Lesson Records of the JCC Tango Club in Palo Alto

**** Here is the schedule for our last 4 tango events in 2007:

December 19, Wednesday:

8:00-10:00 - Milonga Apilada workshop. ( In close embrace ) "Back Ochos and "How to be light in Apilado" " .

$10 + Practica

- this is an important class. We will work on how to be light in Apilado and move with ease. So far we missed this topic. This class is especially important for women, but, of course, without men there is no dancing !

December 24, Monday:

7:30 - no lessons! Practica ! Igor will play favorite tandas - come to dance.

$5

December 26, Wednesday:

8:00-11:00. Celebration! 2 year anniversary of JCC Tango Club! Bring food! 1 hour fun lesson "Getting into the mood" followed by Milonga at 9:00pm.

$10

******************* New videos:

Here are Tango students, old Igor’s internet friends Fred and Anita Chu perform a choreographed Candombe. They are far from perfect, but look with what charm and enthusiasm they dance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kr4uTmy_kvk

( great source of interesting elements )

Now here is a Brigitta Winkler’s new masterpiece:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZREOqAgZwI&feature=related_

We hope we are going to see her soon!

December 10, Monday:
7:30 - Beginner's Lesson #7: "Contra-Body walk";
8:30 - Intermediate Lesson: "Simple Boleo and Turn-in-Line"
$10 for 2 lessons + Practica

December 12, Wednesday:
8:00-10:00 - Milonga Apilada workshop. ( In close embrace ) Continuing. We are going to dance slow this time.
$10 + Practica

December 17, Monday:
7:30 - Beginner's Lesson #8: "Forward Ocho";
8:30 - Intermediate Lesson: "Forward Ocho to Cross".
$10 for 2 lessons + Practica ( Last time $10 for 2 lessons )

Wednesday, November 28

8:00-10:00 Milonga class with Igor and Teressa: Review of all Ruben's figures, and answering questions.

New videos:

Ruben recommended to watch videos of Ricardo Vidort. Here Ricardo Vidort y Liz Haight are dancing Tango. Very authentic. Can you recognize someone at your local milongas dancing just like this? ;)

Another Milonguero: Dani 'El Flaco' Garcia y Silvina Valz - Milonga. Yeah, this is the way !

And Canyengue by Martha Anton y 'El Gallego' Marolo. Enjoy !

Monday, November 26

7:30-8:30 - Beginner's lesson with Igor and Teressa: Back Ochos.

8:30- 9:30 - This time we are going to review the previous lesson about grapevine turn to the left and learn a new kind of left turn - most simple one, but most practical.

Ruben "Milonga" workshops:

November 19 & 21 (click the picture for more) Potos of November 21 - Milonga workshop

Here is the video of Ruben dancing Candombe with Teressa

Monday, November 19

7:30-8:30 - Beginner's lesson with Igor and Teressa: a figure so called "8-count Basic". This lesson costs $10

8:30- 9:30 - Intermediate lesson with Ruben "Milonga", a teacher from Buenos Aires !
the topic of the lesson: "How to dance Tango". This lesson costs $15.

9:30 - ... Practica.

Please, note the pricing: $10 for the beginner's class starting at 7:30, and $15 for the intermediate class starting at 8:30.

Here are photos

Today, Wednesday, November 14

We have the first Milonga Apilada ( Milonga in Close Embrace ) workshop.

Milonga is Tango with pepper. This is a lesson where important concepts of Tango will be discovered. Everyone is welcome!

Monday, November 12

7:30 Beginners lesson: BL#3: Three types of box steps.
8:30 Grapevine the Tango way. Giro-Caminado ( Walking Turn ) to the left.

Monday, November 5 topics:

7:30 - Promenade in Tango
8:30 - Figures on Forward Ochos ( including a part of the Andres and Meredith figure )

After the class finishes, at about 9:40, we can make ( in another place in the same building ) a short review of the figure Andres and Meredith have taught. I am ego to show it to you in Canyengue style J ! While practica will go in the main place as usual. ( Oh, by the way, a photo album is started. There are a couple of photos there from the recent event: http://www.virtuar.com/jcc/2007/AM_photo_2007.htm.  If you have photos to share – you are welcome ! ). If you are interested, Andres and Meredith will give 3 more lessons on this Sunday at Elks Lodge: http://www.stanford.edu/~dorcas/EspirituLibre/ with a Milonga( a dance party ) to follow.

