Past events
Here are some of the events we've hosted during 2008, 2009 and so far this year.
When Salsa meets Tango
Event description
Rojo y Negro, in collaboration with Salsa organisers from Paso Adelante present a unique and special event in London—this summer's Tango and Salsa event with workshops, dancing until the early hours and a performance.
Programme
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 6:00-7:00pm | Workshop 1 Salsa lady styling (all levels) & Introduction to Salsa (beginner/recent beginners) |
| 7:00-8:00pm | Workshop 2 Tango technique (all levels) |
| 8:30-9:30pm | Workshop 3 Salsa-Tango fusion Special workshops for all levels, fusing the best of Tango with the best of Salsa moves—not to be missed! |
| 9:30pm-1:00am | Dancing Dancing until 1am & performance at 11pm |
Venue
Prices and bookings
- £8.00 for 1 workshop only
- £12.00 for 1 workshop plus party
- £15.00 for 2 workshops only
- £20.00 for 2 workshops plus party
- £20.00 for the 3 workshops only
- £25.00 for all 3 amazing workshops plus party
- £6.00 for the party only
Live music with Oscar Acebras and Carlos Quilici
Event description
Live music evening with Oscar Acebras (Guitar, Voice) and Carlos Quilici (Bandoneon). We've had both perform at our venue in the past and what can we say, everyone loved them so much, we simply had to have them again.
Programme
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 7:00-8:00pm | Beginner workshop, as usual |
| 8:00-9:30pm | Mixed-level workshop, as usual |
| 9:30pm-12:00am | Milonga and live music by Oscar Acebras and Carlos Quilici |
Venue
Cristian Duarte and Lilach Mor
Event description
This wonderful couple come from the famous DNI school of dance from Buenos Aires. Not only will you have an opportunity to sample this beautiful and sultry style of dance, they will run a day of workshops so interesting, they must not be missed!
Artist background
Lilach Mor has studied Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Flamenco, Circus, Air Dancing, Salsa, and Tango - her biggest passion. She has danced and performed in musicals such as Cats in Broadway NY and in Buenos Aires she has preformed in famous Café Tortoni, amongst other places.
Cristian Duarte was Argentine Champion 1992 in Marshal Arts, and since 1998 has been dancing Tango, creating a unique dance technique which he has taught in DNI studio Dana Frigoli and Pablo Villarazza in Buenos Aires for the last 4 years. He has toured with the DNI Tango dance company throughout Europe.
Together they have incorporated their love for Tango and for each other and found a very unique and interesting, simple technique of communication within the couple which is incorporating their knowledge of so many different arts.
Thursday Programme
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 7:00-8:00pm | Beginner workshop with Bianca, as usual |
| 8:00-9:30pm | Mixed-level workshop with Cristian and Lilach Breaking the embrace |
| 9:30pm-12:00am | Milonga with performance from Cristian and Lilach around 10:30pm |
Venue
Sunday Programme
Cristian and Lilach lead four workshops this day.
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 2:30-3:45pm | Workshop 1 New techniques for connection in improvisation—corporal organic connection |
| 4:00-5:15pm | Workshop 2 Using the energy of the leader to create movement |
| 5:30-6:45pm | Workshop 3 Close and powerful complex ganchos in the close embrace |
| 7:00-8:15pm | Workshop 4 Air tomadas |
Venue
Libertango
Event description
This event is dedicated to the 200th anniversary of Argentina's independence, the historic roots of Tango, Ladies in Tango and expressions in Tango.
Expect a day of workshops, a Tango cinema double bill and a milonga with a live Tango duet.
Artist background
Laura De Altube is a Tango dancer, Pilates technique instructor, dance and body expression teacher, a Hatha Yoga instructor, Actress (anthropological drama) and plastic artist. She was one of the teachers in Buenos Aires in the Escuela Argentina de Tango and Tango Brujo schools. She has performed in well-known milongas in Buenos Aires: Villa Malcolm, Salon Canning, El Cachafaz, C. C. Torquato Tasso, Milonga de las Morochas, Porteño y Bailarin, Variete Tango and La Viruta.
She has toured Europe, teaching and performing and was part of the organisation behind the Umeboshi Tango festival in the UK in 2006. You can find out more about Laura on her blogspot website.
El Farabute is a transatlantic Tango duet formed by pianist Pablo Citarella (Buenos Aires) and violinist James Ogle (London).
Their first album, entitled Duo de Tango, is a collection of Tango classics with an original flavour.
Programme
Workshops
We open this day of events with workshops led by Bianca and Laura, designed to take you back to the roots of Tango.
Milonga is the daughter of candombe just like Tango is the son of Milonga… says the song ‘Zitarossa’ (Bajofondo). This is a fin workshop for all levels. Learn to enjoy this joyful rhythm.
Canyengue was the original way that Tango was danced. It was this style, with cortes and quebradas, which took Pais and the world by storm in the years before the first world war. Come and discover more about this interesting style of dance that was danced until 1920. Open to all levels.
Film screenings
Culto Tanguero
This testimonial-documentary, by Laura De Altube aims to contribute to the debate on the impact of Africans in Tango and the culture of Buenos Aires.
The film explores the role of women, improvisation and the relationship with the dance partner. It features some of the greatest names in Tango—Rodolfo Dinzel and Facundo Posadas.
I don't know what your eyes have done to me
This is a most fascinating documentary about the famous singer and actress of the 1920s and 1930s—Ada Falcon, who had, during this period, made over 200 recordings. She was in a long relationship with Francisco Canaro, who composed the song this documentary is named after, and dedicated it to Ada whose green eyes were magnetic.
She mysteriously disappeared from the limelight in 1942 and lived as a recluse until her death in 2002. The maker of this documentary finally tracks her down after a long search.
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 5:00-6:00pm | Workshop 1 Milonga |
| 6:15-7:15pm | Workshop 2 Canyengue |
| 8:00-8:30pm | Film 1 Culto Tanguero |
| 8:30-9:30pm | Film 2 I don't know what your eyes have done to me |
| 9:30pm-1:00am | Milonga With a performance by Bianca and Laura and Live music by duet El Farabute |
Venue
When Salsa meets Tango
Event description
Rojo y Negro, in collaboration with Salsa organisers from Paso Adelante present a unique and special event in London—this summer's Tango and Salsa event with workshops, dancing until the early hours and a performance.
Programme
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 5:30-6:30pm | Workshop 1 Salsa lady styling (all levels) & Introduction to Salsa (beginner/recent beginners) |
| 6:45-7:45pm | Workshop 2 Tango "styling" (all levels) & Introduction to Tango (beginner/recent beginners) |
| 8:30-9:30pm | Workshop 3 Salsa-Tango fusion Special workshops for all levels, fusing the best of Tango with the best of Salsa moves—not to be missed! |
| 9:30pm-1:00am | Dancing Dancing until 1am & performance by CP at 11pm |
Venue
GastroTango: 4-Day Tango Retreat in France
Event description
Indulge in your passion for Tango, and start your holiday season in the heart of France! Kindly arranged by the wonderful Les Soeurs Anglaises, we offer four days of Tango workshops and enjoyment of the majestic French countryside, punctuated by gastronomic feasts a wine tasting, and other pleasant diversions.
The workshops are aimed at beginners as well as those who have been learning Tango for a while, improvers. The event is certainly not limited to just couples, it is open to individuals, so please let us know if you're interested as soon as possible to ensure even numbers.
Have a look at some of the photos from last year in our Facebook gallery.
For more information and to print off a flyer of the event or merely to send it to a friend, please download the GastroTango flyer [pdf].
Programme
The Tango Programme consist of four hours tuition per day from Friday the 28th to Monday the 31st May. On Tuesday the 1st, there will be no tuition, and is an optional day, depending on individual travel arrangements.
All enquiries for future GastroTango events through us.
