known on the tango circuit as both a dancer and a DJ, Anthony brings a dancer’s sensibility to his musical choices:
“Each set, I try to gently tell a story and keep the energy evolving throughout the night so that everyone is carried along. I want to live life to the fullest and laugh — and that’s what I try to bring to the dancers. Their smiles are what make it all a pleasure.”
Toine Straatman (Netherlands)Toine”-2-1″ has been playing tunes since the early 2000s — from local events to international stages! His musical choices are all about bringing continuous joy to the dancers, offering a rich variety of orchestras — lyrical, dynamic, and especially from the Época de Oro.
“As a DJ, my role is to inspire and interact with the energy of the dance floor, playing with its dynamic flow throughout the night.”
Jack Rombauts (Belgium)Organiser of Encuentro Boca Antwerp, Sélys Milonguero and X-mas at Embrace and Milonga Milonguero New Kwartier in Antwerp. In his 25 years as a tango dancer, he evolved towards the Milonguero style. He has been a DJ for over 17 years, playing music at milongas, festivals and encuentros all over Europe. He always chooses danceable energetic feel-good music from Golden Age orchestras and always in function of the dancers on the pista.