Q: Who is Mandrágora? What is the Mandrágora Tango Orchestra?
A: Mandrágora is the name of the small tango ensemble founded by Bob Barnes in 2001. They consist of Accordion, Bass, Violin and Acoustic Guitar. The Mandrágora Tango Orchestra is a grander formation, consisting of 3 Violins, Cello, Bass, Piano and Accordion.
Q: What does the Mandrágora mean? Where does it come from? How do you pronounce it?
A: Mandragora is a common name for Mandragora officnarum, a poisonous plant more frequently known in English as a Mandrake. Botanically speaking, Mandragora is a member of the Nightshade family (Solanaceae). Before founding the band Mandrágora, Bob was in a psychedelic folk-rock band called "The Deadly Nightshade Family Singers". He wrote a tango for them called Mandragora. When Bob started the tango band, he named it after this tango. In 2002 or so, Mandrágora added an accent on the second "a" in a bit of orthographic trickery akin to the Heavy Metal Umlaut. The English word "Mandragora" is pronounced "man-dra-GOR-a", whereas the Spanish cognate is pronouced "man-DRA-gor-a". The band generally says "man-dra-GOR-a" when speaking in English. Mandragora is a perfectly valid, albeit obscure, English word. It is mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 30), the Harry Potter series ("Chamber of Secrets") and in Shakespeare:
Not poppy, nor mandragora,
Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world,
Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep
Which thou owedst yesterday.
Shakespeare: Othello, Act 3 Scene III
Check out the wikipedia entry on Mandrakes for more information on the magical and mystical mythology of the Mandragora plant.
Q: What does Mandrágora play?
A: We specialize in Tangos of all sorts, as well as waltzes, milongas, swing, and ballroom latin dance music. We play the most elegant seletion of dance music available in the Twin Cites.
Q: What is the difference between the two groups?
A: The small band plays in a more jazzy, soloistic manner while the orchestra plays arrangements in the style of the great Buenos Aires Tango bands of the 40s and 50s
Q: We have out-of-town guest who would love to hear a (polka, salsa, line dance, hora, etc...) Can you play one?
A: As professional musicians, we've been asked to play just about everything. We have a lot of non-tango songs available for these occasions!
Q: Do you play requests?
A: We are happy to learn a new song for your event. It can personalize your event and make good memories. Just bear in mind that most rock, pop and Christian contemporary music sounds kinda funny played instrumentally by a tango band.
Q: How much does Mandrágora Cost?
A: We're competitive with Twin Cities Bands of similar size. Prices vary by date, length, and the size of the group you want. Please call for a more specific quote.
Q: Do you play weddings?
A: Yes! We've played dozens of weddings and are quite experienced in making your special day flow without a hitch. You can check out our suggestions for wedding music at this page which has recordings of about 20 classical and tango pieces that are both unique and appropriate for weddings.
Q: Can you work with a wedding planner?
A: Yes and no. If a wedding is big enough to require a planner, it may be too complicated for our comfort zone. We are a tango band that focuses on playing danceable tango and unique, quirky background music. While we can work with an experienced, professional wedding planner, we prefer to work directly with the bride and groom. That way we will have fewer misunderstandings that a wedding planner can blame on the band.
Q: None of my guests can Tango. Do I have to dance?
A: No! Our music is just as enjoyable for listening. Many couples have hired us as cocktail/dinner music and had a DJ for contemporary dance music.
Q: Can you work with a DJ?
A: Yes! We do all the time.
Q: Can you provide DJ services?
A: We're glad you asked! We offer what we call Minimal DJ Services. If you just want CDs played at your event and don't want some kid asking "How's everybody doing?" every few minutes, we can save you some serious money. We can play your CDs or make a special mixed CD just for the occasion.
Q: Can you teach Tango? Can you demonstrate it?
A: We're usually too busy playing music to dance, but we can provide dance instructors and/or demonstration dancers.
Q: Do you have a CD?
A: Yes! It's called Mandrágora Plays Tangos and Sad Waltzes and you can get a demo copy by calling Bob for more details. You can also download some of our songs here
Q: Where & when can we hear you live?
A: We play a Tango Dance at the Loring Pasta Bar every Sunday night from 6 to 9PM. The Pasta Bar is at 327 14th. St. SE in Dinkytown, Minneapolis, MN
Q: Can you play in a smaller formation (i.e. as a trio or duo)?
A: We unfortunately regret that we can no longer play as a trio or duo. All of our music is arranged for 4 players and is not easily adapted for a smaller ensemble. If you absolutely need a smaller group for space reasons (i.e. a house party), we may be able to accommodate your needs, but the trio will have to do extra rehearsing beforehand. For this reason, the prices for a trio or duo are the same as for the whole quartet.
Q: What is the best way to harvest a Mandragora?
A: Mandragora roots are living creatures in the form of humans.
Always bear in mind that they shreik in pain
when torn from the earth and that if you hear this shriek, you risk deafness, madness or even death.
The best way to harvest a mandragora is also one of the oldest. These instuctions come from Joesphus
of Jerusalem from arround 60CE: A furrow must be dug around the root until its lower part is exposed, then a dog is tied to it, after which the person tying the dog must get away. The dog then endeavours to follow him, and so easily pulls up the root, but dies suddenly instead of his master. After this the root can be handled without fear.