- Telephone: 020 8520 2726 / 07748 648 322
- Email: info@rojoynegroclub.com
TangoRojo
Event description
2010 sees the 2nd TangoRojo festival. Launched in 2009, it was, and still is, London's only festival of Tango arts.
Not satisfied with taking the prescriptive approach of workshops, milongas and performances, TangoRojo is different in that it is designed around Tango artists, not just Tango teachers; the visual and auditory feast we have in store for you this year simply has to be experienced!
Tango performers
Many of you have been fortunate to meet, study with and see the gorgeous Anibal and Valeria. They are quite simply endowed with a super-human energy, and never stop dancing (nor talking). Their performances are equally stunning on so many levels, from pure sex-appeal, all the way to their speed where the eye simply cannot follow their movements. They will honour us with their presence, with a workshop and a beautiful performance.
With an impressive history of shows and festivals, Cristina and Rojer Zalazar not only tantalise, but will ensure we're kept on the straight and narrow through a series of 6 specialist workshops during the week. Not content with Tango, they both bring with them their ‘other’ passions; Rojer with his exquisite style in Argentina's folklore dances, and Cristina with her professional Tango fashion creations, which she will bring with her to exhibit and fit to any of you ladies looking for something a little different—real Tango fashion in our city that's so underwhelmingly stocked for us Tango dancers.
If you've ever wondered what our haphazard Tango would look like coupled with modern and highly structured dances such as ballet and contemporary dance, then you simply must see Amir Giles and Tara Pilbrow, who have done precisely that. They bring with them a fusion between these seemingly conflicting dances in the most beautiful and graceful way, in their Tango Infusion performance at the festival.
Musicians and concerts
We are fortunate to be living at a musical crossroad here in the UK, and in Europe in general. This has made it possible to call upon a great variety of musicians, both from Argentina, and those trained in the Argentine phenomenon that is Tango music.
There will be four evenings of late-night milongas, with a live band playing each and every one of those evenings. To list them here would not do them justice, we urge you to look through the biographies of the musicians invited to this year's festival. For those who came to last year's festival, suffice it to say that you will once again have the pleasure of music by Mazaika, a Tango duo that enthralled the milonga last year (people were literally queuing to get in and dance), as well as the incredibly talented and supremely knowledgeable pianist and composer, Juan Maria Solare. There are a number of newcomers this year, as well as a unique Tango opera and concert, sung by a lovely soprano with Del Plata, backing her, as well as playing the concert later, during the milonga. You've already met and heard one of the members of Del Plata—Enrique Galassi, the double bassist from last year's La Yumba Trio.
Featured artist
This year's featured artist is Isabel Carafí, an Argentine-born painter. Isabel is quite unlike many artists you've seen; with a visceral, expressive style, she will not be found pigeonholed by any given topic. Tango forms a part of her world, both as a dancer and an artist. More interested in painting the aboriginal peoples of any given country and situation, not least her Argentina, and erotic nudes, her playfulness with proportion puts them squarely centre-stage, her brush-strokes exaggerating minute details, yet reducing the surroundings, give her subjects a kind of character difficult to see with the naked eye, until all the extraneous detail has been stripped away. The humanity and emotion of her scenes are achieved to spectacular effect—just pay attention to the hands and faces in her paintings. With many of her paintings dwarfing a person, and only coming to the fore in a large, minimalist gallery, Isabel will bring with her a number of her small-format Tango and other paintings.
Film screenings
Ever since we started with our film screening at last year's festival, it's been clear you've all been hungering to see the Tango enjoyed on the silver screen, not merely the dance floor. We've heard your plight and have lined up three evenings of Tango film-making; for your pleasure, 6 films will be screened during the festival, films covering all the intrigue, love, lust, betrayals, disappointments, sleaze and nostalgia that Tango is known for. It doesn't stop there. Not content with just inventive story lines, we have one of Tango's most touching documentaries ever filmed—Café de los Maestros—a documentary-film tracing the lives of musicians who were the glue of the most famous Tango orchestras Argentina has unleashed upon the adoring world, going back to the golden era. Discover these pillars of the musical establishment, without whom Tango would have been an empty and cold dance, see them on film one last time, as they are growing literally fewer in number with every passing year. Pay homage to music that reaches out and touches the soul at that deepest of levels.
More information
For a complete guide to the festival, you need to visit the festival web site, where you will find an appropriate description and biography of all the artists, an in-depth description of all the events, a complete programme for the week and your chance to book early and claim the generous advance-booking discounts.
See you there!
Liesl Bourke and Federico Farfaro
Event description
Our guests for the March ball are Liesl Bourke and Federico Farfaro. They are an up and coming couple with a famous connection. Find out more over the three days of appearances this long weekend.
Artist background
Originally from Broken Hill (Australia) and Buenos Aires (Argentina), Liesl and Federico share an appetite for movement and dance of many variations that culminates at one point: tango Argentino. They seek to find the organic pathways of movement present in tango, while simultaneously connecting it to the emotion and the beauty of the dance.
Their classes combine a deep understanding of tango technique, music, and history, while exploring the boundaries, observing the evolution of the styles and movements present in contemporary tango.
You can explore Liesl and Federico in more depth on their web-site, especially their blog.
Programme: Thursday, 25th March
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 7:00–8:00pm | Beginner class as usual, with Bianca |
| 8:00–9:30pm | Workshop with Liesl and Federico—all levels Captivating sequences |
| 9:30pm–12:00am | Milonga, with performance by Liesl and Federico |
Venue
Programme: Saturday, 27th March—Naked Tango
As usual, we have a Saturday night ball planned for March. This evening, we welcome back Liesl and Federico, starting with two workshops then finishing us off with a delectable performance.
Naked Tango
She never dreamed she could hate a man so much. And love him even more.
For you film aficionados, we've been saving something a little special—Naked Tango. This is a moody drama of Buenos Aires in the 1920s.
Returning to South America, a young girl escapes her elderly husband by swapping places with a girl committing suicide. She believes her new life will be that of an arranged marriage but finds it is in fact a trick to get her working in a brothel.
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 4:45-6:00pm | Workshop 1 Finding dynamics in your dance—playing with the axis (colgadas and volcadas) |
| 6:15-7:30pm | Workshop 2 Breaking the traditional structure—sequences with soltadas |
| 8:00-9:30pm | Film screening Naked Tango (see above) |
| 9:30pm-2:00am | Milonga performance by Liesl and Federico around 11pm |
Venue
Programme: Sunday, 28th March—workshops
Liesl and Federico impart some of their hard-earned secrets in this series of Sunday afternoon workshops, to end their stay.
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 4:00-5:15pm | Workshop 1 Adapt to your environment—close to open Embrace |
| 5:30-6:45pm | Workshop 2 Celebrate the rhythm—Milonga |
| 7:00-8:15pm | Workshop 3 Express Yourself—Musicality |
| 8:15-10:30pm | Practica Your chance to put in practice all that you've worked on the whole day |
Venue
Ana and Arturo
Event description
Ana and Arturo have toured the world dancing Tango professionally as part of the most important Tango companies, and for the first time are coming to London as guests of Rojo y Negro. Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn from a couple with the highest possible profile in dance.
Artist background
Ana and Arturo both started dancing very early, studying Tango, Ballet and Argentine folkloric dances. They are currently dancers in the company Tempotango. Previously they both danced in the prestigious Tango company Tanguera and Tango Emocion led by Mora Godoy. Arturo also danced in a contemporary Tango company Tangokinesis during the period 2004–2008.
Thursday Programme: 4th March 2010
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 7:00–8:00pm | Beginner class as usual, with Bianca |
| 8:00–9:30pm | Workshop with Ana and Arturo—all levels Working with legs, decorative introductions for giros for leaders and followers |
| 9:30pm–12:00am | Milonga, with performance by Ana and Arturo |
Venue
Sunday Programme: 7th March 2010
This is a day of intensive themed workshops with Ana and Arturo.