On Wednesday, October 31 we had Andreas and Meredith as our guest teachers. Here are the photos.

Monday, October 29

7:30 Beginners Class #BL1 of the series of 12 Basic Classes. Simple Tango.

8:30 Double time variations of most important figures. This is an intermediate lesson filled with material. We assume you know the Basic Lessons: basic figures, promenades, ochos, and runs ( walks forward ).

$10 for both ! Use this opportunity ( before 2008 ) to come to both classes ! We are expecting intermediate at the beginners classes where we explain important ideas. We expect you to know them at our intermediate classes.

Igor has asked Jorge Nel to give us some tango shoes for sale. So, there will be something available. Please, make a note about it. One pair costs $100 which is not very expensive. If you are looking for dancing shoes, please, e-mail Igor your size as soon as possible, so we can have better selection, since Jorge is not able to come to our class and therefore the number of shoes Igor is going to bring is limited.

On Wednesdays in November we continue a fun journey to Canyengue and Milonga. Now in close embrace, see more below, but this coming Wednesday, October 31 we have guest teachers Andres and Meredith. Let us have some fun with Halloween. Dress with the touch of orange, it is first of all the tango color. Bring your dish.

Andres and Meredith will teach us "Traditional Early 1900s tango steps" which are very interesting and very tango. They are young world class dancers of Tango Nuevo style.

Monday, October 22

7:30 Beginners Class #BL10 of the series of 12 Basic Classes. Rhythms of tango. New to tango? Come ! We really want to see everyone at this class. All intermediate dancers !!!

8:30 Steps of and figures on Back Ochos. This is an intermediate lesson filled with material. We assume you know the Basic Lessons: basic figures, promenades, ochos, and runs ( walks forward ).

$10 for both ! Use this opportunity ( before 2008 ) to come to both classes ! We are expecting intermediate at the beginners classes where we explain important ideas. We expect you to know them at our intermediate classes.

On Wednesdays we continue a fun journey to Canyengue and Milonga.

Attention ! On October 31, Wednesday, 8pm we have great guest teachers from Buenos Aires:

Andres Amarilla and Meredith Klein:

Traditional Early 1900s Tango Steps - All Levels
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
8:00 - 9:30 pm. + Practica
$20
Flyer to print out

4 October Wednesdays: October 3, 10, 17, 24 ( not 31 ! ) AND November !!!

These Wednesdays we continue to explore the basis of Milonga: Canyengue. If you haven't been to the first class, no problem ( you will miss the figures specific for that class, that is all  :) ), but we are going to explain all the nuances of the technique again, and learn new very practical steps.

So,

A series of Milonga and Canyengue Classes

Milonga is a special Tango dance based on the ancient, vintage Tango styles Orillero and Canyengue. It is more rhythmic and sharp and its music is very specific. Some Milongas are written with the clear intent to express the rhythm and feel of Candombe - an ancient Argentine black-dance, the basis of Tango. Milonga has different energy, more major, more playful, than modern Tango.

All this dances share the same technique which we are going to learn. This technique is also used in the Salon Tango in some elements. Milonga is usually played at the dance parties in the following proportion to Tango and Vals: 1 Milonga tanda per 5 Tango and Vals tandas.

There are 4 ways to dance Milonga.

In our classes we concentrate on Technique, Rhythms, and Musicality of Milonga. There is no Milonga without the right technique. We learn it in open and close embrace. During these classes you are also will learn some of Canyengue and Orillero styles.

8:00 - 10:00 PM + Practica. $10 only !

Videos about Milonga:

Pablo Veron ( The star of “Tango Lesson”) is dancing Milonga in Orillero style:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qw1By7xNSOo

Canyengue by Carlos "El Tordo" y Liliana Tolomei:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJxuyABtCaw

Here they dance what they call Milonga:
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtatmCSrfLw

Milonga by Jorge Torres and great Mariela Franganillo:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6IeJGYqKrc

One more: JORGE DISPARI y LA TURCA, Salon milonga:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucLFoUHcp-g&NR

Monday, October 15

7:30 Beginners Class #BL9 of the series of 12 Basic Classes. Nice dancing steps, small pivots. New to tango? Come !

8:30 We have finished the intermediate round. New round is starting. Now, surprise! Variations on the 8-Count Basic step. Advanced dancer? Come !

