Tango Boot Camp 26th & 27th April 2008

[Andy McGregor]

Argentine Tango is coming to Brighton. Warren, a well known S.E. dancer is organising a weekend of Argentine Tango. He's organised Stefano Fava and Alexandra Wood to come to Brighton for the weekend to take the workshops.

It sounds great and I'm thinking of doing it. I think it's designed to take us "beginners" through the painful learning curve at the start of the dance - over the years I've done the odd workshop at a weekender but never really had anywhere to learn locally or to practice the dance. I think it would be a great idea to cram all my pain into a weekend in Brighton.

The, slightly funny, advert for it is on YouTube here and the website is here.

[Caro]

Originally Posted by Andy McGregor

Stefano Fava and Alexandra Wood

FWIW I rate their teaching very highly, and they have experience of teaching tango to jivers (Franck had them up for the beach ballroom once or twice).

Sounds like an opportunity not to miss if you're around

[David Bailey]

Originally Posted by Caro

FWIW I rate their teaching very highly,

Me too - I did a class with them a couple of weeks ago at Negracha - my review is here - they're superb teachers.

Andy, if you start Tango, you realise you'll be expected to start doing a lot of angst-ridden "Oh My God, I can't get it" posts from now on?

[JonD]

Nice dancers! I'd guess it'll be a good course - go for it.

Originally Posted by Andy McGregor

I think it would be a great idea to cram all my pain into a weekend in Brighton.

Well, at least it means you'll get some of the initial agony out of the way quickly!

[Mary]

Sounds good. If I have the dosh and availability I'd like to do it.

M

[David Bailey]

Originally Posted by Andy McGregor

The, slightly funny, advert for it is on YouTube here

Just watched this, it's great. Nice dress

Am I sad, to admit that when I saw them get into the embrace, my first thought was "Huh, that's a weird hold..."?

[Tiggerbabe]

Originally Posted by Andy McGregor

Stefano Fava and Alexandra Wood

Gets my vote too, Andy, they are both superb teachers, as well as lovely people and amazing dancers. I'm hoping they'll be back in Scotland soon

Oh, and by the way, Alexandra's usual shoes

[Cruella]

Is it aimed at complete beginners or those that have tried Tango before?
I've been intending to try and get my hubby to start up Ballroom and Tango with me. He's a complete beginner in dance though, (as I am to Tango) so I don't want to push him in at the deep end (or myself).

[David Bailey]

Originally Posted by Cruella

Is it aimed at complete beginners or those that have tried Tango before?

From the site FAQ:

Who is TangoBootCamp aimed at?
TangoBootCamp is aimed at anyone who has ever harboured a burning desire to dance Argentine Tango AND is willing to put in the effort required to make that desire a reality.

We have highlighted 2 groups of people for whom it may be especially appropriate.
1. Dancers of other dance styles who might already have had a brief taste of Argentine Tango or who simply want to take on an additional challenge.
2. People who have tried to learn Argentine Tango previously but gave up because it was too difficult or unrewarding.

So:

Originally Posted by Cruella

I've been intending to try and get my hubby to start up Ballroom and Tango with me. He's a complete beginner in dance though, (as I am to Tango) so I don't want to push him in at the deep end (or myself).

Mmm. I think this'd definitely class as pretty deep-end-y. For that matter, learning Tango from nothing is pretty much in the deep end anyway. I've heard there's this cool dance called Modern Jive, maybe try him on that?

If you insist on starting the poor guy on AT, then I reckon something like Amir's workshop might be a better start.

But even that might be quite daunting.

I reckon you'd have to be extremely determined to learn AT as your first-ever partner dance experience, especially as a leader. On the other hand, it's probably the "best" way to learn partner dancing, because every other dance will seem simple after that.

[JonD]

Originally Posted by Cruella

He's a complete beginner in dance though, (as I am to Tango) so I don't want to push him in at the deep end (or myself).