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 2:30–3:45pm | Workshop 1: Sequences and giros with enrosques |
| 4:00–5:15pm | Workshop 2: Musicality for volcadas and colgadas |
| 5:30–6:45pm | Workshop 3: Milonga; easy and fun sequences to play with the timing |
| 7:00–8:15pm | Workshop 4: Choreographic sequences for the stage |
| 8:15–10:30pm | Practica |
Venue
Ismael Ludman and Guggi Zuzakova
Event description
We start the new year 2010 with a long weekend, featuringa stunning young guest couple and a film screening in which they appear.
The film screening, of Dance with me, is brought to us by Sasha C. Damjanovski—its director—who will present the film on Saturday the 16th, and give us a questions and answers session, along with Ismael and Guggi, the film's dancers.
The Saturday milonga goes on until 2am, and we will be treated to a beautiful performance by Ismael and Guggi, around 11pm.
Dance with me synopsis:
Alice and Neil should be having the perfect holiday in their summer house in the country, she working with her dancers in the conservatory and he sipping on his tea by the lake, watching the amazing sky. Except it's not really a holiday, Neil is on a year's leave from work, pending further tests in his mysterious condition, and Alice, well she has her own problems.
There is no doubt of their love for one another, as there is no doubt of their commitment, yet, why are things so difficult? How does a simple question turn into a witty verbal joust and delivers no answers? Are Ali and Neil stuck? Will they simply learn to live with their situation, or is there, perhaps, a way out of it?
To find out more, go to the movie's website.
Artist background
Ismael Ludman belongs to the new generation of dancers of Argentine Tango. His curiosity led him to study Tango with a great diversity of teachers in Buenos Aires, always searching for dynamic, improvised and organic Tango. From an eclectic background, having trained in different disciplines such as physical theatre, dance theatre and contact improvisation, Ismael seeks a constant synthesis between dance and more universal forms of corporal expression. He is searching for a Tango with a particular emphasis on communication, a relaxed way of dancing and expressiveness. He was a member of CETA - Experimental Tango Art Club, Buenos Aires, and the company Raza Humana, directed by Jose Campitelli, Buenos Aires.
Ismael has visited more than thirty countries sharing his very personal way of tango, teaching and performing at many international tango festivals all over Europe and Middle East.
Guggi Zuzakova was born in Switzerland and studied contemporary dance and ballet in The Netherlands. She trained for 10 years of Argentine tango in Buenos Aires and Europe. In the Netherlands she has performed in: Cime (Andra Perrin), Ragtime (Lonneke van Leth), Hokhma (Roberto Olivan), Rule my heart (Tony Vezich), Blauwbaard (Dans Theater Telder), Zondagsservies (Company Komma4), 1001 nacht (Company Gift), Roomservice (Claire Dowling). Her choreography work includes the shows: Libertango, Samotari, NL, and DreamDiver , as well as My Name is Tango and Mordisco Tango as well as appearance in films Chicago Tango. She lives in Berlin working as a tango dancer and teacher in Germany and internationally.
Programme: Thursday, 14th January 2010
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 7:00–8:00pm | Beginner class as usual, with Bianca |
| 8:00–9:30pm | Workshop with Ismael and Guggi—all levels |
| 9:30pm–12:00am | Milonga |
Venue
Programme: Saturday, 16th January 2010
Film screening: projection of the film Dance with me by Sasha C. Damjanovski, in which Ismael and Guggi are the dancers. The screening is followed by a post-film talk with the director and dancers.
The milonga goes on until 2am, with a performance by Ismael and Guggi around 11pm.
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 6:00–7:00pm | Reception, with drinks and snacks |
| 7:00–8:30pm | Film screening of Dance with me |
| 8:30–9:00pm | Post-film talk by the director, Sasha C. Damjanovski, and dancers. |
| 9:00pm–2:00am | Milonga, with performance by Ismael and Guggi around 11pm |
Venue
Programme: Sunday, 17th January 2010
A day of intensive workshops with Ismael and Guggi.
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 1:30-3:00pm | Workshop 1: Movements around woman's axis, embellishments (led and non led) |
| 3:15-4:45pm | Workshop 2: Alternative ways of doing boleos. New dynamics and possibilities. |
| 5:00-6:30pm | Workshop 3: Exploring the embrace—from close to open, internal and centrifugal embrace. Exploration of dynamics of the dance. |
| 6:45-8:15pm | Workshop 4: Musical trip. Some ideas for bringing melodic colour to the dance interpretation. |
| 8:15-10:30pm | Practica |
Venue
Mariano Bielak and Paula Gurini
Event description
Every December, we close the year off with a nice social gathering around Christmas. This year, Mariano and Paula are our guest stars, entertaining us on our Christmas party weekend.
Artist background
In 1996, Mariano Bielak studied circus performing with teachers of the Escuela de los Hermanos Videla (School of the Brothers Videla), and at the same time initiated his formation as a Tango dancer with Sergio Grimberg, Gloria and Rodolfo Dinzel, and other Tango teachers. For a year and a half he lived in Spain, devoting himself to the circus and to the Tango. On his return, he continued his dance studies at the Escuela de Julio Bocca (School of Julio Bocca). He had a scholarship in musical comedy. His formation includes modern dance with Cristina Barnils—and folklore with Coqui and Pajarín Saavedra.
Paula Gurini began her dance studies in General Pico, La Pampa. She was a member of the Ballet Municipal de Tango y Folklore (Municipal Ballet of Tango and Folklore). In 2002, she graduated with a degree in musical therapy. She has taken Tango lessons since 1999 with different teachers, such as Rodolfo and Gloria Dinzel, and then worked with them as a teacher at the Universidad del Tango (Tango University). Involved in her formation are different teachers: Coqui and Pajarín Saavedra in folklore, Sonia Von Potovsky in classical dance, Sandra Quesada in Jazz, Cristina Cortes, Cristina Barnils, and Juan Pablo Sierra in contemporary dance.
There is too much to be said about this couple's background—their BlogSpot website does this job far more adequately. Follow the link to see all their biography and the dance companies they've been involved with.
Naturally, videos say far more than words can. With that in mind, take a look at some of their YouTube videos:
- Paula Gurini y Mariano Bielak - Edgardo Donato - Sacale Punta
- Paula Gurini y Mariano Bielak - Color Tango - Yunta de oro
- Paula Gurini y Mariano Bielak - Show Viejo Almacen, Buenos Aires
Programme—Thursday, 10th December 2009
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 7:00–8:00pm | Beginner class as usual, with Bianca |
| 8:00–9:30pm | Workshop with Mariano and Paula: Secrets for dancing in the milonga—all levels |
| 9:30pm–12:00am | Milonga: Social dance with demonstration by Mariano and Paula around 10:30pm |
Venue
Programme: Saturday, 12th December 2009—Christmas Party!
This Saturday is our special Christmas milonga, featuring a nice recipe of socialising with cakes and drinks, a film screening, Mariano and Paula's workshop and evening performance, live music and a special DJ.
Mariano and Paula bring us a special workshop this evening, teaching some of their favourite sequences, selected from their sizable repertoire just for this occasion. Later on, they will deliver their tantalising performance.
For the full day's events, scroll down to the next event or follow this link to find out more and to book your tickets.
Venue
Programme: Sunday, 13th December 2009
Two exciting workshops with Mariano and Paula, plus two workshops with Bianca, followed by the evening practica.
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 2:30-3:45pm | Workshop 1 (with Mariano and Paula) Sequences of famous milongueros |
| 4:00-5:15pm | Workshop 2 (with Mariano and Paula) Great sequences for the dance floor |
| 5:30-6:30pm | Workshop 3 (with Bianca) Milonga |
| 6:30-8:00pm | Workshop 4 (with Bianca) Bianca's favourite Tango moves and concepts |
| 8:00-10:30pm | Practica |
Venue
Rojo y Negro Christmas Party!