$10 for both ! Use this opportunity ( before 2008 ) to come to both classes ! We are expecting you at the beginners classes where we explain important ideas. We expect you to know them at our intermediate classes.

Monday, October 1st

7:30 Beginners Class #BL7 of the series of 12 Basic Classes. New to tango? Come !

8:30 We are going to continue developing ideas form the "Turn to the left on the right side". We are going to combine 2 previous lessons and review the material and will see what new ideas we are going to come to..

$10 for both ! Use this opportunity ( before 2008 ) to come to both classes ! We are expecting you at the beginners classes where we explain important ideas. We expect you to know them at our intermediate classes.

Monday, September 24

Beginner's lesson is at 7:30. Cross Basic BL#6.

Intermediate lesson at 8:30. Continuing the previous lessons topics: Turn to the Left from Parada.

Wednesday, September 19

Close Embrace Apilado. We have made "Introduction to Apilado" workshop

Monday, September 17

Beginner's lesson is at 7:30. Back Ochos - one of the things which make tango tango. BL#5

Intermediate lesson at 8:30 Figures on transitions from the walk to promenade: rich palette.

Monday, September 10

Beginner's lesson is at 7:30. Simple, but very important material for everyone. BL#4

Intermediate lesson at 8:30: Essential Practical Ganchos in Open Embrace. Fun, simple and effective. No sweat !

Wednesday, September 12 - No lesson !!!

Here is a nice video I've just received: Milonga: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtatmCSrfLw

Wednesday, Sept 5

- Close Embrace Apilado

Monday, August 27

7:30 - beginner's; 8:30 - intermediate

At the beginner's lesson we will be simply memorizing and improving 8-count basic step. This step has a lot of important little details so it is not that simple as beginners might see.

Wednesday, August 29

8-10

Polishing Apilado skills: Boleos in Apilado close embrace.

Wednesday August 22:

Close Embrace Tango Apilado 8-10pm.
In preparaton to our Milonga workshops, today we will practice rhythmic changes. In basics, ocho cortado, simple traspie step, and simple turn to the left. May be something else.
Open embrace dancers are welcome to do the same: come and practice.

Monday August 20:

Teressa is back !!!

So, 7:30 beginners, 8:30 – progressing.

Wednesday lesson on August 15. We are going to practice similar thing we did on Monday, but in close embrace. Again, if you do not feel comfortable to go into Apilado, come to practice it in open embrace and get a personal advice from Igor. 8-10 pm.

Big announcement ! ( I think )

Igor is going to give a free private lesson to any man who have taken 8 weeks of group classes. If you did it already, you are eligible. You should schedule the time and come to Igor's home dance studio in Hayward. Why am I doing this? There are a lot of things I should explain to men and that is practically possible only during private one-to-one classes.
Call ! Igor's e-mail: ipolk@virtuar.com, 510-582-8711 (home/office), 510-610-8711 (cell).

* * *
Today's lesson on Monday is as usual: 7:30 beginners, 8:30 – progressing. Come on Wednesday: it is not going to be just a close embrace class, but also good time for practicing and personal advice from Igor. Last Wednesday we worked on improving the material we have learned on the past Monday's lesson. When Teressa comes back, we’d like to make a series of Milonga classes.

Some videos. Street Tango is still alive in Buenos Aires. Here are some examples.

I like this example, even though the actual tango starts at the 2:40 second of the clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmPzXwjN8Ac

Here is another example of street tango: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRbNLZ11yXQ

And here is the artistic performance on stage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YpLqCth7DrY

Do you recognize the familiar figures?

Monday Tango lesson, July 23 : 7:30 beginners, 8:30 progressing. This lesson is about how to put elements together to make a dance. We are going to review most useful ones and learn the simplest turn 360 degrees to the left. Please, do not be late !

Wednesday Apilado Tango, July 25: 8-10 PM - The special way of close embrace dancing lets you experience the utmost situation for practicing balance and connection. We are going to continue these useful technique lessons. This is also a good opportunity to practice things in open embrace if you wish so to do.

New videos:
Here are Three couples ( famous ) give little performance at a birthday party in Buenos Aires. Simple social dancing.

Here is Florencia Taccetti, a woman with perfect technique.

See you there !

Monday Tango lesson, July 16 : 7:30 beginners, 8:30 progressing. We are going to continue our venture to the world of Sacadas, where they come from.

Wednesday Apilado Tango, July 18: 8-10 PM - The special way of close embrace dancing lets you experience the utmost situation for practicing balance and connection.

