Workshop Topics

 

Jonathan y Olivia enjoy meeting, interacting, and dancing with members of local Argentine tango communities throughout the nation and sharing their love for the tango milonguero and salon milonguero style of tango. 

 

The following are possible workshop topics that have been well-received in other tango communities which Jonathan and Olivia have visited.

 

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO LEARN IN

JONATHAN AND OLIVIA’S WORKSHOP SERIES 

 

1. THE TANGO WALK -- SAME TECHNIQUE FOR ALL STYLES OF EMBRACE.

 

ARE YOU WALKING WITH BEAUTIFUL TECHNIQUE?

Many tango dancers know countless steps, but oftentimes lack the technical refinements to execute their movements with beautiful technique.  All tango steps, even the most complex movements -- originate from the walk.  One must first master their walking technique before they will be able to proficiently execute movements (steps) that they have learned.  Once our workshop attendees develop a beautiful walk with excellent technique, then execution of their entire vocabulary of moves rises to a higher level of dance that they may never have thought imaginable.  The walking technique we teach is the same in the tango milonguero (apilado) embrace, salon embrace, or open stage embrace. Learn to properly ground your walk as you arrive on your axis, and properly utilize your psoas muscles, adductor muscles, and inner ball to maintain your grounding and your relationship with yourself and your partner. 

 

2. DANCING ON A TILE IN THE TANGO MILONGUERO EMBRACE PART I

 

In a crowded milonga, can you dance rhythmically to an entire song within the area of four tiles?  Learn the technique to dancing in the Central Buenos Aires milongas (or at local milingas in a very tight space) which will empower you to develop a vocabulary that you can lead and follow with confidence in your next milonga.

 

3. DANCING ON A TILE IN THE MILONGUERO EMBRACE PART II

 

Part II includes fluid changes in direction and variations of footwork necessary to do what few can proficiently accomplish dancing on four tiles. This workshop also includes technique for leaders to dance the followers in place taking only one step and dancing followers with their intention, and for followers to read a subtle lead and dance the pauses.

 

4. LAPIZ WITH MOLINETE SALON STYLE

 

Leaders, learn how to incorpoerate contra body technique with your lapiz, while maintaining balance on your axis throughout multiple turns.  Followers, can you do perfect multiple molinetes without pulling your leader off his axis?  The molinete for this move requires perfect walking technique learned in Workshop I.  It is highly recommended that you take our workshop "The Tango Walk" as a prerequisite to this workshop.  We will teach you the technique that you witness in tango performances which incorporate molinete/lapis combinations.

 

5. NUEVO TANGO I

 

In this workshop, we will teach technique to beautifully execute single and triple volcadas.

 

6. NUEVO TANGO II

 

Includes technique to beautifully execute forward colgadas, side colgadas, and time permitting, back colgadas.

 

7.  STRICTLY GAVITO I

 

To quote Gavito: "To dance slowly and beautifully is the most difficult tango to dance well."  This is because it requires excellent walking technique and balance to beauifully execute slow and sensual movements in the salon milonguero (apilado) style -- incorporating the most sensual and intimate styles of close embrace when dancing Argentine tango. In Gavito's later years, Gavito reduced his movements to a simplistic elegance, dancing the pauses. Gavito said "tango happens between the steps". Learn the technique to accomplish Gavito's signature movements, including technique to lead and follow the spiral cross, the most beautiful and sensual cross in tango. Jonathan studied in Buenos Aires with Gavito during the last four years of Gavito's life, and will share the technique necessary to execute Gavito's movements that were learned and mastered by few. Olivia studied with Gavito's last two partners, Maria Plazzola in Buenos Aires and Marcela Duran.

 

8. STRICTLY GAVITO II -- MORE ADVANCED MOVEMENTS NOT TO BE MISSED!

 

Gavito said: "You can't teach the feeling". Jonathan y Olivia will teach you the technique that will give you the key to experience the feeling of being in a euphoric dimension while dancing even the most complex of Gavito's movements.

 

Simplistic elegance and minimalist movement:  Learn the nuances to transform your tango into an aesthetic level that is beautiful, sensual and intimate.  Stylized barridas, foot lifts, boleos and contemporaneous spiral crosses. Alternating from close to open embrace in the salon-milonguero style of tango.

 

9. THE CODIAOS OF TANGO

 

The “Codigos” (codes) or tango dance etiquette, have been developed over many years to create an optimum dance experience in the milongas. These are rules that are adhered to maximize choice, freedom, and pleasure dancing while avoiding embarrassing, awkward, and unsafe situations in the dance hall and on the dance floor.

 

In this fun and interactive workshop, we will discuss the Structure of the Milonga, The Cabeceo and Mirada, Cabeceo tips, Mirada tips, Rules of Floor Craft, Understanding the rules of the Floor, and Personal Hygiene.

 

  • Dancers will role play while paying particular attention to the use of
  • The mirada and exactly when a follower should rise from her chair
  • What to do if two leaders cross the floor for the same follower.
  • Use of the cabeceo and cabeceo tips
  • Accepting or not accepting the cabeceo
  • Protocol for entering and exiting the dance floor
  • What to do when dancers bump into each other
  • When you may pass or not pass on the floor
  • When talking is permissible on the floor and when it is not appropriate
  • Returning the follower safely to her table
  • Being mindful to fully clear the floor when the cortina begins and a common faux pas when clearing the floor
  • Knowing what must occur before the mirada or cabeceo is used
  • Mindfully navigating on the floor. 

 

MILONGA


A fun class for beginners. Learn the musicality behind milonga and basic milonga steps to get you on the floor and dancing when you hear a milonga tanda. Recommended prerequisite- Fundamentals of the tango walk in close embrace for beginners. (Beginners)

                                           Gavito's style:
Simplistic elegance and minimalist movement for advanced intermediate and advanced level dancers: Learn the nuances to transform your tango into an aesthetic level that is beautiful, sensual and intimate. Gavito said: "You can't teach the feeling".