Event description
We never like to end a year on a low note, so every year we get together and party all night to kiss goodbye the past year of dedication, hard work and sacrifice, celebrate Christmas and the coming new year, surrounded by all our friends.
If you like your Tango to be less like hard work and more like a picnic, this is definitely the night for you. With food and drink, a Tango film screening, fun workshop brought to you by a sexy young couple, and dancing until late, there's hardly anything left wanting. So come dressed up, relax and have lots of merriment and fun!.
You've been working hard all year on your Tango technique. As the end of the year approaches, you owe it to yourself to enjoy some of the fruits of your labour. This is not yet another day of working hard and dancing hard, it's a time when you can really get to know your tango partners around some drinks and start winding down towards the year's end.
Artists
Mariano Bielak and Paula Gurini, our guests for the entire weekend, will give the evening workshop—Their favourite sequences of all time, and a sizzling evening performance.
They are a sexy and energetic couple with much stage experience, and are with us from Thursday until Sunday, when they will teach a couple of workshops. Read more about them, see them dance in their videos, and make sure to book their workshops.
The grande piano maestro and composer Juan Maria Solare, whom many of you have seen at our TangoRojo festival, earlier this year, will treat us to a live Tango piano concert.
Juan Maria has extremely diverse influences, from classical music all the way through to Tango, and is well-versed in many orchestra's individual styles of Tango. His playing is quite simply impeccable, and he will play a set of well-known Tango classics for us to dance to at this evening's milonga.
Last, but by no means least, DJ Tony Walker, one of the most popular DJs in town, will ensure you're entertained and dancing to the best music Tango has to offer, deftly selected from his vast library of Tangos, Milongas and Valses.
Programme: Saturday, 12th December 2009—Christmas party
This evening we have for you a programme of complete departure from the daily struggle, both at work and in Tango. Come, have some nibbles, cakes and drinks with us, put your feet up with a great Tango film; then, when you're ready, do some Tango with the lovely Mariano and Paula.
Juan Maria Solare will put you in a dancing mood with a smooth piano concert, followed by Tony Walker, who will carry you around the floor until 2am with his exquisite DJ-ing skills. Finally, Mariano and Paula's performance will give you a Tango complex for the coming year, once you see their splendid dancing skills in their late-evening performance. Above all, enjoy yourselves!
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 5:00-6:00pm | Tea and cakes Home-made cakes, made by Bianca with love (grab this opportunity, she will not do this again anytime soon!) |
| 6:00-7:30pm | Tango film projection A specially selected Tango movie—Bar El Chino |
| 8:00-9:30pm | Tango workshop with sexy Mariano and Paula Their favourite sequences of all time Mariano and Paula will share their personal favourites that they have selected form a huge repertoire of sequences, and will share with you many of their Tango secrets. |
| 9:30pm-2:00am | Christmas Milonga With a live piano concert by Juan Maria Solare, DJ-ing by Tony Walker and a performance by Mariano and Paula |
Venue
Dress code: Shiny!
Pibe Avellaneda
Event description
Pibe Avellaneda is a living legend with more than 30 years of Tango. Very few (living) Tango dancers in the world can match his CV.
Artist background
In his 30-year dance career, he has danced next to every single important orchestra there ever was in hundreds of concerts; In every important milonga and other venue of Buenos Aires, the United States, Russia, France, Italy and other countries where he is extremely popular; In Russia he has even danced for Putin; He featured as a main figure in most important Tango shows that have toured the world; including what is considered the best of all—‘Forever Tango’ in Broadway); He has won many prizes for his Tango achievements, including one from the City of Buenos Aires.
He dances in a style which some define as ‘milonguero’ style, which is definitely performed with a great feeling for the woman,and fantastic musicality. He is currently ranked as definitely one of the top milongueros in the world.
Watch Pibe dance in these two clips on YouTube: Pibe Avellaneda and Veronica Palacio dance in Russia & El Pibe Avellaneda y Anne Zubler dance in Buenos Aires.
Programme
While in London, Pibe will be teaching with Bianca (Rojo y Negro) a series of workshops on the following dates (details coming soon):
- Thursday, 26th November (Latvian House)
- Sunday 29th November (Union Tavern)
- Monday 30th November (Union Tavern)
- Tuesday 1st December (Union Tavern)
- Thursday 3rd December (Latvian House)
- Sunday 6th December (Union Tavern)
Programme: Thursday, 26th November 2009
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 7:00–8:00pm | Beginner class as usual, with Bianca |
| 8:00–9:30pm | Workshop with Bianca and Pibe: Salon Tango technique |
| 9:30pm–12:00am | Milonga: Social dance with performance by Bianca and Pibe around 10:30pm |
Venue
Programme: Sunday, 29th November 2009
This day Pibe presents a series of four workshops with Bianca.
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 2:15–3:30pm | Boleos (high and low) |
| 3:45–5:00pm | Figures for Vals |
| 5:15–6:30pm | Milonga |
| 6:45–8:00pm | Tango milonguero |
| 8:00–10:30pm | Practica |
Venue
Programme: Thursday, 3rd December 2009
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 7:00–8:00pm | Beginner class as usual, with Bianca |
| 8:00–9:30pm | Workshop with Bianca and Pibe: Dancing to different orchestras |
| 9:30pm–12:00am | Milonga: Social dance with performance by Bianca and Pibe around 10:30pm |
Venue
Programme: Sunday, 6th December 2009
This day Pibe presents his final series of four workshops with Bianca.
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 2:15–3:30pm | Musicality for Tango figures |
| 3:45–5:00pm | Tango fantasia |
| 5:15–6:30pm | Milonga traspié |
| 6:45–8:00pm | Colgadas and Volcadas |
| 8:00–10:30pm | Practica |
Venue
Autumn Tango-Salsa Fusion
Event description
Every year we organise a series of Tango and Salsa fusion events with guest teachers. This autumn, we are running the event in cooperation with Dani from UK Salsa.
Artist background
Dani is one of the new innovators in the salsa scene. One could say that dancing with Dani allows you to discover another way to appreciate salsa dancing. His main quality is finding different ways to explore the unlimited possibilities to lead and make his partner comfortable whilst interpreting the music.
Originally from the French Indian ocean island (Mayotte), Dani started dancing on stage at the age of 11, and grew up with R'n'B, Hip hop and Zouk, singing and dancing. He first became a salsa teacher in Bordeaux-France, in the same club where he'd learned his first steps, and after two years he formed his first salsa group, including his first teacher. Dani is now widely recognized in the Paris salsa scene for his abilities. In February 2008 he decided to start a new life in London and he soon became one of the main London Salsa teachers, and a popular choreographer (Vuelta Rica) and performer (nationally and internationally). His classes and workshops specialise in Mambo (on 1 & on 2), amazing partner work technique, leading, timing class, and musicality, drawing from other dances such as street dance, New York, Cuban and LA style.
Dani is co-founder of Salsa UK as well as a guest teacher for all the main salsa schools in London: Salsateca, London salsa, Salsa con tigo, Salsame, Salsa Republic, etc.
Programme
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 4:00-5:00pm | Workshop 1: Tango essentials (with Rojo y Negro) |
| 5:15-6:15pm | Workshop 2: Innovations in Tango (with Rojo y Negro) |
| 6:30-7:30pm | Workshop 3: Tango-Salsa fusion special (with Rojo y Negro) |
| 8:30-9:30pm | Workshop 4: Salsa special (with UK Salsa) |
| 9:30pm-2:00am | Tango-Salsa ball with demonstrations around 11pm |
Venue
Sandra and Santiago
Event description
Sandra and Santiago join us for this extended programme of workshops and performances on three separate dates in late October. They are wonderful teachers of the Argentine Tango, with an eclectic dance and performance background.
