Want to learn Tango - but where to go??

[DD+]

I am in Kent and my dance partner is in Walthamstow (East London) - does anyone know of any good Tango classes for total beginners - dont mind travelling a bit!:respect:

[Feelingpink]

Tango South London does a total beginner workshop about once a month in Dulwich, which seems like a good start, then Monday nights have beginner & improver classes, followed by a practica - there's a beginner one on this Saturday.

[eeyore]

You could try the Tango Boot Camp in April - it's in Hove I think. I've done workshops with the teachers (Alex & Stefano) & would thoroughly recommend them. Will be hard work I guess doing a weekend's intensive tango, but I think the idea is you'd come out having got to grips with the basics of tango - which took me a couple of months to pick up via weekly classes. Afraid I don't know of any local regular classes, although someone last year did recommend a London based one to me - Tangomentes or something like that?? Unfortunately I never got round to going...

Good luck with it - Argentinian Tango is a wonderful dance :awe:

[Chef]

I am not sure where would be the most convenient for you (since your partner is in Walthamstow) and I only know a bit about things south of the Thames.

The best one would be the tango boot camp in Hove because they are great teachers and because it is an intensive course.

In your neck of the woods there are classes on Tuesday at the Warren In Bromley. Another class is at the Dance studio on the Rochester airport estate on Monday evenings.

For a full listing of things going on see tango.org.uk - Dance Argentine Tango in the UK (http://www.tangoexpress.co.uk/tango/).

There seems to be a fair bit of AT going on in the north side (Bromley, Rochester, canterbury) and on the south coast (Hastings, Brighton) but the central part of kent and sussex seems fairly quiet.

[DD+]

Thanks guys - really appreciated :respect:keep the suggestions coming in tho:flower:

[David Bailey]

You could try the Tango Boot Camp in April - it's in Hove I think.
Yes, there's a thread about it here:
http://www.cerocscotland.com/forum/land-1000-dances/15419-tango-boot-camp-26th-27th-april-2008-a.html

There's also a Tango Toolkit weekend to consider:
Tango Toolkit weekends: tango classes to help absolute beginners learn to dance tango argentino (http://www.tangouk.co.uk/toolkit.htm)

Finally, you could also try one of the upcoming workshops aimed at MJ-ers - thread here:
http://www.cerocscotland.com/forum/land-1000-dances/15192-tango-workshops.html

(Amir's one next Sunday is probably the best for what you want, assuming there are spaces left on it)

[Astro]

I think there's one in Central London, because an aqaiintanace of mine said she wanted to learn and I introduced her to a second aquaintance who goes to Tango in Central London.

It was handy for where the 1st one lives or works. I know she works near the Royal Albert Hall.

I will ask next time I see either one. Was not interested at the time, but am now.

[David Bailey]

I think there's one in Central London, because an aqaiintanace of mine said she wanted to learn and I introduced her to a second aquaintance who goes to Tango in Central London.
There are loads of AT classes in Central London - see here (http://www.lyndaslist.com/tango.htm)- but I don't know which ones are particularly good for beginners.

If you're definitely keen on it, I reckon a workshop or even a "boot camp" weekend would be the best way to get a headstart.

[Astro]

There are loads of AT classes in Central London - see here (http://www.lyndaslist.com/tango.htm)- but I don't know which ones are particularly good for beginners.

If you're definitely keen on it, I reckon a workshop or even a "boot camp" weekend would be the best way to get a headstart.

Found out they have Ballroom Dance, including tango, waltz, rhumba, cha cha and jive at my local college.

10 weeks from 7 - 9pm for concession price of £15 because I'm deaf. Normal price £91

Will try it, but not sure about wearing heels.

[philsmove]

Found out they have Ballroom Dance, including tango, .


Beware Ballroom Tango is completely different to Argentinean Tango

[Astro]

Beware Ballroom Tango is completely different to Argentinean Tango

Is it. I didn't know that. Thanks :flower:

Looking at the dates, the next one doesn't start till late April.