A: Mandrágora is the name of the small tango ensemble founded by Bob Barnes in 2001. They consist of Accordion, Bass, Violin and Acoustic Guitar. The Mandrágora Tango Orchestra is a grander formation, consisting of 3 Violins, Cello, Bass, Piano and Accordion.
Q: What does the Mandrágora mean? Where does it come from? How do you pronounce it?
A: Mandragora is a common name for Mandragora officnarum, a poisonous plant more frequently known in English as a Mandrake. Botanically speaking, Mandragora is a member of the Nightshade family (Solanaceae). Before founding the band Mandrágora, Bob was in a psychedelic folk-rock band called "The Deadly Nightshade Family Singers". He wrote a tango for them called Mandragora. When Bob started the tango band, he named it after this tango. In 2002 or so, Mandrágora added an accent on the second "a" in a bit of orthographic trickery akin to the Heavy Metal Umlaut. The English word "Mandragora" is pronounced "man-dra-GOR-a", whereas the Spanish cognate is pronouced "man-DRA-gor-a". The band generally says "man-dra-GOR-a" when speaking in English. Mandragora is a perfectly valid, albeit obscure, English word. It is mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 30), the Harry Potter series ("Chamber of Secrets") and in Shakespeare:
Not poppy, nor mandragora,
Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world,
Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep
Which thou owedst yesterday.
Shakespeare: Othello, Act 3 Scene III
Check out the wikipedia entry on Mandrakes for more information on the magical and mystical mythology of the Mandragora plant.
Q: What does Mandrágora play?
A: We specialize in Tangos of all sorts, as well as waltzes, milongas, swing, and ballroom latin dance music. We play the most elegant seletion of dance music available in the Twin Cites.
Q: What is the difference between the two groups?
A: The small band plays in a more jazzy, soloistic manner while the orchestra plays arrangements in the style of the great Buenos Aires Tango bands of the 40s and 50s
Q: We have out-of-town guest who would love to hear a (polka, salsa, line dance, hora, etc...) Can you play one?
A: As professional musicians, we've been asked to play just about everything. We have a lot of non-tango songs available for these occasions!
Q: Do you play requests?
A: We are happy to learn a new song for your event. It can personalize your event and make good memories. Just bear in mind that most rock, pop and Christian contemporary music sounds kinda funny played instrumentally by a tango band.
Q: How much does Mandrágora Cost?
A: We're competitive with Twin Cities Bands of similar size. Prices vary by date, length, and the size of the group you want. Please call for a more specific quote.
Q: Do you play weddings?
A: Yes! We've played dozens of weddings and are quite experienced in making your special day flow without a hitch. You can check out our suggestions for wedding music at this page which has recordings of about 20 classical and tango pieces that are both unique and appropriate for weddings.
Q: Can you work with a wedding planner?
A: Yes and no. If a wedding is big enough to require a planner, it may be too complicated for our comfort zone. We are a tango band that focuses on playing danceable tango and unique, quirky background music. While we can work with an experienced, professional wedding planner, we prefer to work directly with the bride and groom. That way we will have fewer misunderstandings that a wedding planner can blame on the band.
Q: None of my guests can Tango. Do I have to dance?
A: No! Our music is just as enjoyable for listening. Many couples have hired us as cocktail/dinner music and had a DJ for contemporary dance music.
Q: Can you work with a DJ?
A: Yes! We do all the time.
Q: Can you provide DJ services?
A: We're glad you asked! We offer what we call Minimal DJ Services. If you just want CDs played at your event and don't want some kid asking "How's everybody doing?" every few minutes, we can save you some serious money. We can play your CDs or make a special mixed CD just for the occasion.
Q: Can you teach Tango? Can you demonstrate it?
A: We're usually too busy playing music to dance, but we can provide dance instructors and/or demonstration dancers.
Q: Do you have a CD?
A: Yes! It's called Mandrágora Plays Tangos and Sad Waltzes and you can get a demo copy by calling Bob for more details. You can also download some of our songs here
Q: Where & when can we hear you live?
A: We play a Tango Dance at the Loring Pasta Bar every Sunday night from 6 to 9PM. The Pasta Bar is at 327 14th. St. SE in Dinkytown, Minneapolis, MN
Q: Can you play in a smaller formation (i.e. as a trio or duo)?
A: We unfortunately regret that we can no longer play as a trio or duo. All of our music is arranged for 4 players and is not easily adapted for a smaller ensemble. If you absolutely need a smaller group for space reasons (i.e. a house party), we may be able to accommodate your needs, but the trio will have to do extra rehearsing beforehand. For this reason, the prices for a trio or duo are the same as for the whole quartet.
Q: What is the best way to harvest a Mandragora?
A: Mandragora roots are living creatures in the form of humans.
Always bear in mind that they shreik in pain
when torn from the earth and that if you hear this shriek, you risk deafness, madness or even death.
The best way to harvest a mandragora is also one of the oldest. These instuctions come from Joesphus
of Jerusalem from arround 60CE: A furrow must be dug around the root until its lower part is exposed, then a dog is tied to it, after which the person tying the dog must get away. The dog then endeavours to follow him, and so easily pulls up the root, but dies suddenly instead of his master. After this the root can be handled without fear.
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