They are now on their second 2009 European tour to teach the most traditional style of Tango salon and Milonga traspié as well as Tango for the stage.
Artist background
Sandra and Santiago have extensive teaching experience in Argentina and abroad. Having danced in the most famous international tango shows: Tango X2, Tango Emoción, Francisco Canaro Orchestra and in the most renowned Casas de Tango in Buenos Aires (eg. Señor Tango, Piazzolla Dinner Show, La Ventana, Esquina Homero Manzi) Santiago opened the Santango Estudio and B&B in the heart of the tango neighbourhood Almagro in 2007, with his partner Sandra.
They fuse their different backgrounds for an effective and professional teaching method. Sandra has an artistic gymnastics and ballet training and has devoted herself to the practice of yoga and the study of pedagogy. Santiago has a professional jazz and contemporary dance experience.
Once they got in touch with tango years ago, they decided to dedicate their time to the never ending thorough study of this magic dance and complex cultural phenomenon in all its aspects, with most of the great tango masters in Buenos Aires.
They pour all their experience into their teaching method and really love to offer their knowledge of the essence of tango in their lessons. As well, their performances are an exciting mix of Tango salon, milonga traspié and choreography.
Programme: Thursday, 22nd October 2009
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 7:00–8:00pm | Beginner class as usual, with Bianca |
| 8:00–9:30pm | Intermediate class with Sandra and Santiago: Surprise topic |
| 9:30pm–12:00am | milonga: Social dance with demonstration by Sandra and Santiago around 10:30pm |
Venue
Programme: Sunday, 25th October 2009
This day is dedicated to Sandra and Santiago's workshops.
Workshop 1: Two walk as one—the magic of the abrazo
Individual technique and technique for couples' connection. Embrace is the body language that makes bodies float magically together on the dance floor.
Technique for couples' connection is essential to enjoy a comfortable and harmonious dance coming from the energy of the tango embrace.
The workshop will address ‘Individual’ technique such as posture, pisada (position of the feet, walk and change of weight), balance, torsions, pivoting and decorations.
Couples' technique will deal with the couple's embrace (different embraces, action and reaction mechanisms of the embrace, flexibility and movements within the closed embrace), subtle marks (transmission and reception), connection (simultaneous change of weight, harmonious walk).
Workshop 2: The art of shared improvisation I—The most traditional Tango salon sequences
We'd like to say that Tango salon is a shared improvisation. Tango salon is to choose sequences of steps while holding the woman (man), to embellish the dance following the mark (woman), to glide together listening to music, to improvise on the dance floor respecting the dance line with a variety of walking styles and salidas.
The workshop will focus on elegant promenades (crossed system, traspié, change of direction), salidas (simples, crossed system, with decorations and ochos). You will learn about cadence, dynamics, musicality and guidelines for improvisation.
Workshop 3: The joyful old-time rhythm—Milonga Traspié
Did you know that the steps to dance milonga are not exactly the same as the steps for dancing to tango?
This joyful rhythm of the past requires specific steps to dance to in time and to feel thoroughly its spirit!
Once you get into the milonga style you will find traspié a really pleasant and essential tool to dance!
This workshop will focus on posture, rhythm, marking with the chest, through exercises to develop the musicality and the relaxation and the agility of the legs.
You will practice different possibilities in the walk as well as sequences of milonga lisa and milonga traspié (with ochos, voleos and decorations for men and women).
Workshop 4: The art of shared improvisation II—The most traditional Tango salon sequences
The art of shared improvisation in more complex steps demands a good synchronization of the couple.
Taking care of the posture, the mark and the elegance of the feet, we will see more spectacular traditional tango salon sequences.
You will work especially on sequences with ochos, giros, planeos, enrosques, man's and woman's sacadas and barridas, voleos. All the sequences have different decorations for men and women.
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 2:30–3:45pm | Workshop 1: Two Walk as one The magic of the embrace and technique for couple's connection |
| 4:00–5:15pm | Workshop 2: The art of shared improvisation The most traditional Tango salon sequences |
| 5:30–6:45pm | Workshop 3: The joyful old-time rhythm Milonga Taspié |
| 7:00–8:15pm | Workshop 4: The art of shared improvisation The most traditional Tango salon sequences 2 |
| 8:15–10:30pm | Practica |
Venue
Programme: Saturday, 31st October 2009—October ball
Workshop 1: Gliding along in each other's arms—The vals
The rhythm and the dynamics of the vals lead us into free-flowing sequences.
A sensual spiral that takes us gliding along the dance floor in each other's arms.
You will also work on your posture, rhythm, mark, walking style and “sustained” step.
You will learn to turn in the vals, walk with turning steps and perform different sequences for the vals.
Workshop 2: Tango for the stage—Dramatic sequences for the stage
Definition: Choreographic tango danced in the ‘casas de tango’ in Buenos Aires and in the theatres all over the world.
Recommended to advanced dancers who wish to taste the energy of the tango for the stage and want to learn more striking steps to use in a performance.
According to the level of the dancers, Sandra Y Santiago will see different complex and spectacular sequences.
You might work on stage ganchos (men's and women's), saltos (different jumps), soltadas and you will gain a set of tools to make a choreography.
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 6:15–7:30pm | Workshop 1: Gliding along in each other's arms The Vals |
| 7:45–9:00pm | Workshop 2: Dramatic sequences for stage |
| 9:00pm–2:00am | Evening ball with performance from Sandra and Santiago |
Venue
Diego and Angi—Special Guest Stars
Event description
Diego and Angi are our special stars for this month's weekend of Tango. We will update you with more information, but we hope the photos (and video, see below), whet your appetite—they did ours!
To see Diego & Angi dance in one of the most important milongas in Buenos Aires, watch this YouTube video.
Artist background
The Tango trajectory of our guests, Diego and Angi is really impressive. Diego, Tango dancer and choreographer has worked in the most prestigious world Tango company, ‘Tango Por Dos’ for 5 years. In Buenos Aires he worked in Teatro Astral with Tango de la cruz del sur. He was also the first dancer in the show Piazzolla Tango.
Angi started her Tango career in Cordoba as a dancer and director of the show Tango Vivo and has danced in Teatro del Libertador. Also danced in the show Grisel-Contursi, un abrazo interminable.
Diego and Angi teach and perform internationally and have together appeared in many important shows: Narcotango concert in Rome, show Tango Intimo in El Teatro Repertorio Espanol de New York, show Tango Mio in Teatro Lope de Vega de Sevilla. They have performed in many Tango festivals—one of the most important ones was Tango con las estrellas in Buenos Aires. They have recently performed in the Tango Por Dos show and are currently performing with the company Mestizaje Tango.
Programme: Thursday, 15th October
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 7:00–8:00pm | Beginner class as usual, with Bianca |
| 8:00–9:30pm | Intermediate class with Diego and Angi: Surprise topic |
| 9:30pm–12:00am | Milonga: Social dance with demonstration by Diego and Angi around 10:30pm |
Venue
Programme: Sunday, 18th October
This day is dedicated to Diego and Angi's workshops. Details of the workshop topics to be announced soon.
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 2:30–3:45pm | Workshop 1: Tango Salon Sequences for Tango Salon—dancing the pauses |
| 4:00–5:15pm | Workshop 2: Vals Musicality and change of dynamics, managing rhythm and space, Vals sequences |
| 5:30–6:45pm | Workshop 3: Milonga Lisa y Traspie Elements and technique, leading and musicality, sequences |
| 7:00–8:15pm | Workshop 4: Tango Salon Understanding the concept of the individual axis and the axis of the couple, colgadas and giros (turns) for Tango Salon |
| 8:15–10:30pm | Practica |
Venue
Show, Workshops and ball with Anibal Lautaro and Valeria Maside
Event description
Anibal and Valeria are back! Some of you have seen them dance here in London on their last visit in October. The energy they bring with them, both on and off-stage is truly inspirational. And the Antonio Todaro style of Tango that they embody is so beautiful, it will really take your breath away!