Monday Tango lesson, July 9 : 7:30 beginners, 8:30 progressing...

Wednesday Apilado Tango, July 11: 8-10 PM

Here it the video of probably the simplest dance in my collection: Melina Sedo and Detlef Engel. They dance in close embrace, something which we learn on Wednesdays.

Here is a more theatrical performance: Melina Brufman y Claudio Gonzalez, a most innovative couple  ( with European accent ). Another dance - an avalanche of artistism. Tell us how do you like this style, please.

Monday Tango lesson, July 2 : 7:30 beginners, 8:30 progressing...

We are going to start learning sacadas at the progressing lesson,  and connect them to Ocho-Cortado which we have learned last time. That will ultimately bring us to the turn to the right. The right way.

There is no lesson on Wednesday July 4 - Independence Day. We are going to continue with Apilado the next Wednesdays. This is the way to polish your tango skills: balance, posture, smoothness ( and sharpness )

Monday Tango lesson, June 25 : 7:30 beginners, 8:30 progressing...

Some notes about tango levels and complexity. Beginners class may be simple, but that is also a time to practice, and you know, it is not a number of figures you do, but how good you do it. About the progressing class. At the beginning, we usually have more simple stuff suitable for people attending the first class, but later, the material becomes more ( and sometimes much more ) complicated. Do not get discouraged by it, if you can not follow it to the end. It is normal. There are other people who probably want something more advanced. Practice what you can do well with your partner, and you will make it. I promise, I know. If you feel you reached a certain plato in improvement of your skills, and that happens with everyone once in a while, consider taking a private class with Igor. We attend personally at the group lessons, but how much time we could allocate to give you a personal advice and encouragement? Just several seconds. This is not enough.. Igor.

June 27, Wednesday. It looks like the Apilado class is valued by attendees. It polishes and improves dancing skills necessary even in open embrace tango. People advise us that this class may be suitable even for very beginning people, so you might want to try it. We do advise it for everyone now - it works! 8:00 - 10:00 pm. No partner necessary.

Music. By popular request, Igor made a list of samples of danceable tango music of all important tango orchestras. Also there is a link to an internet store there where you can find them.

Where to get tango shoes. There is a store in Campbell ( I can not find their website any more ), and also I was told there is a store in Sunnyvale , but the best advise we can make, visit one of the Nora Tango Week events. There should be huge selection of specifically Tango shoes ( yes, they are special ) there.

Monday Tango lesson, June 18: 7:30 beginners, 8:30 progressing...

June 20, Wednesday. We will continue practicing close embrace Apilado dancing.. 8:00 - 10:00 pm

Thank you everyone taking workshop on Wednesday ! If you have any thoughts, suggestions you'd like to share with us, please, e-mail Igor. We are also interested to know how tango changed your life. Did it help you? Igor is going to write a little article in the press about positive effects of tango on health and well-being, so your little story will be most welcome ! It will be confidential.

So tomorrow is the Tango Workshop "12 Basic Steps of Tango and Milonga", Wednesday June 13.

This is an intensive all-level workout to summarize what we have learned and give the more general picture of the dance than we usually are able to present at a regular class. Material is not difficult, but comprehensive. We are going to practice to the music of Tango Salon, Tango Orillero, Vals, and Milonga. You will find there something for all levels, for developing improvisation skill, feeling tango rhythms, and musicality. It should increase your fluidity in handling the tango figures.

If you do not have a partner, please, come anyway. It looks like we'll be able to put people together.

8:00 - 10:00 pm, $10

Let us start with that by popular demand we have a Tango Workshop "12 Basic Steps of Tango and Milonga" this coming Wednesday June 13. Please, mark your calendars ! This is a great way to improve the dancing and to learn more of Vals and Milonga and feel different orchestras. This is intensive, but not difficult workshop. It is going to be precisely the same like the first time: It is designed to be taken several times - you will dance better and better each time opening new horizons for yourself. Please, e-mail Igor if you would like to take the class !

Thank you everyone who came to the Apilado class on Wednesday ! It was such a nice and useful class. One man said that one can understand better what is going on in open embrace after taking the apilado position.

