For those inspired by Immortal Tango, the hot new show running at Sadler’s Wells, you too can learn to dance the Argentine tango.

Tango is known as “the walking dance,” because of its basis in “caminata”, when the couple walk together in complete synchronicity with the leader either in front or to the left or right of the follower. Figures of eight, turns, hooks, leg whips, syncopation and adornments add flare and dynamics to the dance.

Tangolicious now has three classes running per week, including our new Chelsea class at a fantastic venue just off the King’s Road. We hope to see you there!

For those who haven’t yet visited Argentina, these are the delicious little cakes called “facturas” that are sold in the local bakeries or “panaderias” found every few blocks. They now cost about 4.50 pesos with a small discount for a dozen, though in 2006 they were only about 20 centavos each!

People eat them for breakfast, at tea-time or any time with mate, tea or coffee. Although, apart from the croissants or”medialunas”, they are quite heavy, with optional toppings and fillings of custard (crema inglesa), dulce de leche, a type of jam called “membrillo” or cream cheese, it’s so hot in summer that they are just the right snack to keep you going. Especially if you are going to be dancing tango at a milonga for 3 or 4 hours….

Regular Drop-In Class every Tuesday in Studio 3 (top floor) 7.00-8.30pm

£10 plus Danceworks membership fee

General Level Class

http://danceworks.net/teachers/jane-solomon/

My classes resumed last night at Chelsea Sports Centre and the schedule will continue as normal as per the details below. All classes are general level Drop-Ins so there is no need to book and you do not need a partner.

Thanks to my cover teacher, Janet Bar, who did a great job while I was away!

Tuesdays @ Danceworks, 7.00-8.30pm £10 plus DW membership fee at reception (16 Baderton Street, W1K 6 TN)

Thursdays@ Chelsea Sports Centre, Studio 2, 8.00-9.00pm 0 £7.50 first class, £10 per class when you pre-pay 5 or £15 per single class with the 6th class free (Chelsea Manor Street, SW3 5LP)

Fridays @ Dance Attic, 7.30-8.30pm – £6 plus DA membership fee at reception (368 North End Road, SW6 1LY)

Tonight’s class at Danceworks will focus on giros con sacadas (turns with displacements). We will be looking at both leaders’ and followers’ sacadas, to the foot and the leg, and how to incorporate these into the improvised dance.

Where: Danceworks, 16 Balderton Street, W1K 6TN (opposite Selfridges clock), nearest tube Bond Street or Oxford Circus

When: 7.00-8.30pm

Cost: £10 (plus membership fee at reception)

Friday Drop-In Class at Dance Attic, 368 North End Road, SW6 1LY

7.30-8.30pm. £6 plus membership fee at reception.

www.tangolicious.co.uk
http://www.tangolicious.wordpress.com
tango167@yahoo.co.uk / 07901551955

First Class Half Price!

Every Thursday, 8.00-9.00pm at Chelsea Sports Centre, Studio 2, Chelsea Manor Street, SW3 5PL (just off the King’s Road!)

Argentine Tango Drop-In Class for Beginners & Intermediates.

“This week we will be focussing on transitions, fluidity and punctuation. Step sequences to include paradas, sacadas and changes of direction.”

Every Tuesday @ Danceworks (16 Balderton Street W1K 6TN)
7.00-8.30pm, Studio 3
General Level Drop-In

“This week, in addition to technique & improvisation skills, we will be working on giros with sacadas!”
www.tangolicious.co.uk
tango167@yahoo.co.uk / 07901551955 (Jane)

…IT’S ALL ABOUT THE PIVOT.

A good pivot can transform your tango, making your response to the leader’s markings quicker and lighter. You will improve your connection to the dance floor as well as to your partner, creating leverage for better balanced side-steps and more controlled leg extensions. For the leader, an improved pivot can take your giros and ochos to another level, allowing you to guide your partner easily without having to resort to rowing of the arms.

Many leaders and followers are afraid to keep their weight forward on the balls of the feet because they think that they will balance better with weight on the heel, however this means that they cannot pivot properly as the heel acts as a brake. Some beginners even insist on keeping the weight on two feet which often causes them to set off on the wrong foot and means that they have a hard time pivoting. Often they even try to break up the pivot step into three steps!

Tips for a better pivot:

• push downwards into the floor to pivot rather than just thinking of turning. This improves grip and makes for smoother movement connected to the dance floor.
• Keep your thighs, knees and ankles pressed together to help you turn (when applicable). The outer foot can help the inner foot turn.
• make sure that in giros or turns you do not side step with an out-turned foot in order to shortcut the pivot required for the forward half-ocho (a small turning out of the toes is ok for aesthetics)
• Don’t forget to pivot before the backward ocho as, technique and aesthetics aside, you will also strain the knee of your supporting leg.
• The hips and the feet must work together for the pivot, in conjunction with the shoulders which need to compensate for the torsion by keeping aligned with those of the dance partner.
• Contrary to what some people believe, the movement for the pivot is not limited to the hips and below, there is also some torsion right up to the underarm when a wide angle such as for an ocho is required.
• As well as practising ochos, make sure to practise, 180 degree and even 360 degree pivots.
• Lastly, make sure you have the correct soles! Leather or suede is best, most rubber soles will be counter-productive (although some specialist dance shoes have rubber soles).

Here is an update of our current calendar which will not change until April:

• Tuesdays: Drop-in class at Danceworks from 7.00-8.30pm, 16 Balderton Street W1K6TN – £10 per class (6th class free) plus Danceworks membership fee at reception.
• Thursdays: New drop-in class at Chelsea Sports Centre, Studio 2 from 8.00-9.00pm, Chelsea Manor Street, SW35PL – FIRST CLASS HALF PRICE! £7.50 – £15 per class (6th class free) or only £10 when pre-paying for 5 classes. There is no membership fee at reception.
• Fridays: Drop-in class at Dance Attic from 7.30-8.30pm, 368 North End Road SW61LY – £6 per class (6th class free) plus Dance Attic membership fee at reception.
• All classes are drop-ins and open to all levels as the studios are large enough to integrate everyone.