During their three-day stay, Anibal and Valeria will be run six workshops and will perform in their sizzling style on Thursday evening, the 24th of September, at Poema, our Queensway milonga.
Two workshops on Sunday the 27th are inspired by the legendary teacher of teachers, Antonio Todaro. The Antonio Todaro style in particular is unmissable. Antonio Todaro was one of the most important teachers of all time, who had invented and codified his own method of Tango salon dance.
Anibal and Valeria studied with Antonio Todaro. To find out more about this style, visit this Tango and Chaos site.
Artist background
Anibal Lautaro and Valeria Maside are recognised for their elegance, sensuality and style in their dance and for their didactic methods as teachers.
This couple's trajectory is quite impressive with a long list of performances including:
- Dancing in the prestigious Buenos Aires ‘Teatro San Martín’ and alongside ‘La Orquesta del Maestro Cholo Mamone’. They were members of the Tango companies ‘Tango Pasional’ and ‘Tango Magistral’.
- Shows in the most prestigious milongas in Buenos Aires
- Festivals around the world
- Workshops and shows in London, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Valladolid, Ghent, Antwerp, Rome, Paris, Perpignan, Campobasso and San Antonio, Ibiza, to name a few.
Watch Anibal and Valeria dance on YouTube, in a performance recorded earlier this year.
Programme: Thursday, 24th September
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 7:00–8:00pm | Beginner class as usual, with Bianca |
| 8:00–9:30pm | Intermediate class with Anibal and Valeria: Surprise topic |
| 9:30pm–12:00am | milonga: Social dance with demonstration by Anibal and Valeria around 10:30pm |
Venue
Programme: Saturday, 26th September
This evening, Anibal and Valeria will present their spectacular show in the way it is danced on stage. Their workshops will be dedicated to the show style of Tango and they will share their skills with us. Both workshops are open to all levels, including professionals and curious amateurs.
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 7:15–8:15pm | Special workshop 1: “Secuencias de trucos y saltos” (Sequences with tricks and jumps) You will work on co-ordination with your partner on using the natural inertia and without unnecessary effort |
| 8:30–9:30pm | Special workshop 2: “Tango escenario” (Show Tango) Application of tricks and jumps in different choreographic combinations exploring different height levels and musicality |
| 9:30pm–2:00am | Ball with a show by Anibal and Valeria |
Venue
Programme: Sunday, 27th September
This day is dedicated to Anibal and Valeria's workshops. The first two workshops are inspired by Antonio Todaro.
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 2:30–3:45pm | Workshop 1: “Metodo Antonio Todaro: Giros con ganchos, sacadas y adornos” |
| 4:00–5:15pm | Workshop 2: “Metodo Antonio Todaro: Doble frente y detalles del estilo Todaro” (Exploring double front—or back to front—embrace and other details in Todaro style |
| 5:30–6:45pm | Workshop 3: “milonga Lisa y traspie” |
| 7:00–8:15pm | Workshop 4: “Tango Nuevo: Colgadas” |
| 8:15–10:30pm | Practica |
Venue
Summer Tango-Salsa fusion
Event description
Every year we run a series of Tango and Salsa fusion events with guest teachers. This summer, we are running the event in cooperation with Miguel Montero from Salsateca.
Programme
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 4:00–5:00pm | Workshop 1: Traditional Tango This class is a fast track introduction to all the essential technique for Argentine Tango and will enable you to hit the dance floor straight away, later on. |
| 5:15–6:15pm | Workshop 2: Modern Tango Progression from the first class and introduction to the latest Tango figures that use elements of Salsa combined with the structure of Tango. |
| 6:30–7:30pm | Workshop 3: Tango-Salsa fusion You will learn specially choreographed moves combining the most fun and showy moves in Tango and Salsa, that you can dance in both dance forms. |
| 8:30–9:30pm | Workshop 4: Salsa special In this workshop, Miguel will teach you a special routine. |
| 9:30pm–2:00am | Dance the night away to Tango and Salsa music Tango and Salsa performances around 11:30pm |
Venue
Dress code: sexy!
Giovanna and Aoniken
Event description
We introduce a double bill with this most amazing, absolutely unmissable couple, on Thursday the 23rd of July, and once more on Sunday the 26th July.
Artist background
Aoniken and Giovanna are not only amongst the youngest Tango couples but also extremely popular and most influential, performing today in Buenos Aires milongas (see this YouTube clip), as well as in the most prestigious Tango shows.
Aoniken Quiroga is actually officially 2006 Vice World Champion of Tango Salon, and has been dancing since the age of eight (aren't you jealous?). The current star of the Buenos Aires production Tango Porteño has also been featured in numerous other shows such as Tango Baile by Andrés Linetzky.
A former member of the teaching staff of Tango Escuela Carlos Copello and Escuela Nacional del Tango, he now teaches regularly at La Viruta, Vílla Malcolm, Centro Cultural Torcuato Tasso, La Mariposita and other well-known Tango schools in Buenos Aires.
His meteoric rise has now introduced the 23-year old to the European Tango scene. His new partner is Giovanna di Vincenzo, superb Tango dancer with classical and theatrical training. You can see Giovanna dancing in this YouTube video, taken from the Tango Porteño show.
Programme: Thursday, 23rd July
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 8.00-9.30pm | Fun workshop with Giovanna and Aoniken Ganchos, ‘normal’ and reversed. |
| 9.30pm-12.00am | Milonga Performance by Giovanna and Aoniken |
Venue
Programme: Sunday, 26th July
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 2.30-3.45pm | Workshop 1: Boleos Working with your hips and how to use them well for boleos. |
| 4.00-5.15pm | Workshop 2: Dancing in different styles to different orchestras Learn to dance to the music of Pugliese, D'Arienzo, Di Sarli... and learn different sequences for each orchestra. |
| 5.30-6.45pm | Workshop 3: milonga—‘normal’ and with traspie Traspie is Aoniken's speciality—you will never have seen anything like it. |
| 7.00-8.15pm | Workshop 4: Giros with enrosques Aoniken will share with you all the techniques for some of his flashy giros with the flying legs. |
| 8.15-10.30pm | Practica |
Venue
Special Tango weekend with Aisha and Victor
Event description
We are pleased to announce a very special weekend of events with Aisha and Victor.
During their stay in London, Aisha and Victor will present us with a series of beautifully themed workshops, performances, Tangomorphosis, and a sumptuous Tango fashion show. This is our mid-summer extravaganza, and one you mustn't miss!
Please read on for more on Aisha and Victor and a wonderful background to all the shows they have in store for us.
Artist background
Aisha and Victor are wonderful performance artists who are also culturally diverse and have world-wide experience of Argentine Tango. They have a profound understanding of the body (Aisha has yoga, modern jazz, classical ballet and flamenco on her side) and will concentrate on showing us how the Argentine Tango can be danced at the level of any individual's ability. Do not be deceived by their performance image, they understand the importance of the technique necessary for social (‘Salon’) dancing very well—once you have mastered some of the basic technique necessary for dancing the Tango, you will appreciate performance Tango the more, and see that the same principles apply at whatever level of ability and agility it is danced. This in one of the reasons why the Tango is so special.
Aisha and Victor are usually described as 'charismatic' and bubbly, and you will undoubtedly enjoy their dancing, teaching and their company in general.
