Happy New Year, Modesto tangueros: No classes in Modesto last Saturda or next, so we must get our tango fixes elsewhere. See you, Sean & Charity January 10.
The following article on tango etiquette was on Tango-L this week; those going out of town for a milonga pay attention.
Tango in Argentina takes more than a command of the steps and some semblance of rhythm. You also should understand the subtle signals that regulate tango hall life where tradition still rules. One misstep, and you may kiss finding a partner good-bye. The golden rule of tango: the less chitchat, the better.
Partnering
The man always invites the woman to dance, but not verbally. He tries to catch her eye from across the room and nods, a move called a cabeceo. This allows a woman to avoid a man she doesn't want to dance with and saves the fragile male ego from being turned down publicly. "Some even consider it a faux pas to walk to a woman's table when she is not looking at you," says Buenos Aires dancer and instructor Julio Balmaceda.
Switching
If a woman accepts a cabeceo with a nod or a smile, they meet on the dance floor. A tango at a milonga is essentially a 12- minute date -- pairs usually start dancing at the beginning of a three-to-four-song set called a tanda and switch partners during the musical interludes that separate the sets. Breaking off a dance in the middle of a tanda is considered an insult. A pair dancing together for three tandas in a row proclaim themselves off-limits to other prospective partners."Unless you want to dance with the woman you came with all night, you have to make signals to other men that it's all right to ask her to dance -- by dancing with other women yourself or sitting at separate tables, for example," says Marina Palmer, author of "Kiss & Tango: Diary of a Dancehall Seductress."
Dressing
Sneakers and jeans are acceptable at some informal dance halls, but at traditional milongas men wear suits and dress shoes, women clingy dresses and spike heels. "People with beat-up shoes don't get asked to dance -- it's similar to smelling bad or having stained clothes," says Alicia Muñiz, co-owner of the Buenos Aires tango shoe store Comme Il Faut.
Traffic Rules
In sharing tight spaces,, collisions are inevitable -- especially if men go against code and lead partners the wrong way (the right way is counterclockwise). Accidents happen also when men lead into showy kicks or spins -- a crowded milonga no-no. If two couples bump into each other, the man who caused the collision is expected to extend a verbal apology to the offended couple. But the golden rule of tango is the less chitchat, the better. "If you or your partner makes a mistake, stumbles, or steps on the other's toes, try to ignore it and go on as if nothing happened," says Marina Palmer, author of "Kiss and Tango". "The idea is to hang on to the moment and the intense communion between two dancing souls. Apologizing too much breaks the spell."
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In January we add 15- minute practicas to the beginner class and start the intermediates at 12:15. We will have another practica from 1:15 to 2 p.m.
In preparation for our weekend with Caroline & Christopher at the end of January, we have a video. It is in our on-line flier for our workshops with them.
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK
MONDAY - Tonight, Dec. 29 & Jan. 5, Social dancing and practica at Jacobs, 8 p.m., 2501 McHenry Avenue. A good place to practice class material. No fee, but you are urged to order food and/or drink off the menu. Some go early to eat.
SATURDAY -January 3 - NO CLASSES at Modesto Fitness and Racquet Club, 200 Norwegian Avenue. - Holiday break
Normally: . 11 a.m. Beginner level,
$12 per class. Practica only $5.
Classes will resume on January 10 with Sean & Charity.
One-time introductory packages of nine beginner level lessons for $75 available.
http://modestotango.googlepages.com/
Modesto Tango is a non-profit association of tango aficionados dedicated to sharing the artistic, cultural and social aspects of Argentine Tango in Stanislaus County. To discontinue this bulletin go to <http://groups.google.com/ group/Modesto- Tango/subscribe>
OUT OF TOWN: Some have expressed interest in these. To carpool call 522-1571
One-time introductory packages of nine beginner level lessons for $75 available.
http://modestotango.googlepages.com/
Modesto Tango is a non-profit association of tango aficionados dedicated to sharing the artistic, cultural and social aspects of Argentine Tango in Stanislaus County. To discontinue this bulletin go to <http://groups.google.com/ group/Modesto- Tango/subscribe>
OUT OF TOWN: Some have expressed interest in these. To carpool call 522-1571
TUESDAY
Roseville Dance - 3992 Foothills Blvd. Ste 175, Roseville, 6:30-7:30 (intermediate),
Roseville Dance - 3992 Foothills Blvd. Ste 175, Roseville, 6:30-7:30 (intermediate),
7:31 to 8:31 (advanced) Rita Yanson and Paul Wheeler teaching
Focusing on specific aspects of Tango, Valz, and Milonga
there is limited space and smaller classes to give more individual attention.
Focusing on specific aspects of Tango, Valz, and Milonga
there is limited space and smaller classes to give more individual attention.
Pricing is based on the length of time purchased so 12 week cards are more cost effective than four-week cards which are still very reasonable.
Emeryville, Allegro Ballroom. 5855 Christie Ave., Diego & Negracha filling in for Nora & Ed, who will be in Buenos Aires for the holidays.