Our next Monday Class, on June 11 will be the developing of what we learned previously. Beginners class on 7:30 is the great way to perfect what you are doing. [ It turned out that we have learned a small boleo to the cortado to the side and stepping into promenade. It was based on Milonga Basic step and interchanged with forward ocho to cross]

On Monday June 4 we have an open embrace class: 7:30 beginners, and 8:30 progressing. The class will be based on previous material. We will develop it from the technical side, but at the same time we'd like to have more attention to nice steps and some beauty.

On Wednesday, June 6, we will continue Apilado series. It is becoming popular. So, 8:00pm the usual place.

This coming Sunday, June 3, there is a milonga at Palo Alto Elks Lodge on El Camino, here is more info on that: http://www.stanford.edu/~dorcas/EspirituLibre/. This is closest and nicest milonga near our place. Come and take a look ! Dorcas hosts it once a month, but not in July, because...

In the end of June, Nora's Tango Week, large event: http://www.tangoweek.com/instructors.html.

On Wednesday, June 13 we will have "12 Basic Steps of Tango and Milonga" workout again.

* * *
Now, some fresh videos of our Brigitta, remember her?:

Here Brigitta Winkler and Tomas Howlin present the dance at the Minneapolis Tango Festival in 2006. This is a very innovative dance ( well, like all exhibition dances Brigitta does ), it has numerous unique elements.

One more, to the modern music: Brigitta Winkler tango,

And the simplest dance, with Vladimir: Brigitta. Both dancers show very good solid tango.

This Wednesday, May 30, we have a close embrace Apilado class again at 8:00 - with lean. This class is for couples. 

We'd like to thank you everyone coming yesterday for the tango class ! The material was important and might be complex for beginners, but do not worry, we'll make sure you learned it. Please, come to our beginners class at 7:30 where we work on  more simple staff and make excersises. Untill you became great dancers, this class is still useful for you. During the class, along with simple things, we give a lot of tips suitable for intermediate and even advanced level.

Some new videos made in old times:

Here is Libertad Lamarque singing and dancing some tango: A Media Luz. This clip is interesting from many perspectives. Watch how she moves !!

Here is the most interesting example of old tango danced on streets. When the movie was shot, this time was already the past for the actors.
 

We have tango on May 28 !

The progressing lesson is as usual. Beginners ( and other simple, but important things) at 7:30, and progressing class at 8:30 - new material based on and developing the last lessons. This is an open embrace class.

Next Wednesday, May 30, we have a close embrace Apilado class again at 8:00 - with lean. This class is for couples.

This coming Wednesday, May 23 we have a special class on Tango-Apilado. This is close embrace tango with LEAN. The class last Wednesday went with the great success, so not we will review and continue to learn this amazing style of dancing. Most amazing style of dancing on Earth !

Lesson 8-10 pm. $10

Igor and Teressa
www.virtuar.com/jcc/
PS. Here is the map to our location: http://www.virtuar.com/jcc/ad.htm
PPS. About Tango music is here: www.virtuar.com/tango/articles/2006/orchestras.htm

Tango Lesson on Monday May 21 ,

Beginners class at 7:30 as usual: Material to get you dancing as soon as possible. And well !

At the progressing class at 8:30 we will continue from forward ochos to cross. And it led us to variations of forward ochos moving to promenades.

Tango Lesson on Monday May 14,

Beginners class at 7:30 as usual: Material to get you dancing as soon as possible.

Progressing class. Topic: "Evening of questions and answers". I guess we need some time now to answer your tango dancing questions.

Thank you everyone participating in the crazy workshop "12 Ways to make a Pivot" ! I have grounds to believe it was very helpful for you on your way to great dancing. I already saw a jump. Do not worry if you did not remember everything. It was for practice, not for memorization. No one can learn that material in one time. I'd like to repeat the workshop in future, may be even several times. You will find that each time it becomes easier, and you will be able to do more, and with your experience, your dancing skill will grow.

On Wednesday, May 16 we have a very special Class. It is our first class on Close Embrace. And it is a very special style: Tango Apilado. It is danced with lean. It is an ancient way of Tango dancing, practiced by some Tango Stars like Gavito (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSwH3DVFiqM), Eva & Patricio ( http://www.tangonetwork.com/aboutus/videos/EvaPatricioImprov.wmv ), Marta Anton and Luis Grondona ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw2dDsrFLsw - this is Canyengue style, it is danced in Apilado position too) , and others. As you noticed it is done with Lean. A woman leans on a man. This is the way, and this is the way we are going to dance in close embrace.

