Dear Tango Friends: We will like to share with you a little of tango s history:
Tango is a dance originated in the poor neighborhoods of the largest cities in Argentina and Uruguay at the end of the XIX century. It represents the cultural mix of immigrants and the established population. In the 1800 s, Buenos Aires and Montevideo had a population of 25 % to more than 50 % of Africans each. They were servants of the most influential families of these cities and were more integrated to the life of these families and the society in general than the Africans of other societies like North America. Tangos were called the black people celebrations and places of meeting since the beginning of the XIX century. Is in these places where the dance known today as tango began the development of its choreography and music. Other African terms directly related to tango are milonga and candombe . Milonga is a Quimbunda expression that means words and referred originally to a kind of duel between two countryside singers called payadores that playing guitar will improvise verses of eight syllables with a structure type question/answer; while candombe is a Batz word that referred originally to the rhythms and dances made by the Africans in their tango meetings and also to these meetings. When they were given freedom (1853) they created several associations -kinds of unions- to help themselves, and placed them mostly in the area of the neighborhood of Montserrat. During carnival, they used to go out on the streets with bright colored costumes and big-feathered hats, dancing many hours to the monotonous rhythm of candombe the music they played at these events. Different associations competed for the supremacy and this developed into bloody incidents in the streets. The repetition of the violence forced the police to close many of those associations in 1877. It was the end of black people s carnival. The consequence of this was the creation of several dance centers where they developed a kind of couple dance called tango using the same choreographic elements they used before in their candombes. But that tango was not an embraced couple dance. They danced it separately SPECIAL EVENTS: DECEMBER 11th. We celebrate Argentine Tango Day. THE FRIENDSHIP MILONGA AND SHOW . Dance, music and poetry in one show. Join us to share the magic of tango! We will offer you a unique and dazzling performance full of beauty and fun, from traditional tangos to modern ones, from passionate moments to funny and witty ones. Live music by Bocha and Marcelo, dances by Romina & Marcelo and Mayumi Fujio Morrow (www.mayumix.com) & Hung-Yut Chen (http://www.WalkingOne.com/). Don t miss our choreography class students showcase!!! All level class 7:30-8:30pm., Milonga 8:30pm-1am, SHOW at 9:30pm at The Studio, 1018 Almanor Ln., Lafayette (behind Jack in the box) Off street parking is available and the studio is within walking distance from Bart. Hors d oeuvres and refreshments included. $18 paid in advance, $20 at the door. To make your reservation in advance, contact us:(925)299-6945, (925)209-4124, [email protected], 3349 Mt. Diablo Blvd. #B Lafayette, CA. REGULAR SCHEDULE: NEW!!! MONDAY 8-9pm. All level class: beginners who want to learn this dance for the very first time and advanced dancers who want to improve your technique are welcome. Practice after class until 11pm. $10 promotional rate until 2005. Stars Ballroom, 1559 South Novato Blvd. #C, Novato, CA. 94947. http://www.starsballroom.com/index.htm TUESDAY 8:30-10pm. Personalized class. This is a class created specially for you. It is a small group class which works as a semi-private. We are able to focus on your own issues and requests. It is for those who are really interested in working hard on technique and to focus on details in order to get a nice and clear lead and a smooth and elegant following. Studio 204, 3435 Cesar Chavez (@Valencia), San Francisco. $20. Please contact us before coming, space limited. Good parking available. WEDNESDAY. Beginner class 8-9pm. This is a class for those who want to start to dance tango for the very first time, and also for beginner students who have already started tango. We work on fundamentals and technique. Posture, balance, connection with the partner, musicality, isolation, walking, basic combinations, and pivots. We encourage the Intermediate/Advanced students to take this class to review the fundamentals and be ready and warmed for the next class. Intermediate class 9-10pm. This is a class created by popular demand. Intermediate/Advanced students find here the place to learn new and challenging steps. Parallel system and crossed system, forward and backward ochos, turns, sacadas, barridas, half moon, embellishments for leaders and followers, and much more $10 each class, $15 for both classes. ACB Ballroom, 454 Santa Clara Ave., Oakland CA 94610. Use parking lot under the freeway. Directions: http://www.smartpages.com/home/acbballroomdanceschool2 THURSDAY. Beginner class 7:30-8:30pm. Intermediate/Advanced class 8:30-9:30pm. Social Hall, Civic Community Center of Walnut Creek, 1375 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. City of Walnut Creek Recreational Apartment, Tel: (925)943-5853. Registration needed. $45 five week session. Attention: SALSA CLASS. Beginner 6:30-7:30pm, Intermediate 5:30-6:30pm. Registration needed. No classes Nov. 11th and 25th!!! NEW SERIES START JANUARY 6th, 2005 On-line registration www.WalnutCreekRec.org FRIDAY. Beginner class 8-9pm. This is a class for those who want to start to dance tango for the very first time, and also for beginner students who have already started tango. We work on fundamentals and technique. Posture, balance, connection with the partner, musicality, isolation, walking, basic combinations, and pivots. We encourage the Intermediate/Advanced students to take this class to review the fundamentals and be ready and warmed for the next class. Intermediate class 9-10pm. We work with exercises specially designed to understand the connection between the partners, which help you to lead clearly but smooth and follow with confidence and elegance. On this basis, we work on Parallel system and crossed system, forward and backward ochos, turns, sacadas, barridas, half moon, embellishments for leaders and followers, and much more Milonga 10pm to midnight. Stay after class to practice or join us after 10pm to dance in a nice and friendly atmosphere! $10 each class and milonga, $15 for both classes and milonga, $5 milonga only, $45 for 5 lessons + milonga card (must be used within 60 days) Lafayette Dance Center, 3369 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Off street parking is available and the studio is within walking distance form Bart. Hors d oeuvres and refreshments included. No classes Nov. 26th and Dec.10th!!! SATURDAY. The Elegant walk class. 5-6pm. An hour class plus practice time after. Come and enjoy a coffee, tea, and/or a croissant and dance tango. Learn to dance tango in a nice and friendly atmosphere. CAFI MAMA, 4754 Mission St. between Persia & Russia, San Francisco. Free with menu purchase. SATURDAY. 1st, 3rd & 5th of every month. Advanced level class. 8-9pm. Milonga 9pm-1am. Performance at 10:30pm. $15 for class and milonga, $12 for milonga only (refreshments included). The Danceasy, 9951 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito. Tel: (510)524-9100 www.danceasy.com SUNDAY. Choreography class 6-8pm. A great way to improve your technique! You will work on: technique, the esthetics of the movements, understanding their nature, self-expression through the movement, rhythm and musicality. Repeating over and over a sequence of steps is the best way to work on your dance. Working on choreographies will improve your improvisation skills as well. $30. Lafayette Dance Center, 3369 Mt. Diablo Blvd., Lafayette. Off street parking available and the studio is within walking distance from Bart. Hors d oeuvres and refreshments included. PRIVATE LESSONS available. INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS/DVDs TANGO TOUR TO BUENOS AIRES. March 24th to April 4th, 2005. Price $1,690 signing in before November 30th. CONTACT US? (925) 299-6945 / (925) 209-4124 Fax: 775-924-0349 TOLL FREE # 1-877-225-5928 & then dial: (925)299-6945 [email protected] http://www.rominamarcelo.com _________________________________________________________________ Visita MSN Latino Entretenimiento: !mzsica, cine, chismes, TV y mas...! http://latino.msn.com/entretenimiento/