7:30 -8:30 p.m.: Beginner Level $12
8:30-9:30 p.m.: Intermediate Level $12
9:30-10:30 p.m.: Practica $6 (Free with class)
Berkeley: At The Finnish Hall, 1970 Chestnut St., Sean & Charity teaching.
6:30 - 8 p.m. Jan 6 - Feb 24 ; 8 week beginning close-embrace series limit 30 students, register by Jan 3: $75
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8-9:30 p.m. Jan 6 - Jan 27
Intermediate 4 week series: overturned ochos and back sacadas
limit 20 students, registration deadline Jan 3; $35
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8-9:30 p.m. Feb 3 - Feb 24
Intermediate 4 week series: ganchos and leg wraps
limit 20 students, registration deadline Jan 31: $35
WEDNESDAY
Sacramento
At Spotlight Center for the Arts, 2534 Industrial Blvd., Ste 150, West Sacramento. Emily Trites teaches Introductory Tango 6:30-7:15 p.m, Beginning/Intermediate Tango 7:15-8 p.m
At Step One, 1920 T Street 8:30-10:15 p.m. Taking a break for New Years Eve. Will resume January 7. "La Práctica" with Mike & Alisa. This práctica is for ALL levels and beginners are always welcome.
THURSDAY
Sacramento
at Firehouse 5: 2014 9th St
Tango Explorations with Chris Peake & Michelle Gorre
EVERY Thursday starting JANUARY 1, 2009!
6:30 PM - Beginning Tango
7:30 PM - Continuing Tango
8:30 PM - Open Practica
$35 Month / $10 Drop-in / $3 Practica (FREE with Class!)
SUNDAY
Emeryville:
The Allegro Ballroom, 5855 Christie Ave., Emeryville
4 Week Progressive Beginner's Lesson: 2-3 p.m., $12
Int/Adv Lesson: 3-4 p.m., $12
Theme of the Month: Enrosques & Molinetes
Instructor: Julian Ramil
Dance Practice: 4-6. p.m., $6 (Free w/Lesson)
COMING UP:
The Allegro Ballroom, 5855 Christie Ave., Emeryville
4 Week Progressive Beginner's Lesson: 2-3 p.m., $12
Int/Adv Lesson: 3-4 p.m., $12
Theme of the Month: Enrosques & Molinetes
Instructor: Julian Ramil
Dance Practice: 4-6. p.m., $6 (Free w/Lesson)
COMING UP:
Sacramento:
Dec. 29 - Jan. 4: Oscar & Georgina's last stop before heading to Argentina.
They will be in Sacramento and available for private lessons from Monday,
December 29th until Sunday, January 4th. In addition there will be two workshops
on Sunday, January 4th, one on tango and the other on milonga. More details to
December 29th until Sunday, January 4th. In addition there will be two workshops
on Sunday, January 4th, one on tango and the other on milonga. More details to
follow on these workshops. If you are interested in a private lesson please contact me Ed Loomis at : TangoBear@pobox.com for times.
Jan 2-4, 2009: Homer & Cristina LADAS Weekend of tango at Firehouse5
Weekend will include:
Friday PRACTILONGA Fri - Sun Intermediate & Advanced Workshops
Sunday FREE Music Jam
More details coming soon!
Please contact Michelle Wright for questions at:
(916) 295-9815 or sactanguera@yahoo.com
For more information on Homer & Cristina visit:
http://freshlaundrytango.info/
http://modestotango.googlepages.com
MILONGAS:
More details coming soon!
Please contact Michelle Wright for questions at:
(916) 295-9815 or sactanguera@yahoo.com
For more information on Homer & Cristina visit:
http://freshlaundrytango.info/
http://modestotango.googlepages.com
MILONGAS:
@>---- Our next milonga at Jacobs is Jan. 31, with Carolyn & Christopher as guest artists. Mark your calendar. They will also conduct workshops on Saturday and Sunday, with an emphasis on social dancing rather than flashy moves.
Milongas Elsewhere:
Milongas Elsewhere:
@>---- Saturday, January 3 -- At Firehouse 5, 2014 9th St La Alternativa.
@>---- Wednesday, December 31 --At Tango by the River, 128 J Street, Old Sacramento. ANNUAL NEW YEAR'S EVE MILONGA! I can't imagine a better way to greet the new year than by dancing tango, sipping champagne and enjoying tango friends (kissing at midnight!) So mark your calendars for New Year's Eve, the last milonga of the year, replete with fireworks over Tower Bridge! The Old Sacramento New Year's Eve Sky Spectacular boasts two fireworks shows. The first will be launched at 9 p.m., with the second at midnight. In year's past, we have all moved outside at midnight to watch the fireworks. This year, we're going to stay inside and do the traditional countdown -- 3, 2, 1 ... kiss! If you want to see fireworks come early enough to catch the 9 p.m. show so at midnight we can stay indoors and have our own fireworks right here at TBTR! Introductory tango
lesson 8-9 p.m., dance from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. or so. Cost is $15 for lesson and dance. Both include hors d'oeuvres, refreshments (including champagne!).