Igor has taught several women to dance like that, but never taught any man. So it is a little experiment for us, so we call the Lesson "Tango Meditation". Do not worry, it is not a workout. It is calm. First of all we are going to get used to the position, and then, learn how to make steps. This Lesson is for Couples Only ! Of course, everyone is welcome, but we will not ask to change partners. You can change if you want to.

Oh, almost forgot !
Remember Brigitta ?
She is on the cover of Tango Noticias magazine ! Here: TangoNoticias . An my article is there, it is called "THE LEADING LADIES OF TANGO PRODUCTION", but my title was "Tango Night with Leading Ladies". This is my personal view on the production.

Igor and Teressa
www.virtuar.com/jcc/
PS. Here is the map to our location: http://www.virtuar.com/jcc/ad.htm
PPS. About Tango music is here: www.virtuar.com/tango/articles/2006/orchestras.htm

And here are our Wednesday workshops. Come and learn dancing !

May 2, Wednesday: Intensive Workout: 12 Basic Steps of Tango and Milonga with Igor and Teressa ( A partner is recommended - no change of partners will be asked ).

May 9, Wednesday: Workout for men and women: 12 Ways to make a Pivot with Igor and Teressa. ( No partner necessary ). Basis for Molinete. Absolute must for everyone.

May 16, Wednesday: Introduction to Tango Apilado close embrace - Yes, with LEAN ! Most magical style. ( Couples only ! )

May 9, Wednesday: Workout for men and women: 12 Ways to make a Pivot with Igor and Teressa. ( No partner necessary ). Basis for Molinete. Absolute must for everyone.

Today May 9 we had a workshop at 8pm: "12 Ways to make a Pivot in Dancing".

We think it is a very important workshop to learn to dance tango as well as other dances. Please, come ! It is equally important for men as well as for women. Most of the time we are going to practice without a partner.

* * *
Several people asked where to find good tango music. Well, you can not find it in stores. Here is a little article where all tango orchestras are named as well as the Internet site to search for music ( this is the former TowerRecords ). I buy all my collections there.

Yes, we have lesson today, May 7,

Basic is about traspie and other things,

Progressing is about several ways to do forward ocho to cross.

Welcome !

Ney Melo is giving a milonga workshop for us on April 25 !!
Ney is a great milonga dancer.

On April 25, Wednesday, a Milonga workshop with Ney Melo

Address: Cubberley Community Center Auditorium 4000 Middlefield Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94303-4760

Ney Melo is one of the most talented young Argentine Tango dancers and teachers following the traditions of the neighborhood of Villa Urquiza in Buenos Aires. His dance is defined by a smooth and graceful walk, a powerful sense of musicality, and an intimate embrace.

Workshop starts at 8:00pm for 1.5 hours. Practica to follow.

Price $20

The Ney's website: www.neymelo.com.
Here Ney Melo and Jennifer Bratt dance Milonga. (YouTube.com).

( here is the photo from our previous lessons with Ney Melo )

We had a generous workshops with Jorge on April 23, here is the flyer: (Pictures of Jorge Torres are here) !

Jorge Torres,
a Forever Tango director of dancers is coming to our place on Monday April 23 !!!

7:30 - 8:30 - Beginners lesson with Jorge Torres;
8:30 - 9:45 - Beginners-Intermediate Tango workshop with Jorge Torres; Jorge Torres will teach what he thinks is the best for the students. He will address musicality issues.

Price: $10 - Beginners only, $20 Intermediate Workshop; $25 - both.

Jorge Torres is an amazing Tango dancer. Here are his videos to watch:
Jorge Torres and Mariela Franganillo. Theirs Vals and Milonga, Slow Tango Salon. One more - slow and "simple".

JORGE TORRES's bio:

Jorge joined FOREVER TANGO in 1995 as a dancer, and also holds the position of Dance Captain.

Jorge's refined talent and style place him among the outstanding choreographers and dancers of Argentine Tango. Before graduating as a teacher of dancers, Jorge began his career in the Colon Theather in Argentina. He has studied with Noberto Guichanduc, Rodolfo Dinzel, Pepito Avellaneda and Antonio Todaro. He has danced in the most noted tango houses and theaters of Argentina, with the most renowned Tango orchestras.