Thursday Programme
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 8:00–9:30pm | Workshop: Technique for Couples |
| 9:30pm–2:00am | Milonga and performance with Aisha and Victor |
Venue
Friday Programme
Tango fashion show
Tango is not only a music or dance—it is a new vision of life with its various aspects. Tango focuses on femininity and masculinity—very defined roles for men and women. Argentina has preserved, mostly thanks to Tango, what has been diluted in Europe: men are really men and women are genuine women. Tango revolves around women. When you look at the dancing couple, you generally follow HER with your eyes. A real man in tango is the one who makes a woman shine, BUT she has to become HIS INSPIRATION!
My tango fashion collection is converting a woman into this INSPIRATION. She becomes a muse; attracts him and awakes his desire to dance the Tango of the night with her. BUT SHE, herself, thanks to this TANGOMORPHOSIS, by means of clothes and make up, changes into a different woman. She has a lot to choose from: my Tango clothes from Buenos Aires change a local tanguera into a princess—maybe a queen, a butterfly, a flower—anything conveying femininity: elegance, extravagance, innocence even with a touch of vulgarity or kitsch. SHE CAN BE ANYTHING in Tango. A METAMORPHOSIS is NEEDED. Then she can inspire and dance.
My fashion show catwalk is a part of Tango therapy. It is a part of ‘technique for women’ in which she discovers, that the ritual of tango, like all the rituals, demands internal and external preparation. I encourage them to became somebody else for the 3 minutes of a Tango. I encourage them to explore their female power. Then Tango dances itself.
I am looking forward to meeting my brave London (English) girls and converting them into genuine tangueras. You will only go as far as you are ready to go! I promise we all will have a lot of fun. And loads of learning!
My clothes are either my own designs or a famous Argentinean designer's Tango collection. I will offer them for sale afterwards, although it is not my main objective.
As a ‘cherry on the cake’ I would like to make an auction of my Tango show pieces that I used during this or our last tour and that I cannot keep using (a genuine tanguera cannot show up in the same dress a couple of times, you understand). Let's make Tango fashion change the monotonous look of a modern woman! Let's make a female Tango revolution!
Aisha
About Tangomorphosis
Aisha & Victor's life is totally marked by Tango. Their dancing style, ideas and teaching is a constant research of new artistic expressions and intercommunication. In that spirit a dance piece ‘Tangomorphosis’ was born, in which, by means of dance and music, they tell their own story—one of transformation: a girl turns into a tanguera, a musician into a Tango dancer. It is a universal story of a transformation by means of Tango. When Victor meets Aisha for the fist time, she is giving a concert of folk music intertwined with some Tangos with the other members of the band. He approaches her and says, what could be taken as ‘Argentine chamuyo’, that she is too beautiful to hide her body behind this enormous instrument and that he, a Tango dancer, would show this body whole, making it dance Tango. And so it happens. Tangomorphosis. A musician becomes a dancer. A girl becomes a tanguera. She has to choose between an instrument and a tanguero, music and dance. European winter changes into Buenos Aires summer. Buenos Aires is the best air to inhale and inspire. This journey is marked by Piazzolla's Verano Porteno, Invierno Porteno, Oblivion, traditional Tango of Donato's “Melodia del Corazon” and a Polonez by Oginski, representing folk music and the age of innocence. In Aisha's final solo on accordion, her fingers transform one piece into another, a patchwork of life's changes. Argentinean popular saying el quien toca nunca baila
(the one who plays [an instrument] never dances) is challenged.
This spectacle has been inaugurated at the World Tango Summit (la Cumbre Mundial del Tango) in Patagonia Aisha & Victor's Tangomorphosis, being a fusion of cultures, has been sponsored by the Polish Embassy in Buenos Aires. Now, they are bringing this performance to Europe (London, Wales, Switzerland, Sweden, Poland etc).
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. Special prices available for multiple workshop or whole day bookings—see below. | |
| 6:00–7:15pm | Workshop 1: Tango 1 The challenge of dancing in reduced space. Abrazo. Figures in close embrace, change of embrace. Variants of the salida for a start. Variants of ocho cortado and empujadita and playing with it. Continuity of dance versus pauses. How to ‘play Gavito’. Milonguero attitude. |
| 7:30–8:45pm | Workshop 2: Tango 2 Applying Tango technique and energy flow in the most frequent figures in Tango: barrida, voleo, gancho, parada, corte, congelada (freezing). Use of weight to transform sacadas into paradas and the other way around. |
| 9:00pm–2:00am | Mid-summer milonga with: Tango Fashion show at 10:30pm and Tangomorphosis at 11:00pm |
Venue
Sunday Programme
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. Special prices available for multiple workshop or whole day bookings—see below. | |
| 3:30–5:15pm | Workshop 1: Vals Vals sequences and ‘cadenas’ in Vals. Colgadas. Volcadas. Change of direction. Making a Vals a ‘flying’ experience. |
| 5:30pm–6:45pm | Workshop 2: milonga How to, from simple steps, compose a complex milonga. Playing with simple and more complex figures and combinations in a milonga. Medio tiempo, change of rhythm, connection between partners. |
| 7:00–8:15pm | Workshop 3: Tango Tango toys or prohibited fruit of tango—how to impress with tango figures. |
| 8:15pm–10:30pm | Practica |
Venue
4-Day Tango workshop in France
Event description
Indulge in your passion for Tango, and start your holiday season in the heart of France! Kindly arranged by the wonderful Les Soeurs Anglaises, we are offering four days of Tango workshops and enjoyment of the majestic French countryside, wine tastings, and other pleasant diversions.
The workshops are aimed at beginners as well as those who have been learning Tango for a while, improvers. The event is certainly not limited to just couples, it is open to individuals, so please let us know if you're interested as soon as possible to ensure even numbers.
For more information and to print off a brochure for the event or merely to send it to a friend, please download the brochure [pdf].
Programme
The Tango Programme consist of four hours tuition per day on Saturday the 22nd to Monday the 25th May. On Tuesday the 26th, there will be 2 hours tuition.
TangoRojo festival 2009
Event description
TangoRojo is our new annual Tango festival celebrating all forms of Tango arts. We bring you Tango in all its manifestations to explore: Film, history, music, paintings and of course, the dance itself.
We will have a milonga every evening in our lovely West London period venue, just minutes from Hyde Park and Queensway. With much live music, seminars, a film screening, workshops and performance, there will be plenty of lovely Argentine Tango for you to enjoy in its multitudinous forms, in a sociable crowd, whether you dance the Tango or merely wish to enjoy a spectacle.
Artists
You will meet fourteen diverse artists of the Tango scene, whether musicians, scholars, painters, teachers or performers. You can meet them all on the TangoRojo artists and teachers page.
Programme
The full and most up-to-date schedule of festival events, workshops and milongas is available on the TangoRojo programme page.
Venues
The festival will take place mainly at Latvian House, in a beautiful, parquet-floored period ballroom in Queensway, west London. Sunday the 17th, will take place at the Union Tavern, conveniently located near Kings Cross, Angel, Farringdon and Russell Square stations, Central London.
Live music and milonga with Duo Tanzango
Event description
Duo Tanzango have already delighted our milongueros this summer when they played their wonderful sets to a dancing audience. This time, they're back to entertain us with more of their repertoire—this evening promises to be electrifying!
Artist background
Duo Tanzango takes a fresh look at grand musical traditions. With virtuosity and expression, James Ogle (violin, also of the "strictly milonguero" trio La Yumba) and Volker Sommer (accordion), create light-hearted metamorphoses of rootsy milongas, tangos and valses, as well as Piazzolla's gripping concoctions.
Programme
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 8:00–9:30pm | Regular class |
| 9:30pm–midnight | Live music and milonga (social dance) |
Venue
Ana Paola sings for us
This evening we have a special guest who will sing a variety of Tangos for us. We often invite musicians to our milonga, but this time we thought you would appreciate a singer as a unique experience.
Artist background
Ana Paola is an Argentine singer, born in Buenos Aires and carries in her voice all the secrets of Tango in its most authentic form.