Also my brain is not very good at learning by watching, so think learning more than one dance will confuse the hell out of me.

Plus, there will not be much (if any) freestyle to practice in.

Maybe I will go with those friends to where they go.

[David Bailey]

Is it. I didn't know that. Thanks :flower:
Yep - Ballroom Tango's the one with the flowers-between-the-teeth, the sharp staccato head movements and the "Y" shaped frame. It's yuk, avoid it like the plague. Although I may be biased :)

[gebandemuishond]

Yep - Ballroom Tango's the one with the flowers-between-the-teeth, the sharp staccato head movements and the "Y" shaped frame. It's yuk, avoid it like the plague. Although I may be biased :)

:yeah: Agreed - one to avoid, unless you enjoy getting whiplash of the neck.

Dan

[Astro]

When I see those girls at ceroc I'll find out which one they go to.

[Obi's Sweat Band]

[QUOTE=Chef;453978]I am not sure where would be the most convenient for you (since your partner is in Walthamstow) and I only know a bit about things south of the Thames.

Another class is at the Dance studio on the Rochester airport estate on Monday evenings.
QUOTE]

And after you've been to the tango class at Dance Junction Rochester from 8pm to 9pm you can pop in to Ceroc in time for the intermediate class. Lots do... :wink:

[mshedgehog]

Ooooh I had to register just to answer this one. There are lots of classes within easy reach of Walthamstow, not sure about Kent.

I can recommend the course at the Crypt, Farringdon (http://www.elonce.dircon.co.uk/html/beginners.html) from my own knowledge: Tom teaches the basics really systematically and thoughtfully to give you a good foundation - at the end, you'll be able to benefit from any of the recent-beginners classes or a lot of the intermediate classes available around London. It worked really well for me and I recommend it. The syllabus is at that link.

If you can't wait or you just want to try it out, you can also take the class at the same place on any Saturday. The beginners' class on Saturdays is taught on alternate weeks by Nikki and by Paul and Michiko - either will give you a good start, I personally prefer Paul and Michiko's teaching style to Nikki's but it's mainly a matter of personal taste, the content for the beginners' class is more or less the same. Either way, you can then stay to watch the intermediate class and then have a dance afterwards, all included, or just watch. It would give you a good idea of what it's all about. You could do that tonight if you wanted (schedule here (http://www.elonce.dircon.co.uk/html/club_schedule.html)).

There are also the following beginners' classes that I haven't taken or observed personally:

Danny @ the Welsh Centre (http://www.tangotheargentinoway.co.uk/), near King's Cross, teaches a monthly four-week beginners' course: I haven't taken this class, but I can tell you Danny is a lovely person and a joy to dance with.

Stefano and Alexandra @ Tango in Action (http://www.tangoinaction.com) - I think some of their classes at least are right next to Highbury & Islington Tube. I've never taken any of their classes so I can't recommend them personally from my own knowledge, but the location might be really handy for you.

David & Kim @ Tango Movement ~ The Essence of Argentine Tango in London (http://www.tangomovement.com) give beginners classes in Holborn - I've taken their intermediate classes, they're not such experienced teachers as Paul & Michiko or as Tom - they couldn't be, being so much younger - but they're developing and the intermediate classes are full of pleasing little things and good advice, and they have lots of enthusiastic students.

Also stuck on my door are flyers for beginners or foundation classes at the Inn on the Green, near Ladbroke Grove, and Wessex House, opposite Clapham Junction. I don't know anything about either of these and neither has a web address but I suppose I could send you the email addresses/phone numbers from the flyers if you like.

And yes, biiiiiiiiiig difference from ballroom tango! Like cricket and baseball.

Hope that helps and you enjoy learning tango :) It's not easy but it's worth it.

[David Bailey]

I think I'm in :love: :D

[mshedgehog]

I think I'm in :love: :D

Who with? ;)

The El Once website now has the date of their next beginners course and it's the week after next - 31st March (http://www.elonce.dircon.co.uk/html/beginners.html). So jump in if you want to!