He has participated in such shows as IMAGENES, TANGO Y ANORANZAS, LA PESADA DEL TANGO, TANGOKINESIS, TANGUISIMO 91, TANGO TANGO, VIVA TANGO, TANGO PASSION, BUENOS AIRES TANGO SHOW and TANGO SEDUCCION. In 1998 Jorge was nominated with FOREVER TANGO for the Tony Awards for best choreography and four Drama Desk Awards. With Karen Kain he recorded A EVARISTO CARRIEGO, directed by Luis Bravo, for CBC, Canadian Broadcasting Company.

He has coordinated such events as the ³World Tango Week 2002² in Tokyo and ³Tango Legend,² attracting record audiences every year. Jorge was invited to perform with the Sexteto Mayor at the Santiago Municipal Theater in Chile. He was also a member of the jury for the First World Championship of Argentinean Tango in Buenos Aires in 2003. He continues to present conferences at the University of El Salvador in Argentina. 

On April 16 :

Beginners lesson at 7:30 as usual.

At 8:30 following the good lesson about molinetes, we review 2 half turns to the left and review molinete again.

On April 9 :

Beginners lesson at 7:30

At the progressing lesson at 8:30 we'd like quickly to make some exercises for molinetes helping you to follow and lead them, review two half turns we've learned last time and review a molinete figure Ney was showing at his previous lesson.

On March 26 we continued.

At the beginners lesson at 7:30 we will go with basic elements. If you are visited the workshops, but do not go to our classes, we highly recommend you to come to this class. It is important: we do not learn basics the 8-basic-way.

At the progressing lesson at 8:30 we will review half turn to the left, ochos, and may be something else like molinetes the Ney's way.

On March 19 we had a guest teacher Ney Melo.

Ney Melo is one of the most talented young Argentine Tango dancers and teachers following the traditions of the neighborhood of Villa Urquiza in Buenos Aires. His dance is defined by a smooth and graceful walk, a powerful sense of musicality, and an intimate embrace. He is currently in San Francisco after finishing a tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Class 1: Walking technique, ladies embellishments. 7:30pm ( Beginners )
Class 2: Mastering the molinete (turns). 8:30 pm ( Intermediate. Open embrace )
Practica: 9:30pm.

Price for each class $10, $20 for both.

During these classes Ney will be assisted by Mia from NY

The Ney's website: www.neymelo.com. Watch videos of Ney dancing at www.youtube.com/tangotelevision - where he is with his partner Jennifer Bratt.

Ney gave us a wonderful lesson on walking, rhythm, and molinete technique with useful hints for posture and steps.

Topic of the lesson on March 12

As usual 7:30 Beginning, 8:30 - Progressing. We will do something interesting with ochos: we worked on a turn to the left.

Tango Lesson on March 5,

At the beginners lesson at 7:30 we will continue to learn the basic step, and make some exercises to help us to learn dancing moves, and review backward ochos.

At the second lesson at 8:30 let us introduce some simple elements to what we know, and we'd like to introduce "Large Boleo".

Here is wonderful, wonderful 13 min short movie about tango. Please, be patient, it starts little slow. I'm sure you would love it ! And it is educational one too - great dancing! Learn Volcada here.

What is "Perdizione" ( the name of the movie ), or "Perdition" in English? Hell. {Synonyms: Inferno, infernal region, nether region, pit }(Christianity) The abode of Satan and the forces of evil; where sinners suffer eternal punishment; "Hurl'd headlong...To bottomless perdition, there to dwell"- John Milton; "a demon from the depths of the pit". Sometimes translated to Russian as Погибель.

* * *
Oh, boy, that was a class ! We've learned so much about boleos, plus corete and quebrada.

On the next Monday, February 26,

The lessons will be a little unusual.

At the beginners lesson at 7:30 we will get introduced to and review back ochos. Right away, instead of the Basic Step. So, it is good time to improve your skills in it.

At the second lesson at 8:30 we will continue our venture into Boleos and strengthen our skill in it. The plan is to introduce more boleos, mix boleos with Back Ochos, lead from there to Cross, and some more tricky things like Front Boleo and Large Boleo, if we have time.

On the next Monday, February 12, as it was planned, we will repeat all the figures we have learned in the recent 2 months: 4 basics steps, and figures with Forward and Backward Ochos, most of the steps we have learned from Ruben. But first, we will talk about and practice how to dance tango dance without any figures at all ( Brigitta ). That is about the quality of communication and beauty of steps. And that is the recipe of a great dance: dance without figures, than make a figure. Simple-more complex. Smooth-rhythmic. So the lesson is going to be pretty intense, and your practice at home will greatly help you.