Based in London now, the singer is currently dedicated to recording and producing her new discographic work in which she audaciously combines the rhythm and flavor of her native music with pop sounds.
Programme
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 8:00–9:30pm | Regular class |
| 9:30pm–midnight | Live music with Ana Paola and milonga (social dance) |
Venue
Workshops with Anibal Lautaro and Valeria Maside
Event description
This evening you will be treated to three workshops by a couple of Tango maestros with an inexhaustible appetite for Tango. They have had excellent exposure in many influential Tango festivals around Europe and Argentina, but not, until now, in the UK.
We will be taken through the Antonio Todaro Tango salon style, cover 'needles' for the man and 'adornos' for the woman in giros, and cover different aspects of 'milonga lisa' or 'milonga traspié' in milonga. The Antonio Todaro style in particular is unmissable. Antonio Todaro was one of the most important teachers of all time, who had invented and codified his own method of Tango salon dance, and Anibal and Valeria have studied with him. Watch Antonio Todaro in an old and only recorded video around on YouTube.
Artist background
Anibal and Valeria are interested in elegance and sensuality in Tango and the connection between the couple. They have traveled and worked in many countries and this will be their first visit to the UK. They have recently participated in the ‘Festival Internacional de Tango de Floreanópolis’, Brazil, in ‘Hoepertinguer Tango y Salsa Week’, Belgium, festival ‘Dansen in't Park’, Belgium, and festival ‘Ritmos del Mundo’, Belgium. In Buenos Aires, they form part of the company ‘Tango Pasional’ and dance in the famous show in the landmark Tango venue ‘Esquina de Homero Manzi’—www.tangopasional.com.ar.
Watch Anibal and Valeria on YouTube, in a performance recorded earlier this year.
Programme
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 4.00–5.30pm | Combined figures for Tango salon (Antonio Todaro style) |
| 5.45–7.15pm | Tango sequences with giros and 'needles' for the men and decorations (adornos) for the women |
| 7.30–9.00pm | Milonga; Different steps for 'milonga lisa' or 'milonga traspié' |
| 9.00–10.30pm | Practica |
Venue
Villa Urquiza Workshops with Roberto and Mariana
Villa Urquiza style
The Villa Urquiza style of Tango is arguably the most elegant and beautiful, and has a loyal following throughout the world.
Roberto and Mariana have already been with us earlier this summer, to great acclaim, with students clamouring for their return. They join us for a further two workshops and a sizzling performance—make a note in your social diary and don't miss this event.
Artist background
Roberto Bolletin and Mariana Bocalatte are one of the youngest couples around, but with an impressive CV. They have and continue to tour all over Italy and various events around Europe. You can read more about them on www.robertoymariana.blogspot.com.
Programme
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 6:00–7:30pm | Workshop 1 |
| 7:30–8:00pm | Dinner break |
| 8:00–9:30pm | Workshop 2 |
| 9:30pm–2:00am | Dancing and performance |
Venue
Autumn Salsa and Tango Fusion Marathon with Salsateca
About the event
Our Salsa and Tango fusion is back this autumn with Cliff Joseph of Salsateca.
With modern Tango 'borrowing' more moves from other dances, including Salsa (and vice versa), we take a look at where some of those moves come from, why and how they work and how to combine Salsa moves and decorations in Tango and how to use Tango moves in Salsa.
During a whole day of workshops (2:00–8:00pm), we draw parallels between the two dances, and teach you moves using techniques from both sides. These workshops not only enable the Tango dancers to savour Salsa and vice versa, but also how to draw on techniques from both these rich dance forms and increase their dance vocabulary.
This is our third fusion event of the year, and each event looks at a different style of Salsa.
Artist background
Cliff has been teaching for Salsateca for about 10 years. His background is in Yoga, Shiatsu and Counseling and is conscious of looking for ways to incorporate his knowledge of the physical and mental self into dance as self expression e.g. breathing techniques.
He has taught abroad and has spent time in New York and Italy developing his Salsa with some of the world's top teachers. He has also performed on stage, TV and salsa DVDs and is the choreographer for his troupe, which performs at large Salsa events nationwide.
Watch Cliff and his troupe perform on YouTube.
Programme
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 2:00–2:10pm | Salsa warm up session |
| 2:15–2:25pm | Tango warm up session |
| 2:30–3:25pm | Salsa footwork and styling |
| 3:40–4:30pm | Soltadas in modern Tango (Salsa-inspired turns) |
| 4:30–5:00pm | Coffee break |
| 5:00–6:00pm | Salsa turns |
| 6:15–8:00pm | Salsa and Tango fusion special workshop |
| 8:00–9:00pm | Dinner break |
| 9:00pm–2:00am | Tango and Salsa ball and performances |
Venue
Workshops, performance and ball with Roberto and Mariana
Villa Urquiza style
Roberto Bolletin & Mariana Bocalatte, one of the youngest couples around, but with an impressive CV are going to entertain you in this last of our summer events. You can read more about them on www.robertoymariana.blogspot.com.
Evening programme
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 6.00-7.30pm | Workshop 1 Estilo Villa Urquiza: elegancia, bailar la pausa, suavidad y calma (the most popular Buenos Aires style of dancing—Villa Urquiza: elegance, dancing the pause, softness and calm). |
| 7.30-8.00pm | Dinner time—take advantage to sample home-cooked Latvian food... |
| 8.00-9.30pm | Workshop 2Entre los pasosAdornos y estética entre la pareja ( Between the stepsdecorations and aesthetics of the couple). |
| 9.30pm-02.00am | Dancing |
Venue
Salsa and Tango summer ball
Rojo y Negro's Salsa and Tango summer ball; 2.00pm-2.00am, with Maria Palmieri (Salsa Tropical) and Bianca (Rojo y Negro).
Programme
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 1.30-2.00pm | Registration |
| 2.00-2.30pm | Tango walk with Bianca and Salsa basics in Cross Body Style with Maria |
| 2.30-3.00pm | Salsa spins with Maria |
| 3.00-3.15pm | Break |
| 3.15-4.00pm | Salsa styling - Maria |
| 4.00-4.15pm | Break |
| 4.15-4.45 | Tango styling - Bianca |
| 4.45-5.45pm | Tea break |
| 5.45-6.45pm | Tango moves in Salsa dancing and Salsa turns we use in Tango - Maria and Bianca |
| 6.45-7.00pm | Break |
| 7.00-8.00pm | Fusion lesson—Maria and Bianca mix some Salsa (cross body style) and Tango moves into a sexy routine |
| 8.00-9.00pm | Dinner break (home-cooked dinner available at Latvian House) |
| 9.00pm-2.00am | Dancing and performances |
Book early as only limited spaces are available—last time we had to turn people away!
Dress code: sexy!
Venue
Tango Extravaganza opening night—with Duo Napoli Casares
London's own Tango festival starts on Thursday night at our attractive dance hall, with Duo Napoli Casares.
This very special duo will share with the audience not only their music repertoire of specially selected Tango-Canción from the 1920s, but also attractive stories and anecdotes from the Tango interpreters, composers and Tango's particular dialect—Lunfardo.
This is an unmissable event!
Evening programme
| Time | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact us with any questions about the event or venue. | |
| 7.00-8.30pm | Lecture and demonstration by Duo Napoli Casares—The birth of Tango song |
| 8.30-9.30pm | Workshop with Bianca—Musicality in the walk and in giros |
| 9.30pm-12.30am | Dancing |
Bianca's workshops are always original, interesting and inspiring. Her style of teaching is, in short, about understanding the structure of tango, body design and principles of improvisation and musicality.
Bianca's teaching follows her own method, designed to make you dance well as quickly as possible. Look for her first Tango DVD, available from the Tango Boutique. To read more about Bianca, visit our about Bianca page.