I fear that I'd have run a mile if I'd attempted AT as my first dance. There were times in the first couple of years when it was only the confidence I'd gained dancing MJ that got me through periods of frustration and feeling totally inadequate.

Mind you, if he's an obsessive sort of personality who relishes a challenge he'll be fine! It's probably worth trying the course - it's only a couple of days after all. Even if he hates it then he'll still probably still try ballroom or MJ with you and, as DJ says, finding those more accessible than AT might work out really well.

I do like the way Stefano and Alexandra dance - I must try and get to some of their classes.

[Sugarfoot]

It seems like the mystery of learning Tango is often blown out of all proportion. If you say it is hard/difficult etc it will be because you said so. The only challenge over other dances is that you are made more aware of your body/balance etc and get direct feedback from your partner in a far more subtle way. I guess the feeling of difficulty is directly proportional to how we react to our own self awareness and direct feedback from out partner.

I took up salsa, jive and AT more or less at the same time. I found Tango easier because it allowed me to dance ay my own pace. The standard of teaching at AT probably had a lot to do with it as well. I guess we are all different and respond based on those differences. A sensitive kinaesthetic person will respond better to Tango than salsa.

[Caro]

Originally Posted by Sugarfoot

It seems like the mystery of learning Tango is often blown out of all proportion.

tsss... Don't you deprive DJ of his uniqueness & elistist feeling

[Cruella]

Originally Posted by Sugarfoot

A sensitive kinaesthetic person will respond better to Tango than salsa.

That describes me to a tee. I never read these dancing threads, cos they make no sense to me whatsoever. I learn by feeling and doing. You've met my hubby, Ian. Do you think it'd be too much for him?

Originally Posted by JonD

Mind you, if he's an obsessive sort of personality who relishes a challenge he'll be fine!

Well I guess he could be described as the adventurous type. Last year he rode a bicycle to Paris from London. The year before he went to the Arctic to walk to the North Pole. I guess that means Tango will be a cinch!

[Sugarfoot]

Originally Posted by Cruella

You've met my hubby, Ian. Do you think it'd be too much for him?

I think it will be a great leveler for you to start together. After all this time you can be together in the dance world. I think he will do just fine.

[HelenB]

It's on the same weekend as the Northampton WCS Jordan/Tatiana workshops that I've already booked

I hope it goes well and Warren runs it again

[David Bailey]

Originally Posted by Sugarfoot

It seems like the mystery of learning Tango is often blown out of all proportion.

Well, yeah - we like to whinge about how tough it all is, and sometimes it's overblown.

Originally Posted by Sugarfoot

If you say it is hard/difficult etc it will be because you said so. The only challenge over other dances is that you are made more aware of your body/balance etc and get direct feedback from your partner in a far more subtle way. I guess the feeling of difficulty is directly proportional to how we react to our own self awareness and direct feedback from out partner.

Mmmm. Dunno about that. All said and done, it's still quite difficult to do, you know. The control, precision and sublety of communication aren't exaclty a doddle.

On the other hand, it doesn't require pattern memorisation, vigorous movement, or (much of) a sense of rhythm.

Originally Posted by Sugarfoot

I took up salsa, jive and AT more or less at the same time. I found Tango easier because it allowed me to dance ay my own pace.

I started Jive many years ago, then salsa about 12 years ago, then AT a couple of years ago.

Hmmm... difficult to compare. I feel that Tango is more difficult, but that could be just my memory, or it could be just me getting older and feebler.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Tiggerbabe

Oh, and by the way, Alexandra's usual shoes

Oh wow yes, those shoes ... And yes, they're excellent teachers .

Originally Posted by Cruella

Is it aimed at complete beginners or those that have tried Tango before?
I've been intending to try and get my hubby to start up Ballroom and Tango with me. He's a complete beginner in dance though, (as I am to Tango) so I don't want to push him in at the deep end (or myself).

I'm sure Angelique will correct me if I'm wrong, but I first met her & her husband at Barry's tango classes, & I got the impression it was his first taste of dancing - & it didn't put him off cos he's done jive since.

Great video Warren !!