In the following lessons, we will continue our adventure in Tango, introducing more complex concepts as well as simple elements, effective to achieve what we are looking for in the dance: pleasure. We are not going to learn just figures but we will learn How To Dance them. Knowing figures and ability to dance are quite different things. That is our goal: great dancing.

Our beginners class is build in such a manner to accommodate very new people. However, if no one new comes, we will always learn something fresh, practical, and interesting. So, please, do not hesitate to come and practice earlier. We do encourage you to do so.

Tango on Monday February 5, 2007

At the beginners lesson at 7:30 we will repeat Basic and Cross Basic tango steps probably with some variations at the audience request.

At the next lesson at 8:30 let us get to know a little about Forward Ochos, a pretty new topic for us. We will do several interesting things with them, practical and as it seems not difficult.

This should conclude the material of Intermediate Level 1.  We think that the next lesson( Feb 12) we can devote to reviewing all the things we know: Basic and Cross Basic, Milonga Basic, Ocho Cortado ( remember? ), Pass on the Right, Back Ochos, and these 2 little things with Forward Ochos we are going to learn this Monday. Will see what we can do.

* We did only half of the things about Forward Ochos we planned, but it looks like everyone have got the very important figure, and that is very good.

Tango on Monday 29, 2007

At the beginners lesson at 7:30 we will repeat Basic and Cross Basic tango steps, as well pay more attention to lead. Cross Basic is called so not because there is a woman's position called "Cross", but because a man changes his legs, and this way goes from "parallel legs" to "crossed legs". Just terms.

At the next lesson at 8:30 we will repeat Back Ochos, and connect it to the previous lesson when a man goes on the right side of a woman. Also, if we have time, we'd like to show 2 simple variations of basic steps to change direction of the couple to the left or even backward.

*Well, we were able to do one variation - on step 2. But we worked on that hard. I am sure it was very useful.

Tango on Monday 22, 2007

At the beginners lesson at 7:30 we will learn better Cross Basic figure of tango.
Next one, all levels lesson at 8:30 will be dedicated to backward ochos, and therefore to the graceful and cat-like women's tango step. And men should lead the ochos well ! It is one of the cornerstone elements of Tango, so please, do not miss it. We will connect the material to the material of the last lesson.

Tango on Monday 15, 2007

Beginners lesson at 7:30: Basic step bootcamp. It means less talk more walk.
Next lesson at 8:30: As you know there is no "wrong leg" in Tango. Therefore it makes 6 ways for a couple to walk forward. Many figures can be made out it. We'll practice some of them, and the main goal: a man walks on the right side of a lady. It is like an inverted basic step.

Happy New Year !

Igor and Teressa
www.virtuar.com/jcc/

PS
If you are interested in Tango music, here is a page where all tango orchestras are listed: http://www.virtuar.com/tango/articles/2006/orchestras.htm. It is difficult to find good tango music, but once you know how to do it - it becomes easy.

Tango on Monday, January 8. First tango in 2007 with Brigitta Winkler!
( no tango on January 1 )

This time we are going to have a special guest ! Birgitta Winkler, a professional tango teacher and performer from Germany, frequently referred as one of the best tango teachers in the world. Brigitta is one of the very few who has professional teaching of dancing education and was among those who started the new Tango wave around the Globe. She is going to conduct a lesson in our club. Igor and Teressa will help. The topic of the 8:30 lesson is "Introduction to Boleos". This lesson should be very useful for everyone, from beginner to advanced dancers and especially important for our members. Brigitta also will be at our 7:30 beginners lesson. Please, do not be late! This time is ours! There is a practica after the classes.

This is a regular class, so the price is as usual: $10 for everything.

Famous Luis Bravo's "Forever Tango" show is in San Francisco again ! 14 professional dancers will present, no doubt, a great show. That is what you going to dance like after about... say, 30 years of dedication :) Igor personally knows one couple, and confirms that they are going to shake your feelings !
Well, that is not quite what we dance at our parties, we do not need 30 years to start enjoying the dance, but it should be very satisfying.

So, lessons with Brigitta, Igor, and Teressa, 7:30 beginners, 8:30 - a lesson for everyone "Introduction to Boleos" by Brigitta Winkler,  practica afterwards.

Happy New Year !

Igor and Teressa
www.virtuar.com/jcc/
PS. Here is the map to our location: http://www.virtuar.com/jcc/ad.htm