TangoConnection(tm) Series

In our TangoConnection™ class structure, we look at the basics of tango from seven different perspectives in each of our seven class sessions, named after famous tango orchestras - Di Sarli, D'Arienzo, Pugliese, Calo, Biagi, Piazzolla and Canaro. We divide this fascinating material among seven different days (fourteen classes total, two levels per day) so students receive a structured presentation of rotating topics, offering a thorough exposure to the foundations of Argentine tango. As a result of our thorough approach, even more advanced dancers are challenged to mine the delicious richness waiting for discovery and pleasure within ALL the below topics.

Our TangoConnection™ "Pugliese" classes emphasize The Tango of Feeling the Moving Axis.

When we tango, we are to some degree trying to "become a four-legged dancer" with our partner. In order to do that, we are accommodating our vertical axis to our partner's presence and movement, whether we both are vertical and independent on our own axis (as in "open embrace/salon" or "vertical close embrace"), or sharing momentum and inertia with our partner by tending to lean into them (as in "apilado close embrace" or when using volcada energy) or opening outward away from eachother (some ideas of giro turns or anywhere that we use colgada energy).
In all these axis-balancing possibilities, profound connection between partners is, in our experience, both possible and desirable! Get past the tired discussions of dogmatic stylistic differences and discover for yourself the underlying structural possibilities underneath all "styles". We'll make you comfortable with moving as needed from one state of balance to another, in order to create the most satisfying dance possible with any partner.

Our TangoConnection™ "Canaro" classes emphasize The Tango of Turning Together.

At the "fundamentals" level, everyone, no matter how new or experienced they may be, will leave this class understanding the basic experiences of the tango turn - changing the direction of the moving embrace through rotating the embrace around its axis, or by pivoting simultaneously within the embrace. With zero previous tango experience, students have left this class feeling they could start dancing confidently right away, with a sound foundation for their tango explorations.
At the "push your edge" level, we take the Fundamentals material and apply it to an introduction to changes of direction, a very satisfying and surprisingly straightforward tango exploration. Gustavo Naveira himself says that the “changes in direction” or “alteraciones” as they were first termed, marked the first real point of departure for tango vocabulary into the contemporary resurgence of tango: “…it was with changes of direction that we started dancing something that was clearly distinctive, yet within the musical framework and intimate connection that defines the larger world of tango.” The topic of changes in direction provides students with an exciting, endless exploration of the improvisational riches available in Argentine tango where delightful surprises and creativity await.
Along with our basic orientation common to all our classes, the “Canaro class sessions” provide an in-depth study of the code of the turn, and turning impulses within the embrace, combined with subtlety training to help even beginners experience the fascinating and varied intensity of the tango connection.

Our TangoConnection™ "D’Arienzo" classes emphasize The Tango of Crossing.

For many beginners, “the cross”, “the walk to the cross”, or (as we like to name it) “La Cruzada” is too often presented as an overly simplified mini-choreography. Like all tango concepts, there are consequences to learning La Cruzada based on mini-choreography. Typical results include students receiving a sadly limited set of options, a restricted lead-follow connection and building unfortunate tango habits that in some cases, takes years to undo.
Tango is a social dance, and we want all of our students to have a successful dance with the widest variety of possible partners anywhere in the world. To that end, we’ll train you utilizing the underlying mechanics so you can EASILY adapt to and enjoy whatever partner you may encounter in tango, regardless of THEIR training or understanding!
At the "push your edge" level, we take the Fundamentals material and apply it with greater subtlety, to give you a very satisfying and surprisingly straightforward tango exploration. In THIS class, we’ll be working especially on variations of the lead for “La Cruzada” that yield delightfully diverse musical expressions in timing.
Along with our basic orientation common to all our classes, the “D’Arienzo class sessions” provide an in-depth study of “La Cruzada” combined with subtlety training to help even beginners experience the fascinating and varied intensity of the tango connection.

Our TangoConnection™ "Di Sarli" classes emphasize The Tango of Walking Together.

Besides sharing the secrets of how to really connect to your partner right at the start, we’ll review the fundamental “walking choices” you have, even as a brand-new dancer, and what the consequences are of choosing one over the other. You then discover for yourself what the limitations are in your current walking habits and how to grow beyond those limitations.
Once we learn how to connect with our partner, just walking together to the music becomes a joy to be savored. Beginners are often surprised to discover how “expert” they already are at the basics, once we remove unnecessary distractions and blind alleys. Even for students familiar with these basics, there are MANY subtleties to refine. When we work with people with more experience, the focus and intensity offered to each person becomes more in the direction of a private lesson, where each individual works with his/her partner on particular technique areas within the topic being addressed.

	6:30 to 7:45pm Level 1 Fundamentals Introduction/Review (includes below practica periods)
	7:45 to 8pm Warm-up & Registration
	8 to 9:15pm Level 2 On-Going “Push Your Edge” Class (includes practica periods)
	9:15 to 10pm Guided Practica
Driving Directions to The Avalon Ballroom From Boulder, take Arapahoe Ave. heading east. Pass 55th St., pass the Flatirons Subaru dealership & look for the Avalon Ballroom on your left hand side where there is ample free parking. From Denver, take 36 to Foothills Parkway, the same exit as Boulder's Table Mesa Drive. Take Foothills Parkway north to Arapahoe. At Arapahoe, turn right, heading east. Pass 55th St., pass the Flatirons Subaru dealership & look for the Avalon Ballroom on your left hand side where there is ample free parking.