YANINA & GENNARO GIVE A MILONGA 2-HOUR WORKSHOP ON SUNDAY - MARCH 26 - 2-4:00 PM
~MILONGA~ Milonga May refer to the music, written in 2/4 time, or to the dance which preceded the tango, or to the dance salon where people go to dance tango, or to a tango dance and party. Milonga Traspii with Syncopation - Traspii is a word that conjures up feelings of fun and snappy dancing! Traspii means to stumble or slip. Traspii can be led on any step that the leader wishes. Traspii is a cross foot, triple step: a walking step with a syncopated cross. Using two beats of music the dancer does step-cross-step beginning with either foot and moving in any direction". LAKE MERRITT DANCE CENTER 200 GRAND AVE., OAKLAND Price is $30 with pre-registration, $35 at the door. To pre-register call Jeanne Hill at (925) 283-0191 or email [email protected], Yanina & Gennaro are available for private lessons, call (cell) 415 595-2268, and e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] Music The Milonga originated in the Rmo de la Plata area of Argentina and Uruguay, and was very popular in the 1870s. The Milonga was derived from an earlier style of singing known as the "payada de contrapunto". The song was set to a lively 2/4 tempo, and often included musical improvisation. Over time, dance steps and other musical influences were added, eventually giving rise to the tango. Despite 2/4 formula, rhythm is irregular. It is syncopated, consisting of 8 beats with accents on the 1st, 4th, 5th and 7th beats. Dance Although Milonga uses the same basic elements as Tango, it is much nearer to the African roots, especially in that it requires a greater relaxation of legs and body. Movement is normally faster, and pauses are not made: As the beat goes on, dancers continue setting their feet. It is rather a kind of rhythmic walking without complicated figures, with a much more "rustic" style than Tango. There are different styles of Milonga: Milonga Lisa (Simple Milonga), in which the dancer steps on every beat of the music; and Milonga con Traspii, in which the dancer uses Traspiis or contrapasos (changes of weight from one foot to the other and back again in double time) to interpret the music. Thus, dynamics may be danced without having to run fast or without the